iceword3

July 28, 2008

The chemical requirements of the human body demand that the saltconcentration in the blood be kept constant. If the body does notget enough salt, a hormonal mechanism compensates by reducing theexcretion of salt in the urine and sweat. But it cannot reduce thisoutput to zero. On a completely salt-free diet the body steadilyloses small amounts of salt via the kidneys and sweat glands. Itthen attempts to adjust this by accelerating its secretion ofwater, so that the blood's salt concentration can be maintained atthe vital level. The result is a gradual desiccation of the bodyand finally death. (BLOCH, M. R. 1963. "The Social Influence ofSalt." Scientific American 209: 89 - 98.)

 July 28, 2008

-Researchers have tested gummy bears made with asugar substitute that wards off cavity-causing bacteria.

A study in Washington State gathered 154 first to fifth gradersfrom two elementary schools. The students were given four gummybears made with either xylitol or maltitol (types of sugars used inmany types of sugarless chewing gum) three times a day duringschool hours.

All were checked for plaque and bacteria in their mouths at thestart of the study and six weeks later.

After six weeks, there was a "significant" reduction in the mainbacteria buildup associated with

cavities

 for the children who snacked on the xylitol and maltitol candy.

Study lead author Kiet A. Ly with the University of Washington saysin a news release that gummy bears may have the edge over gum.

"For xylitol to be successfully used in

oral health

 promotion programs among primary school children, an effectivemeans of delivering xylitol must be identified," Ly says. "Gummybears would seem to be more ideal than chewing gum."

The gummy bears made with xylitol used in the study are notavailable on the U.S. market at this time. Study authors now urge alarge clinical trial.

In background information published with the findings, studyauthors write that chewing gum made with these sugars are widelyavailable in Europe, China, and Japan. Finland has a nationalcampaign in place called "Smart Habits" for children, which usesxylitol products to reduce

tooth decay

July 28, 2008

Accroding to the results published in the journal BMC Oral Health,Gummy bears made with the sugar substitute called Xylitol, couldreduce plaque casusing bacteria.

The results were based on a study conducted on 150 children agedbetween 5 to 10 years, from 2 elementary schools in the state ofWashington. At the begining of the examination, their mouths werechecked for plaque and bacteria. Each pupil was given four gummybears, three times a day. The gummy bears contained either Xylitolor maltitol.

After six weeks, the children were re-examined and it was foundthat there was significant decrease in bacteria built upresponsible for cavities, in children who ate the Gummy bears.

Lead researcher at the University of Washintgton, Liet A. Ly,opined that Gummy bears, compared to chewing gums, may be moreeffective in promoting oral health programs to primary schoolchildren.

Chewing gums made from Xylitol are widely used in Europe, China,Japan and Finland, however, the Gummy bears used in the study arenot yet available in the U.S.

July 28, 2008

Motorists in south-east New South Wales are being warned of thedangers of black ice after several heavy frosts in recent days.

At least 12 drivers hit black ice at the weekend and police areurging motorists to take more care.

Since the snow started bucketing down three weeks ago, police havebeen pulling cars out of snow drifts and off the side of the roadat an alarming rate.

They say that the drought has left a build-up of oil on roads whichmeans dew does not disperse as easily, leaving a thin film of icethat freezes on top of the bitumen.

This black ice is impossible to see which means drivers need toreact quickly to stay in control.

Police say motorists are braking excessively and that just makesthe situation worse.

So far no-one has been injured but damage to vehicles has beenextensive and expensive.

<BR>And it is not just an issue in the Snowy Mountains. Black ice isalso causing problems on the Kings Highway around Braidwood and theClyde Mountain.

 July 28, 2008

 LONDON (Thomson Financial) - German rail vehicle leasing companyVTG Rail said it has ordered 30 bitumen tank wagons for French oilgroup Total in a deal of undisclosed value with three Britishcompanies.

VTG said it has asked Lloyds Register Rail to design the wagonswhile Clayton Commercials will make the tanks and underframes, andMarcroft Engineering will assemble and complete them at its plantin Stoke-on-Trent.

The wagons will be delivered in April 2009 and will replace anolder fleet used to move bitumen from Total's oil refinery inImmingham, North Lincolnshire, to a bitumen processing anddistribution plant in Preston, Lancashire.

philip.waller@thomsonreuters.com

paw/kf1

COPYRIGHT

Copyright Thomson Financial News Limited 2008. All rights reserved.

The copying, republication or redistribution of Thomson FinancialNews Content, including by framing or similar means, is expresslyprohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson FinancialNews.

>Neither the Subscriber nor Thomson Financial News warrants thecompleteness or accuracy of the Service or the suitability of theService as a trading aid and neither accepts any liability forlosses howsoever incurred. The content on this site, includingnews, quotes, data and other information, is provided by ThomsonFinancial News and its third party content providers for yourpersonal information only, and neither Thomson Financial News norits third party content providers shall be liable for any errors,inaccuracies or delays in content, or for any actions taken inreliance thereon.

July 28, 2008

Update at 1830 hrs (IST)

Corporate Results

Grasim Industries Q1 net at Rs 671.89 cr

MUMBAI: Aditya Birla Group firm Grasim Industries on Fridayannounced consolidated net profit of Rs 671.89 crore for the firstquarter ended June 30, against that of Rs 669.67 crore in thecorresponding period last year.

Total income of the group rose to Rs 4,524.47 crore for the firstquarter ended June 30, 2008, from Rs 4,147.48 crore for theprevious fiscal year, Grasim Industries said in a filing to theBombay Stock Exchange.

The company reported a standalone net profit of Rs 514.19 crore forthe first quarter, an increase of 0.49 per cent from that in thecorresponding period.

On Standalone basis, Grasim had a profit of Rs 511.66 crore for thequarter ended June 30, 2007. Standalone income of Grasim Industriesrose to Rs 2,674.57 for the quarter ended June 30, 2008 from Rs2,503.21 crore for the quarter ended June 30, 2007.

The performance of the Viscose staple fibre business of the companywas muted in the last quarter as the production was curtailed dueto lower off-take. While, margins were depressed due to the recordincrease in sulphur prices and higher prices of other key inputslike pulp and caustic, the filing stated.

The chemical business of the company posted an improved performancein the reviewed quarter, with caustic soda volumes higher by 11 percent at 47,800 tonnes. The outlook for chemical business appears tobe good, given the higher demand from user industr y and expectedstrengthening of international prices.

UltraTech Cement, a subsidiary of Grasim, recorded a marginalgrowth in net profit of Rs 261 crore, while exports were affectedon account of ban imposed by govt for six weeks during the quarter.

Shares of the company closed at Rs 1,842.95, up 0.70 per cent onthe BSE. – PTI

July 28, 2008

Grassy Industries Ltd, an Adyta Burlap Group company, on Friday announced its results for the first quarter ended 30 June, 2008.The net profit of the company in Q1FY09 was marginally higher at Rs672 crore as compared to Rs 670 crore in the corresponding quarter last year. The company's net revenues for the period stood at Rs4,430 crore, up 9% against Rs 4,060 in Q1FY08.

"Viewed in the context of the general slowdown of economy andspiralling prices of key inputs, the performance has been satisfactory," the company said in a statement.

Grain’s shares were up 0.70% to close at Rs 1,842.95 on the Bombay Stock Exchange on Friday.

The performance of the company's viscose staple fibre (VSF) business during the quarter was muted as production was curtailed due to lower off-take. VSF margins were depressed due to the record increase in sculpture prices and higher prices of other key inputs like pulp and caustic.

On the other hand, Grace’s cement business posted a moderate performance. Production increased by 3% at 3.99 million tone andsales volumes was marginally higher at 3.97 million toned, it said. The chemical plant also posted an improved performance. Caustic soda volumes were higher by 11% at 47,800 tone idealizations grew by 30% at Rs 22,352 per ton.

The company further expressed concern on the current economic environment, saying, "The escalation in fuel prices and bunching of capacity expected in the next couple of years, based on the announced plans of the industry, is expected to impact the margins of the company's cement business."

July 28, 2008

Grassy Industries Ltd, an Adyta Burlap Group company, on Friday announced its results for the first quarter ended 30 June, 2008.The net profit of the company in Q1FY09 was marginally higher at Rs672 crore as compared to Rs 670 crore in the corresponding quarter last year. The company's net revenues for the period stood at Rs4,430 crore, up 9% against Rs 4,060 in Q1FY08.

"Viewed in the context of the general slowdown of economy andspiralling prices of key inputs, the performance has been satisfactory," the company said in a statement.

Grain’s shares were up 0.70% to close at Rs 1,842.95 on the Bombay Stock Exchange on Friday.

The performance of the company's viscose staple fibre (VSF) business during the quarter was muted as production was curtailed due to lower off-take. VSF margins were depressed due to the record increase in sculpture prices and higher prices of other key inputs like pulp and caustic.

On the other hand, Grace’s cement business posted a moderate performance. Production increased by 3% at 3.99 million tone andsales volumes was marginally higher at 3.97 million toned, it said. The chemical plant also posted an improved performance. Caustic soda volumes were higher by 11% at 47,800 tone idealizations grew by 30% at Rs 22,352 per ton.

The company further expressed concern on the current economic environment, saying, "The escalation in fuel prices and bunching of capacity expected in the next couple of years, based on the announced plans of the industry, is expected to impact the margins of the company's cement business."

Globalization may have delayed the opening of Steel DynamicsInc.’s second Columbia City rolling mill, but the same forcesare creating red-hot demand for steel that will keep the spark inthe operation.

Steel Dynamics expects by the end of the month to begin initialproduction at the company’s second rolling mill in ColumbiaCity, said John Nolan, vice president and general manager of SteelDynamics’ Structural and Rail Division.

Steel Dynamics’ new mill, referred to as Mill 2, will producewide-flange beams used in the construction industry. When thesecond mill is operational, Mill 2 will produce beams between 6 and14 inches wide, while Mill 1 will produce larger beams up to 36inches wide, Nolan said.

The company’s Mill 1 operates 24 hours a day, seven days aweek, year-round, with the exception of occasional maintenanceshutdowns, Nolan said. But the plant can’t produce enoughbeams to match demand. “Right now we’re turning orders away,” Nolansaid.Last year, Mill 1 produced 1.2 million net tons of beams. Nolansaid by the end of 2009, he expects Mill 2 to produce between500,000 and 600,000 net tons of beams.

Getting the new mill up was not easy. When Steel Dynamics announcedthe new mill in April 2006, it was expected to be completed by thesecond half of 2007 and cost about $200 million. But high demandglobally for the parts and equipment needed for constructiondelayed the new mill by nearly a year. “There are a lot of projects going on all over theworld,” said Kevin Bort, an engineering and services managerfor Steel Dynamics in Columbia City. A piece of equipment thatpreviously required one year of lead time between order anddelivery might now take two or more years to deliver, Bort said.Nolan said Steel Dynamics has to bear the market conditions forsteel mill equipment like the rest of the industry.“We’re in a tough position like everyone else,”Nolan said. “There’s so much development in Asia today,and there’s so much demand. Long lead times are the rulerather than the exception.”

The final cost of Mill 2 is now expected to be closer to $300million, but Steel Dynamics is getting much better prices for beamsthan it got just five years ago.During the summer of 2003, Nolan said beams were selling for $325 aton. Last month, beams were selling for $1,050 a ton. Much of theprice increase is because the price of steel scrap, the primarymaterial used to make the beams, has increased nearly fourfoldsince 2002, Nolan said.Getting the second mill running will also allow Mill 1 to producerailroad rails. Steel Dynamics plans to produce rails up to 320feet long, much longer than the 80-foot industry standard, Nolansaid. The long pieces can be welded together into 1,600-footstrands, more than a quarter-mile long. The method, calledcontinuous welded rail, requires 20 80-foot pieces to be weldedtogether in 19 places to create a standard 1,600-foot strand, Nolansaid. With 320-foot pieces, only five pieces welded in four placesare needed to create a strand the same length. Nolan said rails areweakest at their welding points. “Fewer welds reduce the possibility of a weld-related failurein a rail line,” Nolan said.

Warren Flatau, spokesman for the Federal Railroad Administration,said the standard size for continuous welded segments is 80 feet,and the agency doesn’t know of any other producers makingrails 320 feet in length. “The manufacturing technique would be unique,” Flatausaid.

Steel Dynamics has talked about producing railroad rails inColumbia City since 2004, but because wide-flange beams have beenin such high demand, the mills have focused on those.

 “Rail is something we see in our future, but the cost in sucha strong beam market is prohibitive,” The market for wide-flange beams in the United States is great forsteel producers, said David Phelps, president of the AmericanInstitute for International Steel, a trade group based in McLean,Va. The weak U.S. dollar makes it more expensive for U.S. companiesto import steel from other countries. High shipping and freightcosts make imports even less competitive in the U.S. market, Phelpssaid. And the combination of high demand for steel internationallyand strong demand from a non-residential construction boom in theUnited States is all good news for U.S. steel companies.

 “You really have a perfect storm that that is beneficial todomestic producers,” Phelps said.

Phelps said the United States needs more steel – not juststeel beams – because domestic demand far outstrips what U.S.producers can manufacture.

 “Anywhere from 25 million to 40 million tons of steel areneeded in the United States each year because the (U.S.) millsdon’t make enough steel. We have to import steel,”Phelps said.

Steel Dynamics’ stockholders have benefited from high steelprices and strong demand.

Citing recent acquisitions and favorable steel prices, SteelDynamics last Monday announced it more than doubled its net incomefor the second quarter compared with the same period last year.

For the first half of 2008, both net sales of $4.3 billion and netincome of $353 million nearly matched full-year 2007 sales of $4.4billion and net income of $395 million, the company said in itsearnings statement.

 “Looking at industry fundamentals beyond 2008, we believethat the U.S. steel marketplace will remain attractive for domesticproducers,” Keith Busse, chairman and chief executive officerat Steel Dynamics, said in the statement.While steel is always somewhat cyclical, with periods of highprices and periods of low prices, Phelps said the outlook ispromising for domestic steel producers.

 “What’s different today from 10 years ago is thedeveloping world is growing by leaps and bounds and the demand ishard to see where that’s going to slow down,” Phelpssaid. “It’s hard to see, from where we sit right now, abad time for steel.”

Companies like Nucor Corp. are eyeing foreign markets, ready toexport U.S. steel if demand in the domestic market slows down,Phelps said.

Nolan said Steel Dynamics is not considering exporting its steelbeams because it doesn’t want to turn away work fromcustomers who have worked with Steel Dynamics for years to fill“speculative export orders.”

Rather, over the next several years, Nolan said he hopes to developthe rail product line in Columbia City so that when demand forbeams slows down, Columbia City can stay busy making rail.

In the long term, Nolan said he hopes to produce 400,000 tons ofrails annually. But his priority with the Columbia City plant is tomeet demand for beams first and then concentrate on rail.

 “If the market responds and we fill up the rolling mill (withorders for beams), we’re obligated to support our customerswho have supported us since 2002 first,” Nolan said.