Friday, October 23, 2009

Food Allergies and Asthma

While it’s not common for food allergies to cause asthma symptoms, food allergies can cause a severe life-threatening reaction. The most common foods associated with allergic symptoms are:

  • Eggs
  • Cow's milk
  • Peanuts
  • Soy
  • Wheat
  • Fish
  • Shrimp and other shellfish
  • Salads & fresh fruits

Food Preservatives and Asthma

Food preservatives can also trigger an asthma attack. Additives, such as sodium bisulfite, potassium bisulfite, sodium metabisulfite, potassium metabisulfite, and sodium sulfite, are commonly used in food processing or preparation and can be found in foods such as:

  • Dried fruits or vegetables
  • Potatoes (packaged and some prepared)
  • Wine and beer
  • Bottled lime or lemon juice
  • Shrimp (fresh, frozen, or prepared)
  • Pickled foods

Symptoms of Food Allergies and Asthma

In most people, the usual symptoms of food allergies are hives, rash, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. If you have food allergies that trigger symptoms of an asthma attack, you will likely experience these allergy symptoms, followed by coughing and wheezing. And if not caught quickly, anaphylaxis -- swelling of the throat, cutting off the airway -- may result.

If you suspect that certain foods are asthma triggers for you, discuss this with your doctor. Allergy skin tests can be done to determine if you are allergic to these foods.

What Do I Do If I Have Food Allergies and Asthma?

Avoid the Food Trigger. Try not to come into contact with the food you are allergic to. Avoiding food triggers can be challenging. It is important to always read food labels and, when dining out, ask how foods are prepared.

Consider Allergy Shots. The second thing you can do is to train your immune system to not overreact. Doctors do this by giving you allergy shots (immunotherapy) for asthma. An allergy shot is a small amount of the substance that causes your allergy. By giving repeated shots of the substance over a period of time, your immune system eventually stops causing the allergic reaction. Ask your doctor if you are a candidate for allergy shots.

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Laser Features System For Unattended Cutting

The HyperGear 612 2D laser-cutting system from Mazak Optonics Corporation features the automated and optimized five-point setup system that the company abbreviates “AO5.” This system makes cutting more efficient even during extended unattended operation, the company says. The comprehensive set of features includes an automated torch changer, an automated nozzle changer, CCD camera-based nozzle damage analysis, automated lens analysis, focal point measurement and adjustment, as well as automatic nozzle cleaning. Together, the features facilitate small batch production, maintain the consistency of cutting conditions and improve real productivity, all while lowering labor cost, the company says. Offering a 79" × 158" bed, the laser-cutting system is available in 2,500- and 4,000-W configurations that can process stock ranging to 1" mild steel.

Drilling Deep Holes on a VMC

Hole drilling is the most common operation performed on a vertical machining center. When this operation involves drilling deep holes, it becomes one of the most challenging. However, there are very effective ways to meet this challenge.

The goal is to produce these holes accurately, repeatably and with superior surface finish—and to do so economically.

The most important ingredient in successful deep-hole drilling is understanding. You have to understand what happens inside the hole as it is being drilled and how this knowledge guides your choice of the most effective techniques.

The Dynamics Of Deep-Hole Drilling

Strategies for deep-hole drilling address three primary issues: evacuating chips without damaging the surface finish, delivering coolant to keep the drill and workpiece material cool, and minimizing cycle time. Other important factors include accuracy, repeatability and surface finish.

Typically, a deep hole is defined by the ratio of the diameter to depth. Usually a ratio of 5:1 or greater is considered deep-hole drilling. For example, a 5-inch deep by 1-inch diameter hole is considered deep, as is a 0.125-inch diameter hole that is 1 inch deep.

Chips must be small enough to move up the tool’s flutes and out of the way. Long, stringy chips can damage surface finish and cause premature tool wear or breakage. Coolant has to get to the tool tip to keep the tool and workpiece cool, as well as force chips out of the hole. A rigid machine tool with good damping characteristics and low spindle runout is required to hit targets for accuracy, repeatability and surface finish. Of course, the right drill geometry will make deep-hole drilling operations much more efficient.

Fan (mechanical)

A mechanical fan is an electrically powered device used to produce an airflow for the purpose of creature comfort (particularly in the heat), ventilation, exhaust, cooling or any other gaseous transport.

Mechanically, a fan can be any revolving vane or vanes used for producing air currents. Fans produce air flows with high volume and low pressure, as opposed to a gas compressor which produces high pressures at a comparatively low volume. A fan blade will often rotate when exposed to an air stream, and devices that take advantage of this, such as anemometers and wind turbines often have designs similar to that of a fan.

Typical applications include climate control, cooling systems, personal comfort (e.g., an electric table fan), ventilation (e.g., an exhaust fan), winnowing (e.g., separating chaff of cereal grains), removing dust (e.g. sucking as in a vacuum cleaner), drying (usually in addition to heat) and to provide draft for a fire. It is also common to use electric fans as air fresheners, by attaching fabric softener sheets to the protective housing. This causes the fragrance to be carried into the surrounding air.

In addition to their utilitarian function, vintage or antique fans, and in particular electric fans manufactured from the late 19th century through the 1950s, have become a recognized collectible category, and in the U.S.A. an active collector club, the Antique Fan Collectors Association, supports the hobby. [1].

New to the market are sleek portable fans that showcase a modern design sensibility. The New York Times lamented that inexpensive and effective fans abound at drug and discount stores, but they are often eyesores. The writer quoted contemporary ceiling fan designer Ron Rezek as saying: “Portable fans are the ugly ducklings of the fan industry. Not many designers, including myself, have tackled them[2].” Rezek praised several appealing contemporary fan designs that have found alternatives to the traditional metal cage and have incorporated innovative approaches to safety, such as the Otto fan by Swiss designer Carlo Borer.

How Good is the Samsung G800?

Samsung, the name itself is synonymous with quality and a commitment to excellence. The world of Samsung has on offer dedicated series of a number of mobile or cell phones, electronics, support gadgets, hand phones etc. The range and line of products available within each of the shelves is truly credit worthy. The introduction of the Samsung G800 mobile hand phone in October has once again earned the focus due to the gizmo. The Samsung G800 mobile hand phone has a number of special features that include Bluetooth, USB support and 3G or HSDPA connectivity. The dedicated stereo speakers are support equipment and the five mega pixel camera, with the enhanced auto focus feature have created yet another fairy tale in the world of the wireless.

The 3G support that is flaunted by the Samsung G800 mobile hand phone has actually added to the mobile handset to feature within the dedicated Z-series. The information on the application of the video recording capabilities of the Samsung G800 mobile hand phone, if you don't already own one, speaks volumes for the company's commitment to the gizmo centric worldwide market paradigms. The electronic phone device has the optical zoom feature that compliments the five mega pixel camera. The Samsung G800 mobile hand phone may be new on the market, but it has already created waves of envy among competitors.

The gadget is quickly becoming a common favourite among those who wish to make a style statement with whatever they use. The mobile or cell phone, and electronic gadgets from Samsung have always been created with the consumer in mind and the Samsung G800 mobile hand phone is no exception. The device is a sleek show of your personality. Samsung, as always, via the dedicated Samsung G800 mobile hand phone offers real value for the money invested.