Safe sex is the buzz word around once again and sex education lessons are not only focusing on the practice of safe sex but also the need for consent and trusting relationships. When it comes to choosing a contraceptive method it can seem like there are a hundred different choice so here is our handy little guide to some of the options that you have available to you.

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Condoms

These are the most common form of contraception that are available on the market and you can get free condoms from your local sexual health clinic and they are available to buy in most supermarkets. They are relatively easy to use and unless you have a latex allergy will cause no issue to either partner. For those suffering from a latex allergy alternative condom materials are available. Condoms are available in both a male and female version and are the only safe sex method that not only helps to prevent pregnancy but are also effectiving at preventing the transmission of sexually transmitted infections from one partner from another. If you are worried about your sexual health you can find Home StI Kits London way from companies such as https://www.bexleysexualhealth.org/home_sti_kits, there are companies across the country that offer this service as well as your standard sexual health clinics and GP practices that can also offer testing for you.

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Contraceptive Pill – this come in a number of different types, those that combine estrogen and progesterone and the progesterone only pill. The type of pill that you are offered will depend very much on you reasons for wanting the tablets as well as your weight and medical history. For some women the contraceptive pill brings some relief for gynaecological problems such as polycystic ovaries and endometriosis and well as heavy and painful periods. When taken regularly and correctly the pill is a great choice for those wishing to avoid pregnancy. To avoid the spread of an STI you should use these in conjunction with condoms to protect both yourself and your partner.

Implant and Injection – these are two alternative methods to contraception and again they regulate the way a woman ovulates. They are preferred by women who do not want to have to remember to take a tablet at the same time each day and are a popular choice by women who have recently had children. Again they will help with a variety of menstrual issues but do not protect against STIs.

By now you have probably heard of Japanese Knotweed and you may have even come into contact with this plant. It is a non indigenous plant here in the UK and it is creating headaches for property developers and builders as well as those with domestic gardens. If you have this plant on your land, it is important to ensure that you contact a professional such as Land Remediation Services company ash remediation to come and deal with it on your behalf.

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Here are some facts about the plant that will help to highlight why it can not be dealt with just like any other weeds in your garden.

• In its natural environment Japanese Knotweed has other plants and animals to contend with that help to keep it under control. One of the reasons why it is such a problem here in the UK is that none of these natural inhibitors exist in our country. This is one of the reasons why in some areas the plant has become completely out of control.
• It grows incredibly quickly and is very strong. Not only can it grow up to 10 centimetres per day during the summer months but it has no trouble growing up through your tarmac and concrete. Once the roots have found a weak spot they will break through this and will then rise to the surface and continue to flourish. It can therefore have a detrimental effect on the price of your property and some mortgage companies and house insurance companies will not cover a property or land that has knotweed on it.
• Japanese Knotweed is not a new plant to the UK, although it is only relatively recently that is has become a large scale problem in some areas. It was in fact brought in and used by the Victorians. They favoured it as a plant to line railway tracks throughout the country due to its fast growing ability. Little did they know it would become so problematic in the future.

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• It can take an incredibly long time to get the plant under control on a site and it reportedly took 4 years to control the Japanese Knotweed on the main arenas used in the 2012 London Olympics. It is for this reason that is listed amongst the top 100 invasive species of plant in the world and the disposal of the plant is under the regulations of control waste.

Although it is much derided Star Wars Episode one, the fourth film in the franchise, does have some particularly astonishing scenes. The lightsaber battle between Darth Maul and the Jedi’s of Obi Wan Kenobi and Qui Gon Jinn for example, the setting of the Galactic Senate (have you spotted the Wookies and the ET’s yet?) plus the raw excitement of the dangerous Pod Race. There is also the climactic battle between the brave, but hopelessly outgunned Naboo indignenous Gungan’s against the might of the Trade Federation Droid army. The battle features some extremely nifty hovering tanks loaded with Droids. Whilst you can not drive a flaoting tank just yet there is away you can experience the real thing with a bit of Tank Driving with the help of www.armourgeddon.co.uk/tank-driving-experience.html. Click on the link after you’ve read these thoughts on the battle.

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The Gungans have agreed to fight against the Trade Federation after being asked by Queen Amidala of the Naboo to create a diversion. The Trade Federation take the bait and send the bulk of their Droid Force out to face the Gungans. The are armed with floating anti gravity hover tanks and a huge amount of Droids armed with blasters. The Gungans are mounted and have a very handy water based shield that protects them from the cannon fire of tanks but the droids are soon deployed and start to make their steady advance towards the Gungan infantry. The only hope that the Gungans have is that the main power reactor on the Trade Federations ship is knocked out cutting the droids power rendering them useless.

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As the shield is penetrated by the droids the Gungans only have one option left. This is to throw the water plasma “Bombas”. These are handheld grenades that cause the Droids to short out. Large ones are catapulted and can even take out a tank. The weight of the Droids numbers prove too much for the Gungans but they are able to hold out long enough for young Anakin Skywalker to knock out the main reactor so that the Droids power fails and they fall lifeless to the ground.

While all of this is science fiction the hover tank is something that is being mooted as the next generation of tank. Tanks are famed for being able to go anywhere and over anything. Imagine then if it didn’t even need to touch the ground! Robots warriors and vehicles are actually a much closer prospect. Conflicts fought by remote control are looking like a real possibility.

There are other kinds of synthetic rubber, but none are as successful and versatile as silicone. How many chemicals can be used as a lubricant, an adhesive, a dry cleaning fluid ingredient, a cooking utensil and a gasket all before breakfast? It’s in engines where silicone is rapidly gaining ground, particularly for replacement hoses. Here are six of the qualities propelling us into the silicone age.

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Temperature Tolerance

There’s nothing quite like the smell of burning rubber. If you like it, you won’t like silicone. Silicone withstands high temperatures better than rubber and isn’t permanently damaged by low temperatures either. Silicone hose manufacturers say it’s reliable between about -60 degrees and +180 degrees Centigrade.

Chemical Resistance

Oils, coolants, brake fluids, petrol and battery acid are devastating to most materials, but silicone stands up to them extremely well. You can see a chemical comparison between silicone and alternative types of rubber compound here: https://mykin.com/rubber-chemical-resistance-chart. Perished or burned rubber tends to stick to everything, and it’s a devil to get off: silicone doesn’t.

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Lifespan

For similar reasons, it’s less likely to oxidize and perish from long-term exposure to air, rain and temperature. In other words, it resists weathering, retains its flexibility and simply lasts longer. In contrast, old rubber hoses become stiff, cracked and glued on.

Vibration Damping

As some of us have discovered to our annoyance, rubber isn’t that quiet. The points at which it connects to a hard vibrating surface can generate nuisance noises and even contribute to additional vibration.

Silicone is substantially more sound-suppressing than rubber due to its better flexibility and can contribute to a quieter engine.

Flexibility

Silicone is more flexible, weight for weight, and retains that quality over time. As a result, it is often easier to fit a silicone hose in an awkward location or over a tight connector. Likewise, they are usually easier to get off again when necessary. They don’t bond with the fitting like rubber often does.

It’s Sexier!

Silicone hose manufacturers such as https://www.goodflexrubber.com/pages/silicone-hose-manufacture supply them in a range of bright colours that simply look great in a well-cared-for engine. It also makes it easier to distinguish one part from another.

And it’s not only car lovers that think it’s sexier – silicone is rapidly replacing rubber in sex toys and “rubberwear”. Anything that sexy is bound to make your engine race faster!

When metals are used in construction, one of the key considerations is how long the item is expected to last. Galvanised steel is a popular metal thanks to its intrinsic protection from corrosion.

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Any good chemistry student will tell you that the process of galvanisation coats the metal in question with a thin layer of a more reactive metal, usually zinc. Because the coating is more reactive than the metal used for the part, it will oxidise instead of the part itself. Let’s take a look at some of the key advantages of galvanised steel over other materials.

Reduced maintenance

When steel is galvanised, the process helps to make it far less likely to shrink or crack when it is in use. Similarly, galvanised steel has far superior resistance to water and abrasion than non-galvanised steel.

Protection across the board

Unlike many other corrosion protection options, especially those that are carried out when a part is in place, galvanisation offers total protection against corrosion and rusting. This is because the entire part is protected when it is galvanised.

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Peace of mind

When items such as the ductwork parts available at https://www.dustspares.co.uk/ductwork-parts/ are galvanised, they are done so in line with a whole raft of international standards. This ensures that they are up to the job, providing both reliability and predictability.

Low cost

Not only does galvanised steel offer fantastic value when it is first installed, but it also offers great-long term value. Even if the cost of galvanisation is more expensive than other alternatives in the first place, money is highly likely to be saved in the long term thanks to its longevity.

Long-lasting

The total coverage of the process means that galvanised steel should last a long time in situ. The lack of uncovered spots ensures there is a fantastic level of corrosion protection, keeping your steel safe and well. Thanks to the international standards that apply to galvanising steel, those in construction have peace of mind that parts are free from black spots, rust stains or other imperfections.

Easy to inspect

Building inspectors are easily able to inspect galvanised steel when carrying out routine checks. Galvanised steel is easy to inspect by sight, and there are a range of non-invasive techniques for testing the thickness of a coating if necessary.

 

With growing demand for research programmes into gorillas and into eco-tourism, the impact of the increase in human contact on gorillas is a mounting issue, both in terms of the transmission of disease and the psychological impact on the apes. Research is required into the best way of managing this as tourism in this area develops.

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The Study

Bai Hokou is a study site located in the Central African Republic. It was chosen in 1997 as the base for a long-term project looking at developing gorilla sites for research and eco-tourism. Featured in the American Journal of Primatology, one of the aims of the site was to study the effects of human impact on gorillas and consider how best to minimise the disruption to their lives.

The findings of a preliminary study in 2006 found that the presence of researchers and tourists correlated with an increase in aggressive behaviours and a decrease in resting behaviours amongst the gorillas. There is a distance recommendation of at least seven metres between humans and gorillas, and further research has been carried out looking into whether this is sufficient. The results indicated that when the distance between humans and gorillas increased to ten metres, there was a significant decrease in aggression. The research also found that an increase in the number of people present resulted in a decrease in group feeding and an increase in aggression.  With these kind of statistics you have to wonder why we keep going to disrupt them and why not just watch them from the comfort of our own home and let them live peacefully.  Just switch on your television and go to the nature channel and hope your equipment all works including your aerial.  If its faulty you could always contact a TV Aerial Repair Cheltenham company to come and fix it for you.
The Recommendations

There were two main recommendations that came out of this study. Firstly, to aim to ensure a human-gorilla distance of at least ten metres where possible; and secondly, to limit research or tourist group sizes to up to six people if necessary, but to just three if possible.

As eco-tourism grows in areas like Uganda gorilla trekking, it’s essential to continue researching its impact to limit and manage any detrimental effects. If you’re considering this sort of eco-tourism, established tour operators who will be experienced in offering ethical trips.

When eco-tourism is done well it can have a significant positive impact on local communities, providing income and employment as well as conservation. Ongoing research is needed into how this can be done with the least impact on gorilla populations.

Now that you’ve bought your wood windows you can toss aside that window buying guide and refer to this window staining guide to learn the best tips for staining your wood windows. This is not a difficult task to accomplish, pretty much anyone can do it as you don’t need to be a seasoned do-it-yourselfer to make your raleigh replacement windows look terrific.

But there is a right way and a wrong way do to finish your wood and we are going to walk you through everything that you need to know to get the job done.

Selecting the Right Stain

First things first, find the stain color that best suits your home. This is going to be different than selecting the best paint as wood stain is designed to give your project a smooth, natural aesthetic, unlike paint which is usually chosen as a means of bringing a splash of color or contrast to existing color that is already present in the home.

You will find a myriad of options for wood stain shades and choosing the one that fits best is going to take some careful consideration of the appearance you wish to present. So, think about what might look appropriate in your home or if you’re still not sure, consult with a stain expert at your local hardware retailer.

Staining Your Wood

So now you’ve chosen the stain you want, it’s time to apply it to your wood windows. You’re going to need a list of materials, all of which are easily acquired when you buy your stain. You’ll need things like sandpaper, painter’s tape, a bunch of dry, clean cloths, a cleaning solution (vinegar-based preferable), your wood stain, a wood conditioner that you will apply ahead of your stain, some oil-based wood varnish, and brushes. Lots of them!

Now, let’s get to work:

Breakdown

You are not going to stain the window in its current form. You need to break it down into separated components. Don’t be lazy, this is an important step and you need to do it. Be sure to apply your painter’s tape to the glass so your lines are sharp and clean (and you don’t make a mess on the glass).

Detach the hardware and other pieces that could interfere with you doing a complete stain job.

Prep the Wood

Here is where you need your sandpaper. You are going to sand the surfaces you plan to stain, going with the grain until any impurities and rough patches are removed. Do this thoroughly as it will affect the look of your window frame if you cut corners.

Glass Surface Washing

Now you want to get that vinegar-based cleaning solution and wash down the glass of your window. Get every corner and don’t worry about streaking. If you find some streaks after you’ve rubbed the glass down completely, some clean water should help you get those streaks removed.

Mask the Glass

Grab your painter’s tape and mask off the glass and all other areas you do NOT want marred by your stain finish. This doesn’t need to be perfect, just enough to protect the pertinent areas.

Pre-stain the Wood

You want to ensure that your finished product is free from imperfections and the stain finish is smooth and even throughout every area of your wood surface. So, you will need to pre-stain the wood with your conditioner. This isn’t a tough step to perform, just follow the directions on the conditioner you purchased and you’ll be ready to get the job done.

Stain the Wood

Here we go, now the big step. You will need to be careful and thorough about applying your stain to the wood. It might require more than one coat to get the appearance you want on your windows. Don’t be sparing with the stain either, you can slather it on there to ensure that you fully saturate the wood surface. Wipe away excess stain with a rag and get a smaller brush to remove stain from crevices.

Varnish

Once you’ve finished applying the stain to your desired color, allow it to dry fully before you finish the wood surface with your oil-based wood varnish. Again, follow the directions on the bottle to help assist you in applying it properly and, much like with the stain, you might be required to apply more than one coat to the wood to achieve the aesthetic you have in mind. Take this step slowly as well and be thorough about your application.

Wood floors aren’t supposed to look perfect. They can and will sustain some level of wear and tear which is important in allowing the flooring to take on a life of its own. Your wood floor develops a character of its own, displayed in the myriad scuffs and scrapes and dents that become part of the aesthetic.

This is much different from damage, which should be repaired to keep the floor sturdy and reliable as a component of your home’s interior. The trick is knowing when it’s time to refinish a floor and that can depend a lot on the amount of foot traffic the flooring receives and the surface condition. Hardwood that has character is not the same as hardwood that is dull, faded, and tired.

So here’s what you need to know about floor refinishing austin tx and whether it’s time to have the work done in your home.

To Refinish or Not

No one wants a hardwood floor that looks like it’s seen better days and whether you plan to do the work all by yourself or you are considering hiring a professional at the task you need to first know how to determine if the floor needs to be refinished to its original luster or if it should be left alone.

A badly worn or damaged floor is going to need some attention sooner than later while a well-aged floor should be left alone and allowed to develop that visual character. Do you know the difference between the two? There’s one place to look: the grain. The grain of your flooring will give you all of the information you need to know.

Take a good long look at your floor, do you see patterns and small incongruities in the surface of the wood? These are things that aren’t just only normal but they are to be expected in a healthy hardwood floor. Some scuffs and scrapes are par for the course and should be allowed to remain in the wood.

But if you notice your wood has started to look dirty and damaged in areas, then it’s time to have some work done on your floors.

Identifying Problem Areas

Some homeowners are a little too critical of their flooring and they will refinish the wood a bit earlier than they should. This could actually do greater damage to the surface of the wood than if you just left well enough alone. Some blemishes and minor dents are not a reason to have your floors refinished.

But if you notice areas of the floor where the finish has been worn away and the surface of the wood is bare and exposed, then it’s time to refinish. Further, if you find some deep cracks, fractures, broken floorboards, discolored wood, or water damage, you will need to have the problems fixed. All of these issues are serious and should be acknowledged immediately. Don’t put these things off as they will only deteriorate the condition of your flooring and that could result in higher repair or replacement costs.

Trees are a useful and necessary component to life. They provide a myriad of benefits that outweigh the troubles they can often pose to your residential roof…and, let’s face it, they can be a real nuisance. But as long as you practice some smart routine maintenance for preserving the condition of your roofing, you can avoid high repair and replacement bills from your local roofers Alpharetta GA.

So, let’s consider the good, the bad, and the ugly when it comes to tree damage and the roof on your house. You can avoid many of the most common dangers by taking some simple steps for prevention before something falls on your home and steps for cleanup after branches or other tree-borne debris come down and land on the house.

Trees and Roofing

Believe it or not, the two do mix or at least they can co-habitate together. Even if your nearby trees are dumping branches and debris on your roof, they can still bring plenty of benefits as well. Besides the obvious things like shade and curb appeal, trees have other qualities about them that make for good reasons not to cut them down simply to prevent damage to your roof.

Wind Reduction

Older and larger trees are very good at blocking the velocity of wind that can have a serious negative impact on the condition of your roofing shingles. This is particularly helpful during heavy rainstorms that come with high winds.

Ultraviolet Protection

Trees provide shade so when they’re standing high above or even near your roof, the UV rays from the sun are filtered and dissipated which can help prolong the life span of your roofing materials. In addition, that can also help reduce the temperature in your house as the sun’s rays and heat are filtered and that prevents your shingles from absorbing as much heat which can seep into your home’s interior, making it warmer and uncomfortable during the summer.

Distance from Roof

So, while there are benefits to having trees near or above the roof of your home, you should also be aware of the safe distance necessary to keep your roof from sustaining damage. The overall rule of thumb as to the space that you should maintain between the ends of a tree’s bough and the roof is approximate six feet.

This means planting larger trees about twenty to thirty feet from the house to keep that safe distance between the tree branches and the roof. Your homeowner’s insurance policy may also have some recommendations or even hard mandates as to how far your branches must be kept from the roof. While these types of insurance policies cover damage done to the home and the roof by trees and branches, you may find your claim being denied if your insurance provider determines you allowed the tree to get too close and the damage occurred as a result of your negligence.

Eliminate the Debris

Roofs are going to be hit with minor debris in the form of leaves, sticks, branches, blossoms, and other various needles, nuts, and even fruit. Having any of these things fall on the roof may not seem like all that big a deal. However, when all of that stuff starts to collect up there you could be courting danger.

That’s because when all of those items accumulate, they can begin to threaten the well-being of the shingles. You might be surprised at how easy a roofing shingle can become cracked by debris from a tree. If not a crack, you may find some shingles shifted out of place. That can lead to bigger problems, particularly water damage from precipitation.

The next time it rains, even small trickles of water seeping in beneath or in between a cracked or shifted shingle can bring lead to more water and that could end up with your home sustaining major water damage in a relatively short period of time. That can be costly to repair and you may not even realize it’s happening until the damage has become very bad.

Clean Out the Gutters

Your gutters are there for one very important reason and that’s to move water away and off of your roof when it rains. It’s a simple design, the water sluices from the roofing into a channel that leads to the ground. But for that design to work properly the gutters need to be free and clear of obstructions. If the gutters are clogged with leaves, branches, and various other detritus that can prevent the unhindered flow of water.

When that occurs, the gutters get backed up and the water starts to rise up and spill back onto the roof and down the sides of the home. More water hitting your roofing shingles increases your risk of moisture penetrating in between and underneath them, leading to the same potential for water damage under the roof and inside the home.

So be very diligent about monitoring your gutters and clean them out regularly. Even the smallest obstruction can create a clog and force the water to become backed up.

Regular Inspections

As we’ve seen thus far, trees can be a benefit and a burden when it comes to your roof. But the best way to prevent tree damage is to conduct routine inspections of the roof. Go up there right now and take a look around. You may need to clear away random fallen debris that is up there at this very moment.

But there are other specific times you should inspect your roof, such as after a major storm or high winds. Those are the times when the roof can sustain some damage, large or small. Either way, you want to diagnose problems before they become too big and you’re paying large sums of money to fix things. Even more important, finding those problems early can prevent you from taking on bigger issues with more widespread damage in the future.

Better to be safe than sorry when it comes to roof damage and if your roof has had any debris on it for any length of time, you may want to do a full inspection now to make sure everything is okay.