Livingston Reporting - page 228

The Differences Between Breaker Boxes and Fuse Boxes

Circuit breaker boxes and fuse boxes aren’t something that most of us have to access on a regular basis.  It is important however to know where they are located and how they function before you find yourself in the middle of a power outage.  These boxes can be located anywhere but most often can be found in the garage, basement or utility closet.  Once you have located the box it is important to know the difference between a circuit breaker boxes and fuse boxes and how to restore power if it goes out.

Your breaker box will be a metal box that is flush against the wall that is enclosed by a metal door to keep the breakers or fuses protected.  The garage, basement, storage room or utility spaces are the places where you will most likely find them located.  If you can’t find the box located inside somewhere check outside or next the meter box.

Next, determine if the house has a circuit breaker or fuse box.  Open the door and take a look inside.  Do you see rows of switches?  If you do you have a circuit breaker.  If you see sockets like a light bulb then you have a fuse box.  Most commonly newer homes will have circuit breakers where as older homes that have yet to update their electricity will have a fuse box or maybe even several fuse boxes.

When replacing a blown fuse it is crucial that you unplug the appliances that are connected to the circuit that has lost electricity.  If the kitchen looses power then unplug all of the appliances and other electrical products that are plugged into the circuit.  If this is not done the risk that is faced is another blown fuse.

When you are replacing the fuse from the box be sure to turn off the main power switch.  This is a toggle switch located within the fuse box.  This main switch allows electricity to flow on a main current to the other circuits throughout the fuse board.  As you are shutting the main power off protect yourself by wearing rubber soled shoes and thick gloves when shutting the power down.

Find the fuse that connects the electricity to the point within the home that is no longer functioning.  Once the fuses are located and unscrew the fuse from the socket and replace it with a new one of the same power rating.  After the fuse has been replaced it is time to switch the main breaker back on.

For a circuit breaker that has been tripped the process is a bit simpler. You will still need to go through and unplug the appliances and shut the main breaker off in both fuses and circuit breakers.  After this is done you should be able to see which breaker is blown because it will be switch facing the opposite way.  Reset the switch back to its original state and that will restore the circuit.  After this is done the main power can be reinstated.

When replacing either of these types of electrical circuits if you notice that the circuit keeps blowing it is time to call in an electrician.  An electrician will come in and evaluate the state of the electrical wiring throughout your home and consult on electrical upgrades to your home.

J&P Electrical is a full service electrical equipment company.  At J&P, we supply contractors, end users and supply houses with new surplus, quality reconditioned and obsolete electrical equipment. Contact us today at https://jpelectricalcompany.com for all of your bus plug, circuit breaker, switchboard, fuses, disconnects and more.

Hiring a Roofing Contractor Simplified

Hiring any contractor to do work around your home can be a challenging task.  When it comes to hiring a roofing contractor we have compiled a list of tips to make the selection process simpler.

Insurance: Contractors that do not come bearing insurance should not be allowed to do any work on or around your home.  Insurance is a must when hiring a professional.  Ask for proof of insurance from all contractors interested in being hired.  Professional contractors should have copies of both their worker’s compensation policy and liability insurance policies.  Part of the cost in hiring a professional to complete work on your home is the security of knowing that they are covered if an accident should occur while they are working around your home.

Local vs. National: When it comes to hiring a contractor it is always best to look to hire someone with a locally operated, established company with a reputable reputation within the community.  Hiring big chain contractors can end up disastrous.  You aren’t hiring an individual and their specific skill set you are hiring a crew that is contracted by the large chain.  This means that each time work is to be done around your home a new crew may be sent.  There is no continuity in the work that is performed.  Whereas using a local contractor you are dealing with one specific contact for projects throughout your home.  Another bonus is that local contractors also vouch for one another and are able to refer specialists when needed for different projects.

Price:  The cost should never be the driving factor on your decision to hire a roofing contractor.  A lot goes into creating a bid and each contractor may bid projects differently.  Some contractors bid the job low by leaving out incidentals like nails, caulking and roofing tar; items that are necessities for the project to be complete but add to the bid.  Look at the bid in its totality.  Ask questions when looking into exactly what is covered by the quote and what extra expenses you can expect to incur.

Everything in Writing:  You should be in control of the job from start to finish.  The home belongs to you, the money is coming out of your pocket and the end result is yours to live with.  Be sure that you never pay in full for a job that is not one hundred percent complete.  If you are unhappy with any aspect of the project you need to communicate in writing a clear and precise agreement with the roofing contractor to establish a procedure for the job to be completed to the specifications in the contract.

All communication between the two parties should be in written form to protect both of them from misunderstandings.  Don’t forget to ask for a detailed quote that includes specifics from materials to costs and quantity.  It is imperative to have details in your contract regarding the amount of time that the job is expected to be done in and the size of the crew that is intended to be on site each day.  Contracts should also detail the hours that work will be completed.

Hiring a roofing contractor, or any contractor, for that matter doesn’t have to be a hassle or a nightmare.  Be sure to follow the tips above to ensure you find a contractor that meets your needs now and in the future.

Home Pro Roofing contractors offer a variety of roofing services throughout Brighton, East Lansing, Ann Arbor, Fenton and Commerce Township, including installation of shingle roofs, metal roofing and roof repairs.  You will find them at http://www.homeproroofingmi.com today.

The Five Advantages Of Asphalt Shingles

The benefits of asphalt roofing are plentiful.  In this installment on shingle roofing we will look into the top five advantages of installing asphalt shingles over other roofing materials.

Adaptability:  Asphalt shingles are the best material for adapting to complex roofing structures.  If your homes roof has a steep slope or angles it is important to recognize how adaptable shingle roofing can be.  Oddly shaped roofs are often hard to conform to.  Roofing contractors use shingles to form to the most unique roofs.  Asphalt shingles allow solid coverage and can be formed to maximize coverage.  They can be manipulated into locations other materials would not be able to.

Assorted Design Options:  Homeowners often thing of flat, rectangular shingles when they think of asphalt.  Roofing contractors say this misconception is one of the biggest hurdles they have to contend with when talking to homeowners about the options available to them in 2016.  Shingles today come in a variety of patterns to compliment the architecture of any home.  There are shingles that replicate the look of wood shakes, hand cut slate, European clay and many other old world patterns.  The benefit of using a shingle replica is not only the decrease in cost but also the increase in longevity and reduced maintenance.

Highly Rated: Shingle roofing materials can withstand a variety of weather conditions.  Asphalt comes in a variety of class ratings the highest being class 4.  What this means is that it is resistant to a number of environmental aspects that other materials are not.   Asphalt shingles are popular in areas where the climate is ever changing.  When your home takes the beating that all four seasons hands out you need to know your choice can withstand whatever is thrown at it.  From ninety five degree, heat scorched sun filled days to thirty five below temperatures with freezing rain and ice shingles are created to endure.

Cost Effectiveness:  Asphalt is not only an affordable material to purchase it is also the most inexpensive material for roofing contractors to install.  Proper installation is crucial to ensure that you roof is going to stand up to the test of time.  Labor to install an asphalt roof is less expensive for a number of reasons.  It is a popular choice amongst homeowners and therefore the technique is one that professionals have mastered.  The average asphalt roof takes between one to three days to replace including the time it takes to strip old shingles and repair any areas that appear to be damaged.

Home Pro Roofing contractors offer a variety of roofing services throughout Brighton, East Lansing, Ann Arbor, Fenton and Commerce Township, including installation of shingle roofs, metal roofing and roof repairs.  You will find them at http://www.homeproroofingmi.com today.

 

Delivering Radiation Therapy To Patients

Most often radiation therapy is given in small doses throughout several weeks through an outpatient facility.  This is especially true of external beam radiation therapy given with the use of a linear accelerator.  Most often radiation will only be administered once a day but occasionally can be given twice daily if recommended.

For most patients receiving radiation therapy as part of their cancer treatment external beam radiation therapy will be given once daily using a linear accelerator.  The treatment is delivered in this manner because a once daily treatment plan helps to minimize the amount of damage that is done to the healthy tissue and normal cells surrounding the cancerous tumors and cells.   Also the likelihood of exposing radiation to cancerous cells during the cell cycle when they are most susceptible to DNA damage increases.

Three other methods in which to distribute radiation have been tested including:

Hypo-fractionation: In order to reduce the number of treatments needed, hypo-fractionation is given in larger doses either once a day or less.

Hyper-fractionation: It is the opposite of hypo-fractionation; smaller doses are given throughout multiple treatments a day.

Accelerated Fractionation: In order to reduce the number of weeks treatment is needed, accelerated fractionation allows treatment to be given in larger doses on a daily or weekly basis.

The hope is to find different options that make receiving treatment more convenient to patients without sacrificing the effectiveness of the therapy.

Patients most often receive radiation therapy before, during or after surgery.  In some patients therapy is given using linear accelerators only without other treatments or surgery while others receive chemotherapy and radiation therapy without surgery.  This will vary due to a number of factors.  The exact point at which radiation is delivered alone or with other cancer treatment methods mainly depends on the patient’s goals and specific type of cancer that is being treated.

When radiation therapy is given before a patient has surgery is done in hopes to shrink the tumor.   This makes it simpler for surgeons to remove the entire tumor decreasing the likelihood it will return after the surgery is complete.   Radiation that is given during surgery is known as IORT, inter-operative radiation therapy.  During surgery radiation is given when normal structures are too close to the cancerous tumor and external-beam radiation would damage the nearby normal tissues.   After surgery radiation is known as post-operative therapy.    Post-operative radiation therapy is given during complicated surgeries to regions such as the abdomen and pelvis.

Acceletronics delivers the best equipment performance and service reliability from Linear Accelerators and CT Scanners across all major brands and models.  Our qualified oncology equipment specialists provide a quality customer experience across the USA with timely field maintenance.  We sell, repair, refurbish, move and finance oncology medical systems check out more at http://www.acceletronics.com.

The Ins and Outs Of Internal Radiation

Unlike external radiation therapy which is delivered outside of the body, internal radiation therapy delivers radiation inside or on the body.  There are a few manners in which this type of therapy is delivered: interstitial, intracavitary and episcleral brachytherapy.   Interstitial allows radiation to be placed within the tumor.  Intracavitary allows a source of radiation to be placed in a body cavity near a tumor and episcleral that treats melanoma within the eye using a source that is attached to the eye.

With internal radiation therapy the radiation isotopes are sealed into tiny seeds that are delivered into a patient using needles or catheters.  These isotopes naturally deteriorate as they kill the nearby cancerous cells. Internal radiation therapy may deliver higher dosages of radiation to certain cancerous tumors then treatment using linear accelerators, external radiation therapy, while causing less disruption to the normal healthy cells surrounding the cancerous cells.

Internal radiation can be given in either low or high doses.  When low dose radiation is delivered, radiation therapy will be designed to give off radiation to cancerous cells continuously for several days.  If a higher dose of therapy is to be given, a machine is used to attach tubes to guide the radioactive treatment into place and then removes it at the end of treatment.  This can be done in one or more sessions.  The placement of either high or low doses of internal radiation can be given in either one treatment or several depending on the radiation oncologist’s recommendation.

The placement of the tubes delivering radiation can be placed permanently or temporarily.  For the tubes to be put into place permanently they will be surgically sealed within the patient’s body.  The source of the radiation will be sealed into the patient’s body to emit low doses of radiation continuously.  Once all of the radiation has been given off the pouch will remain sealed in the patient’s body without harm or discomfort.   Permanent therapy is given for low doses of radiation treatment.

With temporary treatment the source carrying the radiation is removed after the treatment is performed.  Temporary, internal radiation therapy can be given as a treatment option for both high and low doses of radiation therapy.  This treatment can be used to treat or boost other forms of radiation therapy for cancer.

Another form of radiation therapy is systemic radiation therapy.  This form of treatment is given either an injection or is made to swallow radioactive materials.  This form of therapy is used for thyroid cancers or other cancers in which treatment needs to travel through the blood to locate and kill the tumor cells.  It is also used regularly for pain relief in patients with bone cancer.

In our next installment on radiation therapy we will discuss why some types of radiation therapy is given in small doses and others in larger doses.  We will also discuss more about external radiation therapy using linear accelerators, LINAC, and internal radiation therapy that delivers radiation in several manners.

Acceletronics delivers the best equipment performance and service reliability from Linear Accelerators and CT Scanners across all major brands and models.  Our qualified oncology equipment specialists provide a quality customer experience across the USA with timely field maintenance.  We sell, repair, refurbish, move and finance oncology medical systems check out more at http://www.acceletronics.com.

The Ins and Outs Of External Radiation

Radiation therapy is given to patients in a few different manners.  In this article we will discuss external-beam radiation therapy.  This method is done using a linear accelerator, otherwise known as a LINAC.  Depending on the type of cancer being treated, the size of the cancer, the location of the cancer and a few other factors radiation oncologist will prescribe the best manner in which radiation therapy should be given.

Linear accelerators deliver photon beams as x-rays or gamma rays.  A photon is a unit of light or other form of electromagnetic radiation, basically a bundle of energy.  The amount of energy in any given photon will vary.  Photons within gamma rays have the uppermost level of energy followed by x-rays.

LINAC form a stream of quick moving particles using electricity that generates amounts of elevated radiation to treat cancer.  Most often external radiation is given as part of an ongoing, daily treatment plan that lasts several weeks.  Exactly how often the radiation is delivered will depend on a number of aspects such as the total amount of radiation that is to be given.

There are several methods in delivering radiation therapy using external beams.  The most commonly used method by radiation oncologists includes 3-D conformal radiation therapy.  3D-CRT uses advanced computer software and highly developed treatment machines such as linear accelerators to deliver the radiation to the location it is needed without releasing radiation to areas outside of the treatment area.

Other methods of delivering radiation therapy using external beams include:

  • IMRT (Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy): IMRT uses a linear accelerator controlled by computers to release a specific dosage of radiation to an exact location within a tumor. This is an incredibly advanced form of high precision radiotherapy that uses high energy x-rays to destroy cancerous cells.  This form of treatment is usually given for about five to eight week, taking weekends off to allow non-cancerous cells to heal.  Each treatment takes about ten minutes to administer.
  • IGRT (Image-Guided Radiation Therapy): Imaging coordinates are utilized to direct the treatment of radiation therapy. The process uses both two and three dimensional images to guide the course of therapy.
  • Tomo Therapy: In tomo therapy a machine that combines IMRT and computed tomography. This treatment options allows radiation specialists to precisely target hard to reach tumors with powerful radiation beams.  The beam is delivered in slices while the patient moves unlike other forms of radiation therapy where the therapy is paused and the treatment is paused and the patient is then set up in a different manner to receive the radiation.
  • Stereotactic Radio surgery: Stereotactic radio surgery is mainly used for cancerous tumors in the head. The beam is aimed at the tumor from several directions around the head.  For this type of therapy to work properly it is important that the head is in the exact same position for treatment and that it does not move at all.

In our next installment we will look more in depth at internal radiation therapy and systematic radiation therapy.  The real talk in these installments will allow you as a patient to ask the most appropriate questions when discussing therapy options with your oncologist.

Acceletronics delivers the best equipment performance and service reliability from Linear Accelerators and CT Scanners across all major brands and models.  Our qualified oncology equipment specialists provide a quality customer experience across the USA with timely field maintenance.  We sell, repair, refurbish, move and finance oncology medical systems check out more at http://www.acceletronics.com.

The Right Way To Do Product Labeling

One of the most commanding tools in marketing is the one that provides you an opportunity to increase sales, the product label.  If the label is unsuccessful then manufacturers have wasted a valuable marketing opportunity.  With the number of products lining the shelves throughout the marketplace there are only seconds for a product to catch the attention of consumers.

Creating a label that can give buyers all the information that they need within seconds is as important as catching their attention visually.  Labels must have both visual appeal and information for both types of consumers.  Graphic artists and label designers have their work cut out for them to effectively create a label that catches consumer’s attention while communicating valuable information about your product.

Product Labeling Done Right

Color:   Attention is grabbed quicker from color than from any words ever could.  In order to create and maintain product consistency choose a few colors to represent your brand and use them for labeling your product lines.  The same collection of colors should be used throughout labeling, marketing, promotional materials, catalogs and websites.  Without even one word being spoken consumers will know what brand is behind the product.

Food products need to take into consideration the flavor of the product.  Colors create imagery in consumers’ minds.  The color purple, for instance, reminds people of grapes and grape flavoring.   Red coloring is used when representing strawberries, apples and/or watermelon.

Imaging:  Just like color, images are used to portray certain messages faster than any text ever could.  Graphic images are appealing to consumer senses and is far more attention grabbing then the written word.  Designers creating custom labels should have a deep understanding between the balance of color, imagery and text.  Too much of any one good thing can lead to a great deal of disorder.

Font: The food and drug administration mandates certain product information be on product labeling. It is important that this information is written in a font that is easy to read.  Another typeface may be used on the product label.  It is best to stick with two font types on the label unless your logo uses unique font type.

For the best representation of your product use a typeface on the products label that represents your brand.  After you have chosen the typeface the next determination that needs to be made is the size of the font.  Consider the overall size of the label as well.  If you find that the text is not legible try to lessen the number of words or the size of the font.

Make sure that your label includes much needed information such as the company and/or product name, contact information, and information that is mandate by the FDA.  By taking this into consideration when designing your company’s label you should be well on your way to selling your product.

At Anchor Printing, we take pride in offering our clients cut & stack labeling, pressure sensitive labels, roll-fed labeling, shrink sleeves as well as flexible packaging options. Contact us today at http://anchorprinting.com for all of your product label design, printing and packaging needs.

Creating Custom Packaging and Labeling For New Products

Are you getting ready to create a new package for your company’s product?  You may be questioning just how important the roll of packaging and labeling is in selling the product itself.   The truth is that label design and product packagings are vital elements in marketing and thus should carry some major weight in the process on a whole. The visual nature of your product plays a major role in the success or failure of your company’s product.

Purpose

The main function of a products labeling and packaging is to guard your product against damage.  Products need to be protected from damage during shipping from the manufacturer to the reseller’s location as well as while it is on display for sale.  All products have some form of packaging.  Chips may come in a package such as a bag for resale but for shipping will be packaged in a box for transit that will never be seen by the public.

Appeal

A product that is packaged and labeled attracts consumers while surrounded by the competition.  Manufacturing companies spend a lot of time and money researching how different colors, designs, and materials function together to appeal to the target market.  Some types of products, like pharmaceuticals, beverages and chemicals consider shrink sleeves to be the most valuable material for label because it is tamper resistant.  The shrink sleeve labeling makes it appear safer and more reliable to consumers.

Marketing

The manner in which your product is packaged and labeled is vital for giving consumers valuable information about your product, company and brand.  The label offers a distinct visual, graphic appeal as well as information on ingredients and product use.

Distinguish   

Your products label and package designs differentiate products from one another. The label makes your brand and product recognizable.  Companies find that by using the same color scheme throughout their product lines makes them more recognizable when surrounded by the competition.  If a shopper can easily spot a product from your brand line they will chose what is familiar.

The label needs to offer enough information to satisfy consumers need while being visually stimulating.  The type of label material is important in consumer’s perceptions as mentioned earlier.  Perception is everything.  Products and brands based on the theory of preserving the environment work with product labels that foster that same concept.  Companies looking to ensure the safety of their product should opt for the tamper resistance of shrink sleeves or flexible packaging.

Consumer buying decisions are often made quite impulsively.  With this in mind it is essential that the label and packaging designers create an impact on the immediate buying decisions of customers.

At Anchor Printing, we take pride in offering our clients cut & stack labeling, pressure sensitive labels, roll-fed labeling, shrink sleeves as well as flexible packaging options. Contact us today at http://anchorprinting.com for all of your product label design, printing and packaging needs.

Shrink Sleeve Labeling Advantages

There are so many advantages that manufacturers have when looking at shrink sleeves for labeling.  Shrink sleeves are great for marketing purposes because they offer a three hundred and sixty degree surface for self promotion.  They are also popular due to the visual appeal they offer when shelved next to competing products.  Recent technology has not only updated the quality of film used in shrink sleeves but has also helped simplified manufacturing.

Main Advantages With Shrink Sleeve Labeling

Brand Distinctiveness

There are several characteristics of shrink sleeve labeling that make it superior over other labeling options.  One such difference is that it offers a cost effective method to decorate even the most complicated containers.  Along with offering these unique opportunities at differentiating your brand shrink sleeves eliminate the need for colored or thick walled containers which leads to extra cost savings for manufacturers. Cost savings along with an increase in promotional space makes labeling products with shrink sleeves a no brainer.

Full body labeling gives graphic designers, three hundred and sixty degrees to cover with eye catching designs and product information.  Conventional labeling methods make it more difficult to include all the needed information that food and pharmaceutical companies are required to include.  The extra space that shrink sleeves give manufacturers the ability to maintain regulatory standards while graphic designers have space to reach customers with unique graphics, logos and more.

Tamper Resistance

Consumers purchase based on emotions.  This is another main advantage that shrink sleeve labeling has over more traditional methods of labeling such as cut and stack labels.  Shrink sleeves allow consumers peace of mind with labels that are tamper proof.  Unlike other products, packagings that uses shrink sleeve labeling have a three hundred and sixty degree wrap that secures the product.  This is especially important for beverages, chemicals and pharmaceuticals.   Safety is super important to consumers when making a purchase and shrink sleeves allow them to feel that.

Speaking of consumer emotions it is important that a label is designed with their target market in mind.  Shrink sleeves are ideal for consumers looking for product safety.  They are also great for consumers looking for the maximum amount of product information as well.  Shrink sleeves offer space for company and product information that appeal has an effect on consumers looking for reassurance of the company’s reputation. For consumers that purchase based on visual appeal shrink sleeves have them covered as well.

Designers custom design shrink sleeves to offer visual appeal and so much more all while letting the label do what it does naturally which is to protect the product from being tampered with.

At Anchor Printing, we take pride in offering our clients cut & stack labeling, pressure sensitive labels, roll-fed labeling, shrink sleeves as well as flexible packaging options. Contact us today at http://anchorprinting.com for all of your product label design, printing and packaging needs.

The Best and Worst Investments For Your Money

When it comes to home improvement projects homeowners are always looking for ways to improve their own quality life while increases the market value of their homes.  Not all renovations are created equal when it comes to their return on investment.  Although a sunroom might bring you enjoyment buyers may look at it as a waste of space that could have been better utilized as an additional bedroom.

Renovations with a Solid Return on Investment

When it comes to recouping your money on renovation projects nothing has a better return than entry way improvements.  A new front door, especially one made of steel can add more money to the equity of your home then what it actually costs.  Steel doors are three times more affordable then fiberglass and are just as attractive and energy efficient.

A new front entry door, along with an updated rug, fresh seating and colorful flower pots can really increase the exterior appeal of your home.  As for the interior, add a fresh coat of paint and some careful organization to hide the hideous amount of shoes and coats that usually clutter the space.  Updates to the entry of your home are a solid renovation that can turn a profit for homeowners.

Curb appeal sells homes.  Exterior renovations add top dollar to the market value of your home.  Aluminum fencing and vinyl siding are two exterior upgrades that have a high return on investment.   Both work to add to the curb appeal of your home.  Aluminum fencing can be purchased in a variety of styles and colors to enhance your home’s exterior.  Adding aluminum fencing to a landscape that is well kept shows buyers that homeowners care for their home.  This alone adds to a home’s market value.   A home that is maintained appeals to buyers and makes a home easier to sell.

Renovations with a Weak Return on Investment

Certain home improvements are costly and bring in a small ROI thus should be avoided unless it will supersize the enjoyment that the home brings to homeowners.  If working out of your home is a convenience for you a home office may be a renovation that is considered.  Don’t expect the space to increase the value of your home nearly as much as it cost you.  This however, might not deter you from the renovation but it is something to consider when determining the budget for the project.

The same can be said for garage additions, backup generators and sunrooms.  If the renovation is going to be something of value for you as a homeowner then it may be something to consider but don’t look to increase the value of your home with these.

If you are a homeowner looking to only invest a little bit of money into home renovations but wish to greatly increase the value of your home the best place to start is with the exterior of your home.  The updates to curb appeal will truly enhance the value of your home.   On average exterior renovations recoup nearly one hundred and twenty five percent of the projects overall cost.

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