text:
A system for diagnostic testing, including a meter assembly that communicates with a partner device, such as a PC. The device can be made compact, convenient to carry, and easily connectable to a variety of electronics devices.
1. A system for diagnostic testing, the system comprising:
a meter device for performing a diagnostic test on a sample applied to test media, the meter device having a housing, the housing containing a test media interface, a mass storage device, and a data interface device.
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16. A method for providing diagnostic data to a computer, the method comprising:
a) providing a diagnostic meter having a housing containing a test media port for receiving test media, a mass storage device, and a data interface device;
b) providing a partner device comprising a data communication port, the data communication port capable of establishing data communication with the data interface device;
c) performing a diagnostic test on test media in the test media port to obtain at least one test value;
d) establishing data communication between the diagnostic meter and the data communication port of the partner device and the data interface device of the diagnostic meter;
e) transmitting the at least one test value from the diagnostic meter to the partner device; and
f) displaying the at least one test value on the partner device.
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25. A system for diagnostic testing, the system comprising:
a meter device for performing a diagnostic test on a sample applied to test media, the meter device having a housing, the housing containing a test media interface, and a data interface device; and
wherein the housing is characterized by a lack of a display.
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The present invention relates to the field of diagnostic testing and, more particularly, to diagnostic testing systems using electronic meters and digital communication.
Diagnostic testing systems are commonly used to perform various assays on various types of samples. The diagnostic test may be a qualitative or quantitative test to determine the presence, concentration or amount of one or more analytes in a sample. The analyte may be a medically significant analyte—e.g., glucose, ketones, cholesterol, triglycerides, human choriogonadotropin (HCG), hemoglobin A1C, fructosamine, carbohydrates, tumor markers, lead, anti-epilepsy drugs, bilirubin, liver function markers, toxins or their metabolites, controlled substances, blood coagulation factors (PT, ATPP), etc.—contained in a biological sample—e.g., blood, urine, tissue, saliva, etc. However the diagnostic test is not limited to the medical field. Diagnostic test meters can also be used to monitor analytes or chemical parameters in non-medical samples such as water, food products, soil, sewage, sand, air, or any other suitable sample.
Diagnostic testing systems can include test media (e.g., a test strip, tab, disc, etc.) configured to react to a specific analyte or analytes in a sample, and a separate electronic device configured to interface with the test media, conduct the diagnostic test, and indicate the results of the diagnostic test to the user.
To conduct a diagnostic test using most prior art systems, a user must first obtain test media, e.g., a test strip from a container, and then obtain a test sample to introduce to the test media. Acquiring a sample, such as blood, may require the use of a sampling device (e.g., a lancet). According to the operation of the prior art system, the user applies the sample to the test media either before or after inserting the test media into the meter interface. The meter then performs a diagnostic test on the sample and indicates the test result to the user, e.g., using a visual display.
Most diagnostic meters have an onboard memory for storing results over a period of time so that a user can record test results and, with the help of a health care professional, evaluate trends in the test data. Some systems known in the art also allow uploading test result data to a personal computer using an appropriate data cable. The user may then use software pre-installed on the personal computer to display and analyze the data, or to transmit the test results to a physician so that an assessment of the patient's condition can be made. The pre-installed software includes any drivers necessary to allow the diagnostic meter, which is a specialized device, to interface with the PC. Because it is usually inconvenient for the user to carry a data cable, along with the diagnostic meter hardware while away from home, the meter's user will usually use the meter's onboard memory to store test results until the user can upload the results to a PC. Since it may be somewhat inconvenient and tedious to connect the meter to the computer via the data cable, a period of days or even weeks can elapse before data is transferred to the computer. This delay can translate to missed opportunities to diagnose important trends in the data.
An additional limitation of many prior art diagnostic meters is that they are sometimes bulky because the housings contain a large visual display and electronics to support various functions. Some meters also employ test media cartridges (e.g., a disk) that add additional size and weight to the meter. In addition, the user of a blood testing diagnostic system must manage and carry not only the meter, but also a supply of test media and a lancet set. The lancet set includes both a lancing device body and a supply of lancet points, where a new lancet point is used for each diagnostic test. These three components must be manipulated in a certain order and require a substantial amount of attention and technique to conduct a successful test. Not only are the steps cumbersome to some users, but there exists the possibility that the test media container, sampling device and meter could be separated from each other, so that the user may find themselves without one or more of the components necessary to conduct the diagnostic test.
A well-known limitation to users of diagnostic testing systems is the need for the user to "code" the meter. Test media from different manufacturers or media from different manufacturing lots may respond differently to the presence or concentration of analyte in a sample. In order to obtain more accurate results, the electronic meter may be calibrated with one or more calibration parameters that correlate the signal response from a particular brand or lot of test media to a standardized reference. Without such calibration, the results reported by the meter may not accurately represent the amount of analyte in the sample. In some prior art systems, the user may be required, in addition to the above steps, to manually enter an appropriate calibration code number, from which the meter can access the appropriate calibration information stored in the meter's memory. In another approach, each test media container may be provided with an associated code chip, e.g. a ROM, on which the calibration data is stored electronically. The user may provide the calibration data to the meter by inserting the code chip into a corresponding port on the meter.
These prior art coding methods can be inconvenient or difficult for the user. For example, elderly, blind, or infirm users may have difficulty downloading calibration data. Additionally, inserting code chips, which must be physically aligned properly in order to achieve a data connection with the meter, can also be difficult for some users. Moreover, code chips can be misplaced or lost, leading to the inability to use corresponding test media, or using the test media with an unmatched coding device. Further, users may forget to calibrate the meter for use with a new brand or lot of test media. Consequently, the user may use incorrect calibration parameters or codes resulting in inaccurate test results. Where the test is a self-test of blood glucose level, an erroneous result could lead the user to act, or fail to act, in a manner detrimental to his or her health.
Accordingly, there is a need for an improved integrated diagnostic testing system that avoids the disadvantages of the prior art, is convenient to carry, and minimizes the chances of improper calibration.
The illustrative embodiments described herein meet these and other needs by providing an integrated diagnostic testing system including a remote diagnostic meter for performing a diagnostic test on a sample applied to test media, the meter including a housing, a mass storage device, and a data interface device, wherein the housing contains a test media interface. The diagnostic meter may optionally include a display for displaying the test results.
According to the illustrative embodiments, in order to provide a meter that is small, portable and convenient to carry, the meter may not include a display for displaying the test results. The meter can be wirelessly connected to a partner device, such as a MP3 player, cell phone, digital camera, personal digital assistant, or other similar wireless information device, in order to display the test results on the partner device's high quality screen.
The illustrative embodiments further provide mechanisms for coupling a remote diagnostic meter and a computer for communication, without the requirement that the user perform any special set-up steps. Data can be directly downloaded from the remote meter and stored onto a personal computer or stored in the meter, for example, in flash memory of a USB data connector. The illustrative embodiments described herein provide a USB data connector of the diagnostic meter wirelessly connected to the computer. The wireless communications devices may be RF, IR, BlueTooth�, Near Field Communication (NFC), or other similar devices consistent with the principles of the present invention.
Illustrative embodiments of the present invention alternatively provide a remote meter pre-paired with a transceiver dock or a cradle, in the event a partner device is not equipped with wireless technology. The dock can be affixed to a partner device, such as a MP3 player, and communicate with the partner device via a hardwired connection. Wired communications between the dock and the partner device, in conjunction with wireless communications between the dock and the remote meter, provide a means for a non-wireless partner device to benefit from the same wireless functionality as if the partner device was, in fact, wireless itself.
The illustrative embodiments further provide a diagnostic meter calibrated for use with a particular lot of test media by coding with appropriate calibration parameters. The meter may be configured to read a calibration code on the diagnostic test strip. Alternatively, the meter may only be provided with strips corresponding to a preprogrammed set of calibration data for use with the meter.
Additional aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.
It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed.
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate several embodiments of the invention, and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.
Reference will now be made in detail to the exemplary embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.
1. Exemplary Systems
Alternatively, remote meter 130 may be provided without a display 133 (not shown) in order to keep manufacturing costs at a minimum and the meter device small and compact. Meter 130 can be wirelessly connected to a partner device, such a MP3 player, cell phone, digital camera, personal digital assistant, or other similar wireless information device, in order to display the test results on the partner device's high quality screen. Those of skill in the art will recognize that other technology, similar to wireless technology, is equally applicable to connect meter 130 and the partner device. By off-loading the bulk of the diagnostic system, i.e. display, result memory, user interface, etc., to a multi-purpose partner device with these built-in capabilities, the meter 130 can be reduced in size to only include the essentials, i.e. a strip connector, data acquisition system, and wireless communication module. Reduced size and wireless connectivity makes the remote meter 130 highly portable, while providing a large remote display and remote data management.
In this exemplary embodiment, container 110 and closure 140 are formed of polypropylene using an injection molding process, but other materials known in the art can be used. Container 110 and closure 140 can be configured to prevent the infiltration of light, liquid, vapor, and/or air into the container 110 to prevent contamination or degradation of the test media. Where the test media may be toxic or may present a choking hazard to children, closure 140 may optionally be configured to be locked or child-resistant, as is known in the art. Illustratively, the container 110 is shown as a right circular cylinder, however, the container 110 and its opening may be made in a number of other shapes. The container 110 can also be customized with graphical designs appealing to individual users, or the corporate logos of co-branding partners, etc.
Alternatively, as illustrated in
Additionally, as illustrated in
For blood glucose testing, meter 130 may employ any variety of techniques. Illustratively, the diagnostic test employs an electrochemical technique (e.g., coulometry, amperometry, potentiometry, etc.). Exemplary electrochemical systems are described in prior U.S. Pat. No. 6,743,635, issued Jun. 1, 2004, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,946,299, issued Sep. 20, 2005, both entitled "SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR BLOOD GLUCOSE TESTING" and commonly assigned with the instant application, both of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. Alternatively, meter 130 may employ a photometric technique (e.g., reflection, transmission, scattering, absorption, fluorescence, electro-chemiluminescence, etc.) to determine the amount of glucose in the sample. Exemplary photometric systems are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,201,607, 6,284,550 and 6,541,266, each commonly-assigned with the instant application, which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. Electrochemical systems are currently popular because, among other reasons, they require a smaller blood sample (on the order of 1 μL or less) than the photometric techniques (on the order of 1 μL or greater), and electrochemical meters typically require less power and are smaller than their photometric counterparts.
Integrated system 100 will be illustrated with reference to a diagnostic test to determine the concentration of blood glucose using an electrochemical technique, with the understanding that the principles of the present invention are equally applicable to other types of diagnostic tests and techniques, such as those mentioned above. Further, although the present invention has been illustrated as utilizing test media in the form of test strips 120, exemplary embodiments of the present invention are not limited to a particular type of media, and those of skill in the art will recognize that the principles of the present invention are equally applicable to diagnostic testing systems which employ test media in other forms, e.g., tabs, discs, etc.
As depicted in
As illustrated in
Alternative embodiments provide a meter 130 attached to a lancing device 360 that can be used together or separately as illustrated in
2. Interface of Meter with a Partner Device
Plug and Play in Windows� based computers, as well as analogous Apple Mac protocols, allow a user to connect a hardware device and have the operating system configure and start the hardware. However, computer hardware, device drivers, and the operating system must all be in sync to allow installation without user intervention. For example, although Windows� provides plug-and-play functionality, if no device driver compatible with detected new hardware is available, the operating system cannot automatically configure and start the device. For this reason, prior art diagnostic meters require the user to first download and install device drivers before connecting the meter to the computer.
After a computer detects the connection of a new device, the operating system checks which hardware resources the device needs (such as interrupts, memory ranges, I/O ranges, and DMA channels) and assigns those resources. These requirements are derived from a hardware identification number provided by the device. The operating system then checks the availability of a driver that matches the hardware identification number of the device. The operating system can also choose among several drivers, should more than one be identified.
If the device is not automatically installed by the operating system, the procedure becomes increasingly complicated as the operating system will request from the user information about the device and where to find drivers. For non-standard devices, such as diagnostics meters, specialized drivers are required. Also, for networked computers under administrative control, such as those most frequently encountered in the workplace and those generally available for public access, restricted privileges are required for a user to install or configure a specialized, non-standard device.
The present invention provides mechanisms for coupling a remote diagnostic meter 130 and a computer 112 for communication, as shown in
Flash memory chip 148 includes a non-volatile memory, so as to retain the stored data when un-powered. For example, flash memory chip 148 can be an electronically erasable programmable read only memory ("EEPROM") chip. Such EEPROM chips can typically be written to many times (e.g., one million write cycles, or more) so that it does not wear out over the life cycle of usage. In one embodiment, a number of communication protocol drivers are stored in the read only memory of flash memory chip 148. An appropriate driver is chosen from the library of available communication protocol drivers when the USB data connector 602 is inserted into the port 116 of the computer 112. In another embodiment of the present invention, an appropriate communication protocol driver is transferred from the USB data connector 602 of the remote meter 130 and stored in the computer's memory 206.
Board 126 can additionally include jumpers and test pins 139 for testing during the data connector's manufacturing, light emitting diodes (LEDs) 141 that, in use, indicate data transfer or data reads and writes, and a write-protect switch 142 which indicates whether the device is in write-protection mode. As depicted, an unpopulated space 144 provides space to include optional circuitry, such as a second memory chip (not shown). This second space 144 allows the manufacturer to develop only one printed circuit board 126 that can be flexibly used for more than one device. The meter according to this exemplary embodiment can provide flash drive functionality, in addition to serving as a diagnostic meter. Plug and Play functionality is conventionally available for mass storage devices such as flash drives. The presence of a test strip 120 in the meter can be used to signal to the device whether to implement the USB host controller as a flash drive or as a diagnostic meter. Of course, other methods to switch functionality can be employed, such as a switch, the position of the strip ejector 134, etc. When the USB host controller is implemented as a flash drive, meter 130 can transfer the test results to the flash memory chip 148 of the flash drive. A partner device can then process and store the test results or display the data on a monitor by directly accessing the data from the flash memory chip 148 of the flash drive.
While discussed above in relation to a general purpose computer 112, the partner device connectable to the meter can be one or more of several devices, such as MP3 players, cell phones, digital cameras, personal digital assistants, printers, and wireless information devices.
As would be evident to one of ordinary skill in the art, the meter 130 may be configured for both physical and wireless connection. Because not all partner devices, such as a MP3 player, may be equipped with standard RF technology, the remote meter 130 can be pre-paired with a separate transceiver dock 500, as illustrated in
Similarly, a battery-powered BlueTooth� cradle 501, as illustrated in
One of the many advantages of having a remote meter 130 pre-paired with a dock 500 or a cradle 501 is that it eliminates the step of establishing a pairing relationship between the meter 130 and the partner device. Typically, two wireless devices need to be "introduced" to each other in order to establish a paired relationship. However, pre-paired devices have this relationship built-in during manufacturing. Additionally, the pre-paired docking system provides a highly flexible remote meter 130, wherein a user can choose to use the dock 500 or the cradle 501 with a partner device without built-in wireless technology, or simply use the remote meter 130 without the dock 500 or the cradle 501 when connecting to a device that has built-in wireless technology.
When the meter 130 and the dock 500 or the cradle 501 are used with a non-wireless partner device, the remote meter 130 can perform a diagnostic test while either in or out of the dock 500 or the cradle 501. The dock 500 or the cradle 501 can be used simply as a storage location for the remote meter 130, or alternatively, can be used as a charging facility. Additionally, affixing the dock 500 to a PDA, cell phone, or other similar device, and performing a test while the meter 130 is inserted into the dock 500, allows the entire system to function like a conventional glucose meter.
3. Diagnostic System Functions
Controller 400 controls the operation of the functional components of the meter in accordance with its instructions 402, which may be provided as software or firmware. Controller 400 may include microprocessor 404, onboard memory 406, and clock functions 408. In an illustrative embodiment of the invention, the processor 404, memory 406, and/or clock functions 408 may be implemented using an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), which allows controller 400 to be reduced in size in comparison to standard integrated circuit technology. However, it will be understood that the controller may be implemented using standard integrated circuit technology, or other technology, without departing from the scope of the present invention.
Processor function 404 executes instructions 402 used to control the functional components 410-490 of system 300. In particular, processor 404 executes instructions 402 necessary to perform the diagnostic test (e.g., as set forth in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,743,635 and 6,946,299, incorporated by reference above). The instructions 402 for the processor 404 may be stored in memory 406 or elsewhere in the system. Memory function 406 may also store data, such as calibration data and other data, used in the performance of the diagnostic test as described, for example, in co-pending commonly-assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/144,715, filed Jun. 6, 2005, and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. This memory may be in addition to, or the same as, the flash memory 148 of the data connector 602, as described above. In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, memory 406 is used to store results of the diagnostic test, which can include additional information such as time/date data and/or associated voice messages, for later processing.
Clock function 408 regulates the processor's execution of the instructions 402 in time. In particular, clock function 408 is used to regulate the timing of steps in the diagnostic test. For instance, processor 404 may use clock 408 to regulate an incubation time period, or other time periods, necessary for the correct performance of the diagnostic test (e.g., as set forth in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,743,635 and 6,946,299, incorporated by reference above). Clock function 408 may be implemented by a single system clock or by multiple clocks for different purposes. Clock function 408 can be the same as, or in addition to, the clock function of crystal oscillator 138 of the data connector 602, as described above.
Media interface 410 accepts test media, such as test strips 120, for testing and can include a channel 411, or keyway, to ensure that the test media is correctly positioned when inserted by a user, or in an alternative embodiment, by the media dispensing mechanism 460. Interface 410 includes one or more media sensors for determining, e.g., whether a test strip 120 has been correctly inserted in the test port 410 (i.e., whether interface side 122 of test strip 120 is properly positioned with respect to the media sensors), whether an adequately-sized sample has been applied to the sample chamber on the sample side 121 of the test strip, and the presence or concentration of analyte in the sample. The interface can also detect strip coding information, as described in commonly-assigned co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/181,778, filed Jul. 15, 2005, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
Power source 420 provides power to the electronic components of meter 130. In an illustrative embodiment, the power source is a lithium coin cell battery. However, other power sources, such as other types of batteries, solar cells, or AC/DC converters may be used without departing from the scope of the present invention. Power can be obtained through data connector 490, e.g., from a USB port of a computer to operate the meter when it is connected, or to recharge a battery. The output of the power source may be regulated, e.g., by a voltage regulator circuit.
User control function 430 may include, for example, one or more buttons, switches, keys or other controls for controlling the functions of meter 130. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, user control function 430 is implemented using a single control, e.g., a single button (not shown), that is used to control a plurality of meter functions. For example, user control 430 may be used to control the input/output function 440, indicator function 450, media dispensing mechanism 460, and/or voice message function 470, by providing commands to these functions directly or through controller 400. User control 430 may also be used to control the diagnostic test function of controller 400. For example, when a test is performed using a control solution (e.g., as set forth in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,743,635 and 6,946,299, incorporated by reference above), the button (not shown) may be held down to indicate to controller 400 that the current sample is a control solution and, consequently, that controller 400 should perform a control test on the current strip.
Alternatively, a plurality of user controls, e.g., a plurality of buttons (not shown), may be provided, with each button having different functions. For example, two buttons may be provided to allow a user to scroll through diagnostic test results stored in the memory 406, in either forward or reverse directions. As an aid to the user, the function of the button or buttons at the particular time may be dynamically indicated by indicator function 450. For example, when reviewing previous test results, indicator function 450, e.g., a display 133 (as shown in
The user control function can also be implemented by a partner device, such as a PC, MP3 player, cell phone, PDA, etc.
Input/output function 440 provides for the downloading of data or instructions 402 to meter 130, and/or the uploading of data from meter 130. Input/output function 440 may be used, for example, to upload the results of a diagnostic test or tests so that they may be transferred to a storage device, a flash memory 148, or a third party, via a network connection or wireless link, e.g., a healthcare professional. Alternatively, input/output function 440 may be used to download data (e.g., calibration data) or instructions 402 (e.g., updated software) to the meter 130, when appropriate. Input/output function 440 may be implemented using any conventional digital or analog information interface, e.g., a serial port, a parallel port, an optical port, an infrared interface, etc. The input/output function can also be implemented by a partner device, such as a PC, MP3 player, cell phone, PDA, etc. Networked partner devices could download and store updates for the meter 130, and install the updates the next time a connection with the meter 130 is achieved.
Indicator function 450 indicates the result of the diagnostic test to the user, e.g., as a numerical value together with the units of measurement. In addition to indicating the result of the diagnostic test, the indicator may present other information to the user. For example, the indicator 450 may indicate the average result of a plurality of tests, the time and/or date, remaining battery life, etc. (e.g., as set forth in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,743,635 and 6,946,299, incorporated by reference above). Indicator 450 may also be used to prompt the user to perform certain steps of the diagnostic test, e.g., to apply the sample to the test strip 120. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention (discussed below), indicator 450 indicates the number of test strips 120 remaining in container 110, the number of tests, or the time remaining before meter 130 becomes inoperative.
Indicator function 450 may present information in visible, audible or tactile form. For example, indicator 450 may include a display 133 for displaying information, e.g., using numerical values, words and/or icons. A number of different technologies may be used for display 133. For example, the display may be a liquid crystal display (LCD), a vacuum fluorescent display, an electroluminescent display, a LED display, a plasma display, etc. In an illustrative embodiment, display 133 is a LCD.
Alternatively or in addition, indicator 450 may include an audible indicator configured to indicate information by sound. For example, indicator 450 may include a speaker connected to a voice and/or sound circuit that is configured to, e.g., speak the result of the diagnostic test or to beep to indicate that an error has occurred. As a further alternative, indicator 450 may be implemented as a dynamic Braille indicator for use by the blind.
The indicator function can also be implemented by a partner device, such as a PC, MP3 player, cell phone, PDA, etc.
Because the diagnostic test media, e.g., test strips 120, is typically very small, certain users may find it difficult to retrieve the test media from the container 110. Accordingly, a media dispensing mechanism 460 may be used to provide automated dispensing of test media 120 from the container 110.
Spring 516 pushes the stack of test strips against the top 518 of magazine 510, where the top test strip 125 is operably positioned with respect to strip dispensing mechanism 460. Dispensing mechanism 460 dispenses the top test strip 125 in the stack using a linear and/or rotational mechanical action. The mechanical action may be executed manually (e.g., by the user pulling a slide or rotating a wheel) or by a motor 412 (e.g., a stepper motor) actuated by user control function 430. The top test strip 125 is slid from the stack and through slot 520. The test media used with this embodiment may be modified by application of a non-friction coating or film, such as TEFLON, to one or both sides of slot 520 in order to ensure smooth ejection.
Where the particular diagnostic test requires that the test strip be inserted into the media interface 410 before the sample is applied, media dispensing mechanism 460 may position the interface side 122 of the ejected test strip 125 within media interface 410, e.g., with the interface side 122 of the test strip engaging the media sensors and the sample chamber 121 of the test strip. Alternatively, media dispensing mechanism 460 may simply present either end of the top test strip 125 to the user, who may then manually insert the test strip 125 into media interface 410 (either before or after the sample is applied, depending on the requirements of the particular diagnostic test). Controller 400 may be instructed to count the number of test strips 120 dispensed by media dispensing mechanism 460 and cause indicator function 450 to indicate, e.g., the number of test strips 120 remaining in magazine 510.
Voice message function 470 may be used to record a voice message associated with a given diagnostic test result. When self-testing his/her blood glucose level, for example, a user may use voice message function 470 to record information related to their diet around the time of the diagnostic test. The voice message may be recorded in memory 406, along with a pointer associating it with a particular test result. The use of the voice message function 470 is more fully explained in prior application Ser. No. 10/764,974, entitled "MEDICAL DIAGNOSTIC TESTING DEVICE WITH VOICE MESSAGE CAPABILITY," filed Jan. 26, 2004, commonly assignee with the present application, and incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
In a portable embodiment, at the end of the useful life of the meter 130, the meter may be given or sent to the user's medical care provider. The healthcare professional may then review the results of the diagnostic tests and/or associated voice messages for use in treating the user. The voice messages can also be downloaded with other data to a partner device. Additionally, the voice message function 470 can also be implemented by a partner device, such as a PC, MP3 player, cell phone, PDA, etc.
Environmental sensing function 480 may include one or more environmental sensors used to gather data used in the performance of the diagnostic test. Such environmental sensors may include, e.g., a temperature sensor and/or a humidity sensor. For example, meter 130 may use a temperature reading to correct the diagnostic test result for temperature dependence (e.g., as set forth in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,743,635 and 6,946,299, incorporated by reference above). As a further example, meter 130 may use a humidity reading to determine if the humidity level is too high to proceed with the diagnostic test. Additionally, the environmental sensing function 480 can also be implemented by a partner device, such as a PC, MP3 player, cell phone, PDA, wireless weather station, internet weather service, etc.
4. Partner Device Electronics
As described above, a partner device in the form of general-purpose computer 112 is further shown in
As further illustrated in
Microcontroller 200 controls the operation of the functional components of the computer in accordance with its instructions, which can be provided as software or firmware. Microcontroller 200 can include a processor 198, memory 206, input/output ports 242, and clock functions 244. These functional components operate similarly to the functional components of controller 400 of meter 130, as described above.
5. Operational Aspects of the Diagnostic System
Illustrative methods for operating the above described systems are herein described, noting that the processes are discussed herein by way of example only. Various steps and sequences can be effected in practicing the invention, as would be evident to one of ordinary skill in the art.
As illustrated in the flowchart of
The test data can optionally be encrypted with device identification information, including the date and time the test result was obtained, a serial number of the meter, a user name, or other identifying data. Alternatively, the device and patient identification data can be transmitted from the meter together or sequentially, along with diagnostic test data, such that the computer software recognizes which data belongs with which user. The incoming data from the meter 130 can then be displayed on a partner device display and/or stored in a partner device memory to be accessed at a later time, as indicated by steps 276 and 278, respectively. Of course the partner device that displays the test results in step 276, and the partner device that stores the test results, need not ultimately be the same device. For example, the results from the diagnostic test may be displayed on a cell phone and subsequently stored on a hard drive of a PC.
Alternatively, the partner device can interface directly with the flash memory 148 of the meter's interface to transfer test data from the diagnostic meter 130 to the partner device.
Moreover, present and future-developed implementations of various plug and play protocols and standard driver libraries can allow other input/output device drivers to be used without floppy emulation, such as flash drive drivers, PDA drivers, or even digital camera and media player drivers, etc., and this configuration is explained herein by means of example.
6. Prevention of the Use of Incorrect Test Strips
As discussed above, diagnostic meter 130 may be calibrated for use with a particular lot of test media by coding with appropriate calibration parameters. In one method of preventing the use of incorrect test strips, the meter is configured to read a calibration code on the strip. The coding scheme can be similar to that described for on-strip coding in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/181,778, filed on Jul. 15, 2005, and commonly assigned with the present application, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Another approach is to provide only strips corresponding to a preprogrammed set of calibration data for use with the meter. This approach is sometimes called "universal" coding.
Although the on-strip and universal coding methods described above are designed to prevent meter calibration errors, the diagnostic test system can further employ additional safeguards to minimize user error. For example, the integrated diagnostic system 100 can include one or more preventive measures that may disable one or more functions of the meter 130 upon the occurrence of certain triggering events. For instance, the triggering event can be a certain period of time elapsing, the performance of a predetermined quantity of tests, or with a certain quantity of test media. The meter 130 may then be simply disposed of or returned to the manufacturer for remanufacturing.
Alternatively, the preventive measure may render only the diagnostic testing function of controller 400 inoperative, or simply prevent the meter 130 from displaying the result of a diagnostic test. The user may then retain meter 130 in order to use its remaining functions. One having ordinary skill in the art will understand that many other safeguards may be employed to minimize and prevent meter calibration errors. After the meter is disabled, for example, the memory might still be accessed to download results. A disabled meter, in addition, might facilitate the automatic reordering of supplies through the partner device, e.g. an internet-enabled computer, or a cell phone.
The systems and methods disclosed herein can be embodied in various forms. Moreover, the above-noted features and other aspects and principles of the present invention can be implemented in various environments. Such environments and related applications can be specially constructed for performing the various processes and operations according to the invention, or they can include a general-purpose computer selectively activated or reconfigured by code to provide the necessary functionality. The processes disclosed herein are not inherently related to any particular computer or other apparatus, and can be implemented by a suitable combination of hardware, software, and/or firmware. For example, various general-purpose machines can be used with programs written in accordance with teachings of the invention, or it may be more convenient to construct a specialized apparatus or system to perform the required methods and techniques.
Additional benefits are possible through use of some aspects of the present invention. For instance, when the meter is connected to a partner device or network, software or firmware updates for the meter can be obtained and installed automatically from a manufacturer's web site, using, for instance, simple HTTP protocols.
Systems and methods consistent with the present invention also include computer readable media that include program instruction or code for performing various computer-implemented operations based on the methods and processes of the invention. The media and program instructions can be those specially designed and constructed for the purposes of the invention, or they can be of the kind well-known and available to those having skill in the computer software arts.
Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the following claims.
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Space: 8"
Weight: 26.3 lbs.
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Discussion in 'Youth National Teams' started by Real Corona, Jun 27, 2013.
Must black out all previous bad things........
Zach Pfeffer, I guess?
EDIT: And Marky Delgado. Forgot about him! Guess the central midfield's set.
I will say that I feel much better about the next cycle right now than I did about the 2013 cycle two years ago.
Kellyn Acosta, Marky Delgado, Rubio Rubin, Zach Pfeffer, Joel Sonora, Junior Flores, Amando Moreno, Romain Gall, Emerson Hyndman, Paul Arriola, Julian Green, Trevor Haberkorn, Matt Miazga, Kainoa Bailey, Ben Spencer
Just to keep things in perspective, Balerion did the first post of this thread in April 2011. Here were the guys mentioned. And of course, he did an awesome job, but its just illustrative of how much can and does change in two years.
Bernabe Magana Cisneros -- 1993 -- Pumas UNAM (Mexico)
Cody Cropper -- 1993 -- Ipswich Town (England)
Jon Kempin -- 1993 -- Sporting Kansas City
Daniel Medina -- 1993 -- Tigres (Mexico)
Cropper the only real factor. Kempin had a few call ups, but not on qualifying or WC roster.
John Anthony Brooks -- 1993 -- Hertha Berlin (Germany)
Sean Cunningham -- 1993 -- Molde FK (Norway)
Hector Delgado -- 1993 -- Club America (Mexico)
Jaime Frias -- 1993 -- C.D. Guadalajara (Mexico)
Juan Pablo Ocegueda -- 1993 -- Tigres UANL (Mexico)
Gonzalo Orozco -- 1993 -- Puebla (Mexico)
Will Packwood -- 1993 -- Birmingham City (England)
Danny Potts -- 1994 -- West Ham United (England)
Ralph Smith -- 1994 -- Kaiserslautern (Germany)
Most viewed this as the strength of the team at the beginning of the cycle. Due to injuries (Packwood, Cunningham), nationality issues (Potts), and not being ready to commit (Brooks), we know what happened here. Ocegueda I thought underwhelmed big time.
Matthew Dunn -- 1994 -- FC Koeln (Germany)
Luis Gil -- 1993 -- Real Salt Lake
Joaquin Hernandez -- 1994 -- Indios de Ciudad Juarez (Mexico)
Fabian Huerzeler -- 1993 -- Bayern Munich (Germany)
Tyrone McCargo -- 1993 -- Greuther Fuerth (Germany)
Zach Pfeffer -- 1995 -- Philadelphia Union
Victor Pineda -- 1993 -- Chicago Fire
Charles Renken -- 1993 -- Hoffenheim (Germany)
Gil and Pineda the only two factors. Renken was viewed as a potential centerpiece but I think only got called in for the first camp in Germany.
Kevin Hoyos -- 1993 -- Estudiantes (Argentina)
Jerome Kiesewetter -- 1993 -- Hertha Berlin (Germany)
Uvaldo Luna -- 1993 -- Tigres UANL (Mexico)
Edward Martinez -- 1993 -- Club America (Mexico)
Jack McBean -- 1994 -- Los Angeles Galaxy
Jamie Reid -- 1994 -- Exeter City (England)
Jesus Rochin -- 1994 -- Tigres UANL (Mexico)
Omar Salgado -- 1993 -- Vancouver Whitecaps
William Suedois -- 1993 -- LASK Linz (Austria)
Jonathan Top -- 1993 -- FC Dallas
Kieswetter made qualifying. McBean and Top were called in multiple times but couldn't quite crack the roster. Salgado never got healthy which is a shame because we really could have used some size up top.
US U-17 team
GK Fernando Pina -- 1994 -- (Houston)
GK Kendall McIntosh -- 1994
DF Andrew Souders -- 1994 -- (Columbus)
DF Kellyn Acosta -- 1995 -- (Dallas)
DF Nathan Smith -- 1994
DF Mobi Fehr -- 1994 -- Tokyo Verdy (I guess?)
DF Joe Amon -- 1994
DF Zach Carroll -- 1994
MF Matt Dunn -- 1994 -- FC Koeln (Germany)
MF Esteban Rodriguez -- 1994
MF Alejandro Guido -- 1994
MF Marc Pelosi -- 1994
MF Dillon Serna -- 1994 (Colorado)
MF Tarik Salkicic -- 1994
MF Jordan Allen -- 1995
FW Alfred Koroma -- 1994
FW Mario Rodriguez -- 1994
FW Andrew Oliver -- 1994
FW Jack McBean -- 1994 -- Los Angeles
FW Paul Arriola -- 1995
McIntosh was the backup but was never seen in a competitive game. Acosta made WC team but didn't appear. Pelosi was a key figure until the injury. Serna made qualifying team. Rodriguez was the biggest factor from the U-17 team, and I don't think anyone saw that coming.
So out of the 50 guys mentioned, only 7 made the qualifying team, and 7 made the WC team.
Hence my muted enthusiasm two years ago. The feeling compared to now is night and day.
Tab and US soccer might not have been aware about Hernandez, but Balerion was.
How many of those guys have good first touch, vision and can pass very well? If none, then forget about it.
I count 8 on the WC team, but the points stands.
Yep. We all like to talk about the U-17s and the guys in the professional ranks, but the rate of attrition is high in both. There's always a large contingent that comes out of the HS/DA/NCAA scene, which makes sense given the sheer numbers involved.
Plus, the U-17s are mainly just a bunch of kids who mediocre talent evaluators thought were good when they were 15. The overseas guys are just one of dozens in their academy, most of whom will fail. It's not a recipe for a high conversion rate.
I think it makes sense to look at top U-17s and prominently-placed overseas players as a starting point, but only if you are committed to thoroughly mining the ranks of the academy (earlier in the cycle) and NCAA (later in the cycle, as most U-20s matriculate). The "starting point" POV was the intent of my original post two years ago. If our original list (largely of U17s and Euro/Mex players) had more overlap with the U-20 team, I would take it as a sign that our U-20 coach was a very lazy scout.
2013 WC Roster Members
Kellyn Acosta, MID/DEF, FC Dallas
Zack Steffen, GK, Maryland
2013 Provisional WC Roster Members
Russell Canouse, MID, Hoffenheim
Julian Green, FWD, Bayern Munich
U-18 Player Pool
U-17 Residency Roster
There's also all the liga mx players who haven't gotten looked at for the u18s and future HGs we don't even know about yet to add on too Germerica's list...looks very promising. I'd expect this cycle having been introduced to the 433 system to get used to will help out a lot too.
Whoops! Didn't know Joaquin Hernandez was Alonso Hernandez.
The goalkeeping depth for this cycle is drastically better compared to 2013. Steffen, Horvath, Marcinkowski, Caldwell, Castano are the top choices, and that's just right now
His full name is Joaquin Alonso Hernandez Garcia. At the time, I only knew about him through the FeMexFut database, but now that he's made the first team it appears he often goes by his middle name.
More complete selection below...willing to take guesses on how many of what will become the Final 20 are listed here. As always, your answer will be saved for all posterity.
FW: Julian Green, Kosta Koukladas, Romain Gall, Ben Spencer, Amando Moreno, Paul Arriola, Benji Lopez, Rubio Rubin, Caleb Calvert, Jason Romero, Daniel Olea
MF: Junior Flores, Joel Sonora, Marky Delgado, Emerson Hyndman, Kainoa Bailey, Russell Canouse, Kai Henkel, Zach Pfeffer, Omar Thompson, Chris Lema, Kellyn Acosta, Brian Iloski, Kris Scott
DF: Jordan Allen, Matt Miazga, Trevor Haberkorn, John Requejo, Tommy Redding, Desevio Payne, Shaq Moore, Michael Amick, Suli Dainkeh
GK: Zack Steffen, Ethan Horvath, Jeff Caldwell, JT Marcinkowski, Santiago Castano
As of right now, once again the defense looks weakest, at least from the standpoint of having many in a professional environment. As it is, Miazga is the only pro, although Acosta may end up playing in the back and Moore will probably have a pro deal by the end of the summer.
The midfield looks really deep - much deeper than in past years. Whether any of them develop into excellent pros is debatable, but there are a lot of them who are impressing for their current teams. Forward is similar, although perhaps not quite the depth yet.
All in all, I think any improvement in terms of how the next group of U-20s do will be dependent primarily on the quality of the coach and how many defenders get into pro systems and are actually developed.
Any word on how Nicholas Gaitan is progressing at Boca Jrs?
Edit - Saw that he's played some with Albertson in the USSDA this season
Shouldn't this be named "Never too early?"
I guess I'm gonna try to follow the new U20 cycle. Sucks that by the time the next U20 World Cup gets here I'll be in my 30s.
Believe Per Big soccer he is no longer at Boca, something to do with improper paperwork? I believe he is back at Albertson and looking for a new club.
It's fun to peer into future but its way to early to narrow down. 2 yrs at this age is an eternity. As Wenger says between 17-21 is the most stressful physically and mentally and those who traverse that period successfully will be top pros.
Of course there will be plenty of new names. It just gives us a decent starting point for what players are eligible for the next cycle.
Die KlinsMannschaft@klinsmannschaft2h
One to watch for next U20 cycle: '96 defender Juan Espinoza (formerly of Chivas) is now with CF Monterrey
jgreenSTPAjerry green26 Jun
Julian Green, FC Bayern Munich plays with first team today! #USMNT @fussballsusie pic.twitter.com/xSDNfHs7j2
Julian Green hat-trick against Regen:
Start around 3:00 mark for Green goodies...........
Separate names with a comma.


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It was tough this year for me to choose. Things that were good:
Playing Puzzle Agent1 & 2 in a day. So crazy but mellow.
Loving the Dead Space 2 eye section and not knowing what to do for 12 tries on that part, the best part and the most amazing bit of Dead Space 2 was the sound design, it was so memorable and so psychologically tuned to near perfection. The best example of this was before you enter the whole spiralling set of corridors, that lead up to the eye moment, there is barely any music but you are heading to a door. As you get closer the door you can hear this mid to high pulsating noise coming from the door, pulling you in to explore behind it. Immediately, when you walk in, this mid to high tone changes to low to DEEP with this huge rushing monstrous sound that changes with the pulsation of this epic beam of light that this spirally corridor is circling round. This has the affect of making the brain work more because that sound has that rushing noise that sounds totally organic and natural in background which changes the waves at every moment because the noise is most likely random but the bass tone makes it flow, when incoparated with the visual element of the light beam the whole sectikn feels dense and stressful because you are linking it with the difficult enemies they throw in that section. So I feel that lead up to the eye part was more important than the actual eye part..... wow that was alot of writing on a sound
I've only just started Batman: Arkham City.... so I think the bit where you walk into the penguin's museum where the T-Rex roars at you is pretty good and walking round listening to the collection tour was interesting but that T-Rex part made me think, "yeah these are the guys that made a level that made me think my PC was broken" and I'm only 5 hours in, also meeting 'tiny' was cool as well. Batman might be my favorite game this year because there is so much effort to make me love it and I do. But, so far, it doesn't have my favourite moment. That belongs to an off the side moment in Portal 2. (Before I start I want to say I like that Vilify/Exile song by The National that was in Portal 2 than the end song in Portal 1).
Portal 2 has many moments of exploration and promotes and rewards it but the my favourite moment this year was walking into the a section pressing buttons hearing Cave, or it may have been Glados, talk about what happened but you are exploring and you open a door to this huge room, huge! You could build a ship in that space... the Borealis. The story of the entire ship just disappearing one-day and no-one knows what happened was not spooky. It was maddening. This huge question gets thrown at you and I truely was in wonder. I even jumped at the safety barriers a few times to try and explore more but you cant get over that barrier. So I stood and stared at the huge area creating ideas of what could have happened and wondering if the thing that occured was something truely terrifying. Either way it is the love of the mystery that makes me love that moment so much. But, does the G-man wants Gordon Freeman to go to Borealis & why?..........
Anyway.. enough about me. What is your favourite, or even favorite, gaming moment this year?


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http://RTR.org/signup | A revolutionary new social networking site is scheduled to launch November 5th. RTR.org uses a new technology that permits you to use your Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, or YouTube account to enter the site. The new website also integrates the social networks of your choosing, including Facebook and Twitter into one 'social wall' where you can access each site's News Feed in one place. In a recent press release, they state, alongside blogs, videos, events and group organizing tools, "One feature allows you to command your entire 'Social Universe' by broadcasting your status update to Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, and Linkedin" effectively making the site a hub to spread the message of Freedom and Liberty to the Millions of people connected to those existing Social Networks. The site, that functions independently of Facebook, uses password authentication to allow Facebook users access. Due to the increased password encryption, members who held accounts prior to the site upgrade have to use the password reset function ( http://www.rtr.org/user/auth/forgot ) to re-enter the site. To ensure its members privacy, RTR.org has brought on an ethical hacker to lock down the site from intruders.
To check out the new Social Network of the Revolution, visit http://RTR.org
Enemy of the State: Camp FEMA 2 now available on DVD at http://campfema.com/catalog.html
The Reality Report gives it to you straight without the corporate induced spin in a fun yet hard format. Tune in every week to hear Gary Franchi break down the headlines, showcase original interviews with leading political figures, present the latest viral videos and give you the solutions that most news shows fail to deliver.


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Welch Fishmongers
One of Scotland's finest retail and wholesale fishmongers
With several shops to be found across Edinburgh, the Welch Fishmongers family-run-business, established since 1959, aims at bringing you fresh, diverse and quality sourced fish all year long.
Pop in our retail shops in Edinburgh to taste our range of delicious seafood products and to ask our helpful staff for advice on how to prepare your fish and shellfish or what to cook with it.
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As wholesale fishmongers, we supply fresh, frozen and smoked fish to a large range of trade customers including restaurants, hotels, deli's and pubs all across Edinburgh and beyond.


text:
Register now for free, or sign in with any of these services:
I fully support Miss Monnin. Regardless of how transgender "women" change their APPEARANCE they will always be men, because their DNA will always have the XY Chromosome pair. These people are living a farce. They do not address their emotional issues that underly their psychiatric/psychological dysfunction that causes them to disfigure and bastardize their bodies to look like the other gender. In addition, a transgender woman has all the advantages of manipulating their bodies with hormones and implants. We need to have pageants of REAL women who do not have any implants or other cosmetic surgery. If Trump sues, then he loses all legitimacy.


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Humidity: 47%
64 | 88
17 | 31
62 | 89
16 | 31
|Tom Perry
|Thursday, 14 June 2012 13:19
Tom Perry, 63 of Munfordville passed away at 9:45am Thursday at the Caverna Memorial Hospital emergency room. He was a farmer, of the Baptist faith and a son of the late Howard & Ruby Harkness Perry.
Survivors include:
1 son-
Luther Perry of Knoxville, TN
3 brothers-
Glenn Perry of Munfordville
Hubert Perry of Horse Cave
Wendell Perry of Magnolia
3 sisters-
Dolly Murray of Magnolia
Mary Puckett & Rosie Wheeler both of Bonnieville
Linda Sanders of Munfordville
Funeral services for Tom Perry will be 1pm Monday in the chapel of Sego Funeral Home with burial in the Brackett Cemetery. Visitation will be Sunday from 11am-9pm and after 8am Monday at the Sego Funeral Home.


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A Black Friday Rant: Turning Blue and Red . . .
Posted by Melissa Galt in Melissa Galt, Mindset, Referral Marketing
This Thanksgiving I enjoyed a wonderful celebration with friends, BUT the son of these same friends had to leave the family celebration by five o'clock for a nap because he had to be on the road back to Atlanta by seven o'clock so he could be at his job at Best Buy by eleven o'clock for their obscene midnight opening.
He had spoken with a friend of his earlier in the day who had driven by the same Best Buy parking lot and reported that she witnessed tents set up and people spending their Thanksgiving holiday camped out waiting for Black Friday. This makes me BLUE. It impacted all of us last night when he had to take off early and I know he would rather have stayed.
What kind of society do we live in that we have become so consumed with shopping for things that no one needs, with money all too few really have, that we'll give up the precious time we have to GIVE THANKS and spend it camped in a retailers parking lot??
I find this appalling. I am one that protested retailers opening at such obscene hours. For the last two decades I have spent a good deal of time buying goods to make homes more comfortable, more beautiful, more personal, and more functional. I understand those needs. My work has had a profound impact on the lives of my clients and I am proud of that. Yet the level of consumerism we face today is tearing at the fabric of our relationships. It is pushing us down a very slippery slope of misguided priorities, forgotten friendships, increased consumer debt (are you seeing RED yet?), and more.
What if we did something radical and boycotted all retailers until the Saturday of Thanksgiving weekend? What if we decided to allow all Americans two days of rest and time to give thanks for the incredible abundance that each of us has living in the United States of America. (Oh and if you doubt this, then travel a bit overseas from your armchair. Check out the slums of Calcutta, the shanty towns in Africa, the tent cities in Haiti.)
Thanksgiving is a time to look closely at the blessings in our lives instead of allowing our usual short sightedness and focus on lack that too often impairs our good fortune. We each have far more than we realize and the greatest gifts of all are those of relationship and fellowship with others.
Don't allow a "break down the door special," a midnight opening, or a "limited time only" to get in the way of time with family and friends that you will never have again. Rekindle priorities for a life of abundance and blessings far greater than any "thing" can ever bring you. Reawaken to the priorities of your heart, the priorities of relationships with other human beings in real time.
Realize that next year, they'll probably just skip Thanksgiving all together and go straight to Black Friday. After all if retailers regularly hold Christmas in July, what is to stop them from creating Black Friday on Halloween!?
Please share your thoughts on BLACK FRIDAY and this year's openings by retailers at midnight on Thanksgiving Day . . .
Oh and always find me on facebook, follow me on twitter, and connect with me on linkedin.
12 Responses - Join the Discussion!
Sharon O'Day
Twitter: sharonoday
When someone mentioned "Black Thursday," I thought I'd scream! Then, at Thanksgiving dinner, I sat at the table with the 30-year-olds. The major topic of conversation was the 42-inch Samsung being offered at Best Buy at $199. And how many friends were going to be there by midnight when it opened. Melissa, I've lived and worked overseas all my life, and know what you're talking about in Calcutta and Port-au-Prince. But you don't even need to go that "poor" to realize how fortunate we are. Yet not one person mentioned "giving thanks" over the abundant meal. Sad.
Melissa Galt
Well said and I agree especially since even being homeless here in the USA is better than shanty towns overseas . . . scary what has happened to our values.
Thanks for sharing.
Hugs, Melissa
Spot on, Melissa! We, too, had a wonderful family time with our sons and their families and were lucky that Isabel, on 'second call' as an anesthesiologist, was not called in to the hospital. We're heading up to their place in NH for the rest of the weekend. Thanks for sharing, even rants!
Melissa Galt
Thanks Brian!
Great to hear from you and glad Isabel got to enjoy the holiday.
Hugs, Melissa
I can not agree more. I have worked in retail most of my life and every year they seem to take a little more away from the holidays and family time. i find this sad. I would love to go back to the blue law where everything was closed on Sundays and families spent time together. i am dreading that one day the holidays will just be erased completely. This saddens me greatly.
Melissa Galt
I think you have a great point. And heard a lot about this lately with liquor now being sold on Sundays. What is wrong with the state of America and our values . . .
Hugs, Melissa
Twitter: wisewellwoman
I am with you on this one, too, Melissa. Is the $50 savings really that important? And, do we really need that new shiny object or that extra "thing" anyway?
Of course, you and I know that the answer is simply "no". The good news is that we're not alone in our thinking and what I'm seeing is that many children of my daughter's generation (she's 23) are feeling the same way, too. Now we just have to work on that group in the middle
May your holiday season continue to be filled with the spirit celebration, gratitude and community.
And BTW- who decided Xmas trees are supposed to go up BEFORE Thanksgiving?????????????? What happened to Fall and Harvest Decor?
Wishing you well–
Melissa Galt
Thanks Nanette,
Always great to get your thoughts. I think you are right. Gen Y does seem to have a different set of values, perhaps more clued in that we give them credit for. Oh and as I mentioned pretty soon we'll be seeing Christmas trees in July with the ornaments they already sell! YIKES.
Hugs, Melissa
I used to think that getting up at the "crack of stupidity" was interesting, if only to just watch everyone else make their bee-lines to whatever hot sale there was that year. But that was a long time ago, when getting up early to go to the store meant 6am.
I gave up shopping with the masses because I have truly come to dislike it. It's sad, because when I was young, I used to love shopping, especially with my mom.
Today, the retailers are saying that if consumers want to shop, then let them shop. But I think they took it to the extreme. Opening late on Thanksgiving just to get a jump on the holiday shopping boggles the mind.
Employees are taken away from their families in order to stand behind the counter to ring up sales for consumers looking for that great deal. So where does that leave us? With sales staff who have made the ultimate sacrifice so that the rest of us can save a few bucks.
So while we are standing in line waiting for the stores to open, let's remember that these employees have to work long hours and are tired. They are away from their families and friends so they are a little grumpy. They might be a little surly or rude, but they have to put up with a lot of people who are probably treating them the same.
Unfortunately, this might be the only time when they get an opportunity to make some money. However, if we treat this like we are all in it together, then maybe, it will make things go a little easier.
I may not be happy about all this consumerism, but the least I can do is put a smile on my face and thank everyone who's had to work this Thanksgiving holiday instead of spending it with their families. It's the least I can do to make it a little brighter for all those employees who had to get up at the "crack of stupidity".
Melissa Galt
Thank you Susan,
So glad you took the time to share your thoughts and certainly appreciate the "crack of stupidity."
I will remain hopeful that perhaps in years future the madness may be turned back and we can all once again enjoy the holiday for what it is meant to be . . . filled with Thanksgiving.
Hugs, Melissa
Jill Hayworth
Hi Melissa — RANT ON! I totally agree with you. It's insane that, every year, they push Black Friday to be earlier and earlier. I get upset every year as we start thinking about Christmas time, and gift-giving because of the crazy amount of money that people spend on it (most don't have it to start with). I refuse to partake. I am a small business owner (service-related, not retail) so I -always- shop locally, in small businesses so that they will be supported rather than the big-box stores (even if I pay a higher price).
I get upset every year when we barely make it through Halloween and they are selling the fall decorations on sale. It's still FALL, people! I don't want to see Christmas items on sale in late october. And I don't want to see my neighbor's Christmas lights up a WEEK before Thanksgiving. REALLY?????? I could rant all day too. I've never been one to follow the sheep; I'm always bucking the system. This year, I left my Thanksgiving/fall decorations outside and I'm going to leave them there while I bask in the blessings we had with our families this past weekend. And only THEN, will I move on to Christmas.
And what am I giving for Christmas gifts this year, you ask? HAND MADE placemats and napkins, made from beautiful fabrics that match each person's personality and their decor. Even the grandkids (2 small girls) get NOTHING from the store. It's hand-made curtains, or new pillows, or a cute bulletin board for their room. I'm disgusted every year at how many toys they get piled around the Christmas tree. I refuse to partake.
AMEN to your thoughts Melissa!
Melissa Galt
Good to hear from you! Yes, it does seem like sooner or later it will just be one big grotesque shopping fest all year long celebrating no particular anything. And who decided that shopping is the way to celebrate anyway? I am betting that our forefathers weren't nearly as commercialized. I'd like to get back to a simpler time. . .
Hugs, Melissa


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FirstBank Finds Buyer for Stalled Development Site
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MIAMI-FirstBank Puerto Rico has found a buyer for a stalled development site situated in Miami-Dade County at an 81% discount. The bank, which has been holding the property for two years, sold it to Strawberry Fields of Kendall, managed by Karl Wiegandt and G. Lynn Chaffin, for $487,500.
The bank took the property, located at 12808-12889 S.W. 246th St., in 2010 after foreclosing on the property's $2.5-million mortgage. R&E at Palm Vista II, the previous owner, planned to construct 92 homes on the site. For the full story, go to South Florida Business Journal .
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This story was updated on Oct. 9, 2012.
A Prince George's County delegate accused of using campaign funds to pay for her wedding will avoid jail time as part of a plea agreement that resolved — for now — two sets of criminal charges against her.
Del. Tiffany T. Alston (D-Dist. 24) of Mitchellville pleaded no contest Tuesday in Anne Arundel County Circuit Court to fraudulent misappropriation by a fiduciary and was given three years of unsupervised probation before judgment.
Four other charges relating to allegations that she used money from her campaign account to pay for her wedding, pay a clerk at her law firm and draw $1,250 in cash for unspecified purposes were dropped as part of the agreement between Alston and the Office of State Prosecutor Emmet C. Davitt.
The agreement also included sentencing provisions stemming from charges that Alston used General Assembly money to pay the clerk at her law firm. A jury convicted Alston of those charges in June, but Judge Paul Harris delayed sentencing until after the resolution of the second matter.
For a charge of misconduct in office, Alston was given a suspended sentence of one year in prison, followed by three years of supervised probation and 300 hours community service. She also was ordered to pay $800 in restitution to the General Assembly.
Once Alston meets those conditions, she can request probation before judgment, which could result in her conviction being expunged.
Before Harris finalized the sentence, the 35-year-old delegate, who was elected in 2010, offered a tearful statement that was both apologetic and defensive. She said that "careless accounting mistakes" were to blame for the errors.
"There was no malicious intent on my part," Alston said, adding that she believed prosecutors knew there was no criminal intent behind her actions. She also said that she had loaned her campaign account $8,000 of her own money.
Harris offered a stern rebuke, arguing that Alston's actions violated the public trust. "It just shows an incredible arrogance on your part," he told her.
Davitt told reporters he was pleased with the outcome of both cases, and said that the facts that were read into the record as part of the plea proved that the charges against Alston were not politically motivated. The inappropriate use of campaign money had been brought to his office's attention before Alston was even sworn in as a delegate, he said.
Alston's attorneys had argued earlier this year that the charges were punishment for a vote against same-sex marriage in 2011 and her criticism of a redistricting plan introduced by Gov. Martin O'Malley.
Alston's fate as a member of the General Assembly remained unclear as of Tuesday afternoon. The state constitution calls for any elected official who is convicted of — or pleads guilty or no contest to — a felony or "a misdemeanor related to his public duties and responsibilities and involves moral turpitude for which the penalty may be incarceration" to be automatically suspended from office. But that provision doesn't take effect until the conviction becomes final, usually at sentencing.
Davitt said that as best he understood the law, Tuesday's agreement meant that Alston was now automatically suspended from office. Alston herself told reporters that she believed that because her conviction from the first trial could eventually be expunged, it was still under judicial review and was not yet final.
The Office of the Attorney General is reviewing the plea agreement and declined to comment Tuesday afternoon.


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A plan plotting the landscape of the Clinton community more than 20 years from now would be nothing without the input from local citizens, a pivotal part of the process, consultants for the Clinton 2035 endeavor said this week.
The Clinton 2035 Comprehensive Plan will provide a road map for long-term growth and development through 2035. The project will establish a solid foundation and serve as the primary policy guide for short and long-range planning, zoning and development-related decision-making within the Clinton planning area.
"Planning staff has been talking about the Comprehensive Plan for some months now, even back into the winter when we were going around to our district meetings," said Clinton-Sampson Planning director Mary Rose. "Now it is time to put some citizens to work in assisting us with the development of this plan. We want to know what the citizens of Clinton think about where Clinton is now, where we would like to be in 2035 and how we get there."
This week, Dale Holland, of Holland Consulting Planners, told the City Council and those in attendance at its meeting about the Comprehensive Plan process and the vital role the community would serve in it. Holland said his consulting firm, when embarking on a complex planning process such as the Clinton 2035 Comprehensive Plan, does so with the stipulation that an accompanying Citizen Participation Plan be adopted.
"The reason for that is to lay out in clear terms what the process is that the city is about to embark upon and to identify how the public will have the opportunity to be engaged in the process, keep aware of it as it unfolds, and give input into the process," said Holland. "We want the public engaged in this process and we want it as open as we can make it."
The Citizen Participation Plan seeks to establish and coordinate procedures for the city to communicate information to the public, solicit feedback, promote community outreach and provide opportunities for public participation as part of the Clinton 2035 Comprehensive Planning process.
It also addresses the Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee (CPAC), its meetings, rules of conduct, public notification procedures, dissemination of information, public comment and the plan schedule.
On Rose's recommendation, Council appointed the following members to the CPAC: Wanda Corbett for District 5; Fred Dufour for District 4; Dwight Horne for District 2; Nettie Pernell for District 3; Wanda Robinson, Sampson County Health Director; Oscar Rodriguez, Sampson Community College; Bill Scott, Chamber of Commerce/business representative; Steve Stefanovich, City Council and District 1 representative; Beth Stewart, Planning Board; and Jay Tilley, Clinton police chief.
Rose introduced the members and said the group is representative of the community, with stakeholders from various sectors of the local area.
While Holland Consulting Planners can write land use plans, it cannot write the City of Clinton's specific plan without plenty of local input. The Citizen Participation Plan, by incorporating the advisory committee, broadens the base of input to ensure the community representation is as complete as possible for a city whose interests are diverse, Holland said.
"It has to be your plan or it will not be implemented," he remarked. "The only way we are going to achieve having a document that is your plan is if we have open and strong input from the committee, the public at large, those of you holding elected office and the staff."
Holland said it would be a "fairly lengthy process," about a year long. It is anticipated there will be at least 10 work sessions by the committee during that time. It will not be a process where a document will be drafted in its entirety and then submitted for a complete review a year from now — the committee, and public, will be involved throughout, he noted.
"As this plan is developed, it will be developed in stages. (Parts of the plan) will be given to the committee and posted to the public for review as the document unfolds," Holland said. "All of these work sessions will be widely advertised and they will be open to the public. We strongly encourage interested members of the public to attend."
Midway through the project, sometime next spring, a status report will be given, to include findings by the firm and committee. A multi-day planning session will be held past the midpoint, during which citywide issues and individual topics would be discussed and the public would again be called upon to brainstorm options for future land use.
Once a draft plan is in hand, two open houses will be held to give citizens the chance in an informal setting to meet the consultants and staff and offer feedback on the plan, Holland said. In the fall of 2014, the committee's recommended plan will first go before the Planning Board, which would give a recommendation to the City Council. The plan would then be presented to the Council with an accompanying public hearing.
Keeping tabs
An interactive website dedicated to the project is imminent. The site will be its own entity, disseminating all new information about the Clinton 2035 Plan. A link will be available at the City of Clinton's website.
"Everything that happens in this process will go on that website," said Holland, noting it would be his consulting firms's responsibility to see to that. "And everything on that site will be downloadable."
Comments can be submitted through the site and a survey gauging input on a variety of community subjects is expected to be posted in the future, following initial discussions among the advisory committee. All meetings are open to the public.
"We will mail (and email) notices of all meetings to churches, civic groups and any identified interested parties during this process who want to be notified," said Holland.
Additionally, a sign-up sheet will be posted at City Hall to gather the names of any others who wants to be directly notified by email prior to meetings. And, even if not attending, the copy of the draft plan can be found at a number of locations as it is under construction.
"The draft plan, as it unfolds, will be available for public review," Holland said.
Copies of the plan will be available at City Hall, the J.C. Holliday Library, all meetings of the advisory committee and the dedicated website.
Now in the initial stages of the 2035 project, Holland said 25 interviews have been conducted with Clinton residents to get a feel for the community. Through September, more research and analysis will be conducted. From November through next summer, the draft of the plan will be compiled toward holding a public hearing next fall.
"The public will continuously have opportunities for comments and questions in the process," said Holland. "Time will be set aside at each advisory committee meeting for public comment and we will be available by email, both at the staff level and at the consulting level, through this process."
Chris Berendt can be reached at 910-592-8137 ext. 121 or via email at email@example.com.


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www . compassionatespirit . com
HomeArticlesAbout Keith AkersBooks, etc.LinksWhat's New
(Note: the Sacred Activism group at St. Paul's United Methodist
Church, 1615 Ogden St. in Denver, is sponsoring a discussion of
Reinventing Collapse on Sept. 11, 2008, 6:30 - 8:00 p. m. All are
welcome. These are the discussion questions I came up with.)
Reinventing Collapse. The Soviet Example and American Prospects. By
Dmitry Orlov. New Society Publishers, 2008.
Discussion questions
1. How did you think of "collapse" before you read this
book, and did Orlov's book cause you to look at things differently?
2. While the subject of the book is serious, Orlov often tries humor.
Did parts of the book seem funny to you? What is your favorite humorous
passage? (Bring examples.)
3. If there was an economic collapse in the United States similar to
that of the Soviet Union, what would change in your personal life? What
would not change? Think about things like food, housing, health,
church, social groups, work, income, school, crime, and so forth.
4. Orlov sees the U. S. and former U. S. S. R. as being similar in a
number of unflattering ways. He also sees the two countries as being
dissimilar, although for the most part these dissimilarities actually
work against the US being able to cope with the collapse. How valid are
these analogies? Are they a cause for concern?
5. Unlike other books describing social evils, Orlov does not use his
book as a platform to rally people to "do something about it."
Why not? Do you agree?
6. On p. 22, Orlov says that the U. S. is facing "a current
account deficit that cannot be sustained, a falling currency, and an
energy crisis, all at once," and this is a recurrent theme in the
book. What is your personal experience of wastefulness and debt in your
own life and the lives of others around you? Why is it so difficult to
get out of debt or to conserve (financial or environmental) resources?
7. What about debt and wastefulness at the national level? Why is
this so difficult to deal with? Is national debt/wastefulness similar to
individual debt/wastefulness or are they different?
8. What is a Christian response to the factors that Orlov says are
the driving forces behind collapse: technology, jails, militarism, debt,
consumption, and a national mythology of progress?
9. If there were an economic and political collapse, how would this
affect the life of the (progressive) church? How would your members
respond? Would you attract new members, and what would their concerns
Keith Akers
September 2, 2008


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Unlocking the Key to Deep Sleep
By Sarah Fenske
Making the Ferguson Commission Matter
By Danny Wicentowski
My Fake Boyfriend Became a Real-Life Crush
By Lindsay Toler
Rep. Jeffrey Pogue Bill Would Ban Unisex Bathrooms
By Danny Wicentowski
Darren Wilson Gives Speech to Nonprofit
By Danny Wicentowski
Angel Stewart and Other Victims of Violence Ask for Mercy
By Jessica Lussenhop
Obama Praises St. Louis' LaunchCode
By Lindsay Toler
By Lindsay Toler
Its this environment that has led Andrew Joo in Lafayette Square to protect his backyard property. He says that neighborhood witnesses have reported a group of seven or eight men who drive around in a white van looking for air conditioners. No arrests have been made.
In any case, Joo is not taking any more chances. He has encased his new air conditioner in a metal cage and makes certain to lock up the power switch.
On a Sunday morning earlier this month, Andrew Joo and his girlfriend, Erika Lippert, woke up and noticed that their Lafayette Square home was much hotter than usual. With the city in the throes of a serious heat wave, they gave it little thought, turned down the thermostat and left. Upon returning that afternoon, the heat was so intense that they immediately called an air-conditioning repairman, who told them to check the external unit.
We didnt even know we had an external unit, says Joo, a Houston transplant who bought the home on Hickory Street two months ago. Lippert went out back to check and found nothing but a slab of concrete and a cord.
They cut the wires and took our unit. It was a shock, Joo recalls. Why would they take an A/C unit?
St. Louis police are scrambling to keep up with a rash of air-conditioner heists by scrap-metal thieves who, because of rising metals prices, are stripping the valuable copper and aluminum tubing from the units and selling it to scrap dealers.
Theyre stealing everything under the sun, says St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department detective Thomas Rund. Theyre doing it south, central, north and theyre actually even going up on roofs and taking stuff and scurrying down. Rund says that there have been dozens of metals thefts in the past six months. Air-conditioner bandits last month made off with five cooling units in Lafayette Square.
In East St. Louis, meanwhile, pilfering scrap metals has become a profitable pastime particularly among vagrants. The homeless people have been lying around in these buildings, reports Ken Berry, a detective with the East St. Louis Police Department. And now they find out that moneys all around them in the walls. Now everyones learning that. Now everyones getting into the business. Barry says hes tracing one particular group of as many as fifteen homeless people who are working together to strip buildings.
Stuart Block, owner of Cashs Scrap Metal and Iron, a St. Louis metals recycler, says the worldwide demand for copper, aluminum and brass, as well as a skyrocketing futures market, is driving the price increase. At the beginning of 2005, Block says, copper sold for $1.65 per pound. Today, it stands at $3.50. Thats a hell of a big number, he adds, so somebody who may be a little lazy for 50 cents a pound is going to go out and maybe work a little harder.
All of a sudden, if you worked all day, youd get twenty bucks, and now youre getting sixty bucks, explains Scott Tauben, vice president of Metalsco, Inc., a St. Louis-based metals brokerage company. Its created an incentive for the criminal element to try and steal scrap metal.
Block, whose company recycled remnants of old Busch Stadium, says the problem is cyclical. When steel prices escalated a few years ago, he recalls, people stole manhole covers. The increasing demand for copper and aluminum, however, results in significantly more damage because of the metals ubiquity: Theyre wired into the walls of buildings, hangs as gutters and runs through plumbing systems. Thieves have also stolen aluminum scaffolding from construction projects and have stripped freshly installed plumbing. With no identifying serial numbers, the metal is impossible to trace.
Block says hes been forced to install surveillance equipment and hire off-duty police officers to guard his lot. But a few weeks ago, even those measures werent enough to ward off the looters. We came in on Monday morning and were missing 4,000 pounds, says Block, who has seen the videotape of the thieves loading ten-foot sections of copper into a pickup truck. They were in the yard off and on for four hours. Its just brawn and guts and maybe not a lot of brains.
Says Detective Rund: When we had the blackout, there were people stealing [Ameren] UE lines. They burn the plastic off and sell the wire.
Across the river, Berry says thieves may only net $100 for the stolen metals, but can do thousands of dollars worth of damage to a building. He adds that East St. Louis doesnt require metals dealers to record identification and address information of sellers, and those who are caught are usually only charged with a misdemeanor and are back on the streets the same day.
St. Louis does have an ordinance requiring used metals dealers to record basic information on each seller, but Stuart Block who maintains that his company will not buy stolen material says the ordinance is rarely enforced.
Rund says most metals dealers either knowingly or unknowingly buy from the thieves. They could care less. Theyre making a buck. Those that say they dont? Yeah, right. Its kind of like pawn shops.
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Nice post. I dont view EVERY post, so, I liked the records of these coaches.
Although, I do not agree with keeping Tony.
i also think tony tried to change his philosophy this year in more ways than one which is why players had too much "fun" at practice early in the year. just alot of things stacked against the guy.
and while i completely agree with you - and wish we could keep sparano etc. i think blood is in the water and he is def gone right after the last game. that being said, i think we can still do well with a hungry young coach who demands accountability and brings a new energy to the team. just dont "blow it up"
Jim harbaugh says otherwise. Alex smith is a good QB but Jim harbaugh is a great coach
"Fundamentals, technique, execution -- primary. Scheme -- secondary."
"We will incorporate an aggressive, up-tempo, attacking style in all three phases of the game."
"Our team will play with discipline, poise, and maximum effort."
"I want us to be the best tackling team in the NFL, the best team in pursuit, I want to take the ball away from other teams, I want to rattle the opposing quarterback every opportunity we get."
-- Joe Philbin 01/12
Your right. If we had a QB that can produce 25-40 points a game like Rodgers, our CURRENT defense would be enough to take us deep into the playoffs THIS year. Unfortunately, there are very few QBs in the league than can do that. This offense has so many weapons its unreal... Any above average coaching staff (this coaching staff is certainly in the bottom 5) could have this team a serious contender... That's how much talent this team has. Our D can hold a team to a small number of points consistently, our offense just doesn't produce enough. Been like this for a long time....
Without a doubt a top QB puts this team seriously over the top even with Sparano as the coach.
Miami went 11-5 because of an easy 1-15 schedule and the fact that the Wildcat took a lot of teams by surprise. Pennington was a decent game manager, but not a franchise QB. How did the WC go over in 2009? Hah! Three WC plays in the red zone for no yards and a FG... that was our offensive strategy. Now we have a different OC and what's the result? Reggie Bush up the middle twice for a loss in the red zone, a sack, and then a FG. Why can't we use our power running game to score on the goal line? Because Ireland/Sparano still can't put together a dominant o-line after 4 years. Well, surely a top-notch QB can score in the red zone against a good defense? Sure, but this team has had no interest in using top draft picks on a QB, ever. This is a mediocre team led by mediocre leadership that will never go beyond the occasional first round playoff loss. I blame Parcells, and anyone associated with, or brought in by him needs to be replaced.
First, no need to resign Moore. He is signed through the 2012 season. Second, no way Miami should keep Tony. He's a good person just not an ideal head coach. This team NEEDS a franchise QB. It's time they stop messing around.
They need more than a QB but they should do everything possible to get one of those top QBs this year including trading picks/players to move up


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February 1, 2013
Sen. John McCain
Stories this photo appears in:
Senators embrace major immigration reform
Arizona's two senators joined six others this week to unveil a bipartisan "tough, but fair" plan for comprehensive immigration reform that includes a path to citizenship for some people now here illegally.
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So, it's been a while and Easter has arrived. In addition my family making a ham, this year, we went to the Filoli Garden in California and amidst the thousands of tulips in bloom at the gardens, I found this composition that caught my eye:
Photographed with the Sony A77 DSLT and the Sony 70-200/2.8G. The shape of the tulip was quite egg-like and the entwined flowers around it just made the shot for me. Love it.


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A recent study conducted by John Lumkes of Purdue University confirms what many already know about biodiesel, it performs flawlessly. The study shows that there is zero difference in performance and durability for semitrailer trucks using B20, an industry standard blend of biodiesel and ultra-low sulfur diesel.
"In terms of performance, reliability and maintenance costs, it was basically a wash," said John Lumkes, the assistant professor of agricultural and biological engineering who led the study. "The only differences are environmental and economic."
The yearlong study compared two 10-vehicle truck fleets, one using the ultra-low sulfur fuel, and the other B20. The fleets had the same engines, similar miles, and drove nearly the same number of miles over the duration of the study. The study was released in the journal Applied Engineering in Agriculture.
Read more at http://www.lafayette-online.com/science-technology/2009/06/biodiesel-performs-well/.