Ground-Braking Innovation: A Glance into the Development of Automotive Brakes
Brake systems in automotives have seen a lot of improvements since the emergence of the first car in automotive history. Now, almost three centuries after, automotive brake systems have evolved much since the traditional drum brakes of the early 1900′s. These brakes were of considerable popularity up to the end of the 1970′s, when disc brakes began to be widely accepted and circulated for mass production. Although there are fewer drum brakes now, a number of modern cars like the Toyota Prius still rely on drum brakes. These days, though, the type of automotive brake systems often seen in cars employ disc brakes. Frederick William Lanchester in Birmmingham, England, was actually the first person to patent the first ever disc brakes for automotive use, but it took a long time before the potential and reliability of these disc brakes were recognized. Initially, this brake system was confined to sports cars. Over time, when improved performance of this innovation steadily became apparent, disc brakes were put to use by many automotive companies, and thus, became a common feature of contemporary passenger cars as well. Disc brakes also include brake pads, rotor as well as calipers and support.Other parts of the modern automotive brake system also include the master cylinder. This is typically located in front of the driver’s seat, in the engine compartment. This cylinder is usually made up of two, with each one connected to a pair of wheels. In this manner, if either of the cylinders suddenly suffers from corruption or component collapse and malfunctions, the other still remains to enable you to brake effectively. Another automotive brake system element is the brake fluid. This is enclosed in a container positioned on top of the master cylinder. Remember that when you are changing your brake fluid, you should take care to replace the cap or lid on it immediately. Because brake fluid corrupts after a certain period of use–as do all things–when it’s time to pour in a new batch, most people forget that the air that gets into the hydraulic fluid contaminates it, lowering its boiling point while raising its freezing point, in addition to adversely affecting its anti-corrosives. Then there are also the brake lines. This is the path that the brake fluid takes that allows it to circulate from the master cylinder to the wheels. Last, there are also the power brake booster and anti-lock brakes.For most people, brake system care and maintenance do not necessarily enter into their run of daily thoughts and worries. As long as the car gets them where they are going and stops when they press on the pedal, they relegate these issues to the backburner, remembering them only when they find themselves confronted with a spongy brake pedal or, much worse, with brake failure. So, if you do not fancy the thought of finding yourself falling back into childhood prayers while you hang tight to the steering wheel, do yourself a favor and learn more about your brake system. Knowing more always leads to better automotive protection.
Gospel Music Beyond Entertainment
A common misconception is that music is purely for entertainment. It is however, not simply for this purpose alone. Gospel music, beyond entertainment, for one, emerged not only to entertain but also help the slaves express their hardships while living under the control of their owners.Gospel music as known in the United States came out of the influence of African song and dance on to the traditional church music that African American slaves were exposed. Today, gospel songs are sung everywhere, from churches, heard on most radio stations and sung in almost every kind of gathering. Churches, however, are where one is most likely to see gospel choirs performing their repertoire of songs.Gospel Music Beyond Entertainment and Solely for WorshipThe overall purpose of gospel music, beyond entertainment, is to worship God, both with the melodies and with the message, which are often positive, enlightening and encouraging. Gospel music transcends all boundaries because, although art is purely for a personal purpose, this kind of music is not made for a personal purpose but rather for the purpose of worshiping a higher God. There is thereof re nothing self-serving about gospel songs. In fact, there is close debate on the secularization of gospel and Christian music, since one side is saying that music should keep up with the times and should be one that people will enjoy singing. The more conservative view, however, says that gospel songs are not sung for the entertainment of the singer but for the Lord and this should not necessitate a drastic change in the way that this kind of music is sung.Aside from worship, another purpose of gospel songs is to spread the message the Jesus Christ. Gospel music is also designed to encourage followers in their walk in the Lord.As an Artist’s MediumIt is true that gospel songs do not often serve as an artist’s medium since art basically a form of self-expression, while gospel music is the expression of worship.PoliticalGospel songs do not have a political nature, but it has been sung in many a political rally. Music as a whole has the power to unite a people, to bring them closer together in order to accomplish a single goal. In the 60s gospel songs played a predominant part in encouraging those who fought against racial discrimination. Music was played in political rallies and even today some songs can be associated with the movement against racial inequality in the past.Relaxation and MotivationGospel music, in particular, has not been particularly associated with entertainment. It was only when it begun to be influenced by secular music that it began to be seen as a form of entertainment. Gospel songs have flowing melodies and inspiring lyrics, and these put gospel music beyond entertainment. For one, gospel songs, with their encouraging lyrics, have been shown to help in relaxation, to give the emotions a positive boost, and even to aid in concentration. Gospel songs can serve as strong motivational tools, depending on the lyrics that it contains.
Residential Drug Rehab – How to Make an Informed Decision
Someone you love is a drug abuser and that’s hard to accept. But what may be harder for you to deal with is that they need to undergo drug rehab. All sorts of decisions must be made. How do you start? How do you proceed? Who can you talk to? The hardest part seems to be that you don’t even know what the right questions are to ask. You feel hopeless and overwhelmed. It’s best, at times like these, that you remember that what you want is have your loved one come back to you. You want them to be drug-free and living a meaningful life. By seeing things in this light, you can gain the motivation to move ahead.The first and most important step is knowing how to make an informed decision about choosing the best residential drug rehab facility. In other words, before you can get answers, you need to ask the right questions:What is the success rate of the residential drug rehab facility?When making an informed decision, get real. Base your decision on talks with actual graduates of the program. The more of them you can talk to the better. What you’re looking for is real-world experience.What sorts of methods does the residential drug rehab facility use?Do they take a holistic approach? In other words are they dealing with the entire range of emotional, physical and even spiritual factors of your loved one? That’s important — the more avenues of therapy the better. Realize that drug addiction happens because lots of different things have gone wrong. A drug addict’s life is a jumble of bad decisions, bad habits, bad health and an unwillingness or inability to face down their problems. For your loved one to succeed at drug rehab, the program has to attack all the sources of their problem.What additional sorts of services does the residential drug rehab facility provide?For example, will they help you stage an intervention if necessary? Can you look to them for legal assistance?Who is on staff at the residential drug rehab facility?What you want are professionals with lots of experience specifically in the area of substance abuse and all the related problems that come with it. You want people with a track record, not just an advanced degree. Take some time and get to know them — and ask the hard questions, e.g., “what is your reason for working in this discipline?” You are looking for dedicated people — not people taking up space.Is there a planned program of follow-up as part of the residential drug rehab program?You want to know that there is a caring attitude about making sure the patient — your loved one — will succeed once they leave the facility. A good program will have a structured approach to staying in touch and staying relevant in the life of the patient after they graduate.Where is the residential drug rehab facility located?You’re looking for two things here: security and convenience. Sometimes it’s difficult to get both, but it is important. First of all, a residential drug rehab center should be secure. You don’t want your loved one simply to stroll away on a whim. Fact is, the temptation is there. So you want to know that the facility has a plan to keep them in the program. Second, you want a facility that is convenient to where you live. You will most likely be relied upon to provide in-person visits to your loved one. So you want a facility that is nearby your home to make it easy to visit when necessary and appropriate.How long does the residential drug rehab program take to show results?It is customary for programs to last a month or so. However, if the facility has a longer program that will probably offer your loved one a better chance at success. Even better: if the facility has the wherewithal to let your loved one work through the program at their own pace, without an eye on the calendar.What is the cost of the residential drug rehab program? Don’t simply cross a facility off the list because it is too expensive. Look at the price in conjunction with the services offered. In that way you can better judge the value to you of the facility. Of course it is true that the more the facility offers, the more it will cost. But you loved one will have a much better chance of succeeding if get the best and most complete program of treatment.SummaryPicking a residential drug rehab facility is not easy, if for no other reason than you will probably be doing it for the first (and only) time in your life. But if you break it down into a series of smaller tasks and write down the right questions to answer, you will have a much better chance of making an informed decision.