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Shelly Woods takes silver in the women's event to finish the most successful Games in British Paralympic history
David Weir claimed his fourth and Britain's 34th medal of the London Games with a battling victory in the men's marathon. Minutes later, Shelly Woods won silver in the women's event to end the most successful medal Paralympic Games in British history.
In front of wildly cheering crowds on the Mall, Weir concluded a gruelling Paralympic campaign with a sprint finish that belied the energy already taken out of him in winning three medals on the track - in the 800 metres, 1,500 metres and 5,000 metres.
Weir, a six-times winner of the London Marathon, was in contention from the outset


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An email message is automatically generated when a sensor monitoring a machine detects a predetermined machine condition, such as a fault condition. When a predetermined condition is sensed, the sensor signals a local computer unit which, in turn, generates an email message that identifies the sensor, machine and site in the address of the email message. The email address for the sensor is included in the addressee line of the message. Accordingly, the addressor line of the message identifies the sensor that detected the machine condition, the machine on which the sensor is mounted and the plant location for the machine.
1. A method for notifying a remote location of a machine condition using a local computer system and a remote computer system communicating with each other, wherein the method comprises:
a) monitoring a machine with a plurality of sensors which each detect a predetermined machine condition;
b) assigning a unique email address to each of the sensors, where the address identifies the sensor;
c) automatically generating an email message after one of the sensors detects the predetermined machine condition, where the addressor of the message is the email address of the sensor detecting the condition and the address of the sensor includes information sufficient to identify the sensor and its associated machine;
d) sending the email message to the remote computer system, and e) the remote computer system receiving the email message and determining that the predetermined condition has occurred at the monitored machine based on the email address of the received email message.
2. A method for notifying a remote location of a machine condition as in
3. A method for notifying a remote location of a machine condition as in
4. A method for notifying a remote location of a machine condition as in
5. A method for notifying a remote location of a machine condition as in
6. A method for notifying a remote location of a machine condition as in
7. A method for notifying a remote location of a machine condition as in
8. A method for notifying a remote location of a machine condition using a local computer system and a remote computer system communicating with each other, wherein the method comprises:
a) monitoring a machine with a plurality of sensors which each detect a predetermined machine condition;
b) assigning a unique email address to each of the sensors, where the address identifies the sensor;
c) automatically generating an email message after one of the sensors detects the predetermined machine condition, where the addressor of the message is the address of the sensor detecting the condition and the address of the sensor includes information sufficient to identify the sensor and its associated machine;
d) sending the email message to the remote computer system, and
e) determining at the remote location that the sensor corresponding to the unique email address has detected the predetermined condition based on the email address alone, and identifying the sensor, machine and machine location using the unique email address.
The present invention relates to remote monitoring of machinery using email (electronic mail) messaging.
In one embodiment, the invention is a machine status notification system in which an email message is automatically generated and sent when a sensor detects that a machine fails or experiences a predefined condition or abnormality. The email message may contain minimal information, such as just the email address of the sensor detecting the machine failure or other abnormality. This minimal information is sufficient to inform a service technician receiving the message of the general nature of the failure or abnormality.
Large machinery, such as generators and turbines in power plants are monitored to ensure their proper operation. Sensors on these machines monitor the machine's operating parameters, such as power output, vibration, temperature, rotating speed, fuel consumption, internal pressures, and exhaust gas temperature. There may also be a wide variety of other machine conditions monitored by various different types of sensors that monitor the machinery on an on-going basis. Each sensor monitors one operating parameter of a machine. Each sensor will, thus, generate a signal only in response to one type of machine failure or condition.
Typically, a local computer monitoring system tracks the outputs from the various sensors attached to the machine to collect and analyze the data from the sensors. The local monitoring system may be a computer unit adjacent to the machine, or a computer unit in the same building with the machines. For example, a power plant may have a monitoring station at each of the larger turbo-machinery stations to continually monitor the operating conditions of these machines and track their operation. The monitoring system allows on-site human operators to determine if corrective action is needed to the machinery. However, the on-site monitoring system often does not provide for remote notifications to service personnel located off-site from the machinery of on-site problems with the machinery.
In certain instances, remote monitoring of machinery has been done by computer systems that establish a direct land-line connection or other direct telephony connection to the on-site operating system. An on-site computer system collects data from the machine sensors and sends the data to a remote computer system. The remote system receives data that has been collected and analyzed by the on-site monitoring system. Using the remote computer system, a technician or engineer at a remote site, e.g., the manufacturing facility that made the machine, can obtain the data from the on-site system, download that data, and then review the data and diagnoses the machine trouble or failure without having traveled to the machine location. One such monitoring system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,517,468 entitled "Diagnostic System and Method."
A difficulty with existing remote monitoring systems is the need to establish telephone connections with the location having the machinery. These telephone connections may be over long distance connections, and could be overseas telephone connections if the machinery is located on one continent which is different from the manufacturer of the machine. Accordingly, establishing direct telephone connections with remote machinery can be both expensive and difficult for extremely long-distance connections.
The Internet provides a means to avoid long distance telephone connections between machinery and remote monitoring stations. Internet messaging is commonly used between individual persons to communicate with one another. Accordingly, the Internet provides a means to avoid having to establish direct connections between a machine site and a remote monitoring station.
There is a long-felt need for remote monitoring and notification of irregular conditions of and anomalous behavior by machinery. By way of example, power plant machinery that is monitored on site by sensors may be serviced by off-site personnel, such as manufacturer's representatives who also require remote monitoring by organizations, such as the manufacturer, responsible for warranty service for the machines. There is a need for remote notification of machine failures and other abnormal conditions which are automatically sent via the Internet to a remote location for review by service personnel.
A system has been developed in which email notification is used to remotely monitor machine and to report faults in those machines. The email messages are automatically generated by the machine and/or local computer unit. A machine fault or other condition is detected by one or more sensors monitoring the machine. A signal issued by the sensor in response to the detected fault or other condition prompts a computer system to generate an email message. The message identifies as its address source, i.e., addressor, an address that uniquely identifies the sensor which detected the fault or other machine condition. The message is sent via the Internet to an addressee, who may be an off-site machine maintenance technician, manufacturer's representative or other individual. The addressee, upon reading the addressor listed in the email message, is able to determine the sensor which detected the machine fault or condition, the machine that the sensor is monitoring, and the site facility at which the machine is located.
A machine is assigned a group of email addresses, where each address corresponds to one of the various sensors monitoring that machine. Each email address itself identifies the sensor, the machine to which the sensor is monitoring and the plant location of the machine. The email address of the sensor alone provides sufficient information to identify the sensor, machine being monitored by the sensor and the machine site.
An email message from a machine sensor is automatically generated when the sensor detects a predetermined machine condition, such as a fault condition. When a predetermined condition is sensed, the sensor signals a local computer unit which, in turn, generates an email message that identifies the sensor, machine and site. Specifically, the email address for the sensor is included in the address line of the message. The address line of the email message identifies the sensor that detected the machine condition, the machine on which the sensor is mounted and the plant location for the machine.
The email message may contain no information other than the email address of the sensor that caused the message to be generated. A technician or other person receiving the email message from the machine sensor can determine directly from the email address alone the following: (1) the sensor which caused the message to be generated, (2) the machine which the sensor is monitoring, and (3) the plant or other facility at which the machine is located.
An email message that conveys only the address of its sender may be used to notify a service technician at a remote site of a machine failure or other condition. Moreover, if the machine condition causes more than one sensor to generate a fault signal, then multiple email messages will be generated. Multiple email messages from various sensors will provide additional information on the condition of a machine.
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an onsite machine monitoring system, and a remote diagnostic system having email reception and operators for acting on remote notification;
FIGS. 2 and 3 show a flow chart showing steps in remote email notification of machine faults and anomalies in response thereto; and
FIG. 4 is an exemplary email message having an address identifying a machine sensor.
FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a machine and an on-site monitoring system for the machines, and remote computer system. In particular, FIG. 1 shows a power generation facility 100. The power station 100 includes an onsite monitor system 102 (OSM) that includes computer systems to monitor the power generation machinery in the power station. For example, the onsite monitor system 102 may monitor machines 104, such as electrical generators, steam turbines and gas turbines that are operated within the power system. The onsite monitor system is coupled to a variety of sensors 106 monitoring various power generation machines 104 within the power facility 100. The sensors 106 may include vibration sensors, temperature sensors, voltage and current sensors, machine rotational speed sensors, and other sensors.
The onsite monitor system 102 may include a conventional computer monitoring system used in power plants to track the operation of the various power generation machinery 104, and to detect failures and other anomalous conditions of the machinery. The OSM 102 may include conventional instruments and computers 108 that poll the sensors 106. The instruments and computers 108 process the sensor signals using various computer software algorithms that determine whether the sensor signals fall within the acceptable ranges of machine performance, as prescribed in computer databases 110 associated with the OSM.
These databases 110 may include information regarding acceptable operating limits for the power generation equipment. The database 110 may further include information useable by the OSM computer to determine when a fault condition or other anomalous machine condition exists with respect to any of the sensors 106 that monitor the power generation equipment.
The OSM 102 further includes an email server 112 that generates an email message when a sensor signals indicates that a machine fault or other anomalous machine condition exists. The determination of whether a sensor has detected a machine fault or other condition is made by the instruments and computer 108 tracking the sensors. When a sensor signal is interpreted as indicating a machine fault or other such machine condition, the instruments and computer 108 issue a message to the email server 112 for an email message to be issued that lists as the originating source the sensor that detected the fault or other such condition. Accordingly, as the OSM detects an erratic machine behavior, it remotely notifies via email a remote monitoring and diagnostic center (MDC).
The email server 112 has an email database 114 listing email accounts corresponding to each of the machine sensors. The sensor is assigned a unique email account. The email account may be given a descriptive name (address) revealing the nature of the sensor and the location. For example, an email address for a vibration sensor 106 may include the identifier "VIBPROBE#", where #identifies the number of a particular vibration sensor on a machine 104. When a fault is detected, the sensor generates the fault and the OSM generates an email message listing the email account name for the sensor which generated the fault. Similarly, the email address may also identify the type of machine 104, e.g., "GEN" for a generator, to which the sensor is monitoring.
For example, if the OSM detects an alarm at vibration probe No. 1 of generator unit 1 at a plant facility named Pepco 1, then the email address identifying that particular sensor may be as follows: "firstname.lastname@example.com". This email address by itself identifies the sensor (106) as "vibprobe 1", monitoring generator (104) No. 1, at the "pepco1" powergeneration facility (100).
The email message from the power generation facility 100, e.g., Pepco, is received by a remote monitoring and diagnostic center (MDC) 116. The MDC includes a computer system 118 having a communication unit 120 connection to receive email messages from the email server 112 at the onsite monitor (OSM) 102. The email message may be sent via the Internet 122.
A human operator at the MDC 116 receives the email message form the OSM. The human operator views a display 117 that shows an email message that identifies the addressor as the email name of the power generation site, an identification of particular machinery unit and an identification of the sensor generating the email message. From this email address alone, the human operator at the MDC may have sufficient information to begin an investigation as to the machine fault or other error occurred at the power generation facility.
The operator at the MDC facility may be particularly trained in the machinery onsite of the power generation facility. For example, the MDC may be at a manufacturer's site, staffed by the manufacturer's engineers and technicians, and have access to manufacturing information and historical information regarding the machine. The MDC center has computer systems which are capable of identifying based on the email address, the sensor 106, machine 104 to which the sensor is attached and the onsite facility 100 where the machine and associated sensor are located. The MDC computer system may include a database 124 that correlates each email address to its associated sensor 106, machine 104 and site facility 100.
Once an email address is received, the MDC computer by accessing its database 124 can provide information to its operator regarding the particular power location machinery and sensor which generated the email. This information may include a description of the machinery and sensor and machinery condition which is being sensed. This information will assist the operator in diagnosing the fault. The information included at the MDC center may also be historical information regarding the machinery and prior messages received from the sensor. Accordingly, the operator may have the benefit of the historical information regarding the machinery and the particular sensor which would be useful in diagnosing the machine. The operator at the MDC can then telephone or otherwise communicate with the onsite maintenance personnel to diagnose the error and otherwise fix the machinery.
FIGS. 2 and 3 are a flow chart 200 showing the operational steps associated with setting up remote email notification of machine faults and the generation of such email. In particular, during the setup phase 202 of the system, email accounts are established for each sensor. To establish a new email account, a website domain name, step 204, is selected which is preferably descriptive of the particular power generation facility. For example, the domain name may be selected to identify the customer and customer site location, such as "pepcodc.com" to designate a Potomac Electric Company (PEPCO) power facility at Washington, D.C. Once the power generation facility has a domain name, email addresses can be assigned to the various sensors 106 attached to the machines 104 step 206.
Each email address may be created to be descriptive of the machinery and sensors associated with it. For example, the email address may include designations such as "generator", "gas", and "steam" to provide an indication that the machinery associated with the address is either a generator, a gas turbine, or a steam turbine, respectively. Similarly, a portion of the email address may also include a designation identifying particular sensor probe sites, such as vibration probe (VIB), temperature probe (TEMP) or other type of probe. By combining these designations of sensors and machinery types, a descriptive email address is established in step 206. For example, a vibration probe attached to a generator may have an email address such as "email@example.com" designating vibration probe No. 1, attached to generator unit No. 1 at the D.C. facility for the Pepco power utility.
A computer operator associated with the onsite monitor establishes the email addresses for the various machinery units and sensors at the plant in step 208. These addresses are maintained in a database 124 accessible by the email server maintained at the OSM, in step 208. This database(s) 112 includes the email address of the sensors 106, and may include information regarding the type of sensor and which machine 104 that the sensor is monitoring. The databases of email addresses 112 are transmitted to the remote MDC 118 to be stored at a database 124 at the remote MDC location, in step 210. By maintaining at the MDC a copy of the email database of sensor address, a technician at the MDC may look up additional information regarding a sensor and its machine by accessing the database.
During the operational phase of the process, step 212, the OSM 102 monitors the sensors 106 attached to the various machinery in the power plant in step 214. When the sensor generates a failure or other anomaly signal (216) the instrumentation and computer system 108 determines whether an email message should be issued, in step 218. If a message is to be sent, then the email server 112 associated with the OSM 102 generates the email message that identifies as the originating source of the message, e.g., email addressor, the sensor which causes the message to be generated in step 220. The message is addressed, step 222, to the MDC responsible for monitoring the machine being monitored. In particular, the email database 114 includes information on the addressee corresponding to each sensor email address.
The email/message is sent and the MDC receives the email message (224). The email address identifies the plant location, the machinery and sensor. The MDC receives the message and may effectively decode (226) the sensor address using its database 124 to identify the particular sensor that generated the email. Using information and expertise generated by the MDC, an investigation as to the cause of the fault can be begun, in step 228. In addition, an operator at the MDC may telephone or otherwise communicate with the maintenance personnel at the power plant to diagnose and fix the problem.
FIG. 4 shows an exemplary email message 300 on a display 117 at the MDC. The message may include an addressor line 302, an addressee line 304, a subject line 306, and a description section 308. As shown in the figure, the subject line 307 and description sections 308 are blank and contain no information. A copied line 309 for email addresses of other addressees receiving copies of the message may be filled out with addresses of other MDCs. The addressor line 304 includes an email address 310 of the sensor which caused the email message 300 to be generated. The address 310 identifies vibration sensor No. 1, on generator No. 1, at the Pepco D.C. utility plant. The addressee line 304 includes the address of the intended recipient of the email message, such as a remote monitoring and diagnostics center at the manufacturer for the machine having the sensor that generated the email message.
While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiment, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
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SOUTH PORTLAND — Environmentalists who came together to stop the development of Sawyer Marsh several years ago are getting back together in an effort to prevent development of a wooded parcel southeast of Wilkinson Woods. Residents Keith Bellas and Michelle Bennington are marshal...
SOUTH PORTLAND — A team of former rivals is now working together on a plan to create a park near Sawyer Marsh, the scene of an intense struggle less than two years ago between local developers and neighborhood residents.
FALMOUTH — A discussion on whether to approve a River Point management plan, tabled from last meeting, could receive the most attention at next week's Town Council meeting, Town Manager Nathan Poore said.
SOUTH PORTLAND — The list of open spaces in South Portland just got bigger.


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Ivone's Creamy Rice Pudding - Arroz Doce da Ivone
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Author Notes: Many of my dessert recipes were passed on from Ivone, one of my mother's best friends, a real winner when it came to making desserts. Rice pudding was one of her top desserts which is very creamy and custardy. In Portugal we decorated the rice pudding with cinnamon powder with different designs like swirls, grids or hearts and is traditionally served in glazed terracotta bowls. —Maria Teresa Jorge
Serves 8
- 2/3 cup short grain white rice - not washed nor parboiled
- 4 cups water
- 4 cups full milk
- 1/2 cup sugar + 2 tablespoons
- 6 egg yolks
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 4 slices of lemon peel (no pith)
- 2 pinches salt
- cinnamon in powder for decoration
- In a large pan add the milk, the cinnamon stick and the lemon peel and bring it to a simmer. Turn off the heat and allow to infuse.
- In another pan, bring the water and salt to a boil. Add the rice, adjust the heat to a low simmer and let it cook, uncovered, for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Just before the 15 minutes are up bring the milk to a boil. Watch that it doesn't over flow.
- Very quickly strain the rice so it doesn't loose heat and add it to the boiling milk. Let the milk come back to a boil, reduce the heat to low, and allow the rice to cook slowly for another 15 minutes, absorbing well the milk. Stir occasionally to make sure it doesn't stick to the bottom of the pan. After 15 minutes it should be very creamy and the rice very tender.
- In a bowl lightly beat the egg yolks with the sugar using a fork. Add a few spoonfuls of the hot rice mixture to warm the egg yolks in the bowl. Then add the warm yolk and sugar mixture to the saucepan and stir continuously with a wooden spoon to allow the egg yolks to cook - do not allow it to boil, just simmer.
- Discard the cinnamon stick and lemon peel and pour in individual pots or a serving bowl. Let the rice pudding cool completely and decorate with cinnamon powder, making your own design. You can use a paper doily as a template and sprinkle cinnamon on top to create a design through the holes.
- Serve warm or at room temperature.
- In Portugal, rice pudding is made just very simple, no vanilla or raisins added. Feel free to add them if you like.
Tags: Desserts, rice, sweet, travels well
- This recipe was entered in the contest for Your Best Open House Dish
- This recipe was entered in the contest for Amanda and Merrill's Best Rice Pudding
- This recipe was entered in the contest for Your Best Edible Gift
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MECFSForums has closed.
(C) Lysates of activated PBMCs from healthy donors (lanes 1, 2, 4, 5, and 7) orfrom CFS patients (lanes 3 and 6) were analyzed by Western blots using ratmAb to SFFV Env (top panel) or goat antiserum to MLV p30 Gag (bottompanel). Lane 8, SFFV-infected HCD-57 cells. Molecular weight (MW) markersin kilodaltons are at left.
...or is this a case of arrogant, bold-faced, lazy-ass scientific fraud perpetrated by an apparent pathological liar?
I see. So both slides are meant to refer to the same thing?I hadn't gone back to the Science paper, as I assumed that the WPI had just used the wrong image in a slide.Is the labelling that was used at the IACFS/ME conference also included in the Science paper? Just from the figure on ERV's blog, it does look like the labelling is meant to refer to both, so I understand why they'd think it does.
I can't see the labelling in the Science paper that mentions 5-AZA and fits with the labelling from the conference.Unless I missed something, and there's labelling in Science that I didn't see, it seems more likely that there was an error with the IACFS slide. What do you think?
ERV has accused Dr Mikovits of presenting western blot data in Canada which was an exact replica of a slide already published in Lombardi with the aim of decieving her audience.This according to ERV represented Dr Mikovit's dataIts quite clear, there are 8 lanes. 1-- Normal 2-- Normal 3-- 1235 4-- Normal 5-- Normal 6-- 1236 7-- Normal 8-- SFFV-infected HCD-57This is the equivalent wetern blot data presented in Lombardi et al.Now this is the data presented by Dr Mikovits in Ottawa.Do they look the same to youERV has assumed that the labels given to the lanes in the top diagram in figure C also apply to the bottom diagramHad she understood any of the data, she would have realised that this is not possible, because the top diagram referrs to a western blot looking at the presence of env protein and lane 8 the control lane is a control for the env protein, while the bottom diagram refers to a western blot of GAG and lane 8 is a control for a GAG protein.
Is Judy Mikovits aware of what ERV is claiming?
I suppose we have to be interested to understand who this ERV is, as much as a potty mouth he/she is.We have all known for sometime now that he/she is a clear denialist, but what is in it for him/her? Whomever it is, they are probably someone whom we already know, or at least a student of someone else involved in HGRV anti-propaganda. Personally, I think resorting to dirty tactics screams of desperation, and they are now even breaking the law to prove their point. It is time these people get what they deserve. If they think HGRVs are nonsense, I challenge them to a transfusion of HGRV infected blood/serum. I bet they would change the tune then. Cowards!
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System for the analysis of sample liquids with test elements. The system comprises an instrument with a storage container for test elements and a measuring device. Test elements are located inside the storage container which have a test zone on the front side of a transparent pin.
1. A system for analysis of sample liquids, said system comprising:
a) a measuring instrument including a radiation source, a radiation receiver and a display means for displaying an analytical result from radiation measured by the radiation receiver, and
b) a storage container having a guide mechanism thereupon, said storage container being insertable into the measuring instrument, said storage container holding a plurality of test elements attached to a tape in a spiral arrangement, with each of the test elements comprising a test zone, with each of said test zones being individually sealed by said tape,
wherein said measuring instrument is configured to individually perform an analysis on each of said plurality of test elements after said test element has been removed from said tape by passing said tape over said guide mechanism thereby changing a direction of movement of the tape by the guide mechanism.
2. System of claim 1, wherein the test elements each include a transparent pin having a front side on which is a test zone of the plurality of test zones.
3. System of claim 1, wherein the test elements are linked together by the tape, and the system includes transport means for transporting the tape through the storage container by winding the tape onto a spool core and for detaching a test element emerging from the storage container from the tape by passing the tape over the guide mechanism.
4. System of claim 1, wherein the test element includes a reagent layer having a sample application side and a side opposite the sample application side, and the radiation source and the radiation receiver are located on the side opposite the sample application side.
5. System of claim 1, wherein the storage container has an opening, and wherein the measuring instrument further comprises a moveable pin and an optical system adjacent thereto, said optical system comprising a part of said radiation source, the moveable pin being moveable relative to the opening to transport a test element from the opening to a sample application position, and wherein the optical system is configured to perform an optical analysis of the test element at a measuring position.
6. A system for analysis of sample liquids, said system comprising:
a) a storage container means for holding a plurality of test elements in a spiral arrangement therein, said test elements each having a transparent pin having a front side on which is located a test zone which in storage is sealed against atmospheric moisture by a sealing means, the test elements being linked together by a tape, and
b) measuring means for measuring and displaying a parameter of the sample liquid, said measuring means comprising a radiation source, a radiation receiver for measuring reflected or transmitted radiation from the sample liquid, a display means for displaying the parameter derived from the measured radiation, said measuring means being capable of receiving the storage container means therein, and further including transport means for transporting the tape out of the storage container, for unsealing the test element by opening the sealing means, removing the test element from the tape and transporting the test element to a sample application position wherein the test zone of the test element is accessible for sample liquid application.
7. System of claim 6 wherein the transport means transports the removed test element to the sample application position wherein the radiation source and the radiation receiver are on a side of the test element opposite the test zone.
8. A system for analysis of sample liquids as recited in claim 1, wherein said guide mechanism comprises a roller.
9. A system for analysis of sample liquids as recited in claim 1, wherein said guide mechanism comprises an edge.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention concerns a system for the analysis of sample liquids comprising the elements: a measuring instrument with a source of radiation, radiation receiver, evaluation and display device, a storage container for holding test elements in which the test elements are arranged spirally and are individually sealed.
In addition the invention concerns a storage container with a spiral in its interior, a method for the analysis of sample liquids and an arrangement of test elements in which the test elements are connected by a tape.
2. Description of the Related Art
The invention lies within the field of analysis of sample liquids without reagent liquids like those which are used especially for the analysis of body fluids. Various systems for the determination of glucose in blood are known in the state of the art which attempt to achieve a simple and hygienic operation. Devices are described in the patent applications EP-A 0 373 629 and EP-A 0 373 413 which have a storage container for elements for sample application which enables several consecutive determinations of test substances. The elements for sample application have a membrane for separating cells and particles of blood serum. The concentration of a component is determined in the blood serum that passes through the membrane using an electronic sensor. In principle three different specific embodiments of the storage vessel for sample application are presented. In a first variant the elements are located on a disc which is rotated in order to move the elements in succession to the site intended for sample application. In a second specific embodiment strips stacked on top of one another, each of which carries a membrane for sample application, are located in a storage vessel from which they can be transported to the site of sample application. In a third variant membranes for sample application are on a film strip which is rolled up in a cylindrical storage vessel comparable to a photographic film. In each of the said variants the elements for sample application have no reagents that convert the concentration of a component of the sample liquid into a signal; sensors are therefore necessary that directly detect a component to be determined.
The described state of the art thus has the disadvantage that sensors are brought into direct contact with the blood serum that passes through the membrane. This can lead to a contamination of the sensor which can result in a falsification of the measured result and moreover leads to problems of hygiene when it is for example possible for viruses to penetrate the said membranes. For reasons of hygiene it is also disadvantageous in the described prior art that used elements for sample application remain in the system.
The object of the invention was therefore to provide a system for the analysis of sample liquids in which several test elements for carrying out the analysis are present in the system in such a way that they can be used consecutively without having to refill from outside for each determination. An object of the invention was also to create a system which meets hygienic requirements and which--through a longer stability of the test elements--also enables determinations at intervals of weeks with constant accuracy.
The said objects were achieved according to the invention by a system for the analysis of sample liquids which comprises a measuring instrument with a source of radiation, radiation receiver, evaluation and display device and in addition has a storage container for holding test elements in which the test elements are arranged spirally and are individually sealed and in the test elements of which a test zone is present on the front end of a transparent pin. The invention also encompasses a storage container in which the test elements are arranged spirally and a method for the analysis of sample liquids with a system according to the invention.
The test elements of the system according to the invention are located in an instrument that enables analyses to be carried out simply. This instrument has devices with which the test elements can be transported from the storage vessel to a site of sample application. This or further devices can also serve to transport test elements to a site of measurement. In a preferred specific embodiment of the system the site of sample application and site of measurement coincide, which simplifies the operation of the system since an additional transport process is not necessary. The said transport devices can also be used to eject a used test element from the system for which, however, additional devices can also be installed. In a preferred embodiment the test elements are transported from a storage container using a tape on which the test elements are lined up. The further transport of the test elements to the site of sample application or measurement is carried out with the aid of a slide that is also rigidly connected to the optical system.
Before use the test elements are located in a storage container. The present invention also concerns storage vessels for use in a system according to the invention that contains test elements arranged spirally. This storage container is preferably in the form of a box with a height of 3 to 20 mm. The basal surface of this box can be essentially rectangular and also round or rounded. The arrangement of the test elements can also be supported by a spiral passage within the storage vessel. The test elements can be transported from the system through a lateral opening. For protection against atmospheric humidity it is advantageous to market the storage container together with a desiccant heat-sealed in a polyethylene bag lined with aluminium.
The spiral arrangement of the test elements enables numerous test elements to be arranged in a space-saving manner in the storage vessel. In this way it is also possible to remove test elements consecutively whereby the test elements are removed from the system in their predetermined orientation. This arrangement also prevents the test elements from snagging.
The storage container can be manufactured from materials that can be made into the necessary shape and have an adequate mechanical stability. Materials which come into consideration are for example cardboard, metals such as aluminium, tin plate, brass etc. and preferably plastics such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polymethylmethacrylate and polystyrene. The storage containers can be manufactured using the processes known in the state of the art for the respective materials. The storage container preferably bears a code strip on which batch-specific informations are present in a machine-readable form. Magnetic codes, bar codes and also machine-readable plain text come into consideration for this. When the storage container is inserted into the appropriate compartment or drawer of the measuring instrument, the code on the magazine is automatically read by a reading device located in the instrument.
Test elements according to the invention have a transparent, essentially cylindrical, plastic pin which has a diameter of about 2 to 6 mm and a length of about 2 to 15 mm. The plastic pin is surrounded by a sheath in such a way that the front ends remain free. Basically any material that is permeable to light is suitable as a material for the transparent pin. Optically clear plastics have proven to be particularly satisfactorily. Polymethylmethacrylate and polycarbonate are preferred. A corresponding test element is the subject matter of the German Patent Application file number P 4227678.0 and the European Patent Application EP-A-0 585 744.
The sheath which surrounds the transparent pin can also be a plastic such as polyethylene, polypropylene or polyvinylidene fluoride. It has turned out to be advantageous when the refractive indices of the transparent pin and sheath are such that the condition for total reflection is fulfilled for light entering the transparent pin. Possible combinations for the pin/sheath are polycarbonate/polyethylene and polymethylmethacrylate/polyvinylidene fluoride. The transparent pin can also be surrounded by a metal coating, for example of aluminium deposited by evaporation. The metal coating can in turn be surrounded by a plastic sheath. The sheath enclosing the plastic pin is preferably impervious to gas and liquid. The sheath preferably protrudes beyond the front ends of the plastic pin.
A reagent layer is applied to one of the front ends of the plastic pin that produces an optically detectable signal by reaction with an analyte to be determined. Further layers can be applied to the reagent layer which for example enable the separation of cells. The composition of reagent and auxiliary layers can be derived from the prior art for test strips. In a preferred embodiment a metal coating produced by vapourization is located above the reagent and auxiliary layers. This metal coating has the function of shielding against ambient light and against the red colour of the blood. At a thickness of ca. 70 μm such a metal layer, which is preferably composed of aluminium, is adequately light-tight and sufficiently permeable to sample liquids. Detailed instructions for the metallization of a reagent layer are to be found in the German Patent Application with the file number P 4227665.9 and the European Patent Application EP-A 0 584 721.
The side of the test element on which the reagent is located can be sealed onto an essentially water-impermeable foil, e.g. an aluminium foil or an aluminium laminate, using the protruding sheath surface of the test element. This can for example be carried out by melting on or glueing on. An advantage of this embodiment is that the reagent is sealed off to the environment in a vapour-tight manner which ensures the stability of each test element over weeks. If the seal on a test element is removed, then the seal of the other test elements remains intact. This type of sealing is denoted individual sealing. It is possible according to the invention to attach the test elements to the tape or foil using other sides or sites. In cases in which the tape does not have the function of a seal, the site of attachment can be chosen relatively freely.
The sealing can be carried out in such a way that the sealed test elements are present separately. However, it is preferable to seal two or several test elements onto different sites on the water-impermeable foil so that the test elements are mechanically connected together. If the foil is in the form of a tape, the test elements can then be coiled up using this tape. The test elements can also be transported by this tape.
The tape with the individual sealed-on tests is preferably inserted spirally into a magazine. In order to enable the shortest possible transport path for the test elements in the measuring instrument, their orientation is preferably selected so that the tape lies on the outer side of the spiral. Incorporation of a supporting spiral in the interior of the storage container, enables the tape with the sealed-on test elements to be pulled out without snagging.
A leader of the tape on which the test elements are located is attached to the core of a spool. This spool core is rotated by a mechanism e.g. a gear wheel. This results in a tape being pulled out from the magazine together with the test elements.
When a test element is pulled out this is unsealed by the tape being pulled off. This is preferably achieved by changing the direction of movement of the tape by a guide mechanism. One possibility is to position a roller or edge at the exit opening of the storage vessel over which the tape runs.
An unsealed test element is brought into a sample application position. When the test element is transported to the sample application position it is preferably pushed into a seal which embraces the sheath of the test element. In this way sample liquid is prevented from penetrating into the interior of the instrument. It is also advantageous to protect the socket that holds the test element during sample application against penetration of dust, spray water etc. in its empty state by means of a flap. Such a flap can be pushed up by the insertion of the test element.
The measurement of a signal that is characteristic for the concentration of a component to be determined takes place at the end of the test element that faces away from the reagent. Their radiation and signal reading are preferably both carried out perpendicular to the lower face of the transparent pin. Cross-talk from transmitter to receiver can be reduced by a screen placed between them. This arrangement combines the possibilities of small structural size and relatively large tolerances for spacing. A transmitter for use in a system according to the invention preferably emits electromagnetic radiation in the optical part of the spectrum. Due to their small size and power consumption, light-emitting semiconducting diodes have proven to be particularly suitable for this purpose. Diodes in the red and infra-red range are used advantageously for the remission measurement that is preferred according to the invention.
The receiver receives radiation that is irradiated from the side of the reagent layer facing the transmitter and receiver. The radiation frequencies received by the receiver preferably essentially correspond to those that are emitted by the transmitter. However, it is also possible that the radiation emitted by the transmitter and that received by the receiver differ in their frequency range if for example fluorescent processes take place in the reagent layer. Semiconducting components are preferably used as a receiver such as photodiodes or phototransistors; however, other receivers for electromagnetic radiation known in the state of the art can also be used.
The invention also encompasses a method for the analysis of sample liquids using a system with an arrangement of test elements that are linked together by a tape and are located in a storage container comprising the steps: transporting a test element by means of a tape out of the storage vessel, opening the seal of the test element by pulling off the tape from the test element so that a test zone of the test element becomes accessible, applying a sample liquid to the test element, carrying out the measurement process while irradiating the test element and measuring the reflected or transmitted radiation, calculating an analytical result from the measurement, ejecting the used test element from the system.
Transport of a test element from the storage container to the site of sample application can be achieved in that an unused test element on the tape that links the test elements is pulled out by a mechanism and it is subsequently pushed to the site of sample application. The withdrawal is for example achieved by turning the spool core of the storage container or by pulling the tape that links the test elements. Preferably a tape in the form of a foil that seals the test elements is pulled over an edge or roller of small diameter in such a way that the foil is thereby detached from the test element and this is then ready for application of the sample liquid. However, it is also possible that the detachment of a test element and thus the opening of the seal is carried out manually. The transport of a test element to the site of sample application is preferably carried out mechanically. This transport process can--like the withdrawal process from the storage container--be linked to the opening of the test element seal. The application of a sample liquid to the test element is usually carried out manually whereby the test element is preferably present at an exposed site of the system so that a contamination of the system is prevented to a high degree.
The site of sample application and the site of measurement can be different in a system according to the invention so that transport of the test element is necessary.
Transport of the test element loaded with the sample liquid to the site of measurement is preferably carried out mechanically. An arrangement is particularly preferred in which the measurement is carried out directly at the position of sample application. The measurement can for example be started by the sample application by carrying out periodic measurements when the instrument is switched on that allow detection of the sample application. Measurement of the radiation remitted from the reagent layer is preferably subsequently carried out after a period of time has elapsed that is dependent on the test elements used and on the analysis to be carried out. It is also possible to carry out measurements at intervals and to store the change of the measured signal with time. Using such a process it is possible to determine the optimal time for calculation of the analytical result as well as the kinetics of the detection reaction.
The calculation of the analytical result from the measurement can be carried out with methods of data processing known in the state of the art. Allocations that enable a concentration to be determined from the measured signal can be present stored in the system. Preferably data are present that enable a calibration of the measurement for the test elements present in the storage container. These data may be already stored on the storage vessel in the variants that have already been described or they may be present separately. A linking of data for the test elements used in each case and data stored permanently in the system is particularly preferred for an evaluation of the measurement.
The determined analytical result can be displayed to the user on one of the displays known in the state of the art. It is also possible to display preceding analytical results with accompanying data, e.g. the date, so that the user can recognize a change in the analytical results. This is particularly advantageous in the field of glucose determination since the patient can monitor his glucose level in this manner.
An important characteristic of the system according to the invention is the ejection of used test elements after the measurement has been carried out. The ejection can be carried manually or preferably mechanically e.g. by moving the test element over a mechanical resistance with a slide that has transported it to the site of measurement.
A system according to the invention offers the user some advantages over conventional systems. The combination of a storage container with a measurement instrument enables numerous analyses to be carried out without the necessity for feeding in individual test elements from outside. The operation of a system according to the invention is also simplified by the fact that the transport and positioning of the test elements can be predetermined by devices in the system so that operating errors are reduced to a minimum. Ejection of used test elements meets hygienic requirements and reduces the risk of contaminating the instrument which could among others lead to erroneous measurements. The transport tape according to the invention combines, in a simple and effective manner, the individual sealing of the test elements and their transport which simplifies the working of the instrument. An individual sealing of the test element according to the invention enables analytical determinations to be carried out with the system over a period of weeks with the same filling of the storage container and with constant accuracy.
A system according to the invention is characterized in more detail by the following figures, wherein
FIG. 1 illustrates an instrument for the determination of glucose and storage container for test elements utilizing the present invention.
FIGS. 2a and 2b illustrate storage containers for test elements;
FIG. 3 illustrates a test element;
FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C illustrate process steps for the transport of a test element from the storage container to the site of sample application.
FIG. 1 shows an instrument (1) for the determination of glucose in blood and an accompanying storage container or storage vessel (2) for test elements. The instrument (1) has a two-part housing with an upper part (3) and a lower part (4). A drawer (5) is located at the side of the instrument in which the storage container (2) can be inserted. On insertion the bar code (6) on the upper side of the storage container (2) is read by a bar code reader present in the instrument (1). The data stored in the form of a bar code (6) relate to the expiry date of the test elements and batch-specific informations for calibration of the instrument (1). A protruding cone (7) is located on the instrument which serves to receive a test element (20) during sample application. This design enables the instrument to be directed to a drop of blood similar to a pen without other parts of the instrument coming into contact with blood. A liquid crystal display (8) is located on the top of the instrument (1) to display the analytical results.
FIG. 2 shows two schematic representations of storage containers (2) for test elements (20). FIG. 2A shows a cross-section parallel to the top of the storage container. A spiral (15) in the interior of the storage container stabilizes a spiral coil of test elements as shown in FIG. 2B. The tape (16) is also shown which serves to mechanically link the test elements as well as to seal them. In this particular case an aluminium foil was used as the tape (16). The tape (16) is threaded into the core of the spool (17). When the core of the spool (17) is turned, the tape (16) is pulled over a roller (18) of small diameter which transports the arrangement of test elements towards the opening (9) of the storage container (2) and detaches the tape (16) from the test element (20) that passes through the opening (9) of the storage container.
FIG. 3 shows an individual test element (20) in a sealed form. The transparent pin (21) is composed of polycarbonate and has a fin (22) which is formed during injection moulding of the pin. This fin (22) is of essential importance for the function according to the invention of the transparent pin (21) since it ensures that imperfections in the structure of the plastic due to the manufacturing process are shifted into this region and are thus kept out of the light path. The transparent pin (21) is surrounded by a sheath (23) of polyethylene which protrudes from the transparent pin (21) on the side facing the tape (16). Since the refractive indices of polycarbonate and polyethylene are substantially different, the condition for total reflection is fulfilled at the interface. A test zone (24) is located on the transparent pin (21) on which the sample liquid is applied. The test zone (24) and the sheath surface of the transparent pin (21) are coated with a thin aluminium layer of about 70 nm. The space above the test zone is sealed off from the surroundings in a water-vapour-tight manner by the aluminium foil (16). The reagent layer of the test zone (24) does not therefore come into direct contact with atmospheric humidity. FIG. 4 shows a diagram of the transport of a test element (20) from the storage container (2) to the site of sample application. Firstly the lower part (4) and the upper part (3) are pulled apart by about 30 mm (FIG. 4A). The instrument is switched on after a displacement of a few millimetres. The display-device can show the number of stored test elements, the last measured value or a prompt for an action. In this position earlier results can be called up from the memory and displayed by operating a memory key. After sliding a distance of ca. 10 mm a resting point is passed that blocks a reversal of the movement. From this point the entire analytical process has to be carried through.
This opening movement also moves the optical system (25) which is located on the upper face of a pin (26) along the magazine to such an extent that the upper edge of the optical system (25) is below the lower edge of the test elements (FIG. 4B).
After the resting point, the spool core (17) of the storage container (2) is rotated by engagement of a gear rack and by this means the tape (16) is wound on to such an extent that a test element is pulled out of the magazine. In this process the test element is freed of its seal by the roller (18).
The tape winding is disengaged at the reversal point of the movement.
When the instrument is subsequently pushed together, the exposed test element is pushed into the cone (7) by the top edge of the optical measurement system (FIG. 4C).
The cone (7) is designed in such a way that a dust guard folds away or is pushed aside when the test element is inserted. When the sample application position is reached, the upper end of the test element (20) protrudes about 2.0 to 2.5 mm from the instrument. Due to the cone (7) the surface of the test element can stand out 8 to 12 mm from the main contour of the instrument (1).
When it is pushed together the next test element that is still sealed is subsequently pushed back by up to 3 mm into a defined starting position while unwinding the aluminium foil that is already wound from the spool core. This ensures that no problems of positioning occur due to slightly different winding distances with increasing spool diameters.
When the measuring position is reached that is identical with the sample application position, a blank measurement is carried out with a delay of a few tenths of a second. A prompt to apply a sample appears on the liquid crystal display (8).
A blood drop of a few μl suffices as a sample. Selection of a hydrophobic plastic such as polypropylene (PP) or polyethylene (PE) for the sheath of the test element and PP or polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) for the cone (7) results in the blood not spreading beyond the reagent layer (24) onto the instrument. On the contrary a large supply of sample forms a small spherical drop on the detection zone whereas the larger part remains on the skin of the patient. If, in the case of a patient who is bleeding strongly, blood drops in free fall onto the sample application site, then the hydrophobic materials reduce the risk of blood penetrating into the instrument and contaminating it. The contamination safety can be further increased by a tight fitting and, if desired, a sealing washer on the cone (7). Should a cleaning become necessary, this can be facilitated by a removable version of the cone (7).
The sample application can be detected by the instrument itself by a change in the optical properties of the test element (20). The display of the measured value can be accompanied by an acoustic signal.
30 to 60 seconds after displaying the measured result, the user is prompted by the display and an acoustic signal to eject the used test element. For this the housing is pushed together by a further 2.5 mm after overcoming a barrier. Return to the starting state is achieved by a spring.
The instrument is switched off at the same time as the ejection. If no function is operated while the instrument is switched on, then an acoustic warning occurs after a waiting period of ca. 3 minutes and afterwards an automatic switch-off. A new start can only be carried out after the used test element has been ejected.
The German and European Patent Applications identified in the specification are hereby incorporated by reference for the respective disclosures therein.
Pin 26 of FIGS. 4A, B and C has an optical system 25 located thereon. Optical system 25 includes a radiation source and a radiation receiver, such as the system shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,685,059, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference for the teachings of such an optical system therein.
(1) instrument
(2) storage container
(3) upper part of the instrument
(4) lower part of the instrument
(5) drawer
(6) bar code
(7) cone
(8) liquid crystal display
(9) opening of the storage container
(10) . . .
(14) . . .
(15) spiral
(16) tape
(17) spool core
(18) roller
(19) . . .
(20) test element
(21) transparent p in
(22) fin
(23) sheath
(24) test zone
(25) optical system
(26) pin
Patent Citations
Referenced by
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To facilitate waitlist processing, instructors are given the option of taking attendance daily in all courses, beginning the first day of classes through the last day of the Add/Drop Period. Enrolled (not Waitlisted) students not in attendance during this period may be dropped. Thus, students must attend every class they are registered for during the Add/Drop Period and sign the class roster each day if one is provided. Students may only sign in for themselves.
Students who need to miss class for any reason during the Add/Drop period must get the permission of the Associate Academic Dean.


text:
Zero + Maria Cornejo
Alla Bikini
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Two-piece string bikini in signature nomad print. Sliding triangle top with string tie at neck and back. Matching bikini bottom with tie sides and moderate coverage.
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Watch LIVE Oscar Nomination Announcements, here
Watch LIVE: Oscar's Nomination Announcements on Thursday, January 15, 2015.
Watch LIVE: Oscar's Nomination Announcements on Thursday, January 15, 2015.
WOTV 4 Women viewer Jennifer shares her great idea for teaching your youngsters how to get their shoes on the right feet!
Priority Health has advice to be healthy in 2015.
Maranda gives 4 ideas to create an awesome snow day.
Tiffany Talsma gives tips on creating an organized home.
Paddington the Bear returns to movie theaters this week
Donate old household items to Bethany Thrift Store
The Whole U GR Expo is holding it's 2nd annual event in January.
See these great pictures from the WOTV 4 Women booth at the 2015 Grand Rapids Remodeling and New Homes Show.
Nancy Loftis gives tips to avoid credit card fraud.
Janis Petrini explains traits that all good mentors should have.
It was a boot scootin', toe tapin' time at this year's Boot Scootin' Juice Ball. See footage from the fun event, here!
Make fitness a part of your life every day with one of these fitness trackers.
Jill Wallace is WOTV 4 Women Fashion Finds expert, specializing in upcycling clothes.
Janis Petrini gives tips on staying healthy at a sedentary job.
Maranda's friends at Priority Health are giving away a LeapBand fitness and activity tracker for kids by LeapFrog.


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Click here to support Rockton Police & Fire plungers: Rockton Police & Fire
2012 Plunge Site: Olson Lake, Rock Cut State Park – Rockford
Plunge Date: March 3, 2012
Plunge Time: noon
Registration Begins: 10:30 a.m.
Post-Plunge Party: Immediately after Plunge on-site.
Lunch: Free for Plungers and $5 for guests.
Pre-registration Event: 3:30-7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 29, at Peak Sports Club, 4401 Peak Drive, Loves Park. Plungers who pre-register will receive a parking pass to park at Olson Lake on the day of the Plunge.
To get to Olson Lake: Take Interstate-90 West to Rockford, take the East Riverside Blvd. exit. Follow signs off tollway; go west on Riverside to Perryville Rd., go north on Perryville to Harlem Rd., take a right on Harlem, go 1/2 mile to Olson Lake Rock Cut State Park Entrance.
Again this year: Remote parking! Additional parking will be available in the Peak Sports Club parking lot on Perryville road. Car pool or use the shuttle to help with parking congestion at the Plunge site. Spectators are encouraged to car pool or use the shuttle. Peak Sports Club, 4401 Peak Dr., Loves Park—near the corner of Perryville and Harlem roads.
For information about incentive items and grand prizes, click here.
Area Contact Information: Debbie Kelly, SO ILL Northwestern/Area 1, 815-288-2939


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A Girl Scout Daisy is the beginning level of Girl Scouting. Daisies are in kindergarten and first grade (around ages 5 and 6). They typically meet in groups of five to ten and have adult leaders that plan activities to introduce them to Girl Scouts. Daisies use their Girl's Guide to Girl Scouting book to earn the Promise Center and Petals, which focus on the Girl Scout Law.
Girl Scout Cadettes are Girl Scouts who are in sixth, seventh, and eighth grades (around ages 11-13). Cadettes earn badges and wear khaki sashes or vests as uniforms, along with white membership disks. Cadettes may use their Girl's Guide to Girl Scouting to earn badges. Besides badges, Cadettes may work on Program Aide and the Leadership Award. Cadettes are eligible to earn the Silver Award, which is the highest award available to girls at this level.
Girl Scout Ambassadors are girls in grades 11 and 12 (around ages 16 - 18). This is the highest level of Girl Scouts. Ambassadors wear the same khaki colored vest or sash as Cadettes and Seniors, however, they have a dark blue membership disk. They use the Girl's Guide to Girl Scouting for Ambassadors. Girl Scout Ambassadors are eligible to earn the Gold Award, Girl Scouting's highest honor.


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Parking in Clayton is a chore for the modern-day Sisyphus. How often have I pulled into an open metered space only to spot a "Reserved for Valet"... More >>
Food prices will increase by 7% next year, according to industry experts. (Reuters) Not coincidentally, food banks are preparing for increased demand. (USA Today) The FTC's antitrust case a... More >>
Every Wednesday, from roughly 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., Delmar Loop institution Cicero's hosts beer school. As part of a semi-regular account of the beer sampling and sudsy knowledge gained, RFT editorial fe... More >>
Record wheat and other cereal crops don't necessarily spell an end to the food crisis, the U.N. warns. (Reuters) Students at Rice University try to brew beer that can fight disease. (Houston... More >>
All right, I'm slowly emerging from my coma. This week's issue is now online, including my review of the revamped Schlafly Tap Room. In Drink of the Week, Kristie tries the Citrus Plunge at Bruno's A... More >>
Gut Check will resume tomorrow, or as soon as the hangover passes. - Ian Froeb... More >>
Copyright concerns kept Wolf Parade from naming its second album, At Mount Zoomer, after the epic closer, "Kissing the Beehive."... More >>
Without doubt, the biggest beer news in St. Louis this year — maybe the biggest news in St. Louis, period — was InBev's buyout of... More >>
Vote tomorrow and Starbucks will give you a free cup of coffee. (Dallas Morning News) The melamine scandal in China continues to grow. (International Herald Tribune) No more Miller beer in ... More >>
I wish you more treats than tricks this Halloween. Above you see my favorite Halloween candy, which I guess doesn't really get handed out much these days. Safety concerns, and all that. I must tel... More >>
A look at what's happening at our favorite St. Louis food blogs... STL Bites: Bill has news on the new Edwardsville restaurant Fond. Iron Stef: Stef tempts us with homemade apple butter. Soundin... More >>
Keep it under wraps. Note to Missouri's 4.2 million registered voters: You can forget about wearing your Obama T-shirt when you step inside that voting booth next Tuesday. And you better l... More >>
How about some truly scary news for Halloween? Government officials officials covered up the spread of China's melamine scandal to eggs for weeks. (AFP) The UN wants North Korea to accept fo... More >>
Every Wednesday, from roughly 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., Delmar Loop institution Cicero's hosts beer school. As part of a semi-regular account of the beer sampling and sudsy knowledge gained, RFT editorial f... More >>
OK, getting this in just under the wire here. Scientists find that eating red meat and dairy products introduces a sugar that helps bacterial infections, such as E. coli, take hold. (Science... More >>
Dogtown's Sugaree Bakery Company (1242 Tamm Avenue) is opening its first retail venture, selling pies to the public 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Fri.-Sat. A 6-inch pie is $5, a 10-inch $15. Call 314-645-5496 for m... More >>
My review of Café Osage is now available online. Also in this week's issue, Kristie has a Long Strange Tripel at Newstead Tower Public House. - Ian Froeb... More >>
A new report faults the FDA for finding bisphenol A, used in food packaging, as safe. (AP) Calorie counting is in vogue again. (New York Times) How not to smuggle chorizo from Mexico into t... More >>
www.failblog.org - Ian Froeb... More >>
Velocity Café & Cyclery is now open at 286 DeBaliviere Avenue (right by the Forest Park MetroLink stop) in the Central West End. According to its press release, besides being a full-service bike... More >>
Barack Obama's speech under the Gateway Arch on Saturday, October 18, included a humorous anecdote about the senator and Ohio Governor Ted... More >>
As the seemingly endless and often surreal presidential campaign finally staggers to an end, allow me a few words in defense of one the many... More >>
As the seemingly endless and often surreal presidential campaign staggers to an end, allow me a few words in defense of one the many irrelevancies that have occupied our attention for the past two ye... More >>
More melamine in China, this time in eggs. (AFP) Several major food firms agree on nutrient standards. (New York Times) Michelin releases its restaurant ratings for Las Vegas. (AP) - Ian F... More >>
Tomorrow night is the Taste of Giving, when several area restaurants donate 20% of their dinner proceeds to support the United Way of Greater St. Louis. The list of participating restaurants is avail... More >>


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Today Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz signed a Memorandum of Understanding between the Department and the Edison Electric Institute, strengthening collaborative action to accelerate plug-in electric vehicle and charging infrastructure deployment.
As part of the Obama Administration's efforts to reduce dependence on foreign oil and transition to a clean energy economy, the Energy Department today announced more than $55 million for 31 new projects to accelerate research and development of critical vehicle technologies that will improve fuel efficiency and reduce costs.
At the Washington Auto Show U.S. Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz announced nearly $50 million to accelerate research and development of new vehicle technologies that give drivers and businesses more transportation options and protect the environment in communities nationwide.
As part of the Obama Administration's commitment to expand access to data and reduce fuel costs for consumers, the Energy Department announced the winners of the Apps for Vehicles Challenge.
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu today announced 16 projects supporting activities in 24 states and the District of Columbia to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) in communities across the nation, and seven additional projects in seven states to help prepare college students for careers designing and building advanced vehicle technologies.
DOE issues the following statement in support of the commissioning of the world's first tri-generation fuel cell and hydrogen energy station to provide transportation fuel to the public and electric power to an industrial facility, located at the Orange County Sanitation District's wastewater treatment plant in Fountain Valley, California.
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu today announced more than $175 million over the next three to five years to accelerate the development and deployment of advanced vehicle technologies.
Investments in Electric Vehicles Helping to Reduce America's Reliance on Imported Oil
Smyrna Electric Vehicle Project Expected to provide up to 1,500 Jobs in Tennessee
Guide helps drivers save money while reducing greenhouse gas emissions
Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable EnergyForrestal Building1000 Independence Avenue, SWWashington, DC 20585


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I really shouldn't have stopped by. The minute I saw Jamie's post title in my reader I was mesmerised but I knew I had to stay away. Yet, I reached there in a hypnotic trance following the strings of my heart! How they tugged, and not without reason. There she had posted the most gorgeous lattice crust Mixed Berry Pie, a pie I have long wished to try, but have never had the courage to.
It was everything good, even it had a cup of butter in the crust. Well no butter in the filling, made up for that and it balanced beautifully! I reduced an egg in the pie crust because pastry making experience in hot weather has made me wiser. Maybe next time, if I make it in hot weather, I 'll use just the yolk. That might give me a firmer dough. I think you can even get the whole pie together, and chill it in advance, baking it later if you need to. Might just work out to be a good dessert to make in advance. Oh, and I have to say, it tasted very nice cold too!
Adapted minimally from Jamie @ Lifes A Feast
On another note, my good friend Sid, the Chef at Large, asked if I'd like to host a giveaway on my blog for my local readers! YES please! So here we are. On offer is a delicious dinner for 2 at the Empress of China, Intercontinental Eros at Nehru Place, to be used anytime in the month of May. Do leave a comment on this post telling me what your fave Chinese joint in the NCR is! Will pick a winner on Tuesday!


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President Obama's surprise visit to Afghanistan
The president makes an unannounced trip to Afghanistan to visit with U.S. troops May 25, 2014, prior to the Memorial Day holiday.
President Barack Obama greets troops at a rally at Bagram Air Field during an unannounced visit on May 25, 2014, north of Kabul, Afghanistan.(Photo: AP Photo)
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© Andrey Atuchin
Remains of this dinosaur were found in its burrow, along with the remains of 2 juveniles. The burrow was around 30cm wide and 70cm long.
The holotype adult specimen (the specimen that was first used to describe the species) consists of skull bones, vertebrae, ribs, scapulocoracoid, humerus, ulna, radius, tibiae, partial fibula, and a metatarsal.
Explore dinosaurs with the same body shape as Oryctodromeus in the Dino Directory
There may be more details in Wikipedia


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Release DateOctober 02, 2009
MPAA RatingPG-13
Duration99 min.
StudioWarner Bros. Pictures
Official Siteclick here
REVIEWS RATE: Critics Readers [Rate It]
Cast and Crew
DirectorRicky Gervais, Matt Robinson
ProducerLynda Obst, Oly Obst, Dan Lin
ScreenwriterRicky Gervais, Matt Robinson
- Ricky Gervais as Mark Bellison
- Jennifer Garner as Anna McDoogles
- Jonah Hill as Frank
- Jason Bateman as Doctor
- Tina Fey as Shelley
- Rob Lowe as Brad Kessler
- Christopher Guest
- Jeffrey Tambor
- John Hodgman
- Louis C.K. as Greg
- Martin Starr as Waiter #1
"The Invention of Lying" takes place in an alternate reality in which lying-even the concept of a lie-does not exist. Everyone-from politicians to advertisers to the man and woman on the street-speaks the truth and nothing but the truth with no thought of the consequences. But when a down-on-his-luck loser named Mark (Gervais) suddenly develops the ability to lie, he finds that dishonesty has its rewards. In a world where every word is assumed to be the absolute truth, Mark easily lies his way to fame and fortune. But lies have a way of spreading, and Mark begins to realize that things are getting a little out of control when some of his tallest tales are being taken as, well, gospel. With the entire world now hanging on his every word, there is only one thing Mark has not been able to lie his way into: the heart of the woman he loves.


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What better way to welcome your guests this Halloween than with my charming Black Cat sitting on his box. He also comes with his own light to make sure and light the night. Cat and box are attached and it stands ____ tall. This black cat is a great companion to my witch, so make sure to check her out.
Item #
Quantity Available:
Custom orders are available, however, material may vary depending upon availability.
Elmer and Bud
What better way to decorate for autumn than with Elmer and Bud. These special friends add will add a touch of country charm to your home.
Height Width
Happy Fall Y'all Wreath
As the leaves start to change in the fall, it is time to for my whimsical scarecrow wreath to greet your family and friends.
Height - 62" Width - 24"
Alex and his sunflower are the perfect way to welcome your family and friends this fall. He is just waiting for you to bring him home.
New Witch and Cat
Witch: Height - 6' 5" Width - 22"
Cat: Height - 33" Width - 10"
Have a Spooky Halloween with my Ghostly Trio. They are perfect to welcome all the ghosts and goblins that will visit you on Halloween. These ghosts stand ____ tall and are perfect for your porch or deck.
Item #
Price $
Quantity Available:


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Don't know how to knit? I have posted a series of basic knitting tutorials.
Step 1: Materials
I could only find laces that were 36" long so in order to knit them I had to fuse them together (next step.)
Step 2: Making Your 'Yarn'
To start wrap one lace around each hand leaving a short tail.
Heat each tail on the pan for 3-4 seconds to get them warm. Lift them off the pan and pinch the ends together.
Now that the ends are slightly attached, put them back on the pan for a second making sure the ends are touching.
Repeat last step 4-5 times, only leaving the ends on the pan for a second. While they are on the pan press the ends together (be careful - I used my fingers to press them together, but if you want to be safe you can use a spoon). When you lift the ends off the pan pinch them together with your fingers.
When done, let the ends cool for a minute.
Attach all the ends together to make your yarn.
Step 3: Knitting Pattern
I used size 17 needles and my gauge was approx. 2-3 stitches per 1"
Cast on 8 stitches
r1-r5: k8
r6: k2tog, k4, k2tog
r7: k6
r8: k2tog, k2, k2tog
r9-r10: k4
r11: k2tog, k2tog
r12: k2
Break the yarn off leaving about 4 inches. Weave the end in.
[I apologize for not taking pictures while I knit - I got distracted with making my pattern]
(This is just the slightly off center stuff we enjoy.)
Nice 'ible! :)
Wanted to mention, if you can't knit, this could probably be crocheted.
Gotta try this (for both of us)!
Eat less of it and you'll be fine. (It's not very much in this case...)
In this very nice instructable, it's about teasing, not eating. (Those calories will be "worked" away later...)
From my perspective, yeast "infection" is the goal. Or how would you produce a decent beer / champagne / bread otherwise ? ;-)
NOTICE: **Yeast Infection are bad :-(. Use sugar-less licorice laces.**
Thank you for sharing!


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now that I have softmodded my Wii, how should I go about getting into Wii Shop Channel? It says that i need to system update.
If you had tried that handy, dandy search box near top, you would've bound to find the answer.
Who I Am and What I Am
Forum Rules


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Click on the image to return to the gallery
This Diablo was rather dramatically modified by it's Japanese owner ... different to say the least ...
Note : All information and images found on this site are copyright protected by their respective owners and are used for review purpose only, nothing found on this site may be reproduced in any form without prior consent from the actual owner. Please feel free to take a look at the copyright notice and the legal disclaimer for more details on these issues.
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micoach is all you need to get the results you want.
- New Arrivals
- sale - up to 40% off
- 20% off sitewide, no minimum. Limited time only.
Enter Code: HURRY20
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Had this for 2 months now and I like it! When it rains I don't get soaking wet and that's a big plus for me. The only problem is that it runs slightly big I'm 5'7 with an average body and a M is a bit big, I recommend sizing down a bit. As far as quality goes I must say it's good, I was hit by a car while riding my bike and fell to the floor and I was surprised to see that the jacket was not ripped at all!! It was only ripped from my elbow but that was no big deal. So I'm happy with the product and I would definitely recommend it ... read more
I purchased the jacket for my son, and based on the size chart I bought him the M size. He's 177lb/6ft. The jacket fits great, the sleeves are a little bit long, but the design and the material are absolutely phenomenal. Unfortunately he can't wear it in the summer. It's a very stylish jacket, half of the full price. It's win win situation. ... read more


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Cutcliffe: Duke to keep pounding away with ground forces
As expected, Duke played four scholarship running backs in last Saturday's 45-0 win over N.C. Central.
Juwan Thompson, Jela Duncan, Shaquille Powell and Josh Snead rotated in the backfield behind quarterbacks Anthony Boone and Brandon Connette.
Those players helped Duke gain 257 rushing yards against the Eagles, the highest rushing output for Duke since Cutcliffe became its coach in 2008.
As happy as Cutcliffe was with that output, he's equally averse to the phrase "running back by committee" when describing his stable of backs.
"We have four guys who are good enough to be starters," Cutcliffe said during his radio show Tuesday night. "By committee means you don't have anyone good enough to start."
Thompson, the lone senior among the group, got the official starting assignment against the Eagles. While playing 19 snaps, he rushed for 30 yards on six carries, a healthy five yards per attempt.
Duncan, the sophomore who led Duke in rushing yardage last season (553), led the Blue Devils on Saturday with 76 yards on 11 rushes (a team-best 6.9 yards per attempt). He was on the field for 22 snaps at running back.
Snead, a redshirt junior, played a team-high 23 snaps at running back. He gained 53 yards on eight carries, 6.6 yards per carry.
Powell, a sophomore, was in the game for 21 snaps at running back. He compiled 47 yards on nine carries, 5.2 yards per attempt.
Having such a deep stable of backs gives Duke options it hasn't always had during Cutcliffe's tenure.
He pointed out this week that even when the Blue Devils are only gaining a few yards per carry in some stretches, he'll keep running the ball because eventually a big run will result.
"To me it's like body punches in a boxing match," Cutcliffe said. "The long-term effects for four quarters can be fatal to a defense. You have got to be equipped to do it. We're not the same kind of running team as an Alabama. But you have to be committed to it. We are committed to running the football."
Snead said the running backs are excited about the way the offense is designed this year and it showed against NCCU. The Eagles, of course, play in the Football Championship Subdivision, so it makes sense an ACC team like Duke could gain yards against them.
But Snead said that performance was sound and even when the Blue Devils play larger opponents, they should have success running the ball.
"It wasn't a lot of mistakes," Snead said. "It was great to see that. This year's mentality is dress up, show up. That's going to be the incentive."
As happy as he was with the output, Cutcliffe said the offense's performance wasn't perfect. After reviewing game film, he said there's a level of aggressiveness in blocking that he wants to see raised as the season goes on.
"I realized we're going to have to be extremely good blocking on the perimeter," Cutcliffe said. "We need to be more consistent in that regard. I thought we had everywhere on offense a few too many people that came off the blocks, that made tackles, that if we engaged a little longer, finished a little better, we could've finished with multiple big plays. We have to get to that point."
Duke gets a chance to draw closer to that point when it plays at Memphis on Saturday (4:30 p.m., ESPN3).


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American Idol
Watch Angie Miller Sing Rihanna's "Diamonds" on American Idol Top 4 5/1/2013
Angie Miller's first song choice of the night for the American Idol Top 4 was Rihanna's "Diamonds." According to the judges, it wasn't one of her best performance.
Keith Urban commends Angie doing an original version of the song, but he thinks it was the wrong choice to strip down its unique structure. He thinks if she was going to change the tune so much, she should have taken it even further and changed the melody.
Nicki Minaj says she thinks the performance was "bland, it was lackluster" and she could do a lot better.
Randy Jackson says it was a great song, but he agrees with Keith that Angie's version of the song just didn't go anywhere. He did like her leather shorts though. "I didn't love it," he says of her performance.
Mariah Carey feels like Angie tried to take the song to another place, but she was playing to the camera too much.


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willie mays
willie mays
Results: 1 - 5 of 5
Missing Links
'Tiger Woods is first star where ending feels almost like it's tarnishing the beginning'
Stories of interest you might have missed Dan Steinberg in the Washington Post examines the Willie Mays-Tiger Woods comparisons. "My colleague Matt Bonesteel thinks it's entirely inapt, that 'Woods isn't done at 39, because he...
Saturday, 7/18/2015 at 9:32AM
- keywords:
- Hank Haney,
- John Strege,
- Jordan Spieth,
- Phil Mickelson,
- Rory McIlroy
News & Tours
Roger Maltbie already was a Hall of Famer to many; now he's officially so
Anyone who has spent any time with Roger Maltbie, especially in the evening hours, already would have considered him a Hall of Famer. But the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame made it official on...
Wednesday, 5/13/2015 at 3:50PM
News & Tours
Missing Links: Tiger Woods' possible 'Willie Mays moment,' and McIlroy and a torch passed
By John Strege Stories of interest you might have missed "We might look back someday and remember what happened at this PGA Championship as [Tiger Woods'] Willie Mays moment," Jim Litke of the Associated Press...
Saturday, 8/9/2014 at 9:31AM
- keywords:
- Babe Didrikson Zaharias,
- Paul McGinley,
- Rory McIlroy,
- Ryder Cup,
- Tiger Woods
News & Tours
Sirak: Woods' story as compelling as ever
Pretty much all I have to do is type the words "Tiger Woods" and I get immediate feedback by Email, Twitter, Facebook, text, comments and carrier pigeon. Sometimes it seems as if all I...
Friday, 8/19/2011 at 12:48PM
- keywords:
- Bobby Jones,
- Byron Nelson,
- Sam Snead,
- Willie Mays,
- ben hogan
Golf Tours & News
Hawkins: Golf and J.T. - A Real Love Affair
Don't think Justin Timberlake's good for golf? John Hawkins says cry me a river. The Golf World columnist writes that Timberlake's involvement is great for the game and its future
Results: 1 - 5 of 5


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Wednesday, February 12, 2014
More than 1,400 students competed Dec. 12-15 in the National K-12 Chess Championship. The event was held at Lake Buena Vista, Fla. with chess players from all over the United States.
Joshua and Jacob Lewis, fourth graders at Charles Pinckney Elementary School, took part in the three-day, seven-round tournament. Jacob finished 153rd and Joshua finished 170th in the nation, strong showings for their second event.
Joshua and Jacob are products of the Charles Pinckney Elementary School Chess Team. They are coached by Stephen Welt, a local chess coach, and guided by Ec Setser, a second grade teacher at Laurel Hill Primary School and organizer of the Laurel Hill Primary School and Charles Pinckney Elementary School Chess Clubs.
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[The "mini plug" is called by many names; 3.5mm. 1/8". Mini phone plug. Mini headphone jack]
Check out our true Hi Fidelity 3.5mm mini plug audio cables and our budget line of cables (works for any ipod, iphone, ipad, mp3 player or audio device with standard 3.5mm headphone mini plug connectors)Common uses:
* Stereo In/Out on Computer Sound Cards * Headphone Out on MP3 Players, iPhone or Other small audio devices. * IR connections (only mono is necessary, but stereo normally is fine to use) mini plug to Stereo RCA connections are used for: * Stereo In/Out to Computer Sound Cards * Headphone Out on MP3 Players to Stereo Systems or Home Theater Receivers We have both Studio/Audiophile grade cables and value priced cables.


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Blue Wave Island Umbrella - Bimini Cantiliever 11' Octagon Umbrella -
The Bimini cantilever umbrella brings elegant shade to your patio as well as effortless operation. The 11' octagon canopy provides a large area of shade. A single wind vent at the top of the canopy facilitates airflow, allowing air to escape freely and preventing the umbrella from inverting during windy days. The clean, modern styling of the canopy makes it an attractive addition to any backyard.
A rugged anodized aluminum pole with many versatile features supports the Bimini umbrella. The pole has an integral crank so that anyone can easily raise and lower the canopy. Our patented tilt and lock mechanism allows the Bimini to be tilted in a number of positions to ensure maximum shade coverage regardless of the sun's angle. The handy base foot pedal allows you to rotate the umbrella a full 360°. You could place the umbrella between your lawn furniture and your spa and easily rotate it for shade on either one. No more ropes to tug or pulleys to tangle. Plus, the umbrella's base holds up to 200 lbs. of sand, so it is always firmly anchored, even on windy days.Add the Bimini cantilever umbrella to your backyard for the ultimate in shade and style!
The Bimini is offered in 5 different colors and 2 grades of fabric. Olefin fabric, backed by a 30-month warranty and Sunbrella Acrylic fabric, backed by a 36-month warranty. The aluminum pole and frame are backed by a 1-year warranty. The Biminii cantiliever umbrella 9'10" high and includes a free cover! Sand for the base is not included.
Blue Wave - Vega Umbrella Light (optional)
Enjoy summer evenings around your outdoor table by adding a little light. The blue wave is the ultimate umbrella light as it combines a strong light source with a self-adjusting design that fits all of the Blue Wave Island Umbrellas and most others with poles up to 2". When fully charged, the umbrella light will provide light for upwards of 6 hours. It is powered by 24 long lasting led lights that will last at least 30,000 hours. The Vega umbrella light includes an AC adaptor and a rechargeable battery, so you just plug it in to recharge, which takes approximately 6 hours. So beautifully designed and made that it won the coveted "design excellence award" at the International Casual Furniture Market.


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Definitions for =$word?>
Overview of adj topical
The adj topical has 3 senses? (first 1 from tagged texts)
1. (2) topical
(pertaining to the surface of a body part; "a drug for topical (or local) application"; "a topical anesthesia")
2. topical
(of or relating to or arranged by topics; "a detailed record on both a chronological and a topical basis")
3. topical
(of interest at the present time; "a topical reference"; "a topical and timely study of civil liberty")


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Protect Yourself and Respect Others on Pokerspace
Hello Pokerspace members,
We would like to ask you for a bit of your time to read the following carefully until the end. If you should have any questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch with a member of the staff via Personal Message or by email to firstname.lastname@example.com .
Have you ever wondered or asked yourself, who is this person clicking on their keyboard pounding out a blog or posting to one, writing a story, or the like? What do I really know about this person? Is this person trustworthy? Dare I let down my guard to this person? Is my whole life including information on my family out there for anyone to see? Am I safe discussing family details with someone who is a "friend" of mine on Facebook, at my poker forum, someone I exchange emails with? These are just a few of the questions one must ask themselves when it comes to dealing with the ever evolving world wide web.
The answer to the questions above are, truthfully, you don't know this person from Adam (as the saying goes).Sure, many are trustworthy, some will give you the shirt off their back, others you shouldn't trust them giving you the time of day. But, how do you know who to and not to trust?
This same situation holds true here at Pokerspace. How well do you really know all of the members here? How about just the ones on your "buddy" list? How about your "close" friends that are fellow members? Sure we have some fantastic totally trustworthy members. Conversely, we probably have some that are just the opposite. There are certainly some members who provide to charities, unsolicited, unknown and totally incognito. Surely there are those with shady pasts and/or criminal records (guilty of crimes both petty and the most vial of them as well). So, how do you, as a member of Pokerspace protect yourself?
How many members have everything about them listed in their profile? We have seen some astoundingly secure information, copies of one's driver's license, home address and telephone numbers displayed right there on a member's profile page for all the world to see. Is this wise? Unfortunately, in this day and age it is becoming more and more evident it is not. Again, you have no idea who is on the other end of that computer that maybe perusing all of your personal information on your Pokerspace profile page. Besides that there are also spy programs and bots that accumulate such public accessible data and use it to their advantage for illegal advertising, also known as "spam".
Remember each and every member can set their own privacy settings for their profile page. One can set them up so that only those members on their buddy list, nobody or anybody can view their personal information. The choice is yours, the member, to set your privacy settings. We cannot set them for you, only provide you with the tools to "protect yourself". So, take this suggestion, review your profile page, check your privacy settings and set them so that you can protect yourself. Unfortunately, you just can't be too safe these days when it comes to the internet.
The privacy settings can accessed via "edit privacy" on your profile page:
Pokerspace Account Privacy Settings
Earlier, we discussed the fact that we may in fact have members that may be dishonest and/or have shady pasts and/or criminal records. Keep in mind that we are not the morality police. We have no obligation to and should not delve into the past of our members to "check them out" and then, if something is found, decide well this crime is ok, this one is not, etc.
Pokerspace is neither the judge nor the jury in any matter, rather, it interprets its rules and TOS while monitoring its members is so doing. What we should do and in fact do is to "police" (if you will) that all members abide by the rules as listed in the TOS. Remember, again, each of you agreed to abide by these rules when you became a member.
When each member joined Pokerspace, in so doing, he/she agreed to abide by its rules as set forth in the TOS. These can be found at the bottom of the page or when you click here:
Most importantly you should keep in mind that we will not tolerate harassment, accusations (founded or unfounded) and the like of fellow members. The foregoing is a clear and blatant violation of the TOS and any member found doing this is subject to discipline including, but not limited to, suspension and/or revocation of your Pokerspace membership.
If there is any issue between members, please try to resolve them in private by using the Private Messaging function. There is no need to address it openly on the forums or on the blog section because the past has shown that these situations usually create a lot of drama.
If members are unable to resolve it in private, please contact support via email at firstname.lastname@example.com . In that case Pokerspace will act as mediator to try and find the best possible solution for everyone involved.
In conclusion, may we recommend that every member treat your fellow members as you want to be treated by them? Also, please review your privacy settings and adjust them where necessary. If we all do the foregoing, we will all be a little safer and our experiences here at Pokerspace should be more enjoyable.
Thank you for your attention.
The Pokerspace Team.