Mark Justice asked:




For most of us today energy conservation is at the top of our minds. If you would like to find ways to save money on energy that you use, why not consider some of the lesser expensive and environmentally less damaging fuel sources? Don’t be mistaken, many of these can work in your home. Some of these options, once you’ve tried them, you may not want to be without again. They are sure to save you a good amount of money not only right away but for years to come.
What’s Out There?

There are a number of alternative energy sources, but the best ones are those that are naturally renewable. Consider these, for example.

Solar Light: Solar panels are so in demand that they are backed up in sales for years, in some locations. Solar energy comes from the sun. The panels take that sunlight (solar rays) and use them as it would any other fuel. For night time use, the panels store fuel to be used when you call on it to be used. What’s more is that once you purchase the solar panels you have no real cost to using solar energy. Today, outdoor lights, school buildings and even entire grocery stores are being run on solar light.

Wind Power: Why not put the wind to use? Many places are doing just that. By setting up large windmills, they are able to generate quite a bit of energy. In some locations, wind power powers the entire town. Wind is renewable and completely clean. Why not tap into it then?

Water Power: Take a quick look at Niagara Falls, one of the Seven Wonders of the World located in Canada. Those falls are huge and the power that they generate is massive just from falling water. The city has been running on just water power for some time. As a renewable source and clean burning fuel, you can see how this energy is one to consider as well.

All of these alternative forms of energy are options that you can and should take full advantage of. There are plenty more as well. Corn is fast becoming the source for taking over for gasoline in cars. Some cities are taking food waste or even animal waste and turning that into fuel as well. As you can see, alternative fuels are the best way to conserve energy. What’s more is that they are completely safe for the environment too.

Gerd Cornelius Pacher asked:




Having sufficient levels of vitamin D is important throughout our lives. Vitamin D regulates how calcium is absorbed into the body. Children who do not have adequate levels of vitamin D will develop Rickets, which makes their bones soft and unable to support their weight. As adults we want healthy bones to prevent osteoporosis and broken hips.

Regular exposure to ultraviolet rays is essential in getting an adequate amount of vitamin D into our bodies. Our bodies will actually make vitamin D on our skin when exposed to sunlight for a sufficient amount of time. Because many people don’t make the time to sit outside in the sun without sunscreen for 15-20 minutes a day, we need to find others ways to get vitamin D into our bodies.

Before starting a regimen of vitamin D supplements, consider the foods that you eat. Many foods on the market today are fortified with vitamins. Select food products that are fortified with vitamin D.

Some types of fish have high levels of vitamin D. One of the best sources is pure cod liver oil. Do not buy refined cod liver oil unless you check the ingredients because the refining process often eliminates the vitamin D. Cooked salmon, mackerel, eel, tuna packed in oil, sardines packed in oil and shrimp contain vitamin D. A word of caution: You must be careful because consuming too much fish can lead to high levels of mercury in your system which is very dangerous for you.

Egg yolks, cheese, liver, beef, fortified milk, fortified cereals, fortified yogurts, fortified soy milk, fortified rice milk, fortified almond milk and fortified margarines are good sources of vitamin D. You can also get vitamin D from white beans, navy beans, ***** peas, almonds, oats, turnip and mustard greens, bok choy, tofu, okra, broccoli, seaweed, and oranges.

Ashi Jas asked:




Vitamin B9, is also referred to as folic acid or folacin or folate; and its chemical name is pteroylglutamic acid. Folic acid is the parent compound of a large group of naturally occurring, structurally related compounds collectively known as the folates.

In 1941, a substance was extracted from spinach leaves and named folic acid - from the Latin word “folium” for leaf, which was found to be useful in the cure for anaemia.
B9 is a water-soluble vitamin, which is absorbed from the small intestine, carried by the bloodstream and stored in the body (liver), but not in large amounts. The body uses what ever amount of folic acid it needs and excretes the extra through urine.

Benefits of Vitamin B9 -

* B9 is important for the production, growth and maintenance of new cells - especially during pregnancy and infancy when cell reproduction is extremely rapid. Both adults and children need folates to manufacture normal red blood cells and to prevent anemia.

* Required during early pregnancy to prevent birth defects, including problems with the spine (neural tube defects called spina bifida) and brain. Pregnant women who do not get adequate amounts of folate are also more likely to have premature babies or babies with low birth weight.

* Folic acid is required for red blood cell formation, energy production as well as the forming of amino acids. Necessary for creating heme - the iron containing substance in haemoglobin, which is imperative for oxygen transport.

* It works as a coenzyme in DNA and RNA synthesis, therefore important for normal cell division. This is why folic acid is so important during pregnancy, for embryonic and foetal nerve cell development.

* Vitamin B9, in association with vitamin B12 help convert homocysteine (a blood toxin which leads to cholesterol in heart muscles), thereby reducing blood levels of homocysteine and lowering the risk of cardiovascular disease. Increased homocysteine levels result in weak bones leading to fractures.

* B9 is involved in the production of neurotransmitters such as serotonin, which regulate mood, sleep and hunger.

* B9 is also linked to play an important role in prevention of certain cancers - lung, colon, and cervical.

Deficiency of Vitamin B9 –

Deficiency of folic acid, along with Vitamin B12 deficiency, causes a type of darkish brown, blotchy pigmentation that normally appears on the face, inside of mouth, on the thighs, and on the palms.
Folate deficiency can cause diarorhea, anaemia, loss of appetite, heart burn, constipation, weight loss, sore and swollen tongue and a variety of other symptoms.

In a developing foetus, folic acid deficiency may cause birth defects such as spina bifida (neural tube defects) and anencephaly.

Symptoms of deficiency include:

· Anaemia

· Gastrointestinal problems

· Memory problems

· Premature greying of hair

· Impaired brain and nerve functions

· Birth defects

· Mental sluggishness

Who are at risk of B9 deficiency?

· Alcoholics

· Smokers

· Aged people due to poor absorption of Vitamin B9 by their body

· People who are deficient in vitamin B12

· People with usually high production of red cells (hemolytic anemia).

· Pregnant and lactating women

Daily recommended dosage –

Men need around 200 micrograms per day of folic acid, and women need around 180 micrograms per day of folic acid.

If a woman plans to become pregnant, she needs to eat foods rich in or fortified with folic acid. She might also need to take a supplement to get around 400 micrograms per day. Once pregnant, Vitamin B9 intake should be 400 micrograms per day. Lactating mothers need 280 micrograms per day.

Dietary sources of folic acid –

Since folic acid is water-soluble vitamin, (our body absorbs only about half of the folic acid we get from food), and is easily destroyed by microwaving, processing, overcooking, or reheating, it is difficult to get the required RDA from food alone.

Foods that contain good amount of folic acid include -

· Leafy green vegetables such as spinach.

· Lentils

· Brown rice

· Cheese

· Mushrooms

· Liver

· Dry beans, legumes and peas

· Fortified cereals and grain products

· Fortified juices

· Fruits, especially bananas, oranges.

· Brewer’s yeast.

· Milk

· Root vegetables such as carrot, turnip.

Fresh vegetables are better than cooked because heat destroys folic acid. Even storing at room temperature accelerates the loss of this vitamin. Keep vegetables in a dark, cool place and eat them quickly.

Is an overdose of folic acid toxic to the body?

High doses of Vitamin B9 may cause stomach problems, sleep disorders, and skin disorders. It can also cause fits in persons with convulsive disorders.
Over doses of folic acid are known to obstruct with the effectiveness of methotrexate (an anticancer drug used in chemotherapy).

Zinc, estrogen, anticonvulsant drugs, may also not be efficiently absorbed when combined with folic acid.

Atul B Tanna asked:




What is the definition of renewable energy? Renewable energy is energy generated from non depleting natural resources such as wind, sunlight, tides, rain and even geothermal heat. They can be used to power our homes, industries and even our vehicles.

BIOMASS

The main source of renewable energy, on a global scale, is the application of biomass. Biomass is described as using biological material in the production of fuel. Common biomass sources include wood, corn, sugarcane, switch grass and even algae. Biomass makes up approximately 13% to 15% of all energy consumed in the world.

Biomass also includes bio fuel. This is the use of biomass materials such as corn, sugarcane and a host of other sources, to make fuels that power the worlds’ vehicles.

There is great promise in expanding the use of biomass to help reduce carbon emissions, to reduce energy prices and reduce the effect of global warming on the environment.

HYDROPOWER

Hydroelectricity (or hydropower) follows biomass as the next leading renewable energy source. It is estimated that hydropower provides between 3% and 5% of all energy consumed around the globe.

Hydropower produces energy using gravitys’ force on falling water. The energy is harnessed using dams to drive turbines and generators.

The biggest hydroelectric dam is currently being constructed in China on the Yangtze River. This effort has caused the relocation of millions of people and the flooding of important archaeological sites. There is much debate about its impact on the wildlife and fisheries that currently exist.

SOLAR, WIND & GEOTHERMAL ENERGY SOURCES

Solar, wind and geothermal energy make up between .08% and 1.0% of all energies used globally. These eco-friendly sources of energy have the potential to significantly reduce the use of fossil-fuels as the main source of energy in the world.

SOLAR POWER

Solar power is likely to be the most valuable of the renewable energy sources available. Why? Because it is available in abundance and is the least expensive for conversion. As new buildings and homes are constructed, solar technology can easily be accommodated in its design and implementation. In some countries, incorporating solar technology into new or existing homes and businesses also comes with monetary incentives such as tax credits, grants and even loans.

The solar energy process involves placing collecting cells and panels in “sun-rich” locations to harness the sun rays. It is then converted to electricity via photovoltaic processing.

WIND POWER

The use of wind power to generate electricity is growing at a rate of about 30% annually. It is widely used in Europe, and there is a big push in the United States, led by energy tycoon T. Boone Pickens. His idea is to harness this energy using wind farms off the eastern and western coastlines of the United States, gradually reducing our dependence on petroleum products.

GEOTHERMAL POWER

The use of geothermal energies is a main source of fuel in countries like Iceland and Norway. Unfortunately, not all geographic locations will be able to use this type of technology.

CONCLUSION

The use of renewable energy sources is the most environmentally sound method to help reduce overall energy costs and the world’s dependence on fossil-fuels. The use of renewable energies will also help provide a healthy environment for future generations.

John Gibb asked:




Calcium is not only important for strong bones and teeth but it is also required by many other systems of the body to perform their functions in a healthy environment. Calcium deficiency causes weak bones, brittle and yellow teeth, muscle cramps and a lot of other complications. Calcium dietary sources are very important to know if you want to prevent or overcome calcium deficiency.

Milk and dairy products are well-known calcium dietary sources. However, many of us are found complaining that we can’t digest milk or are allergic to it or do not like its taste and so on. What we don’t realize is: if milk is not a regular constituent of our diet we are at high risk of developing bone disease in old age.

So, what’s the solution? A possible solution is to add green vegetables to your diet like broccoli, spinach, kale, mustard greens and turnip greens. Fish and seafood are also good calcium dietary sources. Salmon, sardines, mackerel and shrimps are rich sources of calcium. In fruits, oranges and dates provide optimum levels of calcium and many other important minerals.

Yet another solution is to consume calcium-fortified food materials like calcium-fortified orange juice and cereals. Eating a whole bowl of oatmeal in breakfast is a good way to ensure that you are receiving adequate quantities of calcium everyday.

Other calcium dietary sources include pinto beans, soy beans, navy beans, hazelnuts, walnuts, sesame seeds and tofu. You can make a diet plan and include 2 or 3 of the above-mentioned calcium sources to fulfill your daily calcium needs. However, people who are already calcium deficient may want to try something else in addition to a proper diet.

The solution is to use calcium-rich supplements. Normally, 1000 – 1500 milligrams of calcium are required by an average, healthy person. It is recommended that you buy coral calcium supplements instead of normal calcium carbonate because coral calcium gets readily absorbed and helps in overcoming calcium deficiency fairly quickly.

In addition to a well-balanced diet and a daily dose of high-quality calcium tablets, avoid junk food, soft drinks, coffee, tea and too much sugar. Coral calcium supplements will be more effective if you also exercise on a regular basis and avoid smoking. If possible, try to find those supplements that contain other vitamins and minerals in good quantities to assist in maximum calcium absorption by the blood.

Jeffrey Hamilton asked:




Having safe drinking water in the event of an emergency is essential for survival and should be a vital part of your emergency preparedness and your disaster supplies. We take fresh water for granted every day, but in the case of an major emergency, such as a flood or earthquake, safe drinking water becomes a scarce commodity. Above all, knowledge in the care and mechanics of producing safe water can avoid the unpleasant side effects that can even result in a life threatening situation. By far the easiest way is to be prepared with commercially available emergency water that typically has a five year shelf life. Always have at least a 72 hour supply with your emergency supplies and don’t forget to include enough for you’re your pets. You should have at least one gallon per person and pet per day.

Sources Of Water

In the event that you run out of your emergency supplies or need to prepare for an event that is longer than 72 hours, there are several sources to consider and they all need to be treated for safe drinking. Don’t forget the following:

Rainwater, streams, rivers, etc Water heater Toilet tanks (not bowls) if the water has not been chemically treated Canned and/or bottled beverages and make sure that the seals have not been compromised. Residual in household pipes - learn how to shut off the commercial water supply to avoid highly contaminated water getting into your home. Open the highest faucet in your home to let air into the system so you can remove from the lowest faucet Ice cubes
Disinfection Methods

Above all, never assume that water is safe based on its source (unless from your emergency water supplies within date code) and take the proper steps to disinfect. Extreme care must be taken as to not cross contaminate containers and hoses from questionable sources to those where you are storing and using your disinfected water. Disinfection is to kill disease-causing micro-organisms like Giardia lamblia and Cryptosporidium. As outlined by the EPA, there are several methods of disinfection.

Boiling - the best method is to boil your water. Boil water at a rolling boil at least one minute. Cool it and pour it back and forth between two containers to improve the taste after boiling. At high altitudes, boil at least three minutes. Chemical Treatment - there are several commercially available chlorine or iodine treatments available that should be a part of your emergency kits. However, if not available, household chlorine bleach (not non-chlorine bleach) typically has 5.25% available chlorine. Treat and wait at least 30 minutes (double when cold) with the container covered. There should be a slight chlorine odor, if not, repeat the procedure and let stand an additional 15 minutes. Be sure to check the bottle and use the following guidelines based on the bottles information:
1% available chlorine, use 40 drops per gallon of water 4-6% available chlorine, use 8 drops per gallon 7-10% available chlorine, use 4 drops per gallon
Filtration - there are many commercially available filtration systems that are capable of filtering out micro-organism down to the Giardia level. When using filtration, it is very important to not cross contaminate the components that are in contact with the unfiltered water and that of the filtered water. It never hurts to filter and do the above chemical treatments just to be sure.
Summary

As outlined above, be sure to have plenty of emergency water on hand as well as methods to treat water should additional supplies be needed. Be sure to be very methodical and strict with procedures when it comes to handling and sanitizing your water supplies. Contaminated water can have life threatening effects, especially on young children, the elderly, or people with poor immune systems. Follow recommended procedures and, above all, don’t cross contaminate.

John Gibb asked:




Green leafy vegetables are not only excellent sources of calcium but they also provide adequate amounts of magnesium. Spinach is one of the vegetables that can be considered a good source of calcium and magnesium. Almonds, beans and other nuts are also rich sources of these two nutrients and come under the vegetarian diet.

Milk and dairy products are good non-vegetarian sources of calcium but they do not provide adequate amounts of magnesium. Children under the age of 10 require up to 120 mg of magnesium and 800 mg of calcium. ¼ cup of almonds, soybean, peanuts and cashews provide 30 – 100 mg of magnesium.

To balance your daily intake of minerals eat non-fat foods. Avoid saturated fat, a protein-rich diet coming from animal sources, alcoholic and soft drinks, too much sugar and tobacco. Any good source of calcium and magnesium is effective only if both these minerals are readily absorbed by the bloodstream. Furthermore, to prevent calcium loss through urine you need to increase your daily intake of vitamin D and phosphorus.

Many nutritional supplements available out there contain calcium and magnesium together along with many other vitamins and minerals. These supplements or tablets can also be considered a good source of calcium and magnesium. Try to find good-quality calcium tablets that contain high concentration of calcium along with adequate amounts of magnesium, sodium, potassium, vitamin D and vitamin K2.

Calcium tablets that fulfill both calcium and magnesium needs on a daily basis are the best ones to buy. It has been discovered that coral calcium obtained from fossilized coral reefs above sea level contains magnesium, potassium and sodium along with high concentration of calcium carbonate in just the right quantities. This particular compound helps to fights against many degenerative diseases and also acts as a good source of calcium and magnesium.

To buy high-quality calcium and magnesium supplements, look around for Okinawan coral calcium supplements. This special coral calcium comes from Okinawa island of Japan and is popular for its purity and effectiveness. It is easy to absorb and digest and can be used by people of all ages without any reservation.

Normally doctors recommend consuming 2-3 calcium tablets daily after each meal. Calcium carbonate and coral calcium supplements are best absorbed in the presence of stomach acid. Consequently they reduce acidity, helps in proper digestion of food and also assist in weight loss.

Victoria Gibbins asked:




Helping our planet has been on everyone’s mind over the last couple of years. If it has been on your mind you should consider switching your home to a renewable source of energy. Using a renewable source of energy has been gaining in popularity from the public. Why you ask? With major changing happening to our planet daily it doesn’t take one long to realize that things have to change.

The advantages of using a renewable source of energy out weigh the common methods currently in use by far.

1) The most important one on my list is the green factor. No I’m not talking about money…yet. The green I’m talking about is environmentally green. Renewable resources are clean, and pollutant free. Using common fossil fuels gives off carbon molecules which impact our environment tremendously. By using renewable resources you are helping win the fight on global warming.

2) Renewable resources will always be here, they will never ever deplete. Unlike common fossil fuels being used by nearly everyone world wide, they will soon cease to exist.

3) The initial start up cost for renewable resources may be more expensive then electricity at first, but the potential of saving money out weighs those costs. It won’t take long for your system to make back the money you put into it. Renewable wind and solar systems can work so well that power companies will pay you to use your energy.

4) You never have to worry about power again. Once your solar or wind system is up and running you will never have to worry about running out of energy. Using renewable energy gives you the ability to store and use your own energy, this in turn will help our economy.

Using renewable energy is the biggest trend out there right now. With more people becoming aware of our planets dyer situation, more people are starting to step up and do what’s best for our environment.

Dr John Anne asked:




It was studied by Keilin and Mann that zinc is essential for the activity of some enzymes. It is a component of vital enzyme carbonic anhydrase, and other enzymes like several dehydrogenises (alcohol, glutamics, and certain pyridine nucleotide) and pancreatic carboxypeptidase’s.
It is found in traces in all tissues, except the bones, teeth, and pancreas which have slightly more amount of zinc. A normal adult contains 1.4-2.5 gm of zinc. Zinc level for adults in plasma or serum is 0.1/100 ml, and in whole blood it is 0.7mg/100 ml. The need for zinc is small but its role in growth and well being is great.

It exists in the body mostly in combination with other constituents. It is bluish-white, metallic element. It is excreted mainly in urine. A study results said that rheumatoid arthritis can be taken care of by a diet rich in vitamin E, zinc, and beta carotene.

Recommended Daily Allowance: The RDA of 3 mg for infants, 10 mg for children, and 10-15 mg for adults is suggested. Most human diet provides these requirements. Growing children, pregnant and lactating women need more.

The zinc is administered on medical reasons for rapid healing of skin ulcers, acne, eczema, wounds, and prostate disorders.

Too much of zinc can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, and damage to the kidneys. 50-75 mg a day can backfire or lower HDL (good) cholesterol. Too much of zinc can cause loss of iron and copper in the body.

Dietary Sources: Whole wheat, breakfast cereals, nuts, legumes, animal food, like crabs, sardines, oysters, lean meat, eggs, cheese, and fish are good sources of zinc. The bioavailability of zinc in vegetables foods is low whereas animal foods are dependable sources.

Intensive cultivation over hundreds of years has caused depletion of zinc in soil, and thereby in the food crops grown in the area.

Functions of the Body: Zinc is an integral and essential element of insulin molecule. Zinc easily forms a compound with Insulin, and thus prolongs insulin action. As pancreas is rich in zinc, it helps storage of insulin in the pancreas.

Zinc promotes growth and sexual maturity, improves immune system and hastens healing of wounds, and helps digestion of protein. It is an ideal remedy for fatigue. It is needed to transport Vitamin A to the retina.

Deficiency Sources: The negative zinc balance could be due to low protein diet, pregnancy, refined foods, intestinal diseases, chronic alcoholism, diabetes, chronic fever, and haemodialysis. The deficiency of zinc can cause loss of appetite and taste, alopecia, skin lesions, reduced growth, and dysfunction of reproductive system. A syndrome of growth failure (dwarfism), hypogonadism, anemia, delayed ******* maturation and hepatomegaly due to zinc deficiency has been found. Acute zinc efficiency results in mental apathy, diarrhoea, moist eczema, and dermatitis especially around the mouth. In advanced age, deficiency of zinc is more prominent but, in young age, there can be slow hair growth and decrease in blood corpuscles. Its deficiency adversely effect utilization of iron, and copper. More on Zinc- Benefits, Dosage, Deficiency, Sources

Joseph Devine asked:




Once new software is unleashed into the current market, those who decide to use or develop the new software are often faced with the challenges of updating, protecting, maintaining, and overall improving the product. Because of the differences in structure between open and closed source software, the way in which it is supported and maintained varies as well.

Support for Closed Source

Closed, or proprietary software, is much different than open source software. The main difference between the two is the access of the source code. For closed source, access to the source code is denied and solely controlled by the developer of the software. This means that if a problem arises, or updates need to be made, the developer of the software is the only group that can make the appropriate changes.

This puts many companies and organizations at the mercy of the closed source software developers. If the developers choose not to update or fix any problems, the organization that utilizes the software will be stuck with a useless product. Having to filter any and all problems through one location causes problems to be solved at a very slow pace. Users are not given the opportunity to attempt to fix the software on their own. While there may be alternative fixes, these are often illegal to use with proprietary software.

The main argument for closed source software is the ability to control the quality of the product. While this is a valid argument, the needs of all users can often overwhelm the developers, causing changes to come very slowly, if at all.

Support for Open Source

Unlike closed source, open source software makes the access code accessible to all users and developers. This allows users and developers to quickly take care of any issues that arise with the software. Instead of having to take all of your concerns to a centralized group, the users and developers are given the chance to create their own fixes.

This kind of innovation allows users to truly customize and control their software, with the support of the developer whenever needed. The resources available to users of open source software far exceeds those who use proprietary software. The potential for users to customize their software to meet the needs of their organization is practically endless. Organizations are only limited to the reaches of their own creativity.

While closed source software is less customizable, open source is less simple to control as far as quality is concerned. The potential of the software is completely in the hands of the users, meaning that development can either be very fast of very slow. Without careful planning, open source software can cause confusion, inconsistencies, and even compatibility problems. Users of open source software must be careful to avoid this type of confusion.

Contact an open source software developer [http://www.mpoweropen.com/support.shtml] to learn more about the advantages and disadvantages of open source software.