November 30, 2023

Innovative Uses of Sanitizing Wipe Dispensers Beyond Traditional Public Spaces

Surface disinfectant wipes can help reduce the spread of bacteria, fungi, and viruses. They can also be used to sanitize hands.

Wipes are available in a variety of formats that provide convenient dispensing options. Many feature a heavy-weighted base to add stability and support. Some models also integrate a trash receptacle.

Wall-Mounted Dispensers
Incorporate a wall-mounted sanitizing wipe dispenser in your restroom for a sleek, modern look. These versatile sanitary solutions subtly enhance the aesthetic of any space while offering superior hygiene, freeing up valuable counter and sink areas.

Wall-mounted dispensers make it easy to keep sanitizing wipes close at hand, encouraging non-custodial workers to perform quick, on-the-spot cleaning and reduce germs' spread. They also encourage people to wash their hands before and after breaks, improving overall hygiene in your establishment.

Various models are available, from a manual soap dispenser to an automatic sanitizer dispenser that delivers just the right amount of product each time. These touchless dispensers can be used with either foam or liquid hand sanitizer refills, simplifying inventory management and purchase decisions.

Most of these dispensers have a neutral tone that blends easily into any design aesthetic and feature an open top with an accessible button for one-handed use. They can easily use 35-count and 75-80-count disinfecting wipe containers. They have a heavy-weighted base for added stability and may feature an optional waste receptacle to keep the room cleaner.

Cleaning Wipe Bundles
Whether at a gym, school, or office, public restrooms can be germ "hot spots" threatening the health of patrons and employees. High foot traffic and varying restroom etiquette make maintaining hygienic conditions in these spaces challenging. Providing easy access to cleaning wipes empowers patrons to help keep the cleanliness of shared areas, encouraging healthy and safe habits.

Upgrade your facility with a premium metal wall-mounted dispenser featuring cleaning and sanitizing products like plant-based wipes, HOCL disinfectants, urinal deodorizers, trash can liners, and hand sanitizers. This bundle provides the perfect solution for any facility, promoting healthy hygiene and enhancing the confidence and peace of mind of every patron who utilizes your facility.

This free-standing wipe dispenser and hand sanitizer station's sleek design complements any facility while offering all-in-one convenience for guests. Guests can dispense hand sanitizer with a button and a pull on the bottom of the unit to restock the dispenser with new cleaning wipes. Used wipes are disposed of in the touchless attached waste receptacle. The flat top quickly lifts off to refill the dispenser, and the body of the base section can also be lifted to expose a 3-gallon plastic trash receptacle for waste disposal.

Hand Sanitizer Dispensers
Consider a wall-mounted dispenser when you need to dispense hand sanitizer in your facility. These are typically automatic, meaning that when hands are placed within the sensor's range, the dispenser activates and dispenses a measured amount of sanitizer. This hands-free technology plays a vital role in reducing the number of viruses (including COVID-19), bacteria, and germs that people touch, preventing their spread.

Most wall-mounted dispensers are made of a durable metal that is both corrosion-resistant and attractive. Some are designed to blend in with the surrounding decor, while others are more discreet and streamlined to complement modern design aesthetics.

These ADA-compliant dispensers allow single-handed operation when properly installed at mandated height and reach standards. They also feature a large, high-capacity reservoir to pour your gel sanitizer and have a pre-measured dispensing volume that ensures fewer pumps are required to dispense an adequate amount of product.

Many of these sanitizer dispensers can be locked to prevent theft or vandalism and include an odor-eliminating charcoal filter for improved indoor air quality. They can be equipped to dispense foam or gel sanitizer and various cleaning wipes types. Some models allow auxiliary wipe rolls to be stored underneath the active roll for quick reloading. Some units are stocked with attractive, permanently baked-on logos and messages to encourage further use and promote your brand.

Paper Towel Dispensers
Proper hand washing is one of the best ways to prevent the spread of germs and diseases. While soap and water are vital for cleaning hands, proper hand drying is also essential. Paper towel dispensers help encourage sanitary habits and provide users convenient access to hygienic hand towels.

Paper towel dispensers come in many forms. A handle operates some, others are performed automatically using a motion sensor, and some use innovative dispensing technology that delivers precut towels to users hands-free, reducing usage, waste, and potential touchpoints to transfer germs. Some offer a setting that helps to extend battery life by turning on and off based on user traffic.

Consider your facility's restroom traffic volume to determine the type of paper towel dispenser that is most suitable. High-traffic spaces benefit from center-pull dispensers that dispense fixed portions to reduce waste. They can accommodate large rolls for high capacity and have transparent covers to easily monitor inventory levels, eliminating the need for maintenance staff to check supply levels manually.

For lower-traffic spaces, rotary crank dispensers are a great option. They allow users to crank out the paper they need for cleanups and hand drying in smaller restrooms or breakrooms. Some rotary crank models are designed with anti-ligature features that withstand damage and prevent vandalism or suicide in behavioral and mental health facilities.
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November 25, 2023

Honda BeAT Makes Commuting More Fun and Cost-Effective in the Long Term

5 ½ years back, our trusty BeAT-oy rode with us through the bumpy roads of daily commutes. Navigating the peak of road repairs, it became our saving grace, slashing our weekly gas bill to a mere 200 PhP. Here's to the little scooter that turned our daily grind into a budget-friendly joyride!

Kuya Matthew's 8th Birthday Gift


Find out how The All-New BeAT is the perfect way students can elevate the fun of going to school

It’s clear that we are all back to normal. People are going out more. Doing more outdoor activities and travelling more often. Even schools are seeing more face-to-face classes than online ones. And this means that students are going to be busier than in the last 2 years especially for students.

What with the demands of schoolwork, extra-curricular activities, school socials. Not to mention the need to maintain certain grade point averages. Aside from this, they still need to budget properly for transportation expenses every day.

So, students need to get more creative in terms of getting to school while keeping within budget. One long-term, practical solution is getting a motorcycle. After all, having your own bike not only gives you the opportunity to better control your travel time but also control the long-term impact of rising transportation costs by public utility vehicles.

While it’s true you will need to shell out cash, but the cost you can save from taking the jeep, bus, taxi or ride-sharing arrangements will be worth in the long run since the transportation costs will add up to a lot of money one way or the other. What’s more, you cannot control how fast you can get to school.

But with all the makes and models available, choosing the best one for yourself - especially if you’re a student - can be a bit daunting.

Honda Philippines, Inc. (HPI), the No.1 motorcycle manufacturer in the country, offers The All-New BeAT. This bike will help Filipino students by providing an outstanding, and cost-effective-solution to the issues of everyday commuting. But what does this motorcycle have that makes it stand out among other bikes?

Performance, performance, performance
As a student, don’t you think you deserve the best performing motorcycle? The All-New BeAT promises just that. It’s powered by a 110cc, 4-Stroke, SOHC, Air-Cooled, ESP engine equipped with PGM-FI technology capable of generating 6.63kW of maximum power @ 7,500rpm, and 9.30Nm of maximum torque @ 6,000rpm and when combined with Honda’s Combi Brake System ensure that you not only get to your classes on time but safe and sound every day.

There’s more to this bike than meets the eye. It's loaded with advanced features that’s both functional and stylish, two things that are important to any student. It has a redesigned LED headlight that modern and stylish while allowing you a better view of the road in case you need to travel at night or during the rain. It also showcases an eye-catching semi-digital meter panel, Secured Key Shutter with Integrated Seat Opener, Side Stand Switch, and Park Brake Lock for added safety while you’re at a standstill. It also has a large 12-liter luggage box to carry your book, notebooks, laptop and anything you may need in school.

What’s more, Honda knows how important it is for you to stay in touch with friends and family that’s why The All-New BeAT has an ACC Power Socket, so you can charge your mobile phone anytime.

New ACC Power Socket 

But what really makes The All-New BeAT the ideal choice for students is its outstanding 58.2 Km/L fuel efficiency rating based on World Motorcycle Test Cycle (WMTC). This factor when coupled with the bike’s 4.2L capacity fuel tank means you don’t have to worry about refueling often within the week so that your weekly allowance will go a long way because you save on fuel costs.

Performance meets style
If these features aren’t compelling enough, The All-New BeAT is available in three exciting design variants, namely, Playful, Premium, and 50th Anniversary Limited Edition. This means, you can choose the ideal bike to match your own individual style.

The All-New BeAT Playful

Starting with The All-New BeAT Playful (SRP: PhP71,400.00), this variant comes in eye-catching colors, Fighting Red, Pearl Sylvestris Gray, Pearl Nightfall Blue, and Clipper Yellow colors. These colors when combined with its unique decals make it ideal for individuals with different personas like guys with a sporty personality, artistic flair, or a gamer’s sensibility. Even the fashion-conscious individuals will love it!

The All-New BeAT Premium
Then, there’s the  All-New BeAT Premium (SRP: PhP72,400.00). On the other hand, the Premium comes with a new 3D emblem and gold color cast wheel is available in Pearl Arctic White—perfect for riders with a sophisticated style, and Matte Axis Gray Metallic - ideal for those who prefer a dashing yet understated look.

The All-New BeAT Limited Edition
Finally, to mark the brand’s 50th anniversary of making the freedom of mobility a reality for Filipinos, there’s also The All-New BeAT Limited Edition (SRP: PhP74,400.00). This is available in Special Edition Pearl Arctic White colorway as well as Honda Tri-Color decals, and blue-colored fenders. This unique variant showcases new accents, and a front position 50th Anniversary logo to enable riders to experience a sense of exclusivity, fun, and stand-out style.

So, the next time you consider your next ride, get a unique and stylish feature such as The All-New BeAT Playful, Premium and 50th Anniversary Limited Edition that elevates the fun and allow you to enjoy the freedom of mobility when commuting to school.

For more information, visit www.hondaph.com. Stay updated on Honda’s newest products and promos by following Honda Philippines, Inc. on Facebook (facebook.com/hondaph) and Instagram (instagram.com/hondaph_mc/), YouTube (HondaPhilippines_Motorcycle) and Tiktok (tiktok.com/@hondaphilippines) or contact (02)-8581-6700 to 6799, and 0917-884-6632. 
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November 22, 2023

#Life@Bounty: Loyalty Award

I embarked on my journey with Bounty immediately after graduating 20 years ago. Joining as a Junior Laboratory Analyst, I applied the theories and ideas acquired during my college days, transitioning from simple chemical and reagent preparation to the intricate analysis of feed and feed ingredients. As I continued my tenure, my knowledge and skills continued to evolve.

Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances, the company underwent a temporary shutdown. After three years of dedicated service, I made the decision to tender my resignation. In hindsight, this turned out to be a blessing in disguise, providing me with the opportunity to focus on self-review for the Chemist Licensure Exam. Balancing work and exam preparation had proven challenging, and the hiatus allowed me to dedicate more time to my studies. After three attempts, I successfully passed the board exam. Subsequently, I applied for a laboratory chemist position within the same company and was promptly rehired.

Returning to my corporate journey, I transitioned from the laboratory to operations, assuming the role of a Quality Assurance professional responsible for ensuring the quality of raw materials and finished products. My scope expanded from a single location to overseeing operations across Luzon, encompassing not only Quality Assurance but also managing other systems such as quality management and hygiene and food safety. Despite numerous challenges, I effectively managed and overcame them, with invaluable support from Mommy Maye.

On February 18, 2023, Mommy Maye and I were honored as loyalty awardees in the 15-year category. The award ceremony took place at the Metrotent Convention Center in Pasig City, with a theme of "Shine Bright Like a Diamond," requiring attendees, especially awardees, to don formal wear.


In addition to the loyalty awards, there were group presentations from various divisions. Fortunately, our division secured the 3rd place, marking our inaugural participation in the competition.

As I look ahead, the prospect of a 20-year Loyalty Award looms uncertain. The future holds unknown challenges and opportunities, and only time will reveal the course of my continued #Life@Bounty.
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November 21, 2023

The Impact of Banning Flavored Tobacco on Various Cities

health and living,flavored tobacco,health,banning tobacco,public smoking,e-cigarette,
Various states and cities are implementing bans or restrictions on tobacco flavors. Therefore, evaluating these different types of conditions is essential to gain insight into their impact on users. It is widely believed that comprehensive sales prohibitions of flavored tobacco products will reap substantial public health benefits, whereas partial sales restrictions only removing menthol cigarettes may be less effective.

Reduced Tobacco Use
While flavored tobacco hooks young people and increases the likelihood they will become regular smokers, it can also make quitting more difficult by masking the harshness of smoking. Removing these flavors reduces the appeal of tobacco products and enables people to leave. It is a significant benefit that cities and countries implementing banned flavored tobacco products should not overlook. In the case of San Francisco's flavored tobacco ban, youth cigarette smoking decreased by 25% after the ban's implementation, while total tobacco sales in the city declined by 32%. This decrease was observed despite some participants evading the ban by purchasing tobacco online or from non-city retailers and stockpiling flavored products before the ban took effect.

These findings suggest that a comprehensive flavored tobacco ban, even when accompanied by robust public education and enforcement of the law, is effective at decreasing cigarette smoking among young people. These results are consistent with other studies that show that e-cigarette use and cigar smoking both declined following the implementation of a flavored tobacco ban.

Notably, these reductions in tobacco use may not extend to all types of tobacco products. A comprehensive ban that includes banning flavored accessories and ensuring that tobacco products are only sold in adult-only establishments may be necessary to prevent the industry from finding loopholes around the ban and continuing to promote vaporizers that deliver nicotine but not flavored smoke.

Increased Smoking Cessation
Although some smokers may switch to other flavors when flavored tobacco is banned, it's unlikely that they will quit smoking entirely. Smoking cessation is possible with a combination of counseling and support, which is available through many public health agencies and organizations. It's essential to include proven cessation programs when implementing a flavor ban. Many studies examining the impact of flavored tobacco bans have shown that the overall positive effects can lead to increased smoke-free years. However, some studies have reported a mixed bag of results. San Francisco's flavor ban caused an increase in youth smoking rates. This finding is contradictory to the results of the majority of studies that have been analyzed. This discrepancy is likely because the data analyzed in this study was collected before the city's ban became fully effective and only accounted for a small portion of all tobacco sales. A more comprehensive analysis of the effects of a flavor ban is needed, and it would be best to utilize data from all points of sale. It can help ensure that any differences in outcomes are not caused by retailers and the tobacco industry exploiting loopholes within a policy.

Reduced Vaping
Flavors in e-cigarettes hook young people, making them more likely to continue using tobacco and make it harder to quit. Flavors, particularly menthol, also mask the harsh taste and smell of smoke, making it seem less harmful. The tobacco industry knows this, which is why they fight to keep flavored cigarettes available.

Although many studies on flavor bans have focused on menthol, the effects of actual or hypothetical full-flavored prohibitions have yet to be studied much. Moreover, most studies have been conducted on only one type of tobacco product (cigarettes or cigars) and specific flavors. However, a few studies have been done on the impact of a ban that includes cigarette and e-cigarette flavor restrictions. The results from those studies show that a full-flavored ban leads to reduced vaping, and this reduction is more significant than the impact of an e-cigarette-only flavor ban. It is an important finding and a promising development for the future of tobacco control. However, for these policies to be effective, we must provide proven smoking cessation services. It is how we can make sure that the flavored bans prevent young people from returning to traditional tobacco, especially cigarette smoking.

Increased Awareness
In addition to reducing overall tobacco use and e-cigarette and cigar sales, local flavor bans also can help increase awareness about the dangers of these products. This increased awareness may lead some people to change their usage habits by quitting or reducing the amount they smoke. In some cities, flavored tobacco bans reduced the availability of e-cigarettes and cigars, but cigarette smoking among high school students did not significantly decrease. It was because the flavored tobacco ban did not reduce the number of people who switched from menthol cigarettes and e-cigarettes to non-flavored tobacco, and some who used flavored combustibles shifted to a higher-strength cigarette or a different flavor.

Some users also continued to use banned tobacco and vapor products by evading the ban, including purchasing online, stocking up before the ban took effect, purchasing from outside the city, and buying from illegal sellers after the ban took effect. Further research is needed to examine how these tactics can be addressed. Banning flavored tobacco could help create the first tobacco-free generation and save lives for decades. The positive experiences of Massachusetts' 2020 flavor restriction policy, which includes banning menthol cigarettes and other flavored tobacco products, suggest that a ban in New York would work similarly.
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November 7, 2023

My Graduate Studies Journey: #RoadToMSChemistry (An Update)

Series of problem sets and take home examinations

It has been two years since I mentioned my graduate study journey at Central Luzon State University. 

Back in 2021, the online classes began, and they posed a unique set of challenges. All of my classes were scheduled for Saturdays, which happened to coincide with my weekly work meetings.

Work meetings and online class at the same time

Most of the time, I found myself juggling two gadgets simultaneously to attend both online activities. This constant balancing act defined my academic year.

Moving on to the following academic year, things took a more challenging turn. I had a laboratory class that required face-to-face sessions.

To accommodate this, our weekly work meetings were rescheduled to Tuesdays, and I was immensely grateful for the adjustment, as it allowed me to accumulate leave credits by not attending classes on Saturdays.

One of our laboratory class

Fortunately, our professor displayed great understanding and allowed me to skip Saturday classes, provided I made up for them by keeping up with the course activities.

Working on isolation of egg protein

Measuring the total protein from egg

The laboratory class was particularly significant, as it covered various aspects of my thesis work, using a plant of special interest to me—Clerodendrum schmidtii, also known as the Nodding Clerodendrum or commonly referred to as Indian Beads.

My plant of interest: Clerodendrum schmidtii or Idian Beads

Working on my thesis

As I moved into my last semester, I faced the challenge of both laboratory and lecture classes, both held in a face-to-face format. My days began at 6:30 am and didn't conclude until 5:00 pm, all for just two subjects.

Even after the last semester ended, I still had a special topic subject assigned for the mid-term. We were tasked with selecting a special topic from a journal and required to conduct a comprehensive journal review, which we then had to present in class.

My special topic in Biochemistry


Aside from the special topic presentation, majority of our subjects require a journal review and presented as a seminar to our classmates and even BSChemistry Students.
Behind the scenes in some of the seminar presentations

After enduring four semesters and one mid-term, I am pleased to share that I successfully passed all of my subjects. 
Acamedic subjects: Passed, Thesis: In-progress

Currently, I am eagerly awaiting the schedule for the comprehensive exam and hope to emerge victorious. I've also taken the initiative to forward my thesis draft to my advisor, eagerly anticipating her feedback, with hopes of presenting my proposal before the semester draws to a close.

With determination and perseverance, I am steadfast in my goal to retrace the same educational pathway I embarked on twenty years ago and ultimately earn my well-deserved diploma.

I'll make a follow-up post on my journey to #RoadToMSChemistry.
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October 31, 2023

Navigating Auto Loans: Your Go-To Guide for Auto Loan Calculators

It has been 5 years since our application and approval for the auto loan. We are grateful that in two months we are able to fully-paid our auto loan.

Now, If you're are planning to make an autoloan, you are going to need few financial assistance. An auto loan calculators are nowadays available online for you to determine how much will it cost you to have your dream car.

What's an Auto Loan Calculator?
An auto loan calculator is like your financial tool, providing you with a sneak peek into what your car financing journey will look like. It takes into account important factors such as the loan amount, interest rate, loan term, and any additional charges to give you a clear picture of your car loan.

Using an auto loan calculator is as straightforward as filling in a few essential details.

How Does an Auto Loan Calculator Work?

Loan Amount
Start by entering the total amount you plan to borrow. This includes not just the car's price but also taxes, registration fees, and any extras you want to finance.

Interest Rate
Key in the annual interest rate offered by your lender, typically shown as a percentage.

Loan Term
Specify how many months you'll take to repay the loan. Auto loan terms usually range from 36 to 72 months, but some lenders might offer shorter or longer terms.

Additional Fees
If your loan includes extra charges like origination fees or insurance costs, include them here.

Once you've filled in these details, the auto loan calculator will give you several results like the monthly amortization, total interest, total loan cost, etc.

Monthly Ammortization
This is the amount you need to pay each month to clear the loan within the specified term.

Total Interest
It shows the total interest you'll pay over the life of the loan.

Total Cost
The grand total of your principal loan amount and the total interest paid.

What are the advantages of using loan calculators?
Comparing Loans
Auto loan calculators are great for comparing different loan options. Adjust the loan amount, interest rate, and loan term to find the best financing option for your budget.

Budgeting
The calculator helps you see how your car loan will impact your monthly expenses. This is invaluable for creating a budget you can comfortably manage.

Negotiation
With the knowledge from the calculator, you'll be in a better position to negotiate with lenders for a lower interest rate or more favorable loan terms.

Financial Planning
Use the auto loan calculator for long-term planning. Understand how different loan terms and down payments can influence your financial stability over the years.

Auto loan calculators are your trusted companions when it comes to car financing. They provide invaluable insights into the cost of a car loan, enabling you to make well-informed decisions and steer clear of financial surprises. By using this tool, you can take charge of your car financing, manage your budget effectively, and drive off the lot with confidence.

Always remember that when it comes to auto loans, knowledge is your greatest asset. So, before you commit to any car loan, do your homework, and put that auto loan calculator to good use. It's your ticket to ensuring you make the best financial choice for your unique needs and circumstances.

Happy car shopping!

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October 4, 2023

The Impact of Overbilling in Construction Bond Programs



Construction contracts often require contractors to procure bid, performance and payment bonds. These bonding requirements often are a condition to receive a contractor's license. A cost-to-complete or backlog schedule is an important tool used by surety companies during underwriting to determine a contractor's open single job and aggregate bonding capacity. This is usually reviewed via a contractor's work-in-progress report.

Overbillings are a Sign of Cash Flow Issues
Construction projects often require a significant upfront investment in equipment, materials, and labor. It's no secret that cash flow can be tight in the industry, and if a contractor needs to be more careful about managing project costs and change orders throughout a build, they can quickly run into issues. While some overbilling is typical, significant amounts can create a cash flow issue for contractors that need to be more careful. This is because the profit and loss statement (P&L) will appear to have lots of money in the bank, which could lead to them 'borrowing' from future projects or spending on other expenses too soon.

The best way to avoid this issue is by having strong accounting and financial teams that closely monitor project costs, progress, and billings and structuring project billings with micro-milestones to maintain a consistent influx of cash. This will help mitigate the impact of the construction industry's notoriously slow payment cycles.

Overbillings are a Sign of Job Borrowing
Contractors can find themselves in a situation where their costs to date on a project exceed the amount of revenue recognized to date on that same job. This is a common issue in industries with slow payment turnarounds, like construction. The solution to this problem is a well-managed Work in Progress (WIP) report that ensures current cost accrual is kept on par with billings. Significant overbilling can lead to a scenario known as job borrow, where the contractor has billed revenues that they will not have the ability to bill again once the contract is completed. This liability on the balance sheet can put your company at risk of future cash flow problems.

Even though the contractors are frontloading their jobs, this may not be a good idea for long projects. Significant overbilling could lead to a snowball effect where the contractor has to use the money from new jobs to cover the costs of jobs still being worked on, ultimately depleting their working capital.

Overbillings are a Sign of Subcontractor Issues
Clearly articulating project scope, changes, and agreements helps reduce misunderstandings that often lead to overbilling. Robust project management systems that utilize automation tools with human oversight ensure meticulous tracking, curbing overbilling. Regular reconciliations that cross-reference invoices with actual completed work also help to keep tabs on progress, catching discrepancies early and eliminating overbilling before it can become problematic. While fraudulent overbilling schemes can be extremely damaging, some overbilling is common for construction contractors with slow-payment clients who want to stay ahead of the project cash runway.

However, significant overbilling can indicate a contractor is using profits from one job to fund losses on another, which can raise red flags with contract surety bonding companies. It is also important to understand the difference between overbilling and underbilling when using a percentage of completion project accounting since both can occur on projects with extended timelines. Underbillings, referred to as Costs over Billings on Uncompleted Contracts, are an asset on the balance sheet because the contractor has yet to earn the revenue but will do so at some point.

Overbillings are a Sign of Payment Issues
Overbilling occurs when the contractor invoices their customer for work completed before it is complete. This is a common construction industry practice as contractors often front load (bill higher upfront) contracts in anticipation of slow payment cycles, and it can be a useful tool for keeping cash flow stable throughout the project. The issue arises when overbilling is extensive, particularly on long projects.

A significant overbilling can cause a contractor to face job borrowing, where the estimated cost to finish the contract exceeds available cash. This is a critical issue that must be addressed. A best practice for construction companies is to stay slightly ahead of billings on all projects. This is usually achieved through a WIP schedule matching invoice and cost accounting with actual construction progress. However, a significant amount of overbilling can indicate future payment problems and should be brought to the attention of your contract surety underwriter.
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October 2, 2023

The Science Behind Vape Tricks

Source: Vladdin

Vaping has taken the world by storm in recent years and has become more than just a popular alternative to smoking. It has also developed into an art form, with vapers able to blow vapor into intricate shapes like rings and jellyfish.

Whether or not you want to learn these tricks, you should know the science behind them.

Vape tricks are fun for showing off your skills and creating cool visual effects. The key is to use a high-quality device with a low-resistance coil to get thick clouds of vapor and the best e-liquid to match. If you have a device that can produce different colors of vapor, this is even better and can add some style to any trick.

There are a lot of different vape tricks out there, but some require more practice than others. Some more complex tricks, like vapor bending and bubbles, are not easy to master for beginners.

Vapor Ring
You’ve probably seen videos of vapers producing colorful vapor in their clouds. While technically, this isn’t a trick, it can still be an excellent way to enhance any other tricks you may do visually. You can accomplish this effect in post-production using digital editing or a mod that uses LED lighting to color your cloud.

One of the easiest tricks to master is the vapor ring, a “ghost inhale.” This trick involves releasing a ball of vapor and then pulling it back in. It’s not a trick for newbies, but it will look impressive once you get it down.

For this trick, you will need a high-VG e-liquid that can produce thick plumes of vapor. You will want to use a mouth-to-lung inhalation method, which works best for beginners and smaller vapes, or a direct lung (DL) inhalation mode for larger devices.

Scientists are still learning about vaping’s health impacts, but the aerosols produced can damage the thin layer of protective mucus that coats the nose, lungs, and mouth. These tiny changes over time could increase your risk of certain diseases.

Single O’s
One of the more challenging cool vape tricks to master requires a steady hand and careful manipulation. It involves exhaling vapor into the air, then twisting it into a tight spiral shape — similar to a smoke ring. You’ll need a lot of practice to perfect the trick, but it’s sure to impress once you do.

Waterfall
One of the most popular vape tricks, the waterfall, is simple enough for even a novice to master. Start by taking a total drag of your device to do this trick, but don’t inhale it into your lungs. Then, shape your mouth into an ‘O’ shape with the back of your tongue and the bottom of your throat flat against your mouth and lips.

Slowly push the vapor out, starting from the back of your mouth and moving down to your nose, forcing a downward flow of smoke with each breath. This trick will require a bit of practice, but once you’re comfortable with it, you can easily create four distinct plumes of vapor that will make you look like a dragon.

The tornado is another impressive vape trick that isn’t difficult to learn. It requires more skill than the waterfall but is a great way to impress your friends and stand out from other vapers. This trick works best with a powerful device and a high vegetable glycerin liquid, as it’s all about movement.

When practicing your vape tricks, try to do it in a quiet environment, without distractions like televisions or other people. This will help you keep your movements consistent, improving the quality of your finished result. Additionally, it will be easier to see if you are doing the trick correctly without being distracted by other noises.

Tornado
Vape tricks can be fun to perform and can turn some heads. However, it’s essential to be safe when performing them in public. It’s best to practice these tricks indoors, shielded from the wind and away from fans. It’s also a good idea to use a low nicotine-content e-liquid when practicing so that you don’t get too high quickly.

The tornado is a cool trick that looks like it’s complicated but is relatively easy to master. To do it, you need to isolate a flat pool of vapor and then chop at it with your hand in a chopping motion while quickly driving up your arm. This causes the vapor to swirl upward and create the tornado effect. This is one of the cooler tricks and would look great in any vape video compilation.

These are just a few vape tricks you can try, and they’re all beginner-friendly. If you want to improve your technique, it’s worth watching some tutorial videos on YouTube.

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August 26, 2023

Black Soldier Fly: The Beneficial Insect

As I have mentioned in my previous post about Black Soldier Fly, these tiny flyiing creatures are considered beneficial rather than pests. 

Here are some reasons that will answer the question, "How are the Black Soldier Fly become beneficial?"


Each of the stages of the life cycle of the Black Soldier Fly has its benefits but during the larva stage has the most contribution not only in the reduction of organic wastes but in agriculture as well medicine.

Frass
Frass is the remians of insect breeding, left-over food, feces and cuticles from metamorphosis of the larva. These hase been considered as fertilizer and a good source of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium for plants.


Larva Meal
Before turning into a new adult, the larva can be harvested, dried and ground or served as feeding materials to animals. It contains high percentage of protein and crude fat. Because of these high levels of nutrients, it can be used as a substitute for fishmeal and soybean meal as the main source of protein in animal feeds.


However, depending on the subtrate or food given to the larvae, the nutritional values of the larva meal can be affected.

Larva Oil
The protein content of the larva meal can still increase by concentrating the meal. Removal of other nutrients like the high amounts of oil is one way to make larva meal protein concentrate.
The extracted oil can still be used in animal feeds as larva oil. The fatty acid profile of the larva oil is comparable to palm and coconut oil.

Anti-Microbial Peptides
Many will wonder how does the larva thrive in an environment full of decaying organic matters with tons of bacteria and other pathogenic microorganisms and how they manage to digest these organic matters made of protein, fats and oils, and other compounds such as carbohydrates and strach.



The intestinal gut of the Black Soldier Fly Larva contains different enzymes that is used to digest and breakdown complex nutrients into a simple compounds. For example, the protease which can breakdown proteins into peptide andn amino acids. The lipase which is used to degrade oils into simple fatty acids. Starch and cabohydrates will turn into simple sugars with the help of amylase enzyme. 

With regards to the microorganisms, the intestinal gut of the larva contains antimicrobial peptides that are capable of killing different pathogens including E.coli and Salmonella.

Chitosan or Chitin
As the larvae turn into adults, the shell from the pupa stage can be a good source of chitin of chitosan. These compounds are sugar complexes commondly found in the shell or skeleton of crustaceans like shrimps and crabs.

Another question that may be raised is how about the adults, are they vectors of pathogens or harmful microorganisms like the common house flies?

The answer is "NO". An adult fly does not have any mouthparts nor digestive organs. They rely their short life span (about 4-5 days) in water and the stored fats during their larva stage. Because of these, the adult Black Soldier Fly is not associated with disease transmission.

Given the different advantages that we can get from the Balck Soldier Fly, it is truly that these insects are considered beneficial.
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