text:
|Publication number||US5249554 A|
|Application number||US 08/002,490|
|Publication date||Oct 5, 1993|
|Filing date||Jan 8, 1993|
|Priority date||Jan 8, 1993|
|Also published as||CA2110563A1, DE69316575D1, DE69316575T2, EP0605992A1, EP0605992B1|
|Publication number||002490, 08002490, US 5249554 A, US 5249554A, US-A-5249554, US5249554 A, US5249554A|
|Inventors||Michael A. Tamor, Pierre A. Willermet, William C. Vassell, Arup K. Gangopadhyay|
|Original Assignee||Ford Motor Company|
|Export Citation||BiBTeX, EndNote, RefMan|
|Patent Citations (44), Non-Patent Citations (8), Referenced by (181), Classifications (24), Legal Events (5)|
|External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, Espacenet|
1. Field Of The Invention
The present invention relates to a powertrain component for use in an internal combustion engine. More particularly, the invention relates to a component having a hard, wear resistant film having a graded composition formed thereupon.
2. Related Art Statement
In most internal combustion engines, there are various powertrain components. Whether or not the powertrain component operates in an oil-starved environment, traditional problems of noise, vibration, and wear have resulted from frictional and normal forces generated between adjacent interacting surfaces, particularly over prolonged periods at high operating temperatures.
Illustrative of approaches to such problems is EP 435 312 Al which was published on Jul. 3, 1991. That reference discloses a hard and lubricous thin film of amorphous carbon-hydrogen-silicon and a process for producing the film by heating in a vacuum at 600° C. The disclosed film is applied to an iron-base metallic material, thereby forming a hard coating of low friction. However, at such temperatures, there may be a tendency to melt the substrate, and if the substrate is made of steel, to detemper it. Additionally, there may be a loss of net shape.
Formation of hard, lubricous films (also referred to as "coatings") on substrates can be accomplished by several known processes. Such processes include radio frequency (RF), ion beam and microwave plasma chemical vapor deposition (CVD) and physical vapor deposition (PVD) techniques. If applied satisfactorily, such coatings could reduce friction and wear. Depending on the technique used, several problems may remain. They include delamination of the film in an operating environment, which may be occasioned in part by compressive stresses engendered during deposition at the film/substrate interface. In general, the thicker the film, the higher the compressive stresses engendered during film formation. If such stresses are excessive, delamination may result. Other problems may arise from chemical incompatibility of the substrate and the coating.
As an example, aluminum and its alloys have been among those substrates with which conventional deposition techniques have yielded only marginal results. This is because, in part, aluminum carbides tend to be water soluble and unstable, especially in conditions of prolonged exposure to high humidity. Accordingly, the direct application of carbonaceous films to an aluminum-containing substrate may be intrinsically problematic.
Against this background, the need has arisen to devise a powertrain component and method for preparing a substrate-coating system which has a reliably adherent hard, wear resistant film, while accommodating compressive stresses generated during film formation and avoiding problems associated with chemical incompatibility between the film and the substrate.
The need has also arisen for a substrate-interlayer-film system which permits surface engineering of a wide variety of substrate materials to enhance friction, wear, and chemical characteristics. Ideally, such a system would permit simultaneous optimization of adhesion to the substrate, mechanical properties, stress state of the interlayer, friction, and wear properties of the resulting surface.
The present invention discloses a powertrain component for use in an internal combustion engine and a method for applying a hard, wear resistant film which firmly adheres to the component. The present invention also discloses a powertrain component with an amorphous hydrogenated carbon film which significantly reduces friction and wear. Also disclosed is an interlayer system for improving adherence and ability to withstand mechanical stresses.
Optimal combinations of surface and bulk qualities can be obtained by coating solid powertrain components fabricated of a material with desirable bulk properties with films which are characterized by the desired surface properties. Such bulk properties include high strength, low fatigue, and light weight. The desired surface properties include wear resistance, low friction, lubricant compatibility, and other chemical properties.
The present invention discloses physical vapor deposition (PVD), for example, by sputtering or chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of coating systems composed of various combinations of amorphous hydrogenated carbon, silicon-doped amorphous hydrogenated carbon, boron-, nitrogen-, boron nitride-, or metal- and doped amorphous hydrogenated carbon, silicon, silicon carbide, silicon nitride, boron nitride, and mixtures thereof.
The composition of such coating systems, including films or interlayers can be varied continuously or abruptly throughout their thickness so as to optimize the properties of each, while assuring strong chemical bonding.
The disclosed graded coating system may be deposited in a single deposition step by varying the composition of the precursor vapors continuously (if a continuous composition profile is desired) or abruptly (if an abruptly varying composition profile is desired) in the deposition chamber.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a powertrain component for use in an internal combustion engine and a method for applying a hard, wear resistant film which firmly adheres to the component.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a coating system having an interlayer between the carbon film and the component, the interlayer serving to improve adherence of the film to the component by accommodating compressive stresses and avoiding problems of chemical incompatibility.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a satisfactory film-interlayer-substrate system having a graded or abruptly varying composition which can improve adherence, while providing additional mechanical support to a load-bearing surface.
The above-noted objects may be realized on powertrain and engine components other than on the valve actuation mechanism itself.
FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of an internal combustion engine including a valve lifter as illustrative of other powertrain components which exhibit the facets of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view of the component according to the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view of an alternate embodiment of the component according to the present invention;
FIG. 4 is a schematic cross sectional view illustrating the component substrate, a graded interlayer, and a low wear coating deposited thereupon;
FIG. 5 is a graph illustrating a compositional profile of a Si-SiC-amorphous hydrogenated carbon (AHC) graded layer coating system;
FIGS. 6A-6B are optical micrographs depicting test results showing the effect on adhesion and durability of coating systems by a silicon interlayer on an aluminum silicon alloy;
FIG. 7 is a graph illustrating the relationship of film durability with the thickness of a silicon interlayer;
FIG. 8 illustrates the decrease in wear rate of a steel ball sliding against a film as the silicon interlayer thickness is increased;
FIGS. 9A-9C are optical micrographs of an uncoated steel, an aluminum interlayer, and a silicon interlayer, respectively, illustrating the advantage of the steel substrate;
FIG. 10 is a graph illustrating the variation of friction coefficients of amorphous hydrogenated carbon films with silicon content of films deposited at different bias voltage levels;
FIG. 11 is a graph illustrating the wear rate of amorphous hydrogenated carbon films with various amounts of silicon deposited at different bias voltage levels; and
FIG. 12 is a graph illustrating the variation of friction coefficients of silicon-free and silicon-containing amorphous hydrogenated carbon films with relative humidity.
Optimal combinations of surface and bulk qualities can be obtained by coating solid powertrain components fabricated of a material with desirable bulk properties with coating systems of films and interlayers which are characterized by the desired surface properties. Such properties include high strength, low fatigue, and light weight. The desired surface properties include wear resistance, low friction, lubricant compatibility, and other chemical properties.
The present invention discloses the deposition of coating systems composed of various combinations of amorphous hydrogenated carbon, silicon-doped amorphous hydrogenated carbon, boron-, nitrogen-, boron nitride-, or metal-doped amorphous hydrogenated carbon, silicon, silicon carbide, silicon nitride, boron nitride, and mixtures thereof.
The composition of such films can be varied continuously from the coating-substrate interface, through the thickness of the coating, to the surface so as to optimize the properties of each, while assuring strong chemical bonding throughout the thickness of the film. The graded composition may result in a blurring of distinction between the interlayer 42 and the film 30 (FIG. 4).
The disclosed graded coating may be deposited in a single deposition step by varying the composition of the precursor vapors and other conditions in the deposition chamber.
An illustrative example of the disclosed invention concerns the deposition of an amorphous hydrogenated carbon film on a lightweight powertrain component, such as a valve lifter. Characteristic of amorphous films is the absence of evidence of any pattern, structure, or crystallinity which is discernable by X-ray diffraction techniques. Details of a graded amorphous hydrogenated carbon film system on such components are described in co-pending, commonly assigned U.S. parent application Ser. No. 08/001,989 filed on even date herewith by Pierre A. Willermet, Arup K. Gangopadhyay, Michael A. Tamor, and William C. Vassell entitled "POWERTRAIN COMPONENT WITH AMORPHOUS HYDROGENATED CARBON FILM," the disclosure which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.
Details of a ceramic coating system on such components are described in co-pending, commonly assigned U.S. parent application Ser. No. 08/002,190 filed on even date herewith by Pierre A. Willermet, Arup K. Gangopadhyay, Michael A. Tamor, William C. Vassell, and Margherita Zanini-Fisher entitled "CHEMICAL VAPOR DEPOSITED LOW WEAR COATING OF Si-N OR Si-N-O FOR ENGINE COMPONENTS," the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
Turning first to FIGS. 1-3 of the drawings, there is depicted, as illustrative of other powertrain components, a valve lifter 10 for use in an internal combustion engine 12 under conditions which may or may not be oil-starved. Typically, the valve lifter is interposed between a cam 14 and a valve stem 16. Often, the valve lifter reciprocates within a guide channel formed within the cylinder head, between which frictional forces may be generated.
The valve lifter 10 has a hollow cylindrical body 18 with a continuous sidewall 20. At an upper end 22 of the sidewall 20 is a cam-facing surface 24 which cooperates with the cam 14. Disposed below the cam-facing surface 24 within the hollow cylindrical body 18 is a stem-facing surface 26 which cooperates with the valve stem 16. To impart the characteristics of low friction and wear resistance to the valve lifter 10, a film 28 is formed on one or more wear surfaces, such as the sidewall 20 of the body 18.
As a result, the valve lifter 10 can be operated, even without effective lubrication in an oil-starved environment, for prolonged periods. Without such a coating, most valve lifters fail--especially in an oil-starved environment--if made of materials like aluminum, which characteristically exhibits poor wear resistance. Failure may result in seizure and welding.
The coatings of the present invention are attractive because aluminum, for example, of which some powertrain components are made, is generally not durable under high loading conditions. Amorphous hydrogenated carbon films (AHC), for example, are therefore useful in protecting such substrates, especially in conditions of marginal lubrication.
As depicted in FIGS. 4-5, the coating system includes an interlayer 42 formed between the film 30 and the substrate 10. The coating system may comprise a continuously or abruptly varying composition gradient which enables surface engineering of a wide variety of film-interlayer-substrate systems to enhance friction, wear, and chemical compatibility. Additionally, such a graded interlayer permits simultaneous optimization of adhesion to the substrate, mechanical properties and stress state of the interlayer, and friction and wear properties of the surface.
For example, a layer of silicon several microns thick enhances both the adhesion and durability of the amorphous hydrogenated carbon film and its durability on aluminum, especially in environments involving rubbing contact.
Further enhancement of the resulting properties of the powertrain components may be achieved by deposition of a graded interlayer. Illustrative is an interlayer which is initially silicon close to the substrate 10, but gradually changes to harder silicon carbide, and thence to still harder amorphous hydrogenated carbon (FIG. 5). Durability of the amorphous hydrogenated carbon, which is by itself limited in thickness by intrinsic stress, may be enhanced over what is obtained with a simpler silicon layer alone. To optimize adhesion, the interlayer 42 may have a thickness of about 200 angstroms. Thicker interlayers, however, such as those primarily designed for supporting significant mechanical loads, may have a thickness of up to 30 microns.
Because the stress state of the disclosed coating systems can be controlled, the compressive stress of the amorphous hydrogenated carbon film can be cancelled by tensile stress in the interlayer beneath.
Inclusion of 1%-35 atomic percent silicon (exclusive of hydrogen) in the amorphous hydrogenated carbon coating has been shown simultaneously to reduce friction and compressive stress. Additionally, a thick, durable, low-stress coating system may be built by alternating tensile hard layers with compressive amorphous hydrogenated carbon layers, or doped amorphous hydrogenated carbon layers as described above.
By careful choice of the compositional profile in the graded layer, film adhesion to certain substrate materials may be obtained in combination with surface properties which are optimized for low friction, low wear, hardness, and lubricant compatibility. Such substrates include aluminum, an aluminum-silicon alloy, an aluminum-copper-silicon alloy, steel and other ferrous alloys, magnesium, magnesium alloys, aluminum nitride, titanium Ti-Al alloys, ceramics, and mixtures thereof.
The inclusion of Si, Ge, or one or some of the many metals which form strong carbides from columns IVB, VB, and VIB of the periodic table can also be used to modify the properties of carbon-rich compositions. For example, because silicon itself is a strong carbide-former, Si-rich compositions adhere well to most metal substrates. Ceramic components are well matched by intermediate compositions, which may even match the ceramic exactly.
Another advantage of the graded layer technique disclosed herein is that it offers an engineering margin in that once the outer layer is worn through, the desirable surface properties are lost only gradually. Catastrophic de-adhesion is suppressed.
Turning again to FIGS. 4-5, there is depicted an exemplary compositional profile for a silicon-silicon carbide-amorphous hydrogenated carbon graded layer system. FIG. 4 schematically illustrates a powertrain component 10 which serves as a substrate for a graded interlayer 42, upon which is deposited a low wear coating 30.
FIG. 5 depicts the compositional changes of silicon and amorphous hydrogenated carbon with distance from the substrate 10. Close to the substrate 10, the amount of silicon is relatively high, and the amount of amorphous hydrogenated carbon is correspondingly low. The converse is true in regions close to the outer surface S of the coating 30. A graded interlayer 42 comprises essentially SiC, except at the interfacial layer between the interlayer 42 and the coating 30.
It will thus be apparent that the disclosed coating system may include a composition gradient such that the outside surface of the coating system comprising a film which predominantly includes a first group consisting of amorphous hydrogenated carbon, silicon-doped amorphous hydrogenated carbon, boron-, nitrogen-, boron nitride-, or metal-doped amorphous hydrogenated carbon. Intermediate portions of the coating system comprise an interlayer which predominantly includes a constituent selected from a second group consisting of silicon, silicon carbide, silicon nitride, boron nitride, and mixtures thereof. The proportion of the constituent selected from the second group increases with proximity to the substrate.
Alternatively, the interlayer, the film, or both may embody the composition profile. Within each structure, the composition profile may vary continuously, or abruptly.
Preferably, where the substrate is of a relatively soft material, such as aluminum, the interlayer should be relatively thick (exceeding >1 micron). The provision of a relatively thick (exceeding >1 micron) silicon interlayer serves to improve adhesion and durability of low-wear coatings (having a thickness for example of about 11/2 microns) on mechanical components which are subject to sliding contact, rolling contact, or both. For example, a 3 micron silicon interlayer results in a system having a performance akin to that exhibited by an amorphous hydrogenated carbon film when applied directly to silicon. As noted earlier, depending on the substrate material and component operating conditions, the interlayer may have a thickness between 200 angstroms (for adhesion only) and 30 microns (for additional mechanical support).
Sputtered or vapor-deposited amorphous silicon is ideal and is preferable for use as a thick interlayer because its hardness approaches that of ceramics and it is chemically compatible with many film coatings and substrate materials, such as steel and other ferrous materials, titanium, magnesium, aluminum, Ti-Al, Al-N, SiC, SiN, and other ceramics. Additionally, silicon also assures excellent adhesion and is readily deposited at high rates by a variety of chemical and physical vapor deposition methods. These include but are not limited to sputtering, thermal or electron-beam evaporation, and thermal or plasma decomposition of a silicon-containing vapor.
Results of studying a silicon interlayer system for amorphous hydrogenated carbon coatings shows that at high loads, the low friction of hydrogenated coatings (0.1) is preserved only on very hard substrates, such as silicon. Coatings on steel exhibit higher friction (0.3) while those on softer aluminums were higher still (0.36), for which the films failed rapidly. It has also been found that the use of a 1 micron silicon interlayer on an aluminum substrate restores the low friction and durability of an amorphous hydrogenated carbon film to its original values. The advantages of the silicon interlayer are maximized for substrates significantly softer than the coating, such as steel, magnesium or aluminum-based light weight components which although strong, tend to have poor surface wear characteristics.
Such test results among others are depicted in FIGS. 6-12.
Turning first to FIGS. 6A-6B, optical micrographs are depicted which show that the adhesion and durability of certain coating systems can be significantly increased by, for example, a silicon interlayer deposited on an aluminum silicon alloy. Under ideal test conditions, the film on the substrate with no interlayer was completely removed. However, the film remained intact for the component with the silicon interlayer.
FIG. 7 shows that the durability of the coating system can be improved by increasing the thickness of, for example, a silicon interlayer. This is because the hard silicon interlayer provides a mechanical support to the softer aluminum alloy and tends to prevent plastic deformation. The data points with a vertical arrow indicate that the coating did not fail at the end of the test. However, for the specimens with an interlayer with 0.3 microns and 1 micron in thickness, post test inspection revealed that failure was imminent. FIG. 7 also illustrates that the friction coefficient of the coating system decreases as the silicon interlayer thickness increases.
Turning now to FIG. 8, there is a graph which illustrates that the wear rate of a steel ball sliding against a film decreases with thickness of the silicon interlayer.
The optical micrographs depicted in FIGS. 9A-9C illustrate the advantage of a silicon interlayer in preventing plastic deformation of a hardened steel. The wear track on uncoated steel (FIG. 9A) shows signs of severe wear and plastic deformation. The extent of plastic deformation appears to be somewhat reduced with an aluminum interlayer (FIG. 9B). However, with a silicon interlayer (FIG. 9C), the wear track appears to be significantly smoother--although a few wear marks are evident. The spall (white area) on the wear track (FIG. 9C) of the specimen with a silicon interlayer occurred during post-testing storage. The spalled area reveals the deformation under the film.
In FIG. 10, there is a graph of friction coefficients in amorphous hydrogenated carbon films containing various amounts of silicon. Those films were deposited on silicon substrates. The data suggests that at certain film compositions, it is possible to obtain friction coefficients which are lower than silicon-free films. The film deposited at -1000V exhibited similar friction characteristics. The advantage is that films deposited at -1000V have less compressive stress. Thus, it is possible to grow thicker films (over 10 microns), while undoped amorphous hydrogenated carbon films are typically limited in thickness to about 2 microns or less.
FIG. 11 illustrates the wear rate of amorphous hydrogenated carbon films containing various amounts of silicon. At certain film compositions, the wear rate of the film is comparable to or less than a silicon-free film.
Turning now to FIG. 12, there is a graph of friction coefficients of silicon-free and silicon-containing amorphous hydrogenated carbon films versus relative humidity. The friction coefficients of silicon-free films increase as the humidity increases. However, for silicon-containing films (Si/C=0.05-0.55), over the humidity range tested. The wear of a steel ball, for example, also increases significantly with increase in humidity for silicon-free films. But for the silicon-containing films, the wear of the steel ball did not increase with humidity. The incorporation of silicon stabilized friction coefficients and also reduced the wear of the steel balls.
Extremely hard and wear resistant coating systems include metal-doped amorphous hydrogenated carbon, where the metal is any good carbide former, as disclosed earlier, such that the non-carbon component does not exceed 40 atomic percent exclusive of hydrogen.
When boron and nitrogen are used to form boron nitride-doped amorphous hydrogenated carbon, the boron and nitrogen should be present in approximately equal amounts. Boron nitride-doped amorphous hydrogenated carbon can be deposited from a mixture of borazine and a hydrocarbon precursor such as methane. In that case, an approximately equal B-N stoichiometric mix is required. An additional source of nitrogen may usefully be deployed in the form of methyl amine or ammonia.
A preferred way of depositing the disclosed coating systems is in a capacitively-coupled parallel-plate RF-driven plasma reactor. Good results have been obtained where the electrode to which the component is attached for coating and the other electrode to which sputtering a target may be mounted (if one is used) are water-cooled. Further, the component may be heated, cooled, or electrically biased through application of DC or radio frequency potential to vary the film properties. For example, ion bombardment associated with a large negative potential tends to increase density and compressive stress. The entire assembly generally is enclosed in a vacuum chamber. Advantageously, the substrate may be cleaned and degreased by ultrasonic cleaning in a detergent (such as Alconox) and a solvent (such as acetone).
For greatest flexibility, the inventors have found that the use of a low pressure plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PE-CVD) technique is suitable for film formation. The hydrocarbon source is preferably methane, but possible substituents include ethane, ethylene, acetylene, butane, propane, hexane, benzene, toluene, xylene, and mixtures thereof. Other constituents may also be included as vapor. The growth mixture is composed of the hydrocarbon and various combinations of silane, disilane, silicon chlorides and fluorides, or one of the many organosilane compounds (for Si), oxygen (for O), nitrogen, ammonia, or methyl aminel (for N), diborane (for B), borazine (for boron in combination with nitrogen), and hydrogen. Metals may be incorporated through the use of an organometallic vapor, sputtering, or evaporation. Precursor elements may also be included in other combinations such as diethyl-silane (SiH2 (C2 H3)2) and organo-siloxane (which contains C, Si, and O), nitrous and nitric oxide (N and O).
The degreased component is inserted into a vacuum chamber, which is then evacuated to a system base pressure which is 10-6 torr or less in order to minimize oxygen from ambient water vapor.
The substrate may further be cleaned by a sputtering technique using an inert gas such as argon by ion bombardment. This entails admitting argon gas to a pressure in the range of 1 to 100 milli-torr and directing all RF-power to the substrate. This generates a large negative potential relative to the plasma, which draws ions from the plasma and accelerates them to the substrate. Chemically inert argon ions dislodge other atoms, thereby cleaning the substrate.
Deposition is commenced by introducing the film-depositing precursor vapors into the reaction chamber as the flow of inert gas is stopped.
As the gas mixture gradually changes from etching to deposition, an atomically mixed film-substrate transition zone assures good adhesion. Deposition is then continued until a desired film thickness is attained. In general, for optimal properties of carbon-rich film compositions, precursor ions are accelerated toward the substrate in the ion kinetic energy range of 50-200 electron volts per carbon atom.
The interlayer may be sputter-deposited before carbon film deposition by directing most of the RF-power to a sputtered target (another electrode). This shift is performed continuously without shutting off the plasma, so that all surfaces remain very clean at all times. The target then takes on a large potential relative to the plasma and it becomes sputter-etched with dislodged atoms depositing on the substrate.
The inventors have found that the compressive stress engendered during film formation tends to decrease with the absolute value of the voltage between the plasma and the substrate. Additionally, they have found that the presence of silicon in the coating system allows a higher voltage to be used. This results in a higher deposition rate, film thickness in a given interval of time, and in general, to lower compressive stresses, other things being equal.
For many applications, as illustrated in FIGS. 6-12, the interlayer may be formed from silicon. It should be realized, however, that in some environments, the deployment of an interlayer of aluminum, germanium, or elements selected from columns IVB, VB, or VIB of the periodic table, may be made with good results. In general, the selection of a suitable interlayer tends to be guided by availability of an interlayer material which tends not to be water soluble and exhibits good stability as a carbide.
Precursors for silicon and most metals are available, but almost all are toxic, corrosive, and/or explosive. The inventors have found that diethylsilane (SiH2)(C2 H3)2 as supplied by Schumacher Chemicals, Inc., is a safe source of silicon for deposition of Si-doped amorphous hydrogenated carbon.
The disclosed films may be usefully applied to various components, such as engine and journal bearings, besides a valve stem and a valve guide. Other applications include the use of hydrogenated carbon films or doped amorphous hydrogenated carbon films at the piston-cylinder interface, and on swash plates used in compressors.
When it is desired to deposit hydrogenated carbon films on ferrous alloys, a difficulty tends to arise because carbon has a high solubility in ferrous alloys. In such cases, the interposition of the adherent interlayer may serve as an effective barrier between the substrate and the film. Suitable substrates may include aluminum, an aluminum-silicon alloy, an aluminum-copper-silicon alloy, steel and other ferrous alloys, magnesium, magnesium alloys, aluminum nitride, titanium, Ti-Al alloys, ceramics, and mixtures thereof.
Accordingly, there has been provided in accordance with the present invention an improved powertrain component and its method of preparation. The component includes one or more coating systems of films and interlayers having a composition gradient which impart the characteristics of low friction and wear resistance to the component. As a result, the average service intervals required by the component tend to be prolonged and therefore less frequent.
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|U.S. Classification||123/90.51, 123/193.5, 428/698, 428/408, 123/193.6, 123/197.4, 123/188.3, 428/446, 428/469|
|International Classification||C23C16/02, C23C16/26, C23C28/00, F01L1/14|
|Cooperative Classification||C23C16/029, F01L2101/00, F01L1/143, F02B2275/22, C23C28/00, C23C16/26, Y10T428/30|
|European Classification||C23C16/26, C23C28/00, C23C16/02H4, F01L1/14B|
|Mar 5, 1993||AS||Assignment|
Owner name: FORD MOTOR COMPANY, MICHIGAN
Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNORS:TAMOR, MICHAEL A.;WILLERMET, PIERRE A.;VASSELL, WILLIAMC.;AND OTHERS;REEL/FRAME:006437/0419
Effective date: 19921218
|Mar 17, 1997||FPAY||Fee payment|
Year of fee payment: 4
|Jan 8, 2001||AS||Assignment|
Owner name: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC. A MICHIGAN CORPORAT
Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:FORD MOTOR COMPANY, A DELAWARE CORPORATION;REEL/FRAME:011467/0001
Effective date: 19970301
|Mar 1, 2001||FPAY||Fee payment|
Year of fee payment: 8
|Mar 29, 2005||FPAY||Fee payment|
Year of fee payment: 12

domain: chemistry


MOTOCROSS DES NATIONS
Monster Energy's Cooper, Sexton & Tomac Bring MXdN Title Home to USA!
USA won the world’s most prestigious motocross event — the Motocross des Nations — on Sunday, thanks to the all-Monster Energy team of Justin Cooper, Chase Sexton, and Eli Tomac!
At the 75th running of the famous international race, held at the iconic RedBud MX in Buchanan, Michigan, the trio finally broke an 11-year drought, reclaiming the coveted MXdN Chamberlain Trophy for the 1st time since 2010 (Lakewood, Colorado) — and bringing USA’s record number of title wins to 23.
Leading Team USA was Cooper, who won the overall MX2 division title with a 9-4 two-race finish. Sexton added a 2nd/3rd two-race finish for some crucial team points, while Tomac won the opening race, then rode to a solid 6th place (following a smart first turn move to avoid a crash) in his second race to preserve the victory for Team USA.
A total of 12 Monster Energy-backed racers competed for their respective countries at the RedBud MXdN: Maxime Renaux won the third race outright, going 3-1 in the MXGP class for 3rd place overall for Team France, while his countryman Dylan Ferrandis went 6-4 in the Open class. Switzerland’s Jeremy Seewer raced very strong to go 4-5 in the MXGP class, and Belgium’s MXGP class racer Jago Geerts battled Tomac closely throughout the opening moto, finishing with a strong 2nd place finish, but fell in the third race to finish outside the top ten. (Unfortunately, Jo Shimoda — who actually won the RedBud MX National 250 class this summer — didn’t get to race Sunday’s main program, as Japan did not qualify as a team.)
Jonathan Rea Climbs Two Podiums to Close Gap in Championship Race
The eighth round of the 2022 FIM Superbike World Championship took place at the sweeping 2.894-mile, 14-turn Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya in Spain, where Monster Energy’s Jonathan Rea and his Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK ZX-10RR strung together an excellent weekend of results.
Getting things started with a bang in Saturday afternoon’s opening race one, Rea powered to a fighting runner-up finish, while Kawasaki Racing teammate Alex Lowes flashed across the finish line in 7th place. Then on Sunday, the Superpole race got everything rolling as Rea raced to a spirited runner-up finish, with Lowes right behind him in 3rd.
In Sunday’s final race number two, the Northern Irishman raced his Kawasaki to a 4th place finish, firming up his grip on third position in the fight for the 2022 FIM WorldSBK Championship — and closing the gap on rival Toprak Razgatlioglu in 2nd.
“I was thinking about a podium today, so to get 2nd in the Superpole race was real positive,” said Rea after all three Spanish races were complete. “I didn’t go faster, those guys in front just came back to me, so I said to myself ‘a podium is maybe possible, don’t give up!’ Then I saw that maybe 2nd was possible. My bike set-up was good today. I have to thank the crew — not just my crew, but Alex’s crew as well — because they helped to completely change my bike set-up before the race, just after Superpole. We found a good positive direction with the front of the bike. I’m now very much looking forward to the Portugal round coming up.”
Ty Gibbs Snatches 3rd in Texas Xfinity Series
The NASCAR Xfinity Series’ Andy’s Frozen Custard 300 ran at Texas Motor Speedway on Saturday afternoon in the Lone Star State, with Monster Energy drivers Ty Gibbs and Riley Herbst both charging to top 10 finishes on the high-speed 1.44-mile quad-oval.
3rd on the day in the fiercely fought race went to the Joe Gibbs Racing driver, while Stewart-Haas Racing’s Herbst powered to a consistent 9th place finish in his Ford. The pair will now head east for this forthcoming Saturday’s Sparks 300, a 113-lap, 360.58-mile race scheduled to run on Talladega’s 2.660-mile, 33-degree high banks.
“Thank you to my team, Interstate Batteries, Monster Energy, Toyota,” Gibbs told the NASCAR media afterwards. “Thank you to the Man Above, all glory to Him. We will keep working on it and head to Talladega which is a yard sale. I was just trying to give it my all, and I just got a little wide and I just messed it up on the cushion a little bit. This Supra was fast, just got to find a little bit more speed. Getting loose there really hurt me, so it is what it is. We’ll now look to Talladega next Saturday.”
Monster Energy Athletes Sweep the Jossi Wells Invitational!
The Jossi Wells Invitational is back bigger and better than ever — and Monster Energy’s team of snowboarders and freeskiers swept all four major categories at the weeklong event held at Cardrona Alpine Resort in New Zealand.
Presented by Monster Energy, the 2022 Jossi Wells Invitational — named in honor of the iconic New Zealand freeskier and X Games gold medalist — marked the return of the invite-only snow sports competition after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic. The event attracted the world elite of competitive freeski and snowboard riders to the grassroots contest, judged by the riders themselves in an all-out progression session.
When the powder finally settled, it was Dusty Henricksen (Men) and Zoi Sadowski-Synnott (Women) who were named Snowboard Rider of the Week, while Edouard Therriault (Men) and Megan Oldham (Women) were crowned Freeski Rider of the Week.
This year, the Jossi Wells Invitational featured three competition disciplines across two mountains: Starting with a rail jam at Cardrona, followed by the TC Shoot-Out at Treble Cone, and the final Big Air throw down at Cardrona, with all contests aired on live stream in front of global audiences.
Dusty also capped off his spectacular display by claiming the Tom Campbell Style Master of the Week Award in the Snowboard category by unanimous vote.
Monster Energy's Leah McCourt Defeats Dayana Silva at Bellator 285 in Dublin
Monster Energy’s newly signed Leah McCourt showed what she was made of on Friday night by defeating Dayana Silva at Bellator 285 in Dublin, Ireland. In the main card bout contested in the women’s featherweight division, the 30-year-old from Saintfield, Northern Ireland, earned a unanimous decision victory after three rounds (29-28, 30-27, 30-27).
“The Curse” McCourt (7-2) came to Dublin looking to get back into the win column after suffering a decision loss against Sinead Kavanagh at Bellator 275 in February. Her Brazilian opponent Silva (10-8) had previously defeated Janay Harding at Bellator 279 in April.
Bellator 285: Henderson vs. Queally was contested in front of a high-energy crowd at Dublin’s 3Arena. The main card was broadcast on Showtime, and the Monster Energy Prelims streamed live on YouTube.
Jack Moir Takes 3rd Place in Enduro World Series #8 in France
Monster Energy’s Jack Moir finished the season in style with a podium finish this weekend, claiming 3rd place at Enduro World Series Round 8 in Loudenvielle, France. With this result, the 28-year-old Australian concluded EWS 2022 in 4th place in the overall series rankings.
Moir came to Loudenvielle as a podium favorite after taking 1st place at Enduro World Series Round 7 in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, the previous weekend. Although the defending champion was out of contention for claiming the season win, he still had garnered enough ranking points to slide into the overall top five in the season leaderboard. And he did!


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Meet Our Team
Kristin, originally from Wheeling, WV, is a graduate of West Virginia University and James Madison University. Having grown up with an aunt who was diagnosed with hearing loss during childhood, Kristin has always had an interest in hearing loss and the impact it has on people's lives. This lifelong exposure to hearing loss has given Kristin compassion for those with hearing impairment and helps her to treat each individual's hearing loss on a personal level. Kristin and her husband have 2 sons and a dog. She enjoys reading and travelling and is an avid Mountaineer sports fan. Go Eers!
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Call 1-800-607-2263 to speak with an Alcohol or Drug Abuse Counselor
Serenity House Transitional Recovery Home
Auburn, IN - 46706
About Serenity House Transitional Recovery Home
Provides a transitional substance abuse recover program for men and women who have substance abuse issues with alcohol and/or drugs.
At Serenity House, we view alcoholism (and other substance addictions) as an incurable disease that, left untreated, is almost always fatal (in some form). There is good news! It can be successfully treated. There may be two major components in this process, treatment, and recovery. Serenity House Inc. is not a medical facility; we do not address the treatment component. Our facilities and programs are dedicated to the recovery phase.
We do not define sobriety as just sustained abstinence. Decades of experience have shown the tragic flaw in this reasoning. We believe real sobriety is a state of remission that allows the person to live without the otherwise ever surfacing, mental obsession to escape the day-to-day realities of normal adult life through substance abuse. With the mental obsession relieved, the physical phenomenon of craving is not even an issue. The tools necessary to attain such a state of lasting remission are presented in the 12 step program, used extensively at Serenity House.

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When it comes to weight, the two factors to pay attention to are calories consumed and calories burned. If you consume more calories than you burn, you will gain weight and vice versa. The problem here is either that you are not consuming enough calories or your body is somehow not making the best use of them. Before we get into the biological possibilities, try a quick dietetic experiment.
With all the media surrounding diets and obesity, it may be easy to get the wrong idea about what constitutes "healthy." Eating a lot of vegetables as you do is great (and a vital component of a healthy diet) but vegetables are low in calories and many don't contain fat or protein, both nutrients your body needs. When you feel those hunger pains, consider grabbing a snack or a meal that combines all of these, such as a salad with chicken (lean protein), avocado (healthy fat and a fruit!), and low-fat ranch dressing. Including more healthy fats (limit trans and saturated fats) and lean proteins (also found in seafood, dairy, and nuts) in your diet may help you feel fuller longer and will also add more healthy calories into your diet.
If this doesn't curb your appetite, there may be other factors affecting your hunger sensors, which a health care provider may help identify. Some questions to ask yourself are whether you've been feeling increased anxiety, if you've recently started or changed medications, or if you've experienced increased thirst, heart palpitations, or a need to urinate. These may be signs of hunger-causing conditions such as:
- Anxiety and other mental conditions
- The use of drugs such as corticosteroids and anti-depressants
- An overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism)
- Grave's Disease
List adapted from The National Institutes of Health.
If you experience nausea or vomiting along with your insatiable hunger, that may be a sign that you have a parasite (such as tapeworm) in your digestive track. That possibility brings a whole new meaning to "eating for two." In the related Q&A's below, you may want to read more about parasites as well as other conditions that could explain your hunger. Regardless of the cause of your insatiability, though, if you lose more than ten pounds or five percent of your bodyweight unexpectedly or if weight loss persists, consider contacting a health care provider to get to the bottom of the issue…and your bottomless stomach. Columbia students may do this by contacting Medical Services or logging on to Open Communicator.
Whatever the cause of your endless appetite, hopefully this has sated your hunger for an answer. Eat up!
February 3, 2012506179
Dear Reader #1 and Reader #2,
Negative-calorie or calorie-burning foods may sound magically delicious. Alas, there is no such thing as a calorie-free lunch (or breakfast, or dinner, or midnight snack). The negative-calorie theory hasn't been officially debunked, but all foods, with the exception of water, contain calories.
The idea of "negative-calorie" food stems from the notion that the body uses more energy to chew and digest certain foods than the food itself contains, thereby creating a net deficit in caloric intake. Some foods commonly thought to have this effect include celery, cucumbers, and cold water. However, that doesn't mean that eating these foods should be substituted for your daily workout. The amount of calories your body burns processing these low-calorie foods is so miniscule that it will not make a difference in your body weight. Additionally, these foods have little nutritional value, so if your diet is limited to these foods you may be missing out on the many vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients your body needs to maintain health.
If you are trying to lose weight, it may be helpful to consider substituting so-called "negative calorie" foods for higher-calorie ones, such as celery sticks instead of potato chips. In fact, substituting any kind of low-calorie foods (including celery and other veggies) for high-fat snacks may contribute to weight loss. However, adding "negative calorie foods" to an already healthy diet will have a miniscule (if any) effect. Some foods will cause a calorie deficit, but this deficit is tiny (think single calories) compared to the number of calories the average person eats per day.
For more tips on healthy eating, check out the Go Ask Alice! Nutrition & Physical Activity archive. Additionally, you may find it helpful to talk to your health care provider about developing a nutrition plan. To really jump-start your weight loss plan, you can also check out your local gym, fitness center, or join an exercise club to get a move on adding physical fitness to your routine! Fads aside, a realistic, long-term weight management plan includes plenty of fruits, veggies, whole grains, and lean proteins as well as a decent serving of physical activity. Take care,
Getting the recommended amount of fiber can be a challenge, especially if you are limited in your food choices. Eating healthy foods other than whole grains is certainly one option, but with a bit of planning ahead, there are some other ways to make sure you are fulfilling your fiber and carbohydrate requirements.
If fiber is your main concern, then getting a lot of fruits and vegetables and taking a fiber supplement can help to "bridge the gap" on days where you must avoid grains. However, whole grains have a lot more to offer than just fiber. They may contain many other healthy components such as complex carbohydrates, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. Whole grain consumption has been linked to a reduced risk of heart disease, diabetes, and obesity.
Eating out is a challenge for anyone who has dietary restrictions, but thankfully some restaurants are adapting their menus to cater to clients that cannot eat certain foods, including wheat, dairy, gluten (a compound found in wheat and some other grains) and other common allergens. Consider talking with your server about your food allergies so they can notify the chef. They may also have some recommendations for you from the menu. If this is embarrassing for you to do in front of a client, consider calling or emailing ahead to ask about what items on the menu are free of wheat, corn, and sugar or how other dishes can be adapted to fit your needs. You might also consider ordering foods you can eat, such as salads, potato- or rice-based dishes, lean meats and seafood, and soups while out with clients, and snacking on complex carbohydrate- and fiber-rich foods before or after your business meals.
Checking out menus and calling ahead is useful because common food allergens can "hide" in places you may not expect to find them, such as salad dressings and some sauces. One resource to consider for finding a friendly restaurant is the Gluten-Free Restaurant Awareness Program website, which lists restaurants with gluten-free options throughout the US.
Since there are many benefits to eating a variety of whole grains, perhaps you can start taking some food with you when you travel, or shopping for food once you reach your destination. Since food packages must list all ingredients you can be sure you're getting what you need, avoiding what you can't eat, and you might save yourself some money in the process. Who doesn't like saving money?!
Finally, it might be useful for you to spend a little time with a dietician. A consultation could trigger many new ideas for getting the right amount of fiber. S/he is likely to present some creative and tasty options you may not have expected. If you are a Columbia Student, you can contact Medical Services (Morninside) or the Student Health Service (CUMC) to schedule an appointment with a registered dietitian on campus.
With creative planning and a visit with a professional you can be sure you're getting what your body needs to stay healthy. It might take some extra time and effort, but your health is worth it!
Fortunately for people who wish to lose weight, there are universal rules that apply, regardless of your typical diet — whether you're a vegetarian or omnivore. First, to lose weight a person has to use more energy (calories) than s/he takes in. To achieve this deficit you can either make dietary changes (so you're taking in less calories), get more physical activity (so you're using more calories in a day), or you can make changes in both areas. Experts recommend making both dietary changes and getting more physical activity for the best results.
It takes a deficit of about 3500 calories to lose one pound of body weight. This means if you are able to cut 500 calories per day from your regular diet you should be able to lose a pound a week (a healthy weight loss rate). It may be beneficial to consider finding the right balance of increasing your physical activity and decreasing caloric intake. You can check out the ChooseMyPlate.gov SuperTracker as a resource that can help you calculate how many calories you need per day, what nutrients are in the foods you eat, and how many calories you burn doing different exercises.
Some suggestions for dietary changes to reduce calories:
- Steam, boil or bake foods instead of frying in butter or oil.
- Sauté foods in vegetable broth, wine, or water instead of oil.
- Limit of high-fat condiments (like mayonnaise, margarine, sour cream, cream cheese, salad dressing, etc.).
- Try low-fat dairy products and nut- or peanut butter. Vegetarians sometimes begin to rely heavily on these foods as sources of protein, but low-fat dairy and nut products provide the same amount of protein as their full-fat counterparts.
- Add beans and legumes to your diet as low-fat sources of protein.
- Eat actual fruit or vegetables rather than drinking them in juice or smoothie form. The fiber in fresh produce works well to satisfy hunger.
- Substitute water, tea, and diet beverages for regular soda, juices, and other high-sugar drinks.
- Limit the amount of alcoholic beverages consumed (empty calories for everyone).
- Begin lunch or dinner with a broth-based, vegetable filled soup or a large salad with a small amount of low-fat or fat-free dressing. These foods take longer to eat and can help curb your hunger so you don't overeat during the rest of the meal.
Be mindful of portion sizes — read nutrition fact labels to find out serving sizes. Some rules of thumb:
- A medium apple or orange is the size of a tennis ball.
- A medium potato is the size of a computer mouse.
- An average bagel is the size of a hockey puck.
- An ounce of cheese is size of four dice.
Some suggestions for incorporating more physical activity into your day:
- Take the stairs as often as possible.
- Park at the far end of the parking lot or get off the bus or subway a stop early.
- Schedule your cardiovascular exercise (walking, jogging, swimming, biking, frantically cleaning your apartment before visitors come over, etc.) so you know you will be able to fit it in. If you're at Columbia, you can participate with CU Move to help stay motivated with your physical activity efforts and earn incentives. Check out the site to learn more.
Hopefully, you'll find some of these suggestions new and helpful. Good luck!
Regardless of your activity level, breakfast is an essential part of a healthful lifestyle and is also important for maintaining energy all day long. The motto here is anything for breakfast is better than nothing at all. Think of your body as a car and food as gas. Without gas, your car cannot get from one place to another.
The rate at which your body uses calories for energy is known as metabolism. Think of metabolism as the motor of your car. Metabolism is directly related to energy levels, so the higher your metabolism, the more energy you have throughout the day. When you are sleeping, your body naturally decreases its metabolism. When you wake up, there is an increase in metabolism, which peaks by noon. How much energy you have during this time is contingent on how much food calories your body has to use for energy. Breakfast becomes the first stop to the gas station before your road trip. So basically, eating breakfast actually helps maintain high energy levels throughout the day. In fact, the more hearty a breakfast you have, the more your metabolism motor will roar!
You do have to stick to some guidelines, of course, to promote optimal energy.
The best range of calories for breakfast is between 350 to 500. Below 350, your body will not fulfill the requirements for morning energy usage; above 500, your body may store unneeded calories as fat.
Plan and eat a balanced breakfast meal including complex carbohydrate, protein, fat, and a fruit or vegetable.
Quantity to Aim for
- 1 to 2 servings of complex carbohydrates. One serving equals 1 piece of bread, ½ cup of cooked oatmeal, 1 cup of dry cereal, 1 English muffin, ½ bagel, ¼ cup of granola, 1 small muffin.
- 1 serving of protein. For example, 1 cup of yogurt, ½ cup of cottage cheese, 1 ounce of cheese, 1 large egg, 2 ounces of smoked salmon, 1 cup of milk or soy milk, 2 tablespoons (T) of peanut butter, or ¼ cup of nuts or seeds.
- 1 serving of fat. E.g., 1 teaspoon (t) of butter, 1 t of oil, 1 tablespoon (T) of cream cheese. But check your protein and carbohydrates for fat, there's no need to add extra if you have a serving of fat in your granola or omelet.
- 1 serving of a fruit or vegetable. That is, 1 medium piece of fruit, 1 cup of cut fruit, ¼ cup dried fruit, 6 ounces of fruit juice, 1 cup of raw or ½ cup of cooked vegetables, 1 cup of vegetable juice.
Some examples of energizing breakfast meals include:
2 pieces of toast
2 T of peanut butter
1 medium banana
2 servings of complex carbohydrates
1 serving of protein
1 serving of fat
1 serving of fruit
1 serving of complex carbohydrates
1 cup of cooked oatmeal with
1 cup of 2 percent fat milk
¼ cup of raisins
2 servings of complex carbohydrates
1 serving of protein
1 serving of fat
1 serving of fruit
1 small muffin
1 cup of plain low fat yogurt
1 cup of orange juice
1 serving of complex carbohydrates
As you see, there are many delicious ways to get from point A to point B every morning. Imagine your surprise when you see the results with more energy!
Canola oil comes from a hybrid plant developed in Canada during the late 1960s to early 1970s using traditional pedigree hybrid propagation techniques (not genetically modified) involving black mustard, leaf mustard, and turnip rapeseed. The original rapeseed plant was high in erucic acid, which is an unpalatable fatty acid having negative health effects in high concentrations. Canola oil contains less than 1 percent erucic acid. In fact, another name for canola oil is LEAR (Low Erucic Acid Rapeseed) oil.
Your confusion about canola oil's safety is understandable. While the Internet can be a great source of information, many rumors and urban legends have circulated on web sites and been passed along in e-mails. Urban legends usually warn of dire consequences from something perfectly innocent; they often relate a story about someone who had such a terrible experience with something, yet that person almost always remains anonymous. These often frightening stories or accusations usually lack enough detail to make scientific, logical evaluation of the claim. The scare tactics of canola oil fit into this scenario.
Some of the information circulating on the Internet states that canola oil causes endless maladies: joint pain, swelling, gum disease, constipation, hearing loss, heart disease, hair loss... the list goes on and on. Canola oil has undergone years of extensive testing to assure its safety. In truth, canola oil contains essential fatty acids that our bodies need and cannot make on their own. Over 90 percent of the fatty acids present is the long chain unsaturated variety that has been proven beneficial to health.
It has also been claimed that canola oil is used in making mustard gas, a poison. This is totally untrue. Actually, mustard gas doesn't even come from the mustard plant; it was so named because it smells similar to mustard. Canola oil has allegedly been used as an industrial lubricant and ingredient in fuels, soaps, paints, etc. The truth is that many vegetable oils, such as corn, soybean, and flax, are also used in these applications. That doesn't make those oils unhealthy or dangerous. Canola oil has also been accused of killing insects, such as aphids. Again, all other oils can do the same, not by poisoning insects, but by suffocating them.
In China, rapeseed oil cooked at very high temperatures was found to give off toxic emissions. In the U.S., the combination of refined oils, added antioxidants, and lower cooking temperatures prevents this from occurring. In China, the oil contains contaminants, is not refined, and has no antioxidants. Some people have blamed the Canadians for paying the United States government to have canola oil added to its GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) list. There is absolutely no evidence of this.
As you can see, misinformation can be used to scare people. Good thing you knew where to turn! For more information on canola oil, you can check out the Canola Council of Canada web site.
A cup of warm milk is no magic sleep potion, yet it is probably the most common food associated with bedtime. Milk contains two substances that are known to be related to sleep and relaxation, the hormone melatonin and the amino acid tryptophan. The amount of melatonin in a glass of milk is minute, much less than what would be taken in a supplement. The amount of tryptophan in milk is also small. In addition, our digestive process is complex. Considering these factors, it is unlikely that a glass of warm — or cold — milk would shorten the length of time that it takes to fall asleep.
Though milk components and serving temperature are not likely to influence the onset of sleep through physiological means, warm milk might have psychological significance. The routine of consuming a glass of warm milk may elicit memories of mom, home, and comforts of childhood that help us to relax. This is part of the natural transition from wakefulness to sleep. Recommendations include practicing stress reduction techniques, sticking to a regular sleep schedule, creating a relaxing bedroom environment, and avoiding caffeine or heavy meals close to bedtime.
For some individuals, particularly those with lactose intolerance or milk allergies, a glass of milk can be followed by uncomfortable digestive consequences. Lactose reduced, soy, almond, and rice milk are options that are more likely to be tolerated. If you have no allergy or intolerance, and warm milk simply grosses you out, you could try flavoring it with a bit of honey, vanilla, or cinnamon, but there is no reason that you need to continue attempting to use it as a sleep aid. Keep drinking your cold milk, to meet your daily calcium needs, and try other sleep improvement techniques.
March 9, 2015601564
February 27, 2012507786
November 12, 200821491
I am a lover of milk and love it cold or warm. I have always had success w/ warm milk lulling me to sleep. I have even had occasions when I've had a decaf coffee drink w/ steamed...
I am a lover of milk and love it cold or warm. I have always had success w/ warm milk lulling me to sleep. I have even had occasions when I've had a decaf coffee drink w/ steamed milk and it did me in for the rest of the work day. It really has worked for me in all the years that I have been doing it. As a matter of fact, it's a cool night where I am tonight and I'm going to have a nice warm mug of milk and maybe add a little honey and vanilla, curl up in my bed, and read until I'm done partaking... yum, what a treat! Sweet dreams, ya'll...
January 10, 200721178
I have been having trouble falling asleep and do not wish to use pills. I have found that 1 measuring cup of warm milk does put me to sleep. There is very little time between the...
I have been having trouble falling asleep and do not wish to use pills. I have found that 1 measuring cup of warm milk does put me to sleep. There is very little time between the actual drinking of the warm milk and my being asleep. This is not usual for me to fall asleep so fast, so it must be the warm milk.
March 3, 200621030
Just wanted to add that in most microwaves a minute is all you need to get it hot. 3 minutes is like cooking!!
Just wanted to add that in most microwaves a minute is all you need to get it hot. 3 minutes is like cooking!!
Wheatgrass, a relative of wheat, is grown mostly for hay or is planted for sheep, cattle, or horses to graze. The leaves are harvested within seven to ten days after sprouting. Freshly sprouted leaves can be crushed to make wheatgrass juice or dried and made into tablets or capsules, often in combination with other herbs. Though wheatgrass used as a dietary supplement is generally considered safe for consumption, headaches (as you mentioned), nausea, hives, and even swelling of the throat are all recognized as possible side effects. And, as far as the health claims, there are many associated with this green grass (more on that in a bit). However, while a few studies show promise, the majority of the claims are not backed by scientific evidence.
It is noted that wheatgrass is a concentrated source of many nutrients, including several vitamins, iron, calcium, magnesium, amino acids, and chlorophyll. Proponents of the green stuff claim that it can support immunity, kill harmful gut bacteria, and rid the body of toxins. Along those same lines, wheatgrass is also touted as a treatment for a wide range of conditions, such as anemia, diabetes, infections, constipation, ulcerative colitis, AIDS, and even cancer. But, Reader beware: many of these supposed claims are lacking scientific evidence.
What has research found? There is a small amount of evidence that supports the use of wheatgrass in the treatment of ulcerative colitis. Another study found that wheatgrass may reduce myelotoxicity (damage to bone marrow) due to chemotherapy in breast cancer patients. Though some studies show promise, more research is needed.
Additionally, because wheatgrass is consumed raw, it can be contaminated with mold, bacteria, or other not-so-groovy substances. This means it’s crucial to wash it thoroughly. People who show signs of an allergic reaction (e.g., hives or a swollen throat) should seek medical attention and avoid consuming wheatgrass again. It’s also recommended that women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, folks with celiac disease, gluten intolerance, or a wheat or grass allergy steer clear of wheatgrass. Lastly, it’s good to note that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate dietary supplements, and thus, potency and safety may be difficult to determine.
If you enjoy the taste of wheatgrass, and you're headache-free, then feel free to drink up. Wheatgrass isn't, however, a substitute for eating a variety of fruits and vegetables. There are other ways to get the nutrition you need. For more information, check out the Go Ask Alice! Nutrition & Physical Activity archive.
Dear To sneeze or not to sneeze,
People in the United States spend billions of dollars a year trying to escape the misery of the common cold. Though some swear by remedies ranging from vitamin C to garlic to exercise, scientists have not conclusively found anything that will prevent, cure, or shorten the course of the common cold. The manufacturers of Airborne claim that the unique combination of herbs, amino acids, antioxidants, and electrolytes "offers vitamin and mineral support for hours," and imply that it helps the body fight bacteria and viruses by boosting the immune system. They have withdrawn their original claims that their product cures or prevents colds.
In addition to vitamins, Airborne contains Echinacea, an herbal supplement some people take on its own for colds or the flu. Similar to research on vitamin C, studies draw a mix of conclusions about whether Echinacea works in preventing or treating colds. There are many products on the market, as well as natural remedies, that successfully treat the symptoms of the cold: body aches, sore throat, stuffy nose. However, as of yet, there is no proven cure.
Some people may feel that Airborne works for them, but it's tough to say conclusively. Colds can last anywhere from one to ten days and a person's immune system will eventually fight it off, even without vitamins or supplements. There has been one study on the effectiveness of Airborne. The clinical trial was a double-blind, placebo study, meaning that neither the researchers nor the participants knew who took the real supplement and who took the placebo until after the trial ended. The study found that Airborne out-performed the placebo, however many people question the potential bias of this study because the research was conducted by the manufacturer.
Additionally, some people have expressed concern about the amount of vitamins A and C contained in Airborne. According to the Food and Drug Administration, the average adult should have 5000 units of vitamin A each day, and 60mg of vitamin C. One dose of Airborne contains 5000 units of A and 1000mg of C, and the package recommends taking a dose every three hours. That means taking significantly more than the recommended daily allowance of both. Overdosing on vitamin A may cause nausea, vomiting, headache and dizziness. Too much C can cause diarrhea and excess gas.
Subways and other enclosed spaces with many people can be germy, especially in cold season. Medical professionals say your best defense against the common cold is maintaining a healthy lifestyle. That includes: eating a balanced diet, being physically active, and getting plenty of sleep. On top of that, thorough hand washing with soap and water, especially before you eat, can keep the subway germs at bay. So, before you go out and buy the new very berry flavor of Airborne or a similar supplement, it might be wise to take its claims with a grain of salt (mix with 8 ounces of water and gargle!).
Lactobacillus acidophilus is bacteria, not the pathogenic type that causes illness, but actually one of several kinds of beneficial bacteria called probiotics. These helpful bacteria are normally found in the intestine and the vagina. They are also naturally available in cultured or fermented dairy products, such as yogurt that contain live active cultures and acidophilus milk. Probiotics are also sold as nutritional supplements. Since the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate dietary supplements, the presence and/or amount of live active cultures in supplements is not guaranteed.
Probiotics appear to offer various health benefits. They create a more acidic environment in the intestine and vagina, which helps keep harmful bacterial growth in check. This natural balance can be disrupted, however, by antibiotic use and illness. In these cases, the bad bacteria proliferate, usually causing conditions such as diarrhea or vaginal infections. Taking probiotics may help reduce the symptoms of diarrhea and treat vaginal infections.
Other possible benefits include enhancement of the immune system, helping the digestion process, production of antimicrobial substances, and protection against certain chronic illnesses, such as cancer, among other possibilities. However, more research is needed to definitively demonstrate that probiotics have these favorable actions.
To answer your question: There has been some research to suggest that L. acidophilus (commonly combined with another probiotic) may reduce the risk and/or duration of of some cases of diarrhea if used as a preventative measure. More specifically, a few studies have shown that the use of this probiotic has reduced the risk and incidence of diarrhea associated with antibiotic use and chemotherapy. In another study, a combination of probiotics that included L. acidophilus resulted in a shorter duration of acute diarrhea in children. While these findings are promising, there is currently no consensus on whether L. acidophilus alone or in combination with other probiotics would be effective for the prevention or treatment of traveler’s diarrhea.
Despite this research, if you are considering using L. acidophilus or other probiotics, consult your health care provider before doing so. Those who are pregnant or immune-compromised will need to determine whether or not it's medically safe to take probiotics. Adverse effects include gas and/or bloating, irritation, sensitivities or allergies, and interactions with over-the-counter or prescription drugs and/or other dietary supplements.
There are other remedies for diarrhea, including antidiarrheal and antimicrobial medicines, but these are not recommended in all cases. When the cause is food poisoning, it’s best to let the illness run its course. Antidiarrheals can delay the time it takes for food-borne microorganisms to leave the body.
Hope this helps!