User blogs

“Legal steroids” is a catch-all term for muscle-building supplements that don’t fall under the category of “illegal.”

Anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) are synthetic (manufactured) versions of the male sex hormone testosterone. These are sometimes used illegally.

People who have muscle wasting or testosterone production disorders can take these hormone supplements for their condition if prescribed by a healthcare provider.

However, some athletes and bodybuilders illegally use these steroids to boost muscle mass or performance.

Some legal supplements do have science on their side and aren't entirely unsafe. But others may be completely ineffective or even cause harm.

Creatine

Creatine is one of the most well-known performance support options. It’s a naturally occurring substance found in foods like fish and meat. It’s also sold in many stores as a muscle-building supplement.

Creatine has numerous documented benefits:

• A 1999 studyTrusted Source found that weightlifters who used creatine showed nearly three times as much growth in muscle fibers and doubled overall body mass than those who didn’t use creatine.

• A 2003 studyTrusted Source found that using creatine when you’re weight training can help build strength in your legs and increase your overall muscle mass.

• A 2007 reviewTrusted Source of muscle-building supplements indicated that creatine is the best supplement for increasing muscle mass.

Research has also found no long-term health effects of using creatine.

Look out for any extra ingredients in supplements that may have side effects or cause allergic reactions.

Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)

MMP is a blend of creatine, betaine, and dendrobium extract that’s often sold as Craze or various other names.

This supplement is relatively safe to use. However, it doesn’t result in the muscle-building claims this drug’s marketing copy might lead you to believe.

A 2014 studyTrusted Source found that participants who used it for a 6-week training period reported higher energy and better concentration, but no increases in body mass or overall performance.

As with other OTC supplements, look out for additional ingredients that can cause allergic reactions or long-term health effects.

Dimethylamylamine (DMAA)

DMAA has been found in numerous muscle-building and weight loss supplements, but it’s not safe. Any product that contains it and markets itself as a dietary supplement is illegal.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA)Trusted Source has released numerous warnings to consumers to steer clear of DMAA and its various forms in OTC supplements.

Using DMAA can lead to one or more of the following complications:

• narrowing of blood vessels

• increased blood pressure

• shortness of breath

• feeling of chest tightness

• irregular heartbeat

• heart attack

• seizures

• neurological disorders

• mental health conditions

Instead of just lifting weights, an amateur bodybuilder in the United Kingdom tried to plump up his arm muscles and by injecting them with

Instead of just lifting weights, an amateur bodybuilder in the United Kingdom tried to plump up his arm muscles and by injecting them with coconut oil, according to a new report of the case.

But he wound up developing cysts inside his arm muscles from the oil, and because he also used steroids, he ruptured his triceps and needed surgery, the report said.

The 25-year-old-man first went to the doctor because his arm hurt and he had had trouble moving it for several months. He told the doctor that he had taken up bodybuilding four years earlier, and that he went to the gym three times a week.

An ultrasound revealed a rupture in the tendon that connects the triceps muscle (in the upper arm) to the bone near the elbow. This type of injury is rare in young people, the report said. The ultrasound also showed multiple cysts inside his arm muscle.

From these findings, the man's doctors suspected that he might be injecting substances into his arm. When he was asked about this, the patient admitted that he had injected coconut oil into his arm muscles to increase their size and definition.

Although anabolic steroids are perhaps the most well-known substances that bodybuilders inject to bulk up muscle, they also sometimes inject other substances, including natural oils — like sesame oil, walnut oil and paraffin — to make their muscles appear to be larger, the report said. Natural oils are less expensive than anabolic steroids, which may make them an attractive option, particularly for amateur bodybuilders, the report said.

"Alarmingly, this practice, used for the short-term enhancement of muscular appearance, seems to come at a significant cost," the man's doctors, from London North West Healthcare NHS Trust health system, wrote in the Dec. 1 issue of the journal BMJ Case Reports. In an earlier case, a bodybuilder in Germany who injected sesame seed oil into his muscles for eight years experienced scarring and deformity in his muscle tissue, and had irreversible muscle damage that prevented him from weightlifting normally.

Other side effects of similar injections include skin sores, infection and potentially life-threatening blockages of blood vessels, due to the globbing up of the fat in the oils, the report said.

A review of the U.K. man's medical history also revealed that he had engaged in several other problematic practices in order to bulk up his muscles. For example, he had used insulin without a prescription, which caused him to have seizures. He had also injected himself with vitamin B12, which resulted in a bacterial infection. And he had used anabolic steroids, which caused him to develop swollen breast tissue and benign tumors on his liver — and both conditions required surgery.

It's likely that the man's triceps tendon rupture resulted from his use of anabolic steroids, which led to stiffening of the tendon and rupture after repeated weightlifting, the report said.

The man underwent surgery to repair his tendon, which healed well. But he continued to practice unsafe bodybuilding techniques to maintain his desired body image, despite being counseled about the risks of those practices, the report said.

"[Doctors] need to be aware of these cases," so that they can diagnose patients correctly and recognize potentially life-threatening practices among bodybuilders, the report said.

These natural products may help block estrogen:

• Wild nettle root: Nettle root or nettle leaves are often used to make prostate medication. Nettles contain compounds that act as natural estrogen blockers. Taking supplements can regulate production of the hormone.

• Chrysin: This flavonoid is found in passionflower, honey, and bee propolis. Proponents argue that it blocks estrogen and increases testosterone, and others claim that there’s no evidence.

• Maca: Maca is a cruciferous plant that originates in Peru. Proponents say it has a host of benefits, including enhancing fertility and blocking estrogen in men. Although

  macaTrusted Source

  does contain many vitamins and nutrients, there’s little scientific evidence that it plays a role in regulating hormones.

• Grape seed extract: This extract has been shown to act as an aromatase inhibitor, or estrogen blocker, in postmenopausal women at high risk for breast cancer. Men may experience similar benefits when taking it as a supplement.

Local anesthetics produce anesthesia by inhibiting excitation of nerve endings or by blocking conduction in peripheral nerves. Cocaine, a compound indigenous to the Andes Mountains, West Indies, and Java, was the first anesthetic to be discovered and is the only naturally occurring local anesthetic; all others are synthetically derived. Cocaine was introduced into Europe in the 1800s following its isolation from coca beans. Sigmund Freud, the noted Austrian psychoanalyst, used cocaine on his patients and became addicted through self-experimentation.

In the latter half of the 1800s, interest in the drug became widespread, and many of cocaine's pharmacologic actions and adverse effects were elucidated during this time. In the 1880s, Koller introduced cocaine to the field of ophthalmology, and Hall introduced it to dentistry

APIs are broadly categorised into two types – synthetic and natural. Synthetic APIs are further classified into innovative and generic synthetic APIs, based on the type of synthesis used.

Synthetic chemical APIs, also known as small molecules, constitute a large part of the pharmaceutical market, with many small molecule drugs commercially available in the market.

Natural APIs are used in making biologics, which are increasingly becoming the top-selling drugs in the market. Despite the growing demand, biologics are currently significantly fewer in number compared to small molecule drugs.

Based on the solubility, APIs are categorised into insoluble and soluble drugs.

Pharmaceutical Technology has listed the leading suppliers of active pharmaceutical ingredients and intermediates based on its intel, insights and decades-long experience in the sector. The list includes companies that can develop and supply high-quality pharmaceutical materials, including, but not limited to:

• Fine chemicals and intermediates, such as high-docosahexaenoic acid oil for API production

• APIs for central nervous system therapies

• Natural cannabinoid (CBD) ingredients, CBD isolates and cannabis distillates

• Excipients

• Insulin for cell culture media

• Ammonium compounds

• Mineral salts

The list also includes suppliers of mixing and drying technologies, polymer coatings for drug delivery, extraction technologies for high-purity APIs, and dispersion and wet milling technology. Providers of automatic capsule filling machines, dry powder and liquid-based material handling systems, analytic services for biological assays, pharma tablet manufacturing machines, and custom synthesis services are detailed in the document as well.

Drip Irrigation is a kind of micro irrigation system that saves water but at the same time ensures that water reaches the roots of the plants. It works to drip slowly. Drip Irrigation can work from both above or under the surface of the soil. It works effectively to ensure that all your plants get what they need.

Advantages of Drip Irrigation System

• Due to improper water supply, fertilizers and nutrients cannot reach the roots of every plant. Drip Irrigation system helps it to reach effectively.

• If you want to gain efficiency in water application, then installing the Drip Irrigation system is a must.

• Field leveling is done by installing this type of irrigation system. When your field is evenly leveled you can plant properly.

• Whatever your field capacity is, they need moisture. Roots should be hydrated.

• Soil erosion and weed growth are reduced.

• Water distribution can be controlled. According to the necessity, water is produced to every root.

• You do not any helping hand to water your plants anymore. So Drip Irrigation also confirms zero labor cost.

• It is a low-cost process that can also be done in low water pressure.

Disadvantages of Drip Irrigation System

• The installation process needs time. Sometimes may need court approval in some lands.

• Sun heat affects tubes, sometimes they get broken for excessive heat production.

• Plastic tubes affect soils fertility. Sun degrades plastic sometimes and that affect soil and fertilizers too.

• Tubes get clogged sometimes. Water cannot pass through and roots get dehydrated.

• If Drip Irrigation is not installed properly, then it is a waste of time, water and heat.

India is facing the twin challenge of water scarcity and population explosion. The ongoing water crisis has affected nearly 600 million people and is expected to only worsen: The country's population is touted to increase to 1.6 billion by 2050.

The agriculture sector is the largest consumer of water in India. It accounts for approximately 90 per cent of 761,000 billion litres of annual freshwater withdrawals in the country. Per capita consumption of water in agriculture sector ranges from 4,913 to 5,800 kilolitre per capita per year.

Agriculture may have to face the brunt: Water would be diverted to other sectors and agriculture would have to make its peace with lesser and poorer quality of water.

Climate change too has aggravated water scarcity concerns: It can, through its impact on weather patterns, affect livelihoods and well-being of our farming community.

The impact of climate change is much more evident in Indian agriculture, where around 85 per cent farmers are small and marginal and 60 per cent agriculture is dependent upon the vagaries of monsoon. The role of irrigation, therefore, takes the front seat.

The continued irrigation through traditional practices since the introduction of Green revolution in the 1960's, however, has begun to show its multitudinous ill effects on groundwater quality and height, water logging, soil salinity, soil health, crop productivity, partial factor productivity and cost economics of farm practices.

This is where micro-irrigation assumes significance.

Micro-irrigation gained prevalence when the Parliament was rocked with issue of farmer suicides. Sensing the significance and probable benefits of the process to double the farmers' income along with agricultural sustainability and environmental quality, the Union government launched a comprehensive flagship programme called Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana or “more crop per drop”.

Under the programme, financial assistance of up to 55 per cent is available for small and marginal farmers and 45 per cent for other farmers for adoption of micro-irrigation systems. The funding pattern between the Union governments and the state government's share since November 2015 has been 60:40 for all states except the North East and the Himalayan states, for which the funding pattern is 90:10.

Micro-irrigation can increase yields and decrease water, fertiliser and labour requirements. By applying water directly to the root zone, the practice reduces loss of water through conveyance, run-off, deep percolation and evaporation.

These losses are unavoidable in traditional irrigation practices; micro-irrigation, through its water-saving approach, has paved the way for higher water use efficiency of around 75-95 per cent.

Another resource saving practice possible through micro-irrigation is fertigation, which comprises combining water and fertiliser application through irrigation. Fertigation results in balanced nutrient application, reduced fertiliser requirement of around 7 to 42 per cent (thus, saving expenditure cost incurred by farmer), higher nutrient uptake and nutrient use efficiency.

It is quite apparent that in the present scenario, vertical expansion of agricultural lands is not possible. Therefore, in order to increase the yield and productivity, we have to focus on degraded and waste lands.

Micro-irrigation provides this opportunity. A national-level survey undertaken for the Union government showed that farmers were able to bring 519.43 hectares of degraded land under cultivation through the technique. It also helped use saline water for irrigation without causing salinity or osmotic stress to plants.

Proper irrigation is essential for maintaining lawn and garden health. But many homeowners are confused about irrigation options. If you're comparing in-ground watering systems, the following tips may help.
First, choosing between drip watering and spray irrigation is a basic decision you will have to make. The choice should depend on factors such as the size of your lawn, the plants you wish to grow, and your budget. While spray irrigation systems are more commonly seen, you should consider the advantages of drip irrigation before making a final decision.
In general, spray irrigation systems are better for covering larger areas. Typically these areas are home to plants that do not have very precise water requirements. Drip irrigation, on the other hand, tends to be more precise in administering particular quantities of water over a given period of time. It can also work better when you need to irrigate a plot of land that is not flat. While drip irrigation systems deliver water directly onto the ground, spray systems disperse water into the air over an expanse of land so that it falls down in the same manner as rainwater.
Spray irrigation systems can be easier to move around and relocate, and their installation does not typically require as much work as a drip irrigation system. Permanent spray irrigation systems can be installed with buried water lines, and they can regularly deliver large quantities of water to your plants.
One disadvantage of spray irrigation is an increased risk of overwatering plants and bringing about problems caused by excessive moisture, such as the growth of fungi.
One major advantage of drip irrigation systems is their increased efficiency in terms of water usage. Drip irrigation systems lose less water to evaporation and runoff than spray systems. This can be important in very dry areas where drought is a constant possibility. Drip irrigation delivers water slowly and directly, and most drip irrigation systems put you in precise control over how much water your plants are getting.
On the downside, installation of a drip line irrigation system can be cumbersome, time-consuming, and costly. Drip lines often require a water pump, and they need to be maintained at a certain pressure to ensure the water continues to flow through the system. Drip lines can present hazards due to the fact that they require a line to rest about the ground, creating the potential to trip people walking in a yard or obstruct equipment such as mowers and trimmers.
In order to choose the best possible irrigation system for your yard, do your research before making a decision. Contact our team of expert landscape designers and irrigation professionals. We're happy to answer any questions you have.

Background: In arid and semi-arid countries there are often large areas where groundwater is brackish and where people have to obtain water from irrigation canals for all uses, including domestic ones. An alternative to drawing drinking water directly from irrigation canals or village water reservoirs is to use the water that has seeped from the irrigation canals and irrigated fields and that has formed a small layer of fresh water on top of the brackish groundwater. The objective of this study was to assess whether use of irrigation seepage water for drinking results in less diarrhoea than direct use of irrigation water and how irrigation water management would impact on health.

Methods: The study was undertaken in an irrigated area in the southern Punjab, Pakistan. Over a one-year period, drinking water sources used and diarrhoea episodes were recorded each day for all individuals of 200 households in 10 villages. Separate surveys were undertaken to collect information on hygiene behaviour, sanitary facilities, and socio-economic status.

Results: Seepage water was of much better quality than surface water, but this did not translate into less diarrhoea. This could only be partially explained by the generally poor quality of water in the in-house storage vessels, reflecting considerable in-house contamination of drinking water. Risk factors for diarrhoea were absence of a water connection and water storage facility, lack of a toilet, low standard of hygiene, and low socio-economic status. The association between water quality and diarrhoea varied by the level of water availability and the presence or absence of a toilet. Among people having a high quantity of water available and a toilet, the incidence rate of diarrhoea was higher when surface water was used for drinking than when seepage water was used (relative risk 1.68; 95% CI 1.31-2.15). For people with less water available the direction of the association between water quality and diarrhoea was different (relative risk 0.80; 95% CI 0.69-0.93). This indicates that good quality drinking water provides additional health benefits only when sufficient quantities of water and a toilet are available. In a multivariate analysis no association was found between water quality and diarrhoea but there was a significant effect of water quantity on diarrhoea which was to a large extent mediated through sanitation and hygiene behaviour.

Conclusions: Increasing the availability of water in the house by having a household connection and a storage facility is the most important factor associated with reduced diarrhoea in this area. Safe use of canal irrigation water seems possible if households can pump seepage water to a large storage tank in their house and have a continuous water supply for sanitation and hygiene. Irrigation water management clearly has an impact on health and bridging the gap between the irrigation and drinking water supply sectors could provide important health benefits by taking into account the domestic water availability when managing irrigation water.

Hydroponics is the art of gardening without soil. Hydroponics is a Latin word meaning “working water.” In the absence of soil, water goes to work providing nutrients, hydration, and oxygen to plant life. From watermelons to jalapeños to orchids, plants flourish under the careful regimen of hydroponics. Using minimal space, 90% less water than traditional agriculture, and ingenious design, hydroponic gardens grow beautiful fruits and flowers in half the time.

Though the technology sounds cutting-edge, the history of hydroponics dates back to the famed Hanging Gardens of Babylon, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The Euphrates River was diverted into channels that cascaded down the lavish garden walls. In the 13th century, Marco Polo wrote of witnessing floating gardens in China. However, hydroponics is far from merely an innovation of the ancient ages. In the 1990s, NASA grew aeroponic bean seedlings in zero gravity aboard a space station, opening up the possibility of sustainable agriculture in space. Hydroponics continues to be a timeless and dynamic method of water conservation and crop production.

What is hydroponics?

Hydroponics is the cultivation of plants without using soil. Hydroponic flowers, herbs, and vegetables are planted in inert growing media and supplied with nutrient-rich solutions, oxygen, and water. This system fosters rapid growth, stronger yields, and superior quality. When a plant is grown in soil, its roots are perpetually searching for the necessary nutrition to support the plant. If a plant’s root system is exposed directly to water and nutrition, the plant does not have to exert any energy in sustaining itself. The energy the roots would have expended acquiring food and water can be redirected into the plant’s maturation. As a result, leaf growth flourishes as does the blooming of fruits and flowers.

Plants sustain themselves by a process called photosynthesis. Plants capture sunlight with chlorophyll (a green pigment present in their leaves). They use the light’s energy to split water molecules they’ve absorbed via their root system. The hydrogen molecules combine with carbon dioxide to produce carbohydrates, which plants use to nourish themselves. Oxygen is then released into the atmosphere, a crucial factor in preserving our planet's habitability. Plants do not need soil to photosynthesize. They need the soil to supply them with water and nutrients. When nutrients are dissolved in water they can be applied directly to the plant’s root system by flooding, misting, or immersion. Hydroponic innovations have proven direct exposure to nutrient-filled water can be a more effective and versatile method of growth than traditional irrigation.

How does hydroponics work?

Hydroponic systems work by allowing minute control over environmental conditions like temperature and pH balance and maximized exposure to nutrients and water. Hydroponics operates under a very simple principle: provide plants exactly what they need when they need it. Hydroponics administer nutrient solutions tailored to the needs of the particular plant being grown. They allow you to control exactly how much light the plants receive and for how long. pH levels can be monitored and adjusted. In a highly customized and controlled environment, plant growth accelerates.

By controlling the environment of the plant, many risk factors are reduced. Plants grown in gardens and fields are introduced to a host of variables that negatively impact their health and growth. Fungus in the soil can spread diseases to plants. Wildlife like rabbits can plunder ripening vegetables from your garden. Pests like locusts can descend on crops and obliterate them in an afternoon. Hydroponic systems end the unpredictability of growing plants outdoors and in the earth. Without the mechanical resistance of the soil, seedlings can mature much faster. By eliminating pesticides, hydroponics produce much healthier and high-quality fruits and vegetables. Without obstacles, plants are free to grow vigorously and rapidly.

How Does a Diesel Engine Work?

Diesel Engine Powering a Generator Set

In today's world, where fuel prices are increasing as a consequence of spiraling demand and diminishing supply, you need to choose a cost-effective fuel to meet your needs. Thanks to the invention of Rudolph Diesel, the diesel engine has proved to be extremely efficient and cost effective.

Diesel fuel is priced moderately higher than gasoline, but diesel has a higher energy density, i.e. more energy can be extracted from diesel as compared with the same volume of gasoline. Therefore, diesel engines in automobiles provide higher mileage, making it an obvious choice for heavy-duty transportation and equipment. Diesel is heavier and oilier compared with gasoline and has a boiling point higher than that of water. And diesel engines are attracting greater attention due to higher efficiency and cost effectiveness.

The distinction lies in the type of ignition. While gasoline engines operate on spark ignition, diesel engines employ compression - ignition for igniting the fuel. In the latter, air is drawn into the engine and subjected to high compression that heats it up.

This results in a very high temperature in the engine, much higher than the temperature attained in a gasoline engine. At peak temperature and pressure, diesel that is let into the engine ignites on account of the extreme temperature.

In a diesel engine, air and the fuel are infused into the engine at different stages, as opposed to a gas engine where a mixture of air and gas are introduced. Fuel is injected into the diesel engine using an injector whereas in a gasoline engine, a carburetor is used for this purpose. In a gasoline engine, fuel and air are sent into the engine together, and then compressed. The air and fuel mixture limits fuel compression, and hence the overall efficiency.

A diesel engine compresses only air, and the ratio can be much higher. A diesel engine compresses at the ratio of 14:1 up to 25:1, whereas in a gasoline engine the compression ratio is between 8:1 and 12:1. After combustion, the combustion by-products are removed from the engine through the exhaust.

For starting during cold months extra heat is provided through 'glow plugs'. Diesel engines can either be two cycle or four cycle and are chosen depending on mode of operation. Air-cooled and liquid-cooled engines are the variants to be chosen appropriately. It is preferable to use a liquid-cooled generator as it is quiet in operation and has evenly controlled temperature.

The diesel engine is much more efficient and preferable as compared with gasoline engine due to the following reasons:

Modern diesel engines have overcome disadvantages of earlier models of higher noise and maintenance costs. They are now quiet and require less maintenance as compared with gas engines of similar size

They are more rugged and reliable

There is no sparking as the fuel auto-ignites. The absence of spark-plugs or spark wires lowers maintenance costs

Fuel cost per Kilowatt produced is thirty to fifty percent lower than that of gas engines

An 1800 rpm water cooled diesel unit operates for 12,000 to 30,000 hours before any major maintenance is necessary. An 1800 rpm water cooled gas unit usually operates for 6000-10,000 hours before it needs servicing

Gas units burn hotter than diesel units, and hence they have a significantly shorter life compared with diesel units

An air compressor problem could stem from one of many issues, such as an air leak, an oil leak or a broken part. In some cases, you might have insufficient pressurization or air flow. In other cases, the compressor might fail to start up or stop running as prompted. Whatever the cause of the problem, the symptoms can be frustrating, costly and time-consuming.

Thankfully, most such problems can be corrected with proper air compressor troubleshooting. The Titus Company has developed this troubleshooting guide for reference when your air compressor won't work. Whether you're hearing excessive noise from your portable air compressor or your system won't build pressure, you'll find the cause here — and, hopefully, a solution. If not, call us. We'll be there quickly with our 24/7 emergency services.

1. Compressor Is Constantly Leaking

If you shut off the air compressor on full charge, yet the gauge drops while the compressor is deactivated, you definitely have an air leak. The compressor might even automatically restart just to counter the situation. What you need to do in this situation is pinpoint the source of the leak.

• Apply soap to the connections: With the compressor unplugged, cover the connections with liquid soap, including all the couplers and the pressure switch. If bubbles form at any point, that is where the leak is located. Tighten up the coupler, if possible, where the bubbling occurs.

• Inspect the tank check valve: Air leaks are sometimes caused by tank check valves that fail to close completely. If the pressure gauge continues to drop when the tank is off, access the tank valve and inspect its condition. The valve might need to be cleaned or replaced.

If the air leaks occur only when a hose is plugged into the compressor, disconnect the hose. If the pressure gauge stops dropping, the hose is the source of your leak.

2. Air Leaks From the Oil Fill Tube

If your compressor is losing pressure through the oil fill tube, check the piston seals. In most such cases, the piston seals will be badly worn and in need of immediate replacement. This is a problem that you should remedy immediately, as worn pistons can cause metal-on-metal friction that could swiftly lead to internal corrosion.

3. Air Leaks From the Hood

Air leaks from under the hood are sometimes encountered on smaller air compressors. To diagnose the problem, remove the hood, run the compressor for a few minutes, then shut it off and unplug the compressor. Feel around the motor parts for any sort of air draft. Chances are, the leak will originate from the tank valve, in which case you will need to remove and clean or possibly replace the valve.

Are you curious about the bits and pieces that make your car do its thing?

Sure you are, and today is a good day for you. That's because we've got a video here that will take you on a deep dive of your fuel pump. We're talking abyss levels of deep here. The fuel pump gets removed for your viewing pleasure but then it gets hacked apart so you can see all of its innards.

The basic way your modern electrical fuel pump works is by utilizing a DC motor in the pump assembly which draws in the fuel sitting in your gas tank. From there, it sends it up the fuel line and into the fuel rail where it can be injected into a cylinder. It then mixes with air and a spark to create combustion.

There's a filter on the end of your pump that keeps any impurities in your tank from entering the fuel line. Additionally, there's a fuel float which literally floats on top of your fuel. This float has an arm attached to it that sends a signal through an electrical board. This resistance is read by your fuel gauge and tells you how much fuel is left in your tank. There's also another electrical resistor that is submerged, but when it's exposed to the air it knows you're very low on gas and tells your Low Fuel Warning light to illuminate.

For those of you with older vehicles and mechanical fuel pumps, the process is a bit different. Your fuel pump in that situation has a pump lever that moves up and down as the camshaft spins. This creates a literal pump that pulls fuel through the line by way of suction. It's a simple system that works directly with the engine rather than with an integrated DC motor.

To be honest, the flywheel, should not really be all that ‘oily’ in its role of providing a smooth transfer of power from the car’s engine to its drive-train. However, it is still likely to be quite grubby and, as such, is not a component with which most of us will ever have any direct contact. That is why we take our cars to the garage, to discover the ‘bad news’.

It is recommended that, when a clutch needs to be replaced, as a result of normal wear and tear, the flywheel should be inspected carefully. The mechanic will be looking for visible wear grooves (usually as a result of the worn clutch-plates’ rivets being exposed), perhaps even glazing of its surface, or ‘cracks’ that can appear anywhere on its surface. Should problem areas be revealed, the suggestion will always be to replace, or repair, the flywheel.

However, not wishing to complicate issues, there are two types of flywheel. One is solid, the other is dual-mass. While a solid flywheel can be removed and resurfaced at Mr Clutch Autocentres by undergoing a skimming process, which can save the car owner a lot of money, wear characteristics on a dual-mass type, which tends to be fitted to more modern vehicles, lend themselves more ideally to the good practice of replacement.

There are clues as to how worn a flywheel might be. Irregular noises emanating from somewhere close to the front footwell of the car are an indicator that not all is well. However, you might be experiencing difficulty in making smooth manual gear changes. Some slight and variable clutch-slippage might occur, as might some unwarranted vibrations, felt through both the foot-pedals and the steering wheel, none of which are particularly desirable and will need attention.

With an ever-present eye towards saving the customer money, a Mr Clutch mechanic, as a skilled exponent of the clutch installation business, will be able to provide proper guidance, once the gearbox has been removed from the engine and a thorough inspection has been carried out. If you are fortunate and the flywheel has not been damaged by a worn clutch-plate, its replacement will simply not be deemed necessary.

However, increasingly, owners of cars fitted with dual-mass flywheels must foot the bill for replacement, in addition to the cost of a new clutch-plate and its ancillary parts. On the other hand, should it be a solid flywheel, the Mr Clutch expert might advise a skim. Mr Clutch Autocentres are equipped with the necessary high-tech machinery to effect such repairs, which can be completed speedily and cost-effectively.

The bottom-line is that a clutch replacement is a first-line task for Mr Clutch. That the company can address the charges most effectively (see the website for more details) and ensure that you are inconvenienced as little as possible, is a measure of the value of a visit to a Mr Clutch Autocentre.

They must be durable, long lasting and resistant to a wide range of temperatures, moisture and chemicals.

There are five main materials that conveyor belts are made out of: thermoplastics, metal, rubber, fabric and leather. Plastics include polyester, polyvinyl chloride, silicone and polyethylene. The metals are stainless and carbon steel, and the fabric materials are canvas or cotton. The most popular material is a rubber composite because it is flexible, resistant, smooth and seamless.

It also doesn’t have any holes or openings. To increase strength, many belt materials contain additives, including fabric, steel, polyester or fiberglass. Many flat belts are actually composed of a core material and a covering. These belts are parts of many different types of conveyors, including troughed, inclined, horizontal, food grade and overhead conveyors, but they are not used in chain, pneumatic or screw conveyors.

Choosing the right belting material is the most important specification involved with conveyor systems because the wrong material could compromise productivity or worker safety.

Conveyor systems, especially those in manufacturing facilities, travel through many different environments. For example, assembly line conveyors may travel through an oven, underwater parts washer or some sort of secondary operation like painting. Therefore, they must be resistant, durable and able to handle these harsh conditions on a continuous and regular basis.

Belts that carry ingredients, raw materials and finished, unpackaged goods in food or beverage processing plants are made of either stainless steel or a heat resistant, non contaminating plastic resin. They must be FDA or USDA approved and easy to clean and sanitize. Materials like some hard plastics or metal lack the flexibility needed to convey, which requires the belt to bend, as they are on a continuous loop around two sets of rollers.

In these situations, small parts are interlocked together or woven in order to bend and twist. However, these tend to have holes or cracks and are not smooth or water tight. They are not made for carrying small or irregularly shaped objects as well as products in bags, which could sag or fall through the cracks.

If your business regularly moves bulk, lose products and has limited space, you might want to consider adding cleated belt conveyors. These conveyors allow you to keep your product separated as it is conveyed up and down inclines and declines.

At Allstate Conveyor, we have the experts that you need to design and build the perfect cleated belt conveyor system for your company.

A cleated belt conveyor is a conveyor that has a belt that contains carriers or cleats on its surface. The cleats allow products to be separated as they move up inclines and down declines.

There are many different cleat designs that are available, including food-grade cleats for the separation of food products during transportation.

Adding cleated belt conveyors to your product line can help to improve efficiency. They also allow for faster conveying and can be helpful if you have limited space. Cleated belt conveyors can easily handle inclines and declines while keeping your products separated.

durability over other belt materials

load capacity

resistance to wear

resilience in harsh environments

affordable alternative to stainless steel or fiberglass

Cleated belt conveyors are used in industries that transport loose bulk products. They are helpful in keeping the products separated as they are conveyed. They are commonly used in the food industry. They are also used to convey products in recycling plants, for solid waste removal, and others.

Industries that commonly use Cleated belt driven conveyors:

Warehousing & Distribution

Manufacturing

Order Fulfillment

Aerospace

Government Military & Agency

Automotive

Parcel Handling

Allstate Conveyor is made up of professionals who are experts in conveyor systems. We serve a broad range of industries and are familiar with the different needs that each has. When you choose us, we will work closely with you to help you to accomplish your goals. We can design your cleated belt conveyor systems and other conveyors that you need. We can then build them to your specifications and install them for you.

We also offer ongoing maintenance plans and are able to assist you with repairing your existing conveyors. To obtain your free quote or to learn more about the solutions that we can provide to you, contact us by filling out our online contact form. You can also call us to get answers to your questions.

There are many types of conveyor belts out there, but what are they?

According to Carol Francois with WiseGeek:

“There are three different types of conveyor belts: the basic belt, snake sandwich belt and long belt. A basic belt conveyor consists of two or more pulleys that hold one continuous length of material. These types of belts can be motorized or require manual effort. As the belt moves forward, all the items on the belt are carried forward.

“A common installation sites for conveyor belts include packaging or parcel delivery services. This industry often requires a method of relocating materials from one place to another, quickly and with minimal human intervention. The belt is typically installed at waist height to improve the ergonomics for the staff that are interacting with the materials.

“The conveyor structure consists of a metal frame with rollers installed at various intervals along the length of the conveyor belt. The belt is typically a smooth, rubberized material that covers the rollers. As the belt moves over the rollers, the items placed on the belt are transferred with a reduced amount of friction, due to the use of multiple rollers. Basic belt conveyors also have curved sections to allow the belt to move product around corners.

“The snake sandwich conveyor consists of two separate conveyor belts that are set up parallel to each other and hold the product in place while moving along the belt. This type of belt is used to move items up steep inclines, up to 90 degrees. Created in 1979, the snake sandwich conveyor was designed as a simple, efficient method of moving rocks and other material out of a mine.

“The system was designed to make use of widely available hardware and used simple principles to ensure that it was easy to repair. Any type of mechanical system intended for deployment to mining operations must recognize the limited access to parts in remote areas. This system offers the ability to move a high volume of material at a consistent rate. Smooth surfaced belts allow the conveyor belts to be cleaned automatically with the use of belt scrapers and plows. The design is flexible enough to allow the materials redirected off the conveyor belt at any point through simple redirection.

“The long belt conveyor is a system of three drive units used to move materials over a long distance. The most important feature of this system is the ability of the rollers to handle both horizontal and vertical curves. The long belt conveyor system can reach up to 13.8 km (8.57 miles) in length. This type of conveyor belt is often used in mining operations to transport materials to remote construction or building site locations, such as the bottom of a mining pit.”

A pulley roller is a round or cylindrically shaped roller used as the axle of a pulley system. Most often, these types of pulleys are seen on devices such as conveyor belts, treadmill machines, and many other machines in the manufacturing and industrial fields. When used in a machine, this component must be strong, have high wear resistance, and have low friction coefficients. Pulley rollers are built to withstand extreme temperatures and provide a reduction in noise levels, which is a benefit in industrial fields where workers’ hearing must be protected. Rollers are used in household appliances as well.

One type of machine that uses the pulley roller mechanism is the exercise machine known as a treadmill. This exercise machine is used for walking, jogging, or running in place. Treadmills can be plugged into an electrical outlet and use an electrical motor to operate. This motor has a pulley system that connects to a particular fan belt, which in turn connects to a second pulley and concentrically mounts to the pulley roller component. A second pulley roller mounts at the treadmill’s foot end and allows the belt to rotate freely, creating a continuous loop that is powered by the programmable electrical motor.

An industrial use for the pulley roller is also seen in a device called a cutting assembly. This machine uses a blade to cut through thin materials like paper and is mounted on the device, which is connected to a pulley system that uses tension and pulley rollers. Through a series of gears, the device is pulled along a track, with its pulley wheels mounted to the track. The device mounts to the track with a belt and the belt is held together by a series of pulley rollers. As the entire assembly operates, paper is cut by the device’s blade in a continuous, looping fashion.

In household appliances, it is often necessary to have to replace a belt or to refasten a replacement pulley roller. This can potentially happen in treadmills as well. To replace the pulley roller, the power to the treadmill must be turned off and the machine unplugged from the electrical outlet. Once this is completed, the roller that is damaged must be removed from the machine. The replacement pulley roller, which should have the same dimensions as the previous roller, should have the belt wrapped around it and placed back on to the machine.

Belt Drives are a type of frictional drives used for transmitting powers from one shaft to another by means of pulleys which rotate at the same speed or at the different speed.

A belt drive is shown in the figure. It consists of two pulleys over which an endless belt it passed over them. The mechanical power or rotary motion is transmitted from the driving pulley to the driven pulley because of the frictional grip that exists between the belt and the pulley surface.

The portion of the belt which is having less tension is called slack side and the one which has higher tension is called tight side. The effective pulling power of the belt that causes the rotation of the driven pulley is the difference in tension on the slack and tight side.

The tensions in the tight and slack sides of the belt depend on the angle of contact, the belt drives have to be arranged such that the slack side comes above and the tight side comes below the pulleys.

This arrangement increases the angled contact of the belt on the driven side. Sometimes in a belt-drive, there is always a possibility of some slipping taking place between the belt and the pulleys which cause the driven pulley to rotate at a lesser speed, consequently reduces the power transmission. Hence belt drives are said to be not a Positive type of power transmission system

Since ancient times, plants have been used as herbal medicines. Ayurveda has a 5000 years old rich heritage of the use of plants in the treatment of various human ailments as alternative medicines. Herbal extracts are primarily added to the cosmetic formulations due to several associated properties such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and antimicrobial properties. Even today, people in rural and urban areas depend upon herbs for traditional cosmetics.

Ancient alchemists like Philippus Aureolus Paracelsus knew the power, plants have for improving our lives. They understood how the nutrients could be concentrated with the five elements of nature - water, earth, air, fire, and ether. Since that time, many have attempted to recreate their processes and unlock the full healing potential of herbs.

A Herbal Extract is a substance made by extracting a part of a herbal raw material, often by using a solvent such as methanol or water. The process of Herbal Extraction is usually designed to maximise a certain portion of the original chemical compounds found in the plant, many of which have a therapeutic action. Extracts may be sold as tinctures, absolutes or in powder form. Herbal Extracts are now used as a major part of alternative medicine in both Ayurveda and homeopathy.

Although herbal extracts come in many forms, they have one common feature. Extracts represent naturally occurring phytochemicals (plant produced compounds) that have been removed from the inert structural material of the plant that produced them. The main advantage of using extracts over raw herb is that once extracted from the plant matrix, the phytochemicals bypass the need for digestion and are far more readily absorbable. Liquid extracts also offer greater convenience than consuming an herb in its raw form.

Extracts are typically categorized by the solvent used to make them and/or by their form. Some of the more common solvents that are used include water, alcohol, glycerin, and vinegar. The inherent qualities of each of these solvents will attract different phytochemicals in an herb. Watery extracts made by infusion or decoction are used as teas, rinses and the base for syrups and other products.

Tinctures are liquid extracts made with alcohol and may include other food-grade solvents. Alcohol extracts a wide range of phytochemicals and is an excellent preservative. It may also be diluted with water to adjust alcohol content and glycerin may be added to curb excessive precipitation of the finished extract.

Food-grade glycerin is a low glycemic index sweetener often used as a solvent to make alcohol-free liquid extracts. While most glycerites lack appreciable alcohol, intermediate extraction may be carried out with alcohol on occasion. In this case alcohol is used to form the initial extract, and is then removed from the finished product with glycerin added in its place.

Vinegars are not common, but are experiencing a bit of resurgence in popularity. These are made by extracting herbs directly in vinegar. Apple cider or other plant based vinegars are most desirable in this case.

Oils are fatty oils that have been infused with herbs for topical use and may be called herbal oils or infused oils. The fatty oil used as a base is commonly from olive, sesame or coconut, although many other sources may be used.

Essential oils are the volatile components that have been separated from an aromatic herb. Quality essential oils are either steam distilled or, in the case of herbs like citrus peel, pressed directly from the fresh herb. Essential oils are very strong preparations and are well diluted for internal use.

Powdered extracts are formed by drying liquid extracts including tinctures and water extracts, often under vacuum.

Supercritical extracts are made by extracting herbs with a gas, usually carbon dioxide, at low temperature and high pressure to bring it into the supercritical state. These are semi-solid extracts representing the fat-soluble components of an herb.

There are more than 45,000 plant species that are present in the Indian sub-continent. The dependence of people on plants for various health benefits has significantly evolved the herbal extracts market of the country over the past. Being the largest supplier of ayurvedic medicines and herbs in the world, the herbal extract manufacturers in the country cater to the requirements of the companies, which majorly operate in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and food and beverages industries across the world.

Companies in the pharmaceutical, F&B and cosmetics industry realized the importance of using natural herbs as ingredients in various products. This was not only done to drive the growing demand, but it also benefitted the companies in procuring raw materials from extensive species of plants in India.

Various technological processes including Supercritical Fluid Extraction, Thin Film Distillation, Spinning Cone Column, Supercritical CO2 and other Conventional extraction processing techniques were used to meet the current demand. Market players also launched new products to assist the production and sales of companies in pharmaceutical, cosmetics and food and beverages sectors. New herbal extracts will boost the overall revenues of the market due to the introduction of varied products manufactured using such natural extracts.

Most people do not need to take vitamin supplements and can get all the vitamins and minerals they need by eating a healthy, balanced diet.

Vitamins and minerals, such as iron, calcium and vitamin C, are essential nutrients that your body needs in small amounts to work properly.

Many people choose to take supplements but taking too much or taking them for too long could be harmful. The Department of Health and Social Care recommends certain supplements for some groups of people who are at risk of deficiency.

Folic acid supplement in pregnancy

If you're pregnant, trying for a baby or could get pregnant, it's recommended that you take a 400 microgram folic acid supplement every day until you're 12 weeks pregnant. Folic acid supplements need to be taken before you get pregnant, so start taking them before you stop using contraception or if there's a chance you might get pregnant.

Folic acid can help to prevent neural tube defects such as spina bifida.

Find out more about vitamins, supplements and nutrition in pregnancy.

From around late March or early April until the end of September, most people can get all the vitamin D they need through sunlight on their skin and from eating a balanced diet.

However, during the autumn and winter, you need to get vitamin D from your diet because the sun is not strong enough for your body to make vitamin D.

Because it's difficult for people to get enough vitamin D from food alone, everyone (including pregnant and breastfeeding women) should consider taking a daily supplement containing 10 micrograms of vitamin D during the autumn and winter.

Some groups of the population are at greater risk of not getting enough vitamin D and are advised to take a supplement every day of the year.

It is recommended that:

• breastfed babies should be given a daily supplement containing 8.5 to 10 micrograms of vitamin D from birth, even if the mother is taking a supplement containing vitamin D herself

• babies having 500mls (about a pint) or more of formula a day should not be given a vitamin D supplement, because infant formula is fortified with vitamin D and other nutrients

• all children aged 1 to 4 years old should be given a daily supplement containing 10 micrograms of vitamin D

• people who are not often exposed to the sun – such as people who are frail or housebound, are in an institution such as a care home, or usually wear clothes that cover most of their skin when outdoors should take a daily supplement containing 10 micrograms of vitamin D

Find out more information about vitamin D.

Supplements containing vitamins A, C and D

Children aged 6 months to 5 years should take vitamin supplements containing vitamins A, C and D every day.

Find out more about vitamins for children or ask your health visitor for advice.

You can get Healthy Start vitamins for free if you qualify for Healthy Start.

A GP may also recommend supplements if you need them for a medical condition. For example, you may be prescribed iron supplements to treat iron deficiency anaemia.

Artificial food additives can be controversial, but they aren't as scary as they may sound.

As their name suggests, artificial food additives are synthetic ingredients added to food to enhance its color or flavor, extend its shelf life, or improve it in some way.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ensures that all food additives on the market are safe for use. Still, you may wonder whether you're better off limiting your intake of these ingredients.

This article explains all you need to know about artificial food additives, including their safety, uses, and potential health risks, as well as helpful tips to reduce your intake if that's important to you.

Types of food additives

The FDA uses the following two categories of food additives (1Trusted Source):

Direct. These are added for a specific purpose, such as texture, leavening, binding, or color. For example, aspartame is a popular artificial sweetener used to improve the taste of sodas and low calorie or sugar-free foods.

Indirect. These may become part of food in trace amounts due to packaging, storage, or other handling practices. In this case, manufacturers must ensure all packaging materials are safe for use.

For the most part, direct food additives are the focus of concern for consumers. These can be further categorized into the following two categories:

Natural. Natural additives are derived from a natural food source. For example, red beets are used to produce natural red food coloring, while soybeans and corn are used to make lecithin — a type of emulsifier — to bind ingredients.

Artificial. Artificial additives are not derived from nature. For example, most vanilla extracts are made from vanillin, which is produced in a lab.

Both natural and artificial food additives must meet strict regulatory and safety guidelines to be approved for use in food.

Types of food they're commonly found in

Artificial food additives are found in many popular foods, such as yogurts, breads, salad dressings, sodas, baked goods, chips, protein bars, and other processed foods.

In fact, many foods on grocery store shelves contain either natural or artificial food additives in some form. Some foods may contain emulsifiers, while others may contain sweeteners or food colorings.

Unless a food is completely unprocessed, such as an apple, be sure to read the label if you're concerned about any food additives.

This chapter explains the principal raw materials used in cosmetics. The principal raw materials used for manufacturing cosmetics are oily materials such as oils, fats, wax esters, and ester oils, and surface-active agents are used as emulsifiers, solubilizing agents, etc. Humectants, thickening agents, film formers as well as polymers are used as powders, ultraviolet absorbents, antioxidants, sequestering agents, coloring agents such as dyes and pigments, along with vitamins, pharmaceutical agents such as plant extracts and perfume. Oil has the ability to dissolve fats and is widely used as a component of cosmetics. Oily materials control the evaporation of moisture from the skin and are used mainly to improve the feeling on use. The solute in a solution can be adsorbed to a gas–liquid, liquid–liquid, or liquid–solid surface. These remarkable changes in the properties of surfaces are called surface activity and the so-called surface-active agents are materials demonstrating unusual surface activity. This surface activity is exploited in emulsification, solubilization, permeation, wetting, dispersion, cleansing, etc. In addition, this chapter also stresses on other raw materials used in cosmetics.