PopSugar

Biking Basics: Presta Valves vs. Schrader Valves

FitSugar — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 03:47:24 -0700

Bike tires are a complex science unto themselves - I've heard people say, "It's not about the bike; it's about the tires." When it comes to bicycle tires, you need to know about the two kind of valves out there. There is the tall and skinny Presta valve and the Schrader valve, which you probably had on your bike as a kid.

The Presta valve, sometimes referred to as a French valve, is common on most performance road and mountain bikes. This style of valve has built-in valve caps, which you open before pumping air into the tire and which must be tightly closed to prevent air from slowly leaking out of the tire. Presta valves are used in high-performance bikes because they are lightweight and slender, so they don't require a large hole in the rim of the tire, rendering it less stable. Presta valves are easier to pump air through since they don't have a spring like Schrader valves. You cannot use the automated air at a filling station with the Presta valves without an adapter, which you screw on once the cap has been opened.

The Schrader valve is your basic automotive valve and is sturdier. You will find this style used on kids' bikes as well as utility bikes and beach cruisers.

Want to Win $10 Million? Invent a Car That Gets 100 MPG!

CitizenSugar — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 13:04:31 -0700

First space, now the Shell station - a just-announced new X Prize is hitting the road, focusing attention on terrestrial vehicles. The contest's mission: invent a car that gets at least 100 miles per gallon and win a race to be held next September.

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced the contest yesterday at the New York International Auto Show. He described the plan as "an excellent example of how the private sector can spur solutions to our most complex challenges."

At least 64 teams are already on deck to compete. The outcome of this contest could have an arguably bigger impact than the X Prize Foundation's spaceship contest, especially given the current runaway fuel prices. Oh, yeah. And the saving the planet part, too.

What's next? Those flying cars we've been waiting for since The Jetsons?

Source

Adrien Brody Looks Ready For a Relaxing Afternoon

Molly — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 14:30:08 -0700

Adrien Brody tucked his flowing hair into a baseball hat on his way out of an automotive store in LA yesterday. When we saw Adrien at the Oscars, his all done up longer locks weren't my favorite, but this look is certainly a step in the right direction. The actor is known to transform for roles when he needs to, but I must say I prefer seeing him a little bit scruffy in jeans and a t-shirt just like this. Yum.

View 5 Photos ›

Fame

15 Companies That Could Meet Their Demise in 2009

SavvySugar — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 09:30:30 -0800

Big named businesses began declaring bankruptcy in 2008, and we'd be foolishly optimistic to think the buck stopped in the new year. While it may not make sense to pay any attention to predictions, it's always good to stay in tune with what's happening in our economy and the types of companies on this list say a lot about the bigger picture. Using data from sources such as Moody's Investors Service, US News compiled a list of 15 companies it believes will look much different by the end of 2009. Would you be sad to see any of them go?

Rite Aid
Claire's Stores
Chrysler
Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group
Realogy Corp.
Station Casinos
Loehmann's Capital Corp.
Sbarro
Six Flags
Blockbuster
Krispy Kreme
Landry's Restaurants
Sirius Satellite Radio
Trump Entertainment Resorts Holdings
BearingPoint

Source

How To Wire An iPod Connection Into Your Car

GeekSugar — Fri, 13 Apr 2007 13:06:48 -0700

If you're not rolling in a BMW, Subaru or one of the handful of new cars that rock built-in iPod connections, you probably use iTrip or another radio/tape adapter to listen to your iPod in the car.

If you're looking for a more permanent built-in connection and you're willing to get your hands dirty, you can always install a connection by yourself. (It can cost up to $2,000 to have this done professionally, although it's not always so pricey).

Maclife has put together a great how to guide for wiring an iPod connection in your car and it's my belief that any geeky girl or guy should be able to tackle it. All you need is a car stereo with an RCA auxiliary input behind the dash, some geeky tools and a little bit of time.

For help getting started, just read more

You'll need
Car stereo with RCA auxiliary inputs
Screwdrivers and/or other tools to access the car stereo
12-volt power outlet ($10 at automotive store)
Wire cutter, stripper
10-gauge wire ($5 to $10 at automotive store, optional)
Assorted crimp connectors ($5 at automotive store)
Crimping tool
Drill (optional)
XtremeMac RoadShow Car Audio/Video Cable ($49.95)
Belkin Auto Kit for iPod w/Dock Connector ($39.99)
TuneFlex ($49.99) (or similar)
Stereo RCA-to-mini adapter ($5 to $10) required for Auto Kit or TuneFlex; not needed for RoadShow
Cable ties (optional)

Check out the guide at Maclife.

Source

Methanol test

admin — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 19:12:11 -0700

Illustrations

Blood test

HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M

Definition

Methanol is a nondrinking type of alcohol used for industrial and automotive purposes. A test can be done to measure the amount of methanol in your blood.

How the test is performed

Blood is drawn from a vein, usually from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. The site is cleaned with germ-killing medicine (antiseptic). The health care provider wraps an elastic band around the upper arm to apply pressure to the area and make the vein swell with blood.

Next, the health care provider gently inserts a needle into the vein. The blood collects into an airtight vial or tube attached to the needle. The elastic band is removed from your arm.

Once the blood has been collected, the needle is removed, and the puncture site is covered to stop any bleeding.

In infants or young children, a sharp tool called a lancet may be used to puncture the skin and make it bleed. The blood collects into a small glass tube called a pipette, or onto a slide or test strip. A bandage may be placed over the area if there is any bleeding.

The blood is then analyzed in a laboratory.

How to prepare for the test

No special preparation is necessary.

How the test will feel

When the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel moderate pain, while others feel only a prick or stinging sensation. Afterward, there may be some throbbing.

Why the test is performed

This test is done to see if you have methanol in your body. Some people accidentally drink methanol, or intentionally drink it as a substitute for grain alcohol (ethanol).

Methanol is extremely poisonous. As little as 2 tablespoons can be deadly to a child. About 2 to 8 ounces can be deadly for an adult. Methanol poisoning mainly affects the gastrointestinal, nervous, and ophthalmological (eye) systems.

Normal Values

No presence of methanol is normal.

What abnormal results mean

No amount of methanol is normally found in the body. Its presence indicates possible poisoning.

What the risks are

Veins and arteries vary in size from one patient to another and from one side of the body to the other. Obtaining a blood sample from some people may be more difficult than from others.

Other risks associated with having blood drawn are slight but may include:

Excessive bleeding
Fainting or feeling light-headed
Hematoma (blood accumulating under the skin)
Infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken)

Review Date: 10/15/2007

Reviewed By: Frank A. Greco, M.D., Ph.D., Director, Biophysical Laboratory, The Lahey Clinic, Burlington, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is an independent audit to verify that A.D.A.M. follows rigorous standards of quality and accountability. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial policy, editorial process and privacy policy. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

A.D.A.M. Copyright

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997-2009 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

adam.com

Source Doc: 1_003563

Methanol poisoning

admin — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 18:59:07 -0700

Overview

Definition
Alternative Names
Poisonous Ingredient
Where Found
Symptoms
Home Treatment
Before Calling Emergency
Poison Control, or a local emergency number
What to expect at the emergency room
Expectations (prognosis)
References

HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M

Definition

Methanol is a non-drinking type of alcohol used for industrial and automotive purposes. This article discusses poisoning from an overdose of methanol.

Alternative Names

Wood alcohol poisoning

Poisonous Ingredient

Methyl alcohol

Where Found

Antifreeze
Canned heating sources
Copy machine fluids
De-icing fluid
Fuel additives (octane boosters)
Paint remover or thinner
Shellac
Varnish
Windshield wiper fluid

Note: This list may not be all inclusive.

Symptoms

Methanol poisoning mainly affects the gastrointestinal, nervous, and ophthalmological (eye) systems. Symptoms may include:

Nervous system

Agitated behavior
Coma
Dizziness
Headache
Seizures

Ophthalmological system

Blindness
Blurred vision
Dilation of the pupils

Gastrointestinal system

Abdominal pain (severe)
Diarrhea
Liver function problems
Nausea
Pancreatitis
Vomiting

Other

Bluish-colored lips and fingernails
Breathing difficulty
Breathing stops
Convulsions
Fatigue
Leg cramps
Low blood pressure
Weakness

Home Treatment

Seek immediate medical help. DO NOT make a person throw up unless told to do so by Poison Control or a health care professional.

Before Calling Emergency

Determine the following information:

Patient's age, weight, and condition
Name of the product (ingredients and strengths, if known)
Time it was swallowed
Amount swallowed

Poison Control, or a local emergency number

The National Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222) can be called from anywhere in the United States. This national hotline number will let you talk to experts in poisoning. They will give you further instructions.

This is a free and confidential service. All local poison control centers in the U.S. use this national number. You should call if you have any questions about poisoning or poison prevention. It does NOT need to be an emergency. You can call for any reason, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Take the container with you to the hospital, if possible.

See National Poison Control center.

What to expect at the emergency room

The health care provider will measure and monitor the patient's vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure. The patient may receive:

Dialysis
Medicine (antidote) to reverse the effect of the poison (fomepizole or ethanol)
Medicines to treat symptoms
Nasogastric (NG) tube thru the nose into the stomach to empty the stomach (gastric lavage)
Oxygen and breathing support
Other medications (folinic acid, bicarbonate)

Expectations (prognosis)

Methanol is extremely poisonous. As little as 2 tablespoons can be deadly to a child. About 2 to 8 ounces can be deadly for an adult. The ultimate outcome depends on how much poison was swallowed and how soon treatment was received.

References

Ford MD, Clinical Toxicology. 1st ed. Philadelphia, Pa: WB Saunders; 2001:759-760, 1034-1035.

Marx J. Rosen’s Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 6th ed. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby; 2006: 2395-2398.

Review Date: 1/17/2007

Reviewed By: Eric Perez, MD, Department of Emergency Medicine, St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

A.D.A.M. Copyright

adam.com

Source Doc: 1_002680

From Factory Town to Forgotten: Top 10 US Cities in Decline

CitizenSugar — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 07:51:59 -0700

Ohio and Michigan may be key battleground states this election perhaps because they have the most to gain. In the list of fastest dying American cities, Ohio scored four slots and Michigan took two - it appears in these declining Rust Belt towns, there's nowhere to go but up.

What factors peg a town as "dying?" Dwindling populations, higher than average unemployment, and stagnant economies all combine to signal bad news for a city. The automotive industry has had the biggest impact on the trend, where the Michigan cities of Flint and Detroit (pictured) have seen unemployment approach 10 percent.

Though the cities on the list aren't facing the crushing real estate landscape that Miami, Las Vegas and Phoenix are seeing, it's hardly good news - the prices never climbed there to begin with. The one bright spot is that a survey shows that almost every city's economy in the US grew between 2001 and 2005; those making the list just grew at a much more depressed rate, some well below 1 percent. Here's the list:

Canton, OH
Youngstown, OH
Flint, MI - GM was founded here, and the city has suffered the auto decline even harder than Detroit.
Scranton, PA - Not even being featured on The Office can help the town build a post-industrial economy.
Dayton, OH

To see the rest, and one city who's rebranding to buck the trend, read more.

Cleveland, OH - The city has lost over 100,000 people since 2000.
Springfield, MA - Springfield is actively combatting the decline by launching a rebranding as New England's "Knowledge Corridor" highlighting the boatload of universities close by.
Buffalo, NY - Once one of the US's 10 largest cities, it's been in decline ever since.
Detroit, MI - Despite economic decline, it's in the midst of a baby boom: 430,000 were born during a period where only 280,000 died.
Charleston, WV

As the shift from industry to service and information continues, what's the solution to industrial cities in decline? Given the global energy crunch and the cost of importing goods from afar, will industry return to the US - or is it gone for good? How can these cities adapt - and which candidate has the best plan to make that happen?

Source

Tech News Roundup - Optimus Prime Birthday Cake

GeekSugar — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 12:00:30 -0700

One woman ordered a custom-made Optimus Prime cake for her husband's 30th birthday. Gigantic Optimus Prime Birthday Cake Forcefully Removes Socks From Feet - UK Gizmodo
Got old gadgets sitting around gathering dust because you've moved past them but don't have the time or energy to sell them on eBay or Craigslist? Sell your old gadgets with Second Rotation - Lifehacker
Fancy + fun = "FanFun". Do you see what they did there? Well, the "fun" part remains to be seen, but Toshiba's FanFun 815T is certainly all kinds of fancy. Toshiba's FanFun 815T mobile phone - fancy and fun - Shiny Shiny
A small group of automotive journalists gathered recently in Southern California to watch an unusual sight: A fully functional Volkswagen Touareg that could be controlled without anyone in the driver's seat. Secrets of The Bourne Ultimatum car chase scenes - Crave
There's a Mac event going down next Tuesday, which can mean only one thing: wild speculation! Brand New iMacs and iPods Next Week? - Switched

Celebs can't live without GPS

PopSugar — Sat, 23 Apr 2005 14:23:02 -0700

Pioneer Electronics Automotive Navigation Systems Launch Party brought out all the B-list celebs on Thursday night. Of course there was Paris with her new BFF, Kimberly Stewart who may be her new co-star in The Simple Life. Nicole Richie was there but did not walk the red carpet (maybe it was a bad hair day or something). Lindsay Lohan was looking her blondest yet. Tara Reid was fully clothed, again - this girl never misses a party. Also Carmen Electra and hubby Dave Navarro (who was not wearing all black for once) were doing there best to make sure Carmen did not fall out of her top all night. She did look hot and had every reason to live it up as the party crowd also celebrated her 33rd birthday.

The reason celebs were there to support this product- according to Paris, "I would die without it. Who would use a map, that's so lame. Maps are 80's." Hmmm, wasn't she born in the 80's? Guess Paris have never seen a map because she certainly would not have been driving back then.