London Bridge has spanned the River Thames for over 2,000 years, with the current steel and concrete bridge connecting the City of London and Southwark. The bridge has a fascinating history, including destruction by fires and floods, the display of notorious Englishmen’s heads, and the introduction of tolls. The Rennie Bridge was sold to an […]
Taenia saginata is a parasitic tapeworm carried by cattle that causes taeniasis in humans. Symptoms include proglottids in stool, but some may be asymptomatic. Infection can be prevented by eating well-cooked meat and practicing good hygiene. Treatment involves deworming drugs. Taenia saginata is a type of parasitic tapeworm carried by cattle. It causes a disease […]
Maui onions are a sweet onion variety grown on the Hawaiian island of Maui. They have a high water content and are good raw or cooked. They require specific growing conditions and are available in the spring. They can be grown in other regions with well-fertilized soil. Maui onions are a variety of sweet onion […]
A wood router is a power tool used for cutting or routing grooves and moldings into wood. It comes in fixed spindle, plunge, and combined versions and uses different cutting bits. Fixed spindle routers are best for accuracy, while plunge routers are suitable for deep cutting and starting in the middle of lumber. Variable speed […]
Axial fans are common bladed fans with three to five curved blades that draw air behind them and push it forward. They are low cost and commonly used for cooling electronics. Angled blades allow for direct air movement, while other types of fans use straight blades. Axial fans are found in many households and electronics. […]
The Global Gag Rule prohibits foreign aid to NGOs offering abortions or lobbying for abortion rights. This affects family planning and public health in developing nations. The policy has been criticized by activists and health professionals. The Mexico City Policy interferes with free speech and was repealed by Clinton but reinstated by Bush. NGOs must […]
Avoidant personality disorder is a psychological condition characterized by extreme social inhibition and shyness, causing people to avoid social interaction and contact with others. It is not the same as antisocial personality disorder. Symptoms include feeling inadequate or worthless, reluctance to make friends, and extreme sensitivity to other people’s thoughts and actions. Treatment approaches include […]
Deep-fat frying is a fast cooking method where food is immersed in heated fat. It’s a staple of the fast food industry and has been criticized for being unhealthy, but chefs argue it can be done properly. Deep frying has been used for centuries and can be dangerous, but many commercial fryers have safety features. […]
Pressure vessels are containers that hold gases or liquids at a certain pressure. They are typically made of steel and can be coated with metal, ceramic, or polymers. The most stable design is a sphere, but most are cylindrical. Safety is important as leaks or explosions can cause harm. Countries have created design codes to […]
Car hood ornaments were once a popular decorative feature on cars, but are now mostly associated with luxury vehicles. They were designed to suggest power and energy, and were originally used to cover the radiator access point. Hood ornaments were phased out due to safety concerns and theft, but some luxury brands still produce them […]
Marrons glacés are candied chestnuts popular in France and other regions during the holiday season. They take several days to cook and are expensive but have a unique taste. Chestnuts have been a valuable source of protein since the Middle Ages and are still popular today in various forms, including marron glacé. The recipe emerged […]
Steam condensers turn steam back into water for reuse in power generation systems. Contact and surface condensers use cooler liquid to cool vapor back into water. Surface condensers have the advantage of not requiring additional cold water. A steam condenser is a machine that transforms steam into water. Many steam systems use a water loop […]
A surge arrester intercepts electrical surges and sends them to ground before they damage connected devices. The terms surge arrester, surge protector, and lightning arrester are interchangeable. Lightning arresters prevent surges from outside the power grid, while surge protectors prevent those from inside. Industrial lightning arresters and surge arresters are the same and are almost […]
Environmental audits assess the impact of activities on the environment and measure performance against ISO standards. An EMS is a formal structure for environmental protection, and audits can suggest improvements. ISO standards are created through consensus and compliance is voluntary. Audits can include an overall assessment of EMS performance and provide guidelines for improvement. An […]
A battery terminal cleaner is a tool used to clean the connectors of a car battery. There are three designs: round, flat, and combination. Cleaning the terminals is important for better contact and routine maintenance. Clean terminals can indicate good vehicle care. A battery terminal cleaner is a brush specially designed to clean the terminals […]
Carnaroli rice is a short-grain Italian rice used in risotto dishes. It contains more starch than arborio rice, holds liquid better, and has a larger grain. It is more expensive and can be difficult to find, but is suitable for delicate and sophisticated dishes. Carnaroli rice is a type of short-grain Italian rice sometimes used […]
A compressor air dryer removes water and contaminants from compressed air systems using refrigeration or desiccant adsorption. It also removes oil droplets and requires a regeneration tank for desiccant. Contaminants must be disposed of safely. A compressor air dryer is a machine that removes water and contaminants from previously compressed air systems. This machine is […]
Point machines are used to switch railway tracks and are controlled by a central computer. They come in different types, but must be reliable, low maintenance, economically viable, and universally suitable. They have evolved from manual control to being controlled from a distance. They vary in appearance, but are usually a small metal box with […]
Arroz con leche is a popular rice pudding dish in Spain and Latin America, made by slowly simmering uncooked rice with milk and sugar. It can be flavored with cinnamon, nutmeg, raisins, and citrus peels, and is often served with butter. Brown rice can be used for a healthier version, and a vegan variation can […]
The Ritz-Carlton Hotels were created by César Ritz, with the Paris and London hotels being the most famous. The term “the ritz” became synonymous with extreme elegance. “Puttin’ on the Ritz” originally referred to people living in Harlem who dressed impeccably despite their poverty. The phrase now means dressing glamorously. The film Young Frankenstein illustrates […]
