whys

During the developmental stages of childhood, it is normal for most children to explore their surroundings by tasting or ingesting any number of non-food items. However, when the compulsion to ingest non-nutritive substances lasts a month or longer or persists after the age of two, an individual may be suffering from an eating disorder known as pica. Pica is characterized by overwhelming and persistent cravings to consume items other than food.

Pica most commonly affects children and pregnant women. The condition seems to be most prevalent in children who are developmentally disabled. In addition, pica occurs much more frequently in developing countries and rural areas.

While very little research has been conducted on the causes of pica, some studies suggest that the cravings for non-food items may stem from malnutrition. This is most probable in areas where food is scarce. Most pregnant women with pica develop cravings for gritty substances such as soil, suggesting that they may be suffering from mineral deficiencies.

While some instances of pica may develop due to nutritional problems, others seem to stem from pathological factors. For example, pica may develop as a response to environmental stress, such as child abuse. Some researchers have suggested that pica in patients with mental retardation is caused by an inability to distinguish between food and non-food items. However, this hypothesis is refuted by evidence that mentally disabled individuals with pica seem to show a strong preference for non-food substances.

People suffering from pica most commonly crave earthy, gritty substances, such as soil, chalk, paper or earthenware. In some instances, patients may ingest items that are considered food ingredients, such as flour, baking soda or coffee grounds. In rarer cases, individuals have been known to crave human substances, such as blood, hair, urine or their own body parts.

Untreated, pica can cause a large number of health problems. Most notably, patients are at a high risk for ingesting poisonous substances. For example, it is not uncommon for people with pica to experience lead poisoning. In addition, patients may develop mild to severe disruption of the gastro-intestinal tract, ranging from constipation to life-threatening intestinal blockage.

Treatment for pica varies depending on the individual case and the doctor who is treating it. In many cases, treatment is predominantly psychological. Aversion therapy has been very effective in re-training patients with pica to overcome their cravings. Pica that is a result of mineral deficiencies can be counteracted by improving the diet of the patient. In cases in which pica is caused by developmental or psychological problems, medication may also prove effective in reducing cravings for non-food items.

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Urea, also called carbamide, is an organic chemical compound which essentially is the waste produced when the body metabolizes protein. It is a compound not only produced by humans but also by many other mammals, as well as amphibians and some fish. Urea was the first natural compound to be synthesized artificially using inorganic compounds— a scientific breakthrough.

Urea was discovered in 1773 by the French chemist Hillaire Rouelle. In 1828, just 55 years after its discovery, it became the first organic compound to be synthetically formulated, this time by a German chemist named Friedrich Wöhler, one of the pioneers of organic chemistry.

Synthetic urea is created from synthetic ammonia and carbon dioxide and can be produced as a liquid or a solid. The process of dehydrating ammonium carbamate under conditions of high heat and pressure to produce urea was first used in 1870 and is still in use today. Uses of synthetic urea are numerous and therefore production of it is high. In fact, approximately one million pounds of urea is manufactured in the United States alone each year, most of it used in fertilizers. Because the nitrogen in urea makes it water soluble, it is highly desired in this application. Urea is also used commercially and industrially to produce some types of plastics, animal feed, glues, toilet bowl cleaners, dish washing machine detergents, hair coloring products, pesticides, and fungicides. Medicinally, it is used in barbiturates, dermatological products that re-hydrate the skin, and diuretics

Naturally, urea is produced when the liver breaks down protein or amino acids, and ammonia. The kidneys then transfer the urea from the blood to the urine. Extra nitrogen is expelled from the body through urea, and because it is extremely soluble, it is a very efficient process. The average person excretes about 30 grams of urea a day, mostly through urine, but a small amount is also secreted in perspiration.

Physicians can use urea levels to detect diseases and disorders that affect the kidneys, such as acute kidney failure or end-stage renal disease (ESRD). The blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and the urine urea nitrogen (UUN) tests, which measure urea nitrogen levels in the blood and urine, are often used to assess how well a patient’s kidneys are functioning. Increased or decreased urea levels, however, do not always indicate kidney problems, but instead may reflect dehydration or increased protein intake.

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Epoxy is best known as a durable glue type that provides a high level of bonding properties that are far superior to most ordinary paste style glues. Generally sold in a two component package that requires mixing just before use, epoxy is used to securely bind a number of different types of metals, plastics, and woods. Here is some information about the contents of epoxy, as well as examples of how the glue is used.

Created to provide both bonding powers and a hard layer of protection, the basic elements of epoxy are derived from petroleum products. One of the basic components this powerful polyepoxide is bisphenol-A, which helps to provide some of the bonding efficiency of the glue. Epichlorohydrin is another key element in epoxy, and helps to provide the substance with a hard layer that is resistant to humidity, moisture and excessive hot and cold temperatures. The combination of the hard coating coupled with the strong bonding agents makes epoxy the ideal choice of a thermosetting epoxide polymer to use with metals that undergo a lot of stress, such as the hulls of airplanes and the metal plating that is found on most ships.

Epoxy can also be used in the construction of wood furniture. Not only does epoxy function to secure sections of the frames, it also can be used as an ingredient in the finishing varnish to create a layer of protection that is not only attractive but will help preserve the integrity of the piece for many years. In like manner, epoxy is often used to mend fiber cuts in telephony networks, since the substance has the ability to bind fiber wiring and create a seal on the polymer casing of the fiber. Often, it is this combination of superior protection and the ability to restore broken object to productive use that make epoxy so attractive.

Epoxy can also be used around the home. As a hardener that will create a strong bond, epoxy can be used to repair the joints in antique picture frames, as well as allow for the mending of table legs that may have begun to wobble with age. While the epoxy that is marketed for home use is formulated differently from industrial strength epoxy, the glue is still strong enough to handle most household repair jobs.

Epoxy is usually mixed just before use. Two separate chambers containing the necessary elements are combined, then applied to the broken piece. Different brands of epoxy are formulated to dry within thirty minutes, with some brands creating a solid bond in no more than six minutes.

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A glue pot is a tool which is designed to keep hot glues at a stable temperature, making them easy to work with. One of the most ancient forms of glue, hide glue, requires a glue pot to be worked with, and some modern synthetic glues are also designed to be used hot. Many craft stores sell glue pots, and they can also be purchased from companies which specialize in woodworking supplies and musical instrument making equipment. In a pinch, a glue pot can also be improvised.

Glue pots work a lot like slow cookers and other slow heating electrical devices. The glue pot is plugged in, set at a specific temperature, and allowed to heat. The temperature setting depends on the glue being used; most glues which need to be used hot come with temperature recommendations. As the glue pot heats, it melts the glue, relaxing its chemical bonds and making it easy to apply with a swab, brush, or similar tool.

Many synthetic glues come in the form of pellets which can be dropped into a glue pot; it is also possible to find sticks of glue, which can also be used in hot glue guns. Natural hide glue often comes in the form of a granulated powder which needs to be rehydrated before use. Hide glue also benefits from being heated inside a hot water bath, rather than heated directly in a glue pot; some people use a double boiler system to heat hide glue for this reason.

Once someone is done using a glue pot, it should be cleaned unless the same glue is going to be used again. Some people prefer to discard unused glue out of concern that it may pick up impurities or make weaker bonds when heated again. Many glue pots have removable glue containers to make melting easier, while industrial pots may require serious elbow grease for cleaning.

The advantages to many heated glues is that they form very strong chemical bonds as they cool, ensuring tight glue jobs which will last. For this reason, they are favored by furniture makers and people who construct musical instruments, to ensure that furnishing and instruments do not break apart with use. Hot glues also tend to bond very quickly, reducing the need for clamps, as they will start to bond as soon as they cool off outside the glue pot.

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Paper converting can be described as a process by which paper is used to fabricate another paper product. For example, paper conversion can be used to produce such products as envelopes, paper bags, boxes, containers, and a full range of similar items. Operations involved in paper converting may include treating, slitting, sheeting, grooving, punching, and folding. Some operations may also call for perforating, blocking, binding, gluing, and laminating as well.

There are many businesses that offer paper converting. Often, these businesses offer the conversion of film and foil in addition to paper. Some paper converting businesses focus primarily on a specific type of paper, while others handle a wide variety of papers and materials. Most paper converting companies work with both coated and uncoated papers.

Highly specialized machines are used in paper converting. Some paper converting machines are used in cutting, folding, gluing, and clipping tasks. Such tasks are part of the process involved in making cartons, boxes, and other products. Other machines are used to cut, fold, and apply glue to paper for the purpose of making paper bags and envelopes.

Products like paper cups and certain food containers are made using paper converting machines. For this purpose, such machines are used to press paper into the appropriate forms and shapes. Paper tubes, paper towels, and diapers are also formed using this type of machinery.

Some paper converting businesses do not actually sell paper for use in the converting process. Instead, many companies choose to focus solely on the conversion of paper. In such situations, the customer or client is responsible for supplying the paper or purchasing it from another company. However, other paper converting businesses do supply paper, offering many different types from which to choose.

Individuals who run paper conversion machines are called paper converting machine operators. Often, a minimum of a high school diploma is required to secure a job in this field. Many companies also require newly hired operators to participate in on-the-job training that may take several weeks to complete. Additionally, some companies require related experience for higher-level positions.

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Particle board has been in use since the 1940s, often used in place of the more expensive plywood as subflooring or instead of natural hardwoods in furniture manufacturing. At one point in its history, however, particle board was considered an expensive designer material, reserved for use in exclusive homes and upscale furniture factories. Modern particle board is now made primarily by combining discarded wood shavings, chips and sawdust with a strong resin and pressing the mixture into serviceable boards and planks.

The process of making particle board begins with real wood. Most particle board manufacturers use waste wood products collected from commercial woodworking factories, although some virgin wood may be used as well. All of this recycled wood fiber and sawdust is stored in large containers before being processed into particle board.

The wood particles are usually dried, then sorted to eliminate overly large or small pieces. Once this mechanical sorting has been completed, the acceptable wood fibers move by conveyor belt to a blending hopper. Along the way, several overhead nozzles spray the wood fibers with a strong liquid resin or glue. Several different forms of formaldehyde-based resins may be used, depending on the specific quality of particle board desired.

The resin-soaked wood is then blended to form a consistent paste. This combination is piped into a forming machine, which presses out a sheet of uncured particle board. The formed panels of particle board are then pressed down for easier transportation to the final curing ovens. Individual sheets of particle board are held under pressure as the air around them is superheated. This allows the resin to harden and form a very strong bond with the wood fibers.

Some forms of particle board are left in this rough state for use in flooring and other projects in which the panels will not be visible. In situations in which the appearance of the product is a concern, thin strips of real wood, called veneers, may be added to the surface of the particle board. Furniture manufacturers often use veneer-covered particle board as a cheaper alternative to natural hardwoods. Many assemble-it-yourself desks and other home furnishings may also be made from veneered particle board.

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Hide glue is a type of glue which is made from collagen, a protein found in animal hides and hooves. Until the 20th century, hide glue was probably the most widespread glue in use, utilized in a wide range of fields to create strong joins between various objects. Today, a range of synthetic glue products are available in addition to hide glue; a hardware store or woodworking supplier is a good place to find hide glue, if you need some for a project.

In some fields, hide glue continues to be the glue of choice. People who restore antiques often work with hide glue because they want to keep materials true to the time in which the antique was produced. Hide glue is also used by instrument makers, because it has a number of properties which make it ideally suited to the construction of fine instruments. It is also used in fine woodworking. These uses ensure that this glue remains readily available, along with the supplies needed to handle it, such as a glue pot for heating and working.

Typically, hide glue is sold in the form of sheets, flakes, or pellets. The dried glue must be mixed with water and heated to make it usable, and precise temperature control is extremely important, as the glue will degrade and become less effective if it is allowed to get too hot. Many people use a specialized glue pot for this purpose, because glue pots are designed to handle delicate temperate adjustments. If allowed to cool, the glue will become brittle and unworkable. Fortunately, hide glue can be reheated multiple times; this trait can be extremely useful for fine-tuning and adjustments.

The bond created by hide glue is extremely strong, but it can be easily reversed with the application of heat, steam, or a very fine blade to the joint, depending on the type of joint involved. Hide glue is also fairly brittle, which can be a big advantage when a hide glue joint experiences extreme stress and breaks. Typically the break will be very clean, making it easy to repair, whereas synthetics tend to create ragged breaks which are challenging to fix.

Many people take advantage of the reheatable trait of hide glue. In instrument repair, for example, hide glue can be gently melted to allow a luthier to pull an instrument apart for servicing, and then the glue can be heated again when the instrument is reassembled. Furniture makers also appreciate hide glue, as they can easily adjust the construction of a piece of furniture assembled with hide glue, and it makes repairs very easy.

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Crickets can be one of the most troublesome pests, invading gardens and homes, not to mention the loud chirping sound. Crickets are notoriously hard to control, with one female capable of laying hundreds of eggs, they can feed on just about anything including paper, wood, fabric, and many kinds of food. There are a number of solutions designed to eliminate these pests with varying degrees of success. Choosing a good trap is essential for controlling these insects.

Glue Traps

This type of cricket trap uses a strip of adhesive material to trap crickets and other insects. They are usually baited with some form of insect attractant meant to lure the cricket onto the strip. Once there, the cricket’s legs get stuck to the sticky material allowing the user to simply pick up the trap and dispose of the crickets stuck to it. The disadvantage to this trap is that the glue may become less sticky over time allowing the cricket to escape.

The ideal location for glue traps are along walls where crickets like to walk and hide. Baseboards, by heating or air conditioning registers, and any doorways are excellent locations for setting traps. Generally they are good for 1-2 months, depending on the brand.

The traps also serve an additional purpose of finding out where the crickets are coming from. Crickets start outside the home, and then work their way indoors. Traps that get filled much faster would indicate a more vulnerable entry point for the crickets and particular attention should be given to that specific location of the house.

Water Trap

This is a simple trap that can be constructed at home with normal household ingredients. Simply take a dish of water and mix some molasses or vanilla extract and a little lemon juice. The crickets will be attracted to this mixture (these ingredients are often used in to the glue traps as well to make them attractive to the crickets). Once they enter the water though they will drown and the user can dispose of them later.

Though cheap and homemade, to be effective the trap must be accessible to the crickets or they will not be able to fall into the water. A dish with low walls is good, but it cannot be too shallow or the crickets will be able to escape this form of cricket trap.

Insecticide

If cricket traps do not do the trick, then it may be time to turn to more powerful means of pest control. While not technically a “trap” sometimes using insecticide is the only option. Crickets are extremely hard to control once their populations grow and a home is overwhelmed. In this case, the best cricket trap is a good exterminator.

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Rubber cement is a versatile adhesive made from latex polymers mixed in acetone or other solvents. Paul Van Cleef invented the adhesive for use in the Van Cleef Brothers factory in Chicago, Illinois in the early 1900s.

Most brands of rubber cement available for purchase today have the same basic formula, although many manufacturers made slight adjustments after learning that the benzene in rubber cement could be linked to the development of certain cancers. Today, n-hexane and n-heptane are commonly used as less toxic alternatives to benzene.

Rubber cement is inexpensive and easy to use. A permanent bond can be created by applying rubber cement to both the top and bottom papers, while a repositionable bond is created by applying the adhesive to only one surface. In addition, excess rubber cement can be peeled or rubbed off without wrinkling or damaging the paper. This makes rubber cement the perfect choice for card making and collage crafts.

At one time, rubber cement was commonly used in scrapbooking. However, today’s crafters have mostly abandoned this practice due to concerns that the acidity of the adhesive may damage photos and memorabilia. If you are interested in creating a scrapbook, use an acid-free archival quality glue stick instead of rubber cement.

Rubber cement may stain some fabrics and upholstery. However, you can remove rubber cement stains by sponging the spot with a small amount of dry cleaning solvent followed by a mixture of lukewarm water and a mild pH balanced detergent. Flush the area with clean water and allow to air dry.

As a safety precaution, rubber cement should always be used in a well-ventilated area. Avoid contact with open flames and never allow children to use rubber cement without adult supervision. If the glue accidentally comes in contact with your eyes, flush with water for at least 15 minutes. If you suspect the chemical has been swallowed, call Poison Control immediately. Do not attempt to induce vomiting without first seeking medical advice.

In recent years, teenagers have discovered that rubber cement has the potential for abuse as an inhalant. When the fumes from rubber cement are inhaled on a regular basis, they produce effects that are similar to the result of alcohol consumption. However, the effects of huffing or sniffing this glue can include brain damage, cardiac arrest, dizziness, hallucinations, and serious heart or lung problems. Rubber cement also contains a variety of poisonous ingredients, including paradichlorobenzene, trichloroethane, acetone, heptane, and isopropyl alcohol.

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Mounting adhesive is an application for attaching a graphic – a photograph, print, or poster, for example – to a board or substrate, which may be rigid or semi-rigid. While it often refers to attaching a photograph to a mounting board, it can also refer to mounting a poster on a wall, or even on a refrigerator. Mounting and laminating may take place at the same time or may be done as separate processes. Depending on the choice of mounting adhesive, the benefits of mounting may include preserving the graphic from possible wrinkling or tearing, as well as making it easier to handle and display. Special white mounting film can also increase the graphic’s opacity, which may be important if it is mounted on a dark background.

Mounting adhesive types are divided into pressure sensitive and heat-set varieties. Important characteristics to consider are tack, sheer strength, and peel strength, as well as the way the adhesive is applied. These factors can help you choose between the many mounting adhesive types available.

Tack is how sticky an adhesive is. High tack means that the mounting adhesive will grip nearly instantly, while low-tack adhesive is able to be repositioned and a good choice for layouts and other exploratory projects. The sheer strength tells you how the mounting adhesive responds to lateral stress caused by something pulling it sideways, and this directly impacts how much weight it can carry. The peel strength, on the other hand, tells how strong a bond the mounting adhesive has formed with the graphic, or in other words, how resistant the adhesive is to being peeled off the surface of the mounting board. A permanent mounting adhesive will hold more tightly, and it is more likely that the graphic will be damaged it if an attempt is made to remove it.

Pressure sensitive mounting adhesive types include film, tape, putty, foam, liquid, and spray adhesives, but mounting boards can also come prepared with adhesive. In this case, the graphic may be joined to the mounting board during the lamination process.

Film and tape are double-sided, and some kinds of film are provided with overage in their measurements in order to avoid alignment problems during application. Tape is available on rolls or in a dispenser, and film is available in sheets or on rolls. Putty is a kneadable, reusable poster adhesive for a variety of surfaces. Foam is two-sided and useful for an uneven substrate. Liquid mount can be applied with a roller, brush, or spray gun and is geared for paper and photos. Sprayable mounts range from those that provide only a temporary bond and allow repositioning, to quick-grabbing, permanent bonds.

Heat-activated mounting adhesive types include dry mount tissue, which is made for cardboard and foamboard substrates. The wider variety of pressure sensitive mounting adhesives and the fact that at least some require no special tools or machinery to use may make them worth investigating for craft applications.

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