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Named for President Andrew Jackson, Jackson County was formed in 1852 from the southwestern portion of Lane County and the unorganized area south of Douglas and Umpqua Counties. It originally included lands which now lie in Coos, Curry, Josephine, Klamath and Lake Counties. After a history of boundary changes, battles, and settlements, the County now covers 2,802 square miles, of which 2,785 square miles is land and 17 square miles is water, and has grown to have the sixth largest population of all Oregon counties.
The County is governed by a three-member Board of Commissioners, an elected body responsible for many broad issues in the region, such as forest planning, water supply issues, regional land use planning, air quality, transportation, emergency management and economic development. The Board also works with the Countys 11 cities on matters of mutual concern, and serves the citizens of Jackson County by resolving complaints and legislating where necessary.
Service under Jackson County jurisdiction include the library system, the Airport, the Expo/Fairgrounds, County Roads and Parks, Health and Human Services, voting and voter registration, and the Sheriff and Community Justice departments.
Mission Statement
Jackson Countys mission is to provide public services that protect and enhance the quality of life in the County, as determined by the people, laws, and available resources.
While Jackson County has seen tremendous growth in the last 10-20 years, what residents prize most are the small-town values of their communities, along with the cultural diversity usually found in larger cities.
The County is blessed with moderate weather. Unlike many regions in Oregon, Jackson County only receives around 19 inches of rainfall a year. While the weather is mild average temperature in January is 36.8° and 73.7° in July there are four distinct seasons.
The area is served by the Rogue Valley International-Medford Airport, offering convenient and affordable travel on several major airlines.
Once known for timber, the economy of Jackson County has diversified. Health care, including Asante Health System and Providence Medical Center is the largest employment group in the County. Second largest group is retail/manufacturing, including Harry & David and Amy's Kitchen. Government is the third largest employment group; this reflects the fact that the Federal government owns 47 percent of the land within the County's boundaries.
Industries that show steady growth in Jackson County include wine, film, and farmingpointing to how Jackson County is distinguished as a place where entrepreneurship thrives.
Founded: January 12, 1852
County Seat: Medford, Oregon
Population: 204,630*
Total Area: 2,802 square miles
Highest Elevation: 9,490 ft
Lowest Elevation: 940 ft
Principal Industries: Healthcare, Agriculture, Tourism, Manufacturing/Retail, Timber
Medford, with a population of 75,545, is the largest city within Jackson County and serves as its County seat. Medford is known throughout the country and the world for its pear orchards and is home to Harry & David and Jackson & Perkins, one of the worlds largest shippers of fruit, food baskets, and roses. Medford is a popular location for visitors who wish to access the nearby recreation areas.
The second largest city in Jackson County, Ashland (population 20,325), is home of the internationally famous Oregon Shakespeare Festival which runs from mid-February through October and sells more than 350,000 tickets a year. Ashland is also the location of Southern Oregon University. Another Jackson County town known for tourism is Jacksonville, located just five miles west of Medford. The entire City is on the National Historic Registry and is home to Britt Festivals, one of the largest summer music festivals in the United States.
Total Jackson County 204,630*
Ashland 20,325
Butte Falls 425
Central Point 17,275
Eagle Point 8,550
Gold Hill 1,220
Jacksonville 2,815
Medford 75,545
Phoenix 4,570
Rogue River 2,145
Shady Cove 2,920
Talent 6,115
Unincorporated Area 62,725
*Source: Portland State University Population Research Center


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Some of the aqua activities that visitors to the beach pursue include sailing, kite-buggying, surfing, wind-surfing and kite- surfing. Equipment for kitebuggying can be found in Dublin, Belfast and Galway.
A different way to get to the beach! This way will allow you to see some of the local sea birds and wildlife.
A good wind can allow you to travel at 40 mph, damp / wet sand allows the buggy to travel, e.g. when the tide is out.
Return to Home Page

subset: commoncrawl


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Survey Information
Survey Name:
Aviation Statistics
Business Area:
Transport Section, Agriculture, Transport & Tourism Division:
Data is collected from Irish Airports to provide information about transport of goods and passengers by air to, from and within Ireland.
Legislative Basis:
Regulation (EC) No. 437/2003 the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 February 2003 on statistical returns in respect of the carriage of passengers freight and mail by air.
Commission Regulation (EC) No. 1358/2003 of 31 July 2003
Statutory Instrument Number 91 of 2014 - Statistics (Carriage of Passengers, Freight and Mail by Air) Order 2013.
Monthly and Annual
Target Population:
Irish Airports with at least 15,000 passenger units per year must provide data. Data reporting requirements differ depending on the size of the airport.
Sampling Frame:
Data is collected from all airports over the 15,000 passenger unit threshold.
Survey Size:
Principal Variables Collected:
Reference period, Reporting airport, Arrival/Departure, Next/Previous airport, Scheduled/Non-scheduled service, Passenger/All Freight Service, Airline Information, Aircraft Type, No. of passengers on board, Weight of freight and mail on board, No. of commercial air flights, passenger seats available.
Principal External Users:
Eurostat, Airports
Contact Points
Business Area Specialists:
Jim Dalton
Noreen Dorgan
The business specialists above can be contacted by e-mail using their firstname.lastname@example.com
Methodology Document


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Emma Talley won the 113th U.S. Women's Amateur Championship on Sunday at the Country Club of Charleston.
But Charleston, and the country club, came out winners, too.
Ms. Talley, a rising 19-year-old sophomore at the University of Alabama from little Princeton, Ky., was an engaging, deserving victor. She prevailed after a demanding 35-hole test against China's 17-year-old Yueer Cindy Feng on a hot, muggy day.
However, television viewers saw much more than Ms. Talley's 2-and-1 triumph (two holes ahead with one to play).
They saw the charming old Seth Raynor Country Club of Charleston course in fine form. And they saw lots of impressive sights — and heard lots of admiring praise — of our community.
Whit Watson, co-host of the Golf Channel's Women's Am coverage, told the TV audience: "The harbor city of Charleston's been a gracious host throughout."
Co-host Kay Cockerill, who won the Women's Am in 1986 and '87, hailed Charleston's "wonderful historic walks through the town, great restaurants — honestly I think one of the top five cities to visit in the United States. Highly recommended to come here for a vacation."
Gee, thanks.
But are we really no better than the "top five cities to visit in the United States"?
And if so, could we challenge the other four cities to two rounds of match play each to determine the true champion?
Notice about comments:
The Post and Courier is pleased to offer readers the enhanced ability to comment on stories. Some of the comments may be reprinted elsewhere in the site or in the newspaper. We ask that you refrain from profanity, hate speech, personal comments and remarks that are off point.
We do not edit user submitted statements and we cannot promise that readers will not occasionally find offensive or inaccurate comments posted in the comments area. If you find a comment that is objectionable, please click the X that appears in the upper right corner when you hover over a comment. This will send the comment to Facebook for review. Please be reminded, however, that in accordance with our Terms of Use and federal law, we are under no obligation to remove any third party comments posted on our website. Read our full terms and conditions.


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Say hello to the OCNY bag! As world travelers, we need a lot of places to keep our things. This season, we introduce our first-ever line of OC carryalls—ranging from the petite Pop-Up to the spacious OC Tokyo tote. As any New Yorker will tell you, living in the city demands the proper equipment. With a large satchel-style body, the OCNY is here to keep your notebooks, iPad, camera, and keys strapped to your side at all times.
This item is low in stock!
Opening Ceremony specializes in stocking one-of-a-kind pieces. By virtue of their uniqueness, some of these items are available only in limited quantities.
You will be issued a full refund if we are unable to fulfill your order.
If you have any questions, please contact us at email@example.com or (646) 237-6078.


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As some of you may know, I paint my nails silver. Why? Everyone always asks, but the real answer is just because I think it's cool.
When I read this article about
The salon in the Wynn is gorgeous. It's huge and very well decorated. As they do at many spas, they offered me a drink. I don't drink, so I got water. It always strikes me as a weird offer, though. I manage to take a few sips, and then my hands are being worked on for a little over an hour, making it impossible to drink the water.
The highlight was the paraffin wax treatment. My manicurist plunged my hands into a vat of hot wax. When I saw the vat and its contents it looked like fondue, and I have to admit I was a bit hesitant to put my hands into it.
When my handes came out, they were dripping with with gooey warm wax and wrapped in plastic. It was particularly pleasant because the wax holds the heat well and kept my hands warm for a while. Removing the wax is easy - it just peels off like a glove. My hands felt really soft after that.
Anyway... after the hour long ritual it finally came time to apply the polish.
It's not platinum colored. I'll admit that when I first heard of the polish I thought that it was strange that it was platinum colored, since I've never seen anyone with silver nails who hasn't gotten the idea from me. The color is somewhere between clear and white. A bit... subtle for my tastes.
A big problem I face (yeah... life's tough) is that I can only find low quality silver
Find a salon that carries Minx nails. I think you'll be satisfy with this product because it looks chrome not metallic. Also, no waiting for it to dry, it's applied like a sticker
You didn't say how much you paid for you Vegas manicure. I'm curious.
"Zoya Polish makes a silver polish, and this line is Free of Chemicals"
Free of chemicals? Sounds difficult. Is it plasma polish? ;)
Just So you Know
Zoya Polish makes a silver polish, and this line is Free of Chemicals - so if you are wearing nail polish all the time it is great to not ruin them with checmicals.
I Own a Spa in Toronto by the Name of AXISpa that uses this product.
a lot of things are done which you dont know would do good or harm - you just let them do it because you think they are the best since they are the most expensive - bull!
I want to make something clear. Crystal clear. I am in no way obligated to write this post, and it's not being written under duress. And also Taryn totally didn't hold a knife against my throat today. Or any other day. That never happened. With that in mind, I present to you the top 5 reasons Taryn is better than your girlfriend.
Number 5 - She cleaned my kitchen! I thought that this was impossible. I'd made two solid attempts, and while I did chip away at the skyscrapers of pots and pans, more took their places later. In about an hour or so, she totally cleaned it and it now looks fantastic.
Number 4- She did a crapload of laundry (dammit! I forgot to hang up that last load - I TOLD YOU!). Now for those of you who know me in real life, you can stop wondering why I keep wearing the same shirt every other day. For those of you who know me REALLY well in real life, you can stop wondering why I'm wearing the same underwear every day.
To me, this is part of what being an entrepreneur is all about. Turning around in the taxi line, embarrassing yourself in front of hundreds of people, and seeing what happens. Often times, it's something good, because nobody else is willing to try it.
Here is a trasnscript of the video:


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The beautifully sculpted hotel cascades down the hill (Alto de Las Palomas) providing exquisite views of San Jose and the surrounding volcanoes and valley.
Find great deals on quality hotels & resorts in Santa Ana Costa Rica, or indulge at one of our luxury resorts. Take advantage of the many amenities that can be included with your stay such as in-room internet access, wifi, room service, fitness center, pool, hot tub, steam room, and shuttle services to and from the airport. Browse our hotels and resorts in Santa Ana Costa Rica and plan your Santa Ana Costa Rica vacation today!


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My name is Dan.
I built Hackternoon.com on a Linux laptop.
Hackternoon.com is like a dating site.
But instead of helping you find a "date", I help you find a Software Developer. If you think finding a wonderful romantic partner is difficult, wait until you go on a quest for a programmer who can transform your ideas into software. This site might help you with that.
I offer you steps to follow:
Then ask, "Is my profile combined with my project attractive to the type of Developers I want to attract ?"
The following attributes are attractive to many types of Developers:
After your profile and project(s) are attractive, you go to the next step. You advertise that you want a Software Developer to work with you on your project. In your advertisements, you point to your project(s) at Hackternoon.com
For example, here is one of my projects:
Where do you advertise?
One answer is to spend a lot of time on Google to find where software developers congregate. Then register at those sites and then contact them with your pitch. Another place to start is a Craigslist.com sub-domain for a large city holding many Software Developers.
I list below Craigslist URLs for some of the largest cities in the USA:


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RCA IP150 Android VoIP Phone
The RCA IP150 is a 6 line HD Voice VoIP phone running on Android 2.1. Designed for business applications, with the IP150 can be synced with Microsoft Outlook and Google Contacts, access to Android apps and a 7 color touchscreen display for access applications and web browsing.
The RCA IP150 is the flagship phone in the RCA VoIP phone family. The IP150 is a desk telephone that features a 7-inch capacitive touch screen and is powered by Android 2.1. This gives the IP150 access to a suite of Android apps.
The RCA IP150 has seamless functionality with popular applications such as Salesforce.com. This Android VoIP phone is compliant with Microsoft Outlook, making it easy to import contacts and go to work right away with an RCA VoIP handset.
RCA IP150 Features and Functions:
RCA IP150 Specifications
# of Lines
High Definition Voice
Backlit Display
Color Display
Touchscreen Display
Protocol Supported
# of RJ45 Ports
PoE Compatible
AC Power Supply Included
Headset Interface
EHS Support
Copyright © Sophie Systems 2015. All Rights Reserved.Business Consulting | Policies | Tech News
UPS and the UPS logo are trademarks that are used with permission by the owner, United Parcel Service of America, Inc. All rights reserved.


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Today my friend texted me to let me know that Zara has finally re-opened in the Galleria mall and that they have a baby/kids section now which I'm thrilled about because their stuff is so adorable. Like seriously…these dresses? This tee? Perfection. Zara was one of my favorite stores to shop at and I'm glad they renovated to make it two stories, because it was always so packed and busy that the shopping experience wasn't very enjoyable.
50% off Select Full Price Styles and 50% off Sale Styles. Shop from 8/28 12a EST - 9/1 11:59p EST
Extra 20% off sale items! Over 600 styles added. Ends 9/1
40% off Final Sale with Free shipping on orders over $100.
Free Shipping on all orders on labor day (8/29-8/31).
More sales are listed below. Happy shopping!
Labor Day Sale! Jewelry Styles Starting at 50% Off! Now - 9/1
40% off entire store! Valid 8/29 - 9/1
Get Prepped For Fall with 30% Off Full Price Items
25% off! // Code: laborday25


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Welcome! Please make yourself at home. It's easy here at Patrick Square, with captivating new homes and versatile floor plans, familiar Southern architecture and exceptional amenities. Plus the walk-to convenience of the rapidly evolving Town Center, whose shops, restaurants and businesses will offer exciting diversions for residents in the neighborhood and beyond. All just moments from Clemson University. Most important: the friendliest, most engaging neighbors you'd ever hope to chat with on your own front porch. Please explore our online "neighborhood," then call or come by. We want to hear about you and your family, and help you fulfill your South Carolina Upstate real estate dreams.
Success of this Clemson real estate community comes as no surprise. Developer Patrick Square LLC includes principals of JMC Communities Inc., whose team has brought experience, reliability and integrity to more than 4,000 homeowners since 1978. Distinguished urbanist and community designer Robert Goodill of Torti Gallas and Partners, and nationally renowned residential designer Lew Oliver of Whole Town Solutions directed Patrick Square's highly livable town plan and home designs.


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It's just the two of us, mom
just me and you
I know we'll make it
We'll be strong and pull through
My life is really unstable
and many curiosities lie inside
I don't understand the way things are
I need closure as to why
Why did my father disappear?
Did he really hate me that much?
I wonder what it would feel like
to have his hand to touch
Is it warm and loving?
Or is it heartless and cold?
Will I ever find him
as I begin to grow old?
A part of me is missing
The part that belongs to him
I would like for him to love me one day
And complete this missing limb
So, where are you, dad?
Are you ready to take your place?
The least I would expect of you
is for you to see my face
To see what you have created
And what I've turned out to be
Because I know that if you did
then you would be proud of me
So if someday you should return
I hope you read this poem
And answer my one question,
"Why did you leave mom and me alone?"
Why Did You Leave? Poem
No Stories yet, You can be the first!
February 2006
It's just the two of us, mom


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|10 in.
|AC Voltage:
|Cord Type:
|3,300 - 4,500
|Spindle Thread:
|5/8 in. - 11 RH
|Switch Type:
|Wheel Diameter:
|6 in.
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®by PowerReviews
Best Uses
Reviewed by 3 customers
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Best Uses
Comments about Power Paint Remover:
I use it to strip paint outside from decks and square columns with multiple layers of paint.
It is very fast and effective. Far more productive than any other type sander or sanding disc. Tungsten carbide sanding discs last many times longer than the cloth and abrasives types.
When sanding large horizontal deck areas it is necessary to wear knee pads and crawl, which can be tiresome. I rigged long handles and operated from a standing position.
Best Uses
Comments about Power Paint Remover:
This is a very aggressive and fast paint remover.You have to really pay attention to what you're doing amd it is super dusty with no dust attachment. We use two whole stripping a house.
Best Uses
Comments about Power Paint Remover:
Great tool to uncover multiple paint/glue layers on old wooden houses. Did the work in one-tenth the time of traditional methods.
Do you have questions about this product?
Get answers from real customers and in-house experts with AnswerBox.
Q:HI,I have Porter-Cable double insulated -paint remover, however, I am to find the paint removal Disc. The Grit of the Disc for my Porter-Cable product are #46,#26 and #24, if anyone knows where I can purchase these Disc, I would truly appreciate them for doing so. thank you. My model no. of the Porter -Cable, is Model 7403
1 answer
A:You can contact Porter Cable directly at 1-888-848-5175. They will be able to assist you locating the sanding discs.
PORTER-CABLE will repair, without charge, any defects due to faulty materials or workmanship for three years from the date of purchase. This warranty does not cover part failure due to normal wear or tool abuse. For further detail of warranty coverage and warranty repair information, visit www.deltaportercable.com or call (888) 848-5175. This warranty does not apply to accessories or damage caused where repairs have been made or attempted by others. This warranty gives you specific legal rights and you may have other rights which vary in certain states or provinces.
In addition to the warranty, PORTER-CABLE tools are covered by our:
To register your tool for warranty service visit our website at www.deltaportercable.com.
To obtain information on warranty performance, please write to: PORTER-CABLE CORPORATION, 4825 Highway 45 North, Jackson, Tennessee 38305; Attention: Product Service. THE FOREGOING OBLIGATION IS PORTER-CABLE'S SOLE LIABILITY UNDER THIS OR ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY AND UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHALL PORTER-CABLE BE LIABLE FOR ANY INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES. Some states do not allow limitations on how long an implied warranty lasts or the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitation or exclusion may not apply to you.
This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other legal rights which vary from state to state.


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Hondo's 16-0 run leaves Ingleside behind
CORPUS CHRISTI - Trailing by 11 points with less than two minutes to play in the first half Tuesday, the Hondo Owls looked headed for another regional quarterfinal loss to another District 31-3A champion.
Instead, a remarkable 16-0 run spanning 5½ minutes over two quarters put the Owls back into the game, and back-to-back 3-pointers in the final minutes helped wrestle the victory away from Ingleside, 47-44.
The win gave Hondo its first trip to the regional tournament in school history, almost a year after falling to West Oso by three points in the same round. Ingleside was looking for its first regional berth in seven straight postseasons.
The Owls will face either Giddings or San Antonio Sam Houston Friday night in the American Bank Center, with the winner advancing to Saturday's Region IV championship.
"This is a huge step for us," said Hondo coach D.J. Denton. "We knew we could do it, talentwise, but mentally, it's making that step."
With all-around threat Haley Richter on the bench with foul trouble for most of the second half, it was fellow junior Chesney Brown who came through for the Owls, scoring the first seven points of the fourth quarter.
Ingleside took leads with 3:38 and 1:20 remaining, but lost both leads to 3-pointers by a wide-open Richter and Luanna Lopez.
"Our defense is designed to not let that happen, but we had a breakdown and left people open," said Ingleside coach Michael Stenseth. "We were too excited, too aggressive, and we didn't adjust."
Kaylie Adams grabbed a rebound from a missed free-throw and ran the length of the court for a layup to pull the Mustangs within a point with 20 seconds to play, but Colleen Moss scored her only two points of the fourth quarter on free throws to extend the lead and Adams' last-second shot missed the mark.
Brown (17 points) and Richter (16) were two of only four Owls to score. Brittani Kimball led Ingleside with 12 points, including three of the team's four 3-pointers and six of its first 10 points.
Ingleside held Hondo without a point from the field for the first 5½ minutes and led 24-13 with 2:36 to play in the second quarter, but the Owls were 12-of-18 from the free-throw line in the first half to stay in the game.
"We put them on the line for way too many free-throw opportunities," said Stenseth, whose squad was whistled for the game's first eight fouls, all in the first quarter. The Mustangs, who themselves made 18-of-30 attempts to beat Devine in the area playoff, saw the Owls hit on a similar 19-of-30 Tuesday night.
Hondo finished the first half with seven straight points and opened the second half with nine more, and the teams entered the final eight minutes of play knotted at 31.
Hondo 9 11 11 16 - 47
Ingleside 12 12 7 13 - 44
HONDO: Luanna Lopez 2 0-0 5, Colleen Moss 1 7-12 9, Katie Arcos 0 0-1 0, Maggie Sunderman 0 0-2 0, Chesney Brown 4 9-11 17, Haley Richter 5 3-4 16.
INGLESIDE: Brittani Kimnball 3 3-4 12, Chelsea Claypool 3 0-1 6, Kaylie Adams 3 0-0 6, Samantha Walsh 2 0-3 5, Kelli Kemp 2 5-8 9, Brooke Greytok 3 0-1 6.
3-point goals: Hondo 4 (Richter 3, Lopez), Ingleside 4 (Kimball 3, Walsh). Total fouls- Hondo 19, Ingleside 23.
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Walks you through the process of analyzing, planning, and managing different types of content—from blog posts to videos—so you can develop a content strategy for any website.
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Press release from Business Wire
Emerson Network Power Unveils New Roadmap for Maximizing Data Center Energy Efficiency

 Update to Energy Logic approach capitalizes on new technologies and increased server virtualization, leading to energy savings of up to 74 percent

Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Emerson Network Power Unveils New Roadmap for Maximizing Data Center Energy Efficiency10:00 EDT Tuesday, August 28, 2012 COLUMBUS, Ohio (Business Wire) -- Emerson Network Power, a business of Emerson (NYSE: EMR) and a global leader in maximizing availability, capacity, and efficiency of critical infrastructure, today introduced Energy Logic 2.0, a vendor-neutral roadmap of 10 strategies that can reduce a data center's energy use by up to 74 percent. The approach, detailed in a new e-book, updates the original Energy Logic, introduced by Emerson Network Power in 2007, and incorporates the advances in technology and best practices that have emerged in the past five years. Emerson Network Power is also launching the Energy Logic 2.0 Cascading Savings Calculator, an online tool that enables data center managers to calculate the approximate energy savings from employing these updated strategies in their data centers. "Energy Logic 2.0 clearly shows there are great opportunities to optimize the data center," said Jack Pouchet, vice president of business development and director of energy initiatives for Emerson Network Power. "Energy efficiency remains a priority, and a new generation of management technologies that provide greater visibility and control of data center systems has arrived. The data center industry is better positioned than ever to make a serious impact in reducing overall data center energy consumption." Energy Logic 2.0 is based on a cascade effect, which quantifies how savings at the IT component level are magnified in the supporting systems, and recommends an approach to optimize the efficiency of core IT systems. For example, in a data center with a PUE (Power Usage Effectiveness) of 1.9, a 1 Watt savings at the server processor creates a savings of 2.84 Watts at the facility level as a result of the cascade effect. At higher PUEs, the savings is even greater. What's New in Energy Logic 2.0 The original Energy Logic approach in 2007 was designed and tested on a 5,000-square-foot model data center. This year, Emerson Network Power again used a model data center of the same size to build the Energy Logic 2.0 roadmap. This time, however, recent technological advancements have enabled even greater energy savings. For instance, Energy Logic 2.0 shows how the energy consumption of the base 5,000-square-foot data center can be reduced from 1,543 kilowatts to 408 kilowatts, or by up to 74 percent. In addition to the cascade effect, Emerson Network Power has quantified the "reverse" cascade effect: the total energy wasted by stranded capacity. Emerson Network Power has found that 1 Watt of energy wasted on an unproductive server creates an additional 1.95 Watts of waste at the facility level. A number of updates were made to Energy Logic 2.0, resulting in the improved energy efficiency results. For instance, key strategies such as high-efficiency server components, power architecture improvements, and temperature and airflow management have been updated to reflect recent technological advances. Additionally, Energy Logic 2.0 takes into account the increased adoption of server virtualization compared with five years ago. Finally, Information and Communications Technology (ICT) architecture is highlighted as an emerging best practice that delivers energy savings by optimizing IT and networking architecture, and data center infrastructure management (DCIM) is incorporated because it provides the visibility and control required to fully leverage multiple Energy Logic strategies. For more information, download the e-book, Energy Logic 2.0: New Strategies for Cutting Data Center Energy Costs and Boosting Capacity,and try out the Cascading Savings Calculator at www.EfficientDataCenters.com. About Emerson Network Power Emerson Network Power, a business of Emerson (NYSE: EMR), delivers software, hardware, and services that maximize availability, capacity, and efficiency for data centers and healthcare and industrial facilities. A trusted industry leader in smart infrastructure technologies, Emerson Network Power provides innovative data center infrastructure management solutions that bridge the gap between IT and facility management and deliver efficiency and uncompromised availability regardless of capacity demands. Our solutions are supported globally by local Emerson Network Power service technicians. Learn more about Emerson Network Power products and services at www.EmersonNetworkPower.com. About Emerson Emerson (NYSE: EMR), based in St. Louis, Missouri (USA), is a global leader in bringing technology and engineering together to provide innovative solutions for customers in industrial, commercial, and consumer markets around the world. The company is comprised of five business segments: Process Management, Industrial Automation, Network Power, Climate Technologies, and Commercial & Residential Solutions. Sales in fiscal 2011 were $24.2 billion. For more information, visit www.Emerson.com. Actual experience may vary based on various factors, including but not limited to site design, site conditions, environmental parameters, annual operating cost estimates. Emerson Electric Co. and/or its affiliates makes no representations or warranty about the accuracy, reliability, completeness, or timeliness of the materials and disclaim any and all liability for damages resulting from use of this information or for any errors or omissions. We do not have any duty to update the materials, and we will not be liable for any failure to update such materials. © 2012 Emerson Electric Co. All rights reserved. Emerson Network Power, and the Emerson Network Power logo are trademarks and/or service marks of Emerson Electric Co. For EmersonMike Slatin, email@example.com


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This is Radyo Totoo and the only AM Station in Antique Province.
With the frequency of 801 Khz with transmitting power of 5 Kilowatts. Studio is Located at 3rd St. Joseph Bldg, San Jose, Antique.Transmitter located at St. Saint Anthony's College. A Member of Catholic Media Network and Kapisanan ng mga Broadkaster ng Pilipinas. The Evangelization Radio of the Diocese of Antique and FM Station 94.1 SpiritFM.


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Kat is currently in New York, shooting the new game show, 'Hip Hop Squares'. While there, she sat down with VH1 on the Morning Buzz to talk about her music and Vampire Diaries. Check it out below:
And check out these lovely shots from VH1's 'Pass the Bowl' interview series:
"Pass The Bowl" is VH1's ongoing interview series, wherein celebrities contribute questions to our bowl and fellow celebs later draw a question.
Ana Gasteyer: Have you ever written a fan letter and if so, to whom? If not, who would you write one to?
Vampire Diaries' Kat Graham: Ok, I have written a fan letter. It's really embarrassing. I actually wrote it to Moby. He never wrote me back and I was really mortified. It was for the album "Play" and I was obsessed with him. He was the first person who got me into actual music production. I started making beats shortly after I was his fan.
Kat's Question For The Bowl: If you could go on tour with anyone, who would it be?
source: VH1 Tumblr
Then this morning, she visited the WPIX 11 studios for a chat. Click picture to watch (cannot embed):


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Explore the personal stories of Syrian refugees in Lebanon
Ghana's mixed fortune as a dumping ground for e-waste
In the US, is black history merely a sad prelude to the present, or an ongoing nightmare of discrimination and violence?
28 Feb 2012 05:19 GMT | US & Canada, United States
Eyal Weizman explains architecture's key role in the Israeli occupation of Palestine and the evolution of urban warfare.
Human Rights, Israel, Palestine
There is a unique and dangerous commerce system at work in Amazonia, where children risk their lives for a few pennies.
Business & Economy, Latin America, Brazil
We expose the dirty secrets behind Australia's fresh food industry and the widespread exploitation of foreign workers.
Human Rights, Australia, Food
The devastating impact that war and living under the constant threat of drones has had on the people of Afghanistan.
War & Conflict, Health, Afghanistan


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Quite a few people have been in touch with me after reading about the suggestion by the Labour-run Council, that the 'sunken' Dips or the strip of land next to the railway embankment on New Brighton promenade may be used for overflow car parking. Quite rightly, they're up in arms that these recreational areas used by Wirral residents and day trippers for decades could be turned into a concrete car park. These areas are an extension of our parks and green belt spaces, to even consider concreting this area is appalling.
When Neptune first approached the Council for the New Brighton Development, they were told to undertake a Traffic Impact Study, when it was concluded we said it was flawed and had underestimated the traffic it would attract. Our concerns were ignored.
New Brighton has always been a bottle neck and no one yet has come up with an ideal solution. Using the Dips is not the answer.


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TRS Director Richard Ingram. There he goes again.
TRS Director Richard Ingram.
Earlier this year Richard Ingram created a problem by going rogue and calling for a "new reality" when it comes to pension reform. His new reality entailed benefit cuts rather than funding reform.
At the time, the TRS board remained silent. Sitting on the TRS board is IEA President Cinda Klickna.
Now Ingram is back. While TRS is not supposed to get into legislative proposals, Ingram told Crain's that TRS COLAs had to be cut.
Again, there has been nothing in response from the TRS board or Klickna.
In an interview with Crain's editors and reporters, Richard Ingram, executive director of the underfunded Illinois Teachers' Retirement System, said state politicians will have few other options if they want to make meaningful progress on closing the gap between promised pension benefits and the available funding.
"Look at every other state that's done pension reform – what have they done? They've changed the COLA because that's where the cost is," Mr. Ingram said, noting that 25 percent of TRS payments are for cost-of-living increases on pension benefits.
In reality, the biggest financial burden related to TRS is the payment on the debt that the state owes.
Sig Lisowski permalinkOctober 3, 2012 12:56 pm
This guy should be gone. Why is this position while screwing us? We expect people to respect our point of view and take it seriously while we let this numb nut say these things and we DO NOTHING? At the Lemont meeting he was quoted as an "in your face" by the hack group that sponsored it. His statements here will be another bullet used to kill us.
Keith Bozarth permalinkOctober 3, 2012 3:46 pm
Good-bye Dick. You almost lasted as long as I did.
October 3, 2012 4:26 pm
Mr. Ingram claims that funding TRS is not his job. He is just an administrator. (This is the jist of his letter in a recent pension news issue.) Well then, why is he making suggestions to the public and legislators about cutting benefits? And one would think his administrative duties would include overseeing that the funding was taking place. Where was he on that job during years of underfunding by the state of Illinois?
October 3, 2012 6:25 pm
As stated by Ingram, "the number is so bad [regarding the COLA]… that you have to start having those conversations… that if you look at the pension math, the single biggest cost is the COLA," in other words, "…the math is not trueing up with what is constitutional or fair or earned or whatever else."
Well, since Ingram has changed his once stated "neutral" position since last fall, how about asking Ingram to include conversations concerning tax breaks and loopholes for corporations and the wealthy? How much revenue would be created singlehandedly with their elimination?
And how about having conversations regarding the creation of a graduated-rate structure that will "cut the overall state income tax burden for 94 percent of all taxpayers" (the Center for Tax and Budget Accountability), or how about conversations regarding the elimination of the tax loophole for "Tax Increment Financing Districts?" According to Greg Leroy, the executive director at a national policy resource center that promotes corporate and government accountability in Washington, DC, that eradication will "save $1.2 billion a year." Yes, according to Ingram, let the suggestions and solutions for the TRS board be "new, bold and honest."
Well here are two more suggestions and two more questions, Dick: let's put an end to scapegoating teachers and other public employees once and for all. Public employees are not responsible for the state's deficits. Furthermore, let's put an end to distracting the general populace from the real problems that the State of Illinois confronts: an inadequate revenue structure and an exorbitant pension debt (caused by the Illinois General Assemblies since 1953). How about defending the legal and moral promises (Article XIII, Section 5 of the Illinois Constitution) made to public employees in 1970 (and still relevant and pertinent today)? How about focusing on raising revenue and paying debts without compromising the future of the state's teachers (and their students) as well as other state workers?


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Applies to both General Baseball Rules and SDABL-Specific Local Playing Rules
Every umpire at some point in time has made some pretty bad, if not downright embarrassing, mistakes. It's just something that happens. And though we all try to deny it, there's no doubt about the fact that we are certain to go down that dark, lonely road again. Some of us try to solve the problem by giving ourselves a good smack upside the head in the hope of clearing out the cobwebs. Doesn't work, and I've got a flat head to prove it. Besides it's a waste of energy. After all, there's always going to be someone around willing to do it for us---from the disgruntled Little League Mom to the freaked-out adult ball player. So before we hire the Marque de Sade as our consultant, let's try to solve the problem in a much less painless way. Let's evaluate our own misconceptions and look at some of the rules that periodically pop-up to bite us on our proverbial butts.
NOTE: If you have been the victim of one of your own "brain fizzles" and would like to share it, or have heard about something in particular, then by all means email me directly (click here). Names aren't important, only the situations. We aren't trying to point fingers here.
I also encourage you to share any thoughts you might have to what is contained below by emailing me directly (link above) in order to get me straightened out. Whether you agree, disagree, are still confused, or figure an item below is totally out in left field, then let's talk about it. You may be better able to provide insight into some particular rule or event that will clarify things.
All the topics below relate to baseball rules in general. Some, however, may be SDABL specific and will be identified as such. Each topic below basically falls into one of two categories---MYTH or MISCONCEPTION. Myth is defined as something which came from those "ghosts" in our past, particularly during our childhood sandlot days. Misconception is defined as the "lazy man's" rulebook. That is, someone's refusal (in particular the umpire) to read and understand a specific rule himself, thereby enforcing what he's picked up "along the way." Or, worse, what he's heard from some sportscaster who, not knowing his bat from his balls, gives his own interpretation of why a certain rule was enforced.
. . . like any myth or folk tale there are those things that do have some basis of fact. So, some of the below myths and misconceptions do have some real history, which, not surprisingly, goes back to the beginning days of baseball, as far back as the days when umpires used to actually ask spectators for their opinions on calls. Imagine that! Now that was a long time ago.
In any case, for those cases below that do in fact have some real history, I've provided a link that gives an overview of the specific topic. Some of these histories have come about through my own research, while many others have been the result of inputs from others who have read the below and were kind enough to provide the particular details
DID YOU KNOW that there is No Such Reference in any official baseball rulebook on the planet Earth that addresses, or infers whatsoever, that a left-handed pitcher has some imaginary 45-degree mound line that establishes some kind of "no balk zone" with reference to where and how he steps when throwing over to 1st base during a pick-off attempt? No way, now how---zero, zilch, nothing, nada. Period, the end. Really.
RULE FACT: MLB Official Baseball Rules, Rule 8.05(c):
(". . . it is a balk when---The pitcher, while touching his plate, fails to step directly toward the base before throwing to that base)."
Well that's it, the official rule in its entirety. If anybody can find any reference to the use of any "45-degree angle" within this rule, I would love to hear from him.
BLUE MISTAKES: Three things to consider. First, assuming that there really is a 45-degree angle rule. Second, assuming that left-handed pitchers should be treated differently than right-handers when it comes to applying 8.05c. Third, failure to interpret and enforce 8.05c exactly as written.
WHAT IS THIS "45-DEGREE" THING ANYWAY? Basically, and in a nutshell, it is the (incorrect) assumption that the left-hander can step down anywhere on the 1st base side of this imaginary line that cuts the mound in half at a 45-degree angle without the risk of being called for a balk. And I stress the word "anywhere" again. This is a bad assumption on the part of left-handers. And it's bad umpiring on our part if we truly think, as umpires, that "anywhere" is in fact allowed.
SO HOW DID ALL THIS GET STARTED? Good question. Personally, I have absolutely no idea. I've spent a lot of time reading through a variety of rulebooks and casebooks and haven't come across one word that addresses the subject or supports the notion whatsoever. Maybe it was started by some left-handed pitcher who was trying to avoid being accused of what we all know left-handers are guilty of---cheating. Or maybe it started when two-man mechanics became the norm. Umpires while in the infield just got too frustrated trying to see exactly where the left-hander was actually stepping during a pick-off move to 1st base. (Truly a problem, or just a poor excuse)? And rather than try to fight off the opposing team's complaints every time it happened, the umpire came up with this 45-degree angle thing just to shut them up. Who knows.
History, Part 1 History, Part 2
BLUE SOLUTION (1): Interpret and enforce Rule 8.05c exactly as written, with special emphasis on the following: ". . . directly toward the base . . ."
BLUE SOLUTION (2): Maybe the solution doesn't lie with the umpire at all, but rather with opposing teams instead. Consider the following by Carl Childress:
5. Pitcher steps toward first. No, I'm not going to talk about lefties. Everybody knows they cheat. Last season the Memorial High School lefty was doing fairly well in one game, when you consider he'd picked off three of the first four runners. Finally, the Hanna coach, Rey Lerma, jumped me: "What am I gonna do, Carl? That kid is balking, but you guys aren't calling it."
"Rey," I asked helpfully, "why don't you find yourself a left-hander?" Lerma was not amused, though he did get my point.
[Carl Childress was from 1984 to 1996 the major contributing editor and columnist for baseball for Referee Magazine. His resume includes two trips to the NBC World Series and over 400 NCAA Division I games. He retired from the field in 1996, but he remains the umpire-in-chief of the NBC Southern Regional Tournament. Writer of 19 books on baseball rules and mechanics, he is most proud of his unique Baseball Rules Differences, carried by Gerry Davis Umpire Education (www.gerrydavis.com).
[The above excerpt was from Chapter 7, "Making the Tough Calls: The Plate Ump" contained in the following publication: TAKE CHARGE! Baseball Umpiring by Carl Childress, edited by Scott Ehret, Associate Editor, Referee Magazine, February 1992 (second printing)].
Now, there's an honest umpire!
Related Links:
DID YOU KNOW that a pitcher who steps onto the mound without possession of the ball (for example, during the "hidden ball" play) should not be balked for doing so unless he stands on or astride the rubber or makes any motion associated with pitching the ball? (NOTE: This applies to leagues or teams playing under the guidance of the Official Rules of MLB Baseball, which includes the SDABL).
RULE FACT: MLB Official Baseball Rules, Rule 8.05(i):
(". . . it is a balk when---The pitcher, without having the ball, stands on or astride the pitcher's plate or while off the plate, he feints a pitch;)"
BLUE MISTAKES: A few. First, reading something into the rule that isn't there. In particular, any mention of the word "mound." Second, umpires who work different types of baseball---for example, high school, college, and SDABL---causing them to mix the rules over the whole lot, or applying only one set of rules to each lot. The problem here is that Federation rules (high school) and NCAA rules (college) don't allow the pitcher to step onto the mound without possession of the ball. This causes a lot of confusion in the SDABL, especially for the rookie umpire who may be working with the "cross-over" umpire, not to mention the players themselves. Of course, the players don't so much become confused as they do pissed off by the fact that the balk rule seems to change from week to freakin' week. (Sigh). Third, umpires who absolutely refuse to distinguish between "astride" and "a stride." That is, "astride" is a single word that means "With the legs separated so that one is on each side of something." Whereas, "a stride" is two separate words that indicates somebody is "within one step of" something. Leading some umpires to balk a pitcher without possession of the ball because they were "one step away" from the rubber. (Hey, don't laugh. I wish I had a dime for every time I've heard that explanation from an umpire).
BLUE SOLUTION: Know the type of baseball you are doing and only apply the rules that are specific to that type. If you know the differences in the rules, don't be "bullheaded" or "lazy" by simply applying the rules you personally favor. Pay attention to how you read the rulebook. In particular, don't turn single words that have a specific meaning into a phrase that means something else entirely.
Related Links:
DID YOU KNOW that the batter has until he goes into the dugout (or any other dead ball area) to run to 1st base when the 3rd strike is dropped by the catcher? (NOTE: Assuming that 1st is not occupied with less than 2 outs. REMINDER: Batter may acquire 1st if it is occupied when there are 2 outs).
RULE FACT: MLB Official Baseball Rules, Rule 6.09(b)/Casebook interpretation following (b):
("The batter becomes a runner when---(b) The third strike called by the umpire is not caught, providing (1) first base is unoccupied, or (2) first base is occupied with two out;" Casebook Interpretation: "When a batter becomes a base runner on a third strike not caught by the catcher and starts for the dugout, or his position, and then realizes his situation and attempts then to reach first base, he is not out unless he or first base is tagged before he reaches first base. If, however, he actually reaches the dugout or dugout steps, he may not then attempt to go to first base and shall be out)."
BLUE PLAY: Two (2) outs, no runners. The 3rd strike is dropped by the catcher, who picks up the ball and looks over at the batter who is now walking slowly towards his dugout. Catcher goes to tag the batter, shrugs and changes his mind. Seeing the reaction of the batter, the plate umpire---a rookie doing his first year in adult recreational baseball---brings up his arm and "fists" the batter out. The defense begins to leave the field. The catcher, hesitating for only a moment as if something flashed through his head but vaporized just as quickly, rolls the ball out towards the mound. The batter, not quite to the dugout yet, looks slyly over his shoulder and sees what is happening. Suddenly he tosses his bat to the ground and takes off for 1st base. The catcher stops and stares and his shoulders sag. The 2nd baseman, the only other defensive player not yet in the dugout and standing just in foul territory, also stares. Meanwhile, the batter has touched 2nd and is heading for 3rd. The 2nd baseman with wide eyes and a confused look turns his attention to the plate umpire. The plate umpire looks back with wide eyes and a crazed look of his own. Meanwhile the catcher has run out to the mound, retrieved the ball, and now stands between 3rd and home. The batter stands proudly on 3rd base, smiling over at his teammates. Not quite turning all the way around, the catcher calmly asks the plate umpire for time. The plate umpire, nowhere near calm, starts screaming for time in a shrill voice on the verge of panic. Then, seeming to remember something, he awkwardly throws his arms up over his head and just stands there desperately looking for his partner. The entire defense comes storming out of the dugout. Accidentally, or by design, they gather in small freaked-out groups and run around in tiny circles as if all their butts are on fire. Indeed. After a few chaotic moments there comes a collective flame-out and they all turn to the plate umpire with their mouths hanging open. The plate umpire, having found his veteran partner standing calmly out in the "C" position, stares at him with his own mouth hanging open. His arms are still in the air. He doesn't seem to know what else to do with them. But the veteran umpire doesn't notice. A subtle grin on his face, his head nodding slightly up and down, he just looks over at the runner on 3rd as if silently tipping his hat to him. He finally decides the fun is over and walks calmly towards his rookie partner and the defensive team. It's time to go to school.
BLUE MISTAKE: And it's not limited to rookies. Too many ( and if there are two, that's too many) umpires are under the impression that if a batter has "given up" any obvious attempt to acquire 1st base on a dropped 3rd strike, that he has in fact "officially" given up his right to do so. When the umpire has made this determination, you will usually see him "fisting" an out, sometimes even vocalizing his call loudly. Unfortunately, or otherwise, this usually results in the batter thinking that this is really the case, so no attempt is made on his part to run to 1st base, further preventing a "can of worms" for the umpire. Potential problem with this? If the batter decides to run to 1st base anyway despite the umpire's call and acquires it safely, only to be removed from the base by the umpire, the Offensive Manager would have a valid protest if he decided to file one. Not good.
BLUE SOLUTION: Know the rule. Pass it on to other umpires (and catchers who seem too "lazy" to walk the 5 feet to tag out the batter). Don't "fist" or vocalize the batter as "Out!" until he does in fact go into the dugout or into any other dead ball area.
Related Links:
(SAFE or OUT?)---
DID YOU KNOW that the base is NOT A SAFE HAVEN for a runner when it comes to being hit by a batted fair ball? That is, the runner will be called OUT when hit under these circumstances. (There are Exceptions, or rather Clarifications, following the Rule Facts immediately below).
RULE FACTS: MLB Official Baseball Rules, Rule 7.08(f) , Rule 5.09(f):
(Rule 7.08 - Any runner is out when---(f) he is touched by a fair ball in fair territory before the ball has touched or passed an infielder. The ball is dead and no runner may score, nor runners advance, except runners forced to advance. EXCEPTION: If a runner is touch his base when touched by an infield fly, he is not out, although the batter is out.
Rule 5.09 - The ball becomes dead and runners advance one base, or return to their bases, without liability to be put out, when---(f) A fair ball touches a runner or an umpire on fair territory before it touches an infielder including the pitcher, or touches an umpire before it has passed an infielder other than the pitcher;
As stated in Rule 7.08, if a runner is hit while standing on a base on an infield fly he is not out. (The ball will be called "dead").
The batted ball must in fact be fair. That is, if the batted ball is in foul territory when it hits the runner, who is standing on a base, the runner is not out. It's simply a foul ball. (Seems logical enough, right? Yeah, right. Here's an example just in case). Example: R3 is touching 3rd base with his left foot, but his right foot is in foul territory. (Why on earth he would be doing this is anyone's guess). The batter hits a ground ball down the 3rd base line. It is in foul territory by the time it reaches the base and hits R3 in the right foot. Foul ball, R3 is not out.
BLUE MISTAKE: Assuming, like many players, that a base provides a safe haven from being called out when hit by a batted ball (according to the definition of the above rule).
BLUE SOLUTION: Don't think like a player. Know the rule.
Related Links: Rule Flowcharts
DID YOU KNOW that there is NO SUCH RULE that states a "tie" goes in favor of a runner. No way, no how, and certainly no such thing.
RULE FACTS: There is no rule. Rather, common sense and reality prevail. That is, a runner is either safe or out. He has either beat the throw or he hasn't. Period. Besides, it is impossible to determine whether or not there really was a "tie." And if an umpire can see that clearly, then, well---he should get himself a job as an umpire. Something To Consider: If an umpire explicitly states to the arguing defensive manager that he called the runner safe "Because there was a tie, and ties go in favor of the runner," then that manager has a legitimate right to protest---and will win that protest based on a misapplication of rules---or rather, "non" rules. (And, no, 9.01c does not apply here).
BLUE MISTAKE: Laziness and/or fear of commitment, leading to the inevitable "cop-out" call. Unfortunately for most of us, this "rule" comes from our childhood sandlot days when we had to serve dual roles---as players and umpires. And while most of us could certainly play, it's probably safe to say that none of us knew squat about umpiring, not to mention the rules.
BLUE SOLUTION: Loose this "rule." Make a decision as to whether or not the runner beat the throw. If you are not sure take a guess, then defend it as best you can. Trust me, it will be easier to defend your guess than it will be your absurd argument for a tie.
Related Links:
(To Score a Run or Not To Score a Run)
DID YOU KNOW that if a runner fails to retouch his base on a caught fly ball and is subsequently called out on appeal, the out is not recorded as a "force" out? That is, he is simply called out on appeal for failure to re-tag. Why all the semantics and why does this matter? Because if the appeal results in the 3rd out of the inning, then all runners who had scored legally before the appeal was made are allowed to score. (As opposed to the fact that no run may score if the 3rd out is the result of a "force" out, such as a runner failing to touch a base he was forced to touch as the result of a batter hitting safely. Including two other situations listed in the below rule).
RULE FACTS: MLB Official Baseball Rules, 4.09(a) (EXCEPTION), 2;00 A FORCE PLAY (Example: Not a force out):
(Rule 4.09 HOW A TEAM SCORES: (a)(EXCEPTION): A run is not scored if the runner advances to home base during a play in which the third out is made (1) by the batter-runner before he touches first base; (2) by any runner being forced out: or (3) by a preceding runner who is declared out because he failed to touch one of the bases.
Rule 2.00 A FORCE PLAY (Example: Not a force out. One out. Runners on first and third. Batter flies out. Two outs. Runner on third tags up and scores. Runner on first tries to retouch before thrown from fielder reaches first baseman, but does not get back in time and is out. Three outs. If, in the umpire's judgment, the runner from third touched home before the ball was held at first base, the run counts).
Clarification of Example sited in above rule: In reality, the above statement ". . . the ball was held at first base . . ." is in effect an appeal by the first baseman (or any defensive player) that R1 failed to retouch on the caught fly ball even though there is no "verbalization" or "announcement" by the defensive player. (No need, since it is "obvious" what is taking place). This is of course different than the appeal made as a result of R1 never having even attempted to go back to first in the hopes that nobody saw him fail to retouch. In this case the ball would have to be thrown over to first and an appeal "vocalized" by the defensive player, at which time R1 would be called out for failure to retouch. In either case, it has no consequence as to whether or not R3 scores. He does---period.
BLUE MISTAKE: Assuming that every appeal upheld under these circumstances is a "force" out simply because the runner is---in effect---"forced" to tag up on a caught fly ball. While that may be true in terms of semantics, it is not true in the official terms of A Force as it applies to baseball rules. That is, a runner who is "forced" (by definition) is one who is required to advance to the following base as a result of a batter hitting safely.
BLUE SOLUTION: Understand the meaning of 2.00 A Force.
Related Links:
DID YOU KNOW that there is no such rule that states the hands are part of the bat? That is, if a batter is hit by a pitch on his hands he will be awarded 1st as if he'd been hit on any other part of his body. If the pitch hits his hands while he is swinging, the ball will become immediately dead and a strike will be called (not a "foul").
NOTE: If the ball hits his hands when he is swinging and subsequently ends up in fair territory, the ball will still be called "dead" and counted as a strike. If it is the 3rd strike, the batter will be called "out." (Just as he would if the pitch had hit him, say, in the chest while swinging and subsequently rolled into fair territory. If any runners were stealing on the pitch, they must be returned to the bases they had occupied at the time of the pitch).
RULE FACTS: MLB Official Baseball Rules, 2.00 The Person, 2.00 A Strike (e), 6.05(f):
Rule 2.09 The Person of a player or an umpire is any part of his body, his clothing or his equipment.
Rule 2.00 A Strike is a legal pitch when so called by the umpire, which---(e) Touches the batter as he strikes at it.
Rule 6.05(f): A batter is out when---He attempts to hit a third strike and the ball touches him.
BLUE MISTAKE: Remembering those crazy rules from our glorious "sandlot" days as a kid.
BLUE SOLUTION: Nuke that part of your past.
DID YOU KNOW that there is no such rule that states the batter-runner is required to "turn right," or rather into foul territory, to prevent him from being tagged out before he's able to return to 1st once he overruns it?
REALITY: What actually puts the batter-runner at "risk" of being tagged out when going back to 1st is whether or not there was an obvious attempt on his part to run to 2nd. (That is, a couple of steps towards 2nd with obvious intent, or even a "jerk" towards 2nd, even if he is "faking" an attempt, definitely puts him at risk). Simply turning "in" towards 2nd to return to 1st after overrunning it should not be interpreted as an "attempt" towards 2nd, so long as the batter-runner "immediately" returns to 1st.
RULE FACTS: MLB Official Baseball Rules, Rule 7.08(c):
Any runner is out when---He is tagged, when the ball is alive, while off his base. EXCEPTION: A batter-runner cannot be tagged out after overrunning or over sliding first base if he returns immediately to the base.
Notice, there is no mention of his having to turn "right" (into foul territory) or can't turn "left" (into fair territory).
BLUE MISTAKE: Again, remembering those crazy rules from our glorious "sandlot" days as a kid.
BLUE SOLUTION: Again, of course, nuke that part of your past.
(Did He Go?)
DID YOU KNOW that there is no such rule or "requirement" that either a batter's wrists must "break" or that the bat must cross the front plane of the plate when he attempts to check his swing in order for the umpire to rule it as a swing?
REALITY: It is simply a matter of umpire judgment as to whether or not a batter attempted a swing.
RULE FACTS: MLB Official Baseball Rules, Rule 2.00 A Strike (a):
A STRIKE is a legal pitch when so called by the umpire, which---Is struck at by the batter and is missed.
Pretty direct and to the point.
NOTE: The "wrist" break or bat passing over the front plane of the plate are merely "guides" used by the umpire to make a determination of "swing" or "no swing."
BLUE MISTAKE: Another one of those crazy rules from our glorious "sandlot" days as a kid.
BLUE SOLUTION: Have a beer, maybe it will nuke that part of your brain that contains that particular fond memory.
(Did He Go?)
DID YOU KNOW that just because a batter simply "squares around" to bunt a pitched ball and subsequently leaves the bat in that position does not automatically result as an attempted swing?
REALITY: Same as the wrist/plane of plate thing above. That is, umpire judgment prevails as to whether the batter actually attempted to strike the ball.
RULE FACTS: MLB Official Baseball Rules, Rule 2.00 A Strike (a):
A STRIKE is a legal pitch when so called by the umpire, which---Is struck at by the batter and is missed.
Pretty direct and to the point.
BLUE MISTAKE: Those "lazy, hazy, crazy days of (childhood) summer." Didn't realize what an impact your "sandbox" had on your life, eh?
BLUE SOLUTION: Don't have any more beer. It's actually making you remember things you should be forgetting.


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9. Jim Jones
Show: Love And Hip Hop and Chrissy and Mr. Jones
Aired: March 2011-2012 and September 2012-present respectively
Outcome: Let's not pretend for one ounce of a second that Dipset was not the sh*t. It was and there's just no denying that. Folks were devastated when the group dismantled leaving some of the less popular members to pick up the pieces for their solo careers. Jimmy found himself on Love and Hip Hop with his longtime girlfriend Chrissy, which led to a spinoff show. On the show he was always in the studio. What resulted from all those studio sessions is still a mystery.
10. Keyshia Cole
Show: The Way It Is and Keyshia & Daniel: Family First
Aired: July 2006 – December 2008 and October 2012 – December 2012 respectively
Outcome: Keyshia had the bitter women anthems on lock. Her reality show with her mom Frankie opened the flood gates for hilariously entertaining mamas on reality shows. Once it was time to get back to the music Keyshia still had some devoted fans, but her popularity had dwindled. You can catch her now shading women who actually are performing at the Super Bowl or posting pics on Instagram of her straddling her husband to prove to the world they're doing just fine.
11. Kandi
Show: The Real Housewives of Atlanta
Aired: October 2008 – present
Outcome: Reality TV was the best thing that happened to Kandi's once dormant career. Although she never stopped getting checks from the hit songs she wrote in the late 90s, no one was knocking down her door for an Xscape reunion. Once she joined the RHOA she created a sex toy line that is popping, she wrote a song for cast mate Kim Zolciak and parlayed it all into her own Bravo spinoff. The cherry on top was she found her soon-to-be husband who was working the cameras the whole time. Kandi is winning, hunty.


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'Mentalist' Star Fears Being Upstaged by Her Dog
The Mentalist star Robin Tunney knew her dog had talent, but she never expected that he'd snag a plum role in her latest movie, See Girl Run.
"I wanted him to get, like, a small part in it," the actress explained on The Talk Thursday. "At the end of the rehearsal [the director] was like, 'Look, I think he should be the lead dog in the movie.' "
Tunney admits she had mixed emotions about her pup being top dog. "I don't know if I kinda got upset because I felt protective or I'm afraid I'm going to be upstaged," she said with a laugh. "And he's going to turn out to be like Benji and I'm just going to be his handler."
Click above to see Tunney talk about her pup's new acting gig.
See more celebrities on PEOPLEPets.com:
Mario Batali Is on the Lookout for a New Dog
How Nicole Richie Accidentally Took in a Pack of Stray Cats


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2013 Project Prom winner
Seaford High School junior Danielle Trotta, known for her toughness on the softball field, has overcome the tragic death of her father in 2008 from a heart attack and the virtual wreckage of her home by superstorm Sandy. She was selected as the 2013 Newsday Project Prom winner, where you, the viewer, have the opportunity to vote on which dress she will wear to the prom. Videojournalist: Jessica Rotkiewicz (April 17, 2013)
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Sports camp for visually impaired offers children a new form of vision Signing their way to the top Cop honored for ending gas station robberies Pit masters smokin' on LI Crash on Sunrise Highway shuts roadway Halloween in August Two swimmers rescued from rip currents in Long Beach Northport PlayStation event lets public play unreleased games Hot Halloween tradition continues in Lido Beach 'It's crazy that I survived' Suspect scratches 30 vehicles on Massapequa street One camper's beginning and another's end


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Why You Matter
There are three reasons that it is important to us that we stay in touch with you. First, in line with the first goal in our strategic plan is to increase the number of CSE graduates to better serve the community, we need your help to recruit new students. More students will (eventually) lead to more graduates, and the best way to attract students is to make them aware of the success of those who went before, that is, about you.
Second, an important action item in our effort to increase the number of CSE graduates to better serve the community is to maintain high-quality graduate and undergraduate programs, and to Establish new programs and/or new courses that meet demands for computing education that are not currently met by programs offered by CSE or any other providers of higher education. You have a role to play in helping us achieve these goals. As successful professionals, you know what the weaknesses and strengths of our programs are, and in what areas there is unmet need for additional programs, and we need to hear from you.
The final reason that we need you is for your financial support. The initiatives we want to pursue require resources, and while we receive both state appropriations and income from tuition and fees, there are many things we cannot do. For example, the state does not allow us to use any of the revenue that we receive from the state or from our students through tuition and fees to organize social events. Also, as SPSU is one of many agencies competing for state funds, there is every chance that our state appropriations will decrease in the future. We therefore need to start generating new forms of revenue, and alumni donations are one possible source. If you are interested in supporting CSE financially, please click here


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Boho chic bedroom
Hippy chic is one of the easiest looks to put together - with boho interiors, anything goes. Take your inspiration from every continent and mix together a cultural patchwork of 70s prints, kelims, paisleys, tribal accessories, Gypsy Rose Lee florals and exotic colours.
Updated July 2009
Vintage Victorian bedroom
Classic pieces give Boho a romantic, wild-at-heart edge. This bed has a vintage Victorian look that sits surprisingly well against 70s-style bedlinen. Evy Bed, Freemans.
Related sections: Bedroom ideas , Shabby chic
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Our team of experts, including Ty Pennington, Paul Martin, Nick Knowles and Craig Phillips, offer practical advice and inspiration in Home's TV shows - from DIY SOS, Homes Under The Hammer and Ground Force to Escape To The Country and Extreme Makeover Home Edition. Find advice or simply draw inspiration by browsing our galleries. Home, there's no place like it!


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Judging Exhibits at 4-H State Fair
I had the pleasure & honor to judge 4-H Genealogy notebook exhibits yesterday at the Indiana State Fair in Indianapolis, Indiana. this was my second year and it is so neat to see the best exhibits from a large portion of Indiana's 92 counties. Jean and I judged the Division 3 entries. There are five divisions with Division 5 being repeated each year. Division 5 asks for eventually attempting to complete 8 generations of the 4-H members ancestors... which would be 254 individuals plus the 4-H'er for total of 255.
The notebook I am judging in above photo is one of three notebooks. This notebook contained the generation charts, family group sheets & additional information sheets. The two other notebooks stacked in front of me contain required photo copies of birth, marriage & death records, along with some photos and other documents to support the research completed by the 4-H'er. There are military, educational, occupational & church records included in addition to obituaries and other newspaper articles & photos of US Federal Census sheets and War Draft records. These exhibits are incredible compilations of research done by these kids and their family. This ends up being a family project including aunts, uncles, cousins, parents, grandparents & others. TSGS has had many of these notebooks from the Vanderburgh County 4-H Fairs on display at our Christmas events over the last 25+ years.
Above is a photo of several of us working on judging these notebooks... Becky West is to my right with the two ladies across from me at the table (judging Division 4 exhibits). The young lady standing at the file box is in charge of the Genealogy Project for the State Fair... behind her and only barely visible are three Division 5 (Advanced) judges. Not shown (further to my right) were four more ladies judging divisions 1 & 2.
Becky came along to keep company for the 3.5 hour trip from Evansville to Indy. I needed to be there at 9 AM their time (8:00 Evansville time). Allowing an extra half hour for a break and maybe delays in driving, I always leave 4 hours before arrival time. We had to leave at 4 AM Evansville time. We got up at 2:30 AM to get ready (and for me to get enough coffee into my body). We got to the registration table at 8:40 their time. I also entered two poster exhibits that were not sent by the County 4-H Office the day before. We took about a 45 minute break eating at the Farm Bureau Building (great lunch!). And then right back into judging... we were all done about 5 PM (Indy time) - this was essentially an 8 hour day. It was a lot of work... but is also fun, interesting and educational for us judges. One of the other judges & I may have a distant family relationship that we will be checking. We got home a little before 9 PM - a very long, but worthwhile day!
- Submitted by JGWest


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Marcia Gay Harden Returns to TV for 'The Newsroom'
by Reuters | January 22, 2013 at 9:27 PM | The Newsroom, TV News
LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) – "The Newsroom" has found new representation.
Aaron Sorkin's HBO drama has cast Marcia Gay Harden in the role of attorney Rebecca Halliday, an attorney who represents Atlantis Cable News against a wrongful-termination lawsuit, a spokeswoman for the network told TheWrap on Tuesday.
Harden, who has appeared on "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" and "Body of Proof," is replacing "United States of Tara" star Rosemarie DeWitt, who had to bow out of the series after filming two episodes. DeWitt's scenes will be re-filmed with Harden in her place.
DeWitt bowed out of the series due to scheduling conflicts. The second season of "The Newsroom" will premiere in the summer.


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wonderful composition and beautiful colors
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Hotels/lodging near Municipal Stadium are shown below in the order of their distance. Explore our hotels/motels to find accommodations near Municipal Stadium (in Zanesville OH) for your upcoming travels.
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A capacitance liquid level sensor uses an inductance to isolate the probe of the sensor from the plastic tubing coupled to the probe thus reducing false signals generated by movement of the tubing.
1. In a capacitive liquid level sensor for determining the liquid level of a sample in a liquid pipetting system, having:
a pipette probe for withdrawing liquid from a sample,
means including tubing coupled to the pipette probe for applying suction,
an oscillator coupled to the probe for applying a high frequency signal to the probe to create a second signal whose amplitude and/or phase is determined by the capacitance of the probe; and
comparator means for generating a level sensor signal according to the amplitude or phase of the second signal for signaling the probe's reaching the liquid level of the sample, the improvement comprising:
means exhibiting an inductive reactance positioned on the pipette probe adjacent to the suction means, thereby to electrically isolate the probe from the suction means, the tubing for applying suction being plastic tubing and a portion being coiled in a ferrite core to provide the means exhibiting inductive reactance.
2. The liquid level sensor of claim 1 wherein an electrically conductive piece of tubing is connected adjacent to the plastic tubing opposite to the probe.
This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 466,936, filed Jan. 18, 1990, now abandoned.
This invention relates to capacitive liquid level sensors. Such liquid level sensors find use in many instruments wherein a robotic probe is used to withdraw liquid from a container holding a sample to be analyzed or a reagent.
In such robotic systems, it is desirable to have knowledge of the level of the liquid in the container such that the probe used to withdraw the liquid can be controlled to minimize contact with the contents of the container. In this manner cross contamination between samples and reagents is reduced and the job of washing the probe tip is made easy. In such robotic systems the probe is introduced into the liquid container and preferably maintained just below the surface of the liquid.
To accomplish this objective, various level sensors have been developed. Among those are the so-called capacitive level sensors. These are based on the fact that any conductor exhibits a finite electrical capacitance. When the probe actually touches a liquid, the higher dielectric constant and greater surface area of the liquid results in an increased probe capacitance. These capacitance changes can be rather small so that sensitive detection devices are required.
Devices known in the prior art that are suitable for detecting small changes in capacitance include bridges, RC or LC oscillators and frequency meter counters (including heterodyning), phase locked loops, zero crossing periodometers, amplitude changes to an RC or LC filter, and phase shift changes through an RC or LC circuit.
Among the prior art capacitive liquid level sensors is Kingston U.S. Pat. No. 3,391,547 which discloses a capacitive liquid level probe for a liquid tank. He utilizes a capacitor probe, disposed in the liquid, as one leg of a bridge circuit. An unbalance in the circuit, as a result of change in capacitance of the probe, is detected by a phase sensitive detector which is referenced by a fixed frequency excitation oscillator through a variable phase shifter. The variable phase shifter allows for offset adjustment.
In similar manner, Oberli U.S. Pat. No. 3,635,094, discloses a capacitive level sense means for an automatic transfer pipette. The sample probe is utilized as the first element and a metal stand around the sample vessel is the second element which forms a capacitor in one leg of a bridge circuit. The remaining legs of the bridge consist of a variable capacitor leg and two resistor legs. The variable capacitor leg may be adjusted such that its capacitance matches that of the probe contacting the liquid. The bridge circuit is excited by a fixed frequency oscillator and a differential amplifier is utilized to determine when the bridge is balanced indicating that the probe has contacted the liquid.
Bello et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,326,851 discloses a level sense apparatus and method for use in an automatic clinical analyzer in which a variable capacitor is formed by a grounded probe and a metal plate, which is connected to the detection circuit, disposed below the sample vessel. A fixed frequency excitation signal is utilized and the capacitance change of the metal probe resulting from the probe contacting the liquid is detected as a voltage change in the detection circuit. This arrangement presents a problem in that spills on the electrode or supply tray can change the circuits operation and the circuit requires the use of shielding pads.
Another U.S. patent, Okawa et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,736,638 discloses a liquid level sense apparatus for use in an automatic clinical analyzer. A metal plate disposed under the sample vessel and connected to a fixed frequency oscillator emits low frequency electromagnetic radiation up through the sample. The dispense probe serves as an antenna and is connected to a detection circuit, having appropriate bandpass filtering, which detects a voltage amplitude change when the probe contacts the liquid sample. This circuit has many of the disadvantages of Bello. In addition, the use of low frequency limits the time response of the circuit.
Finally, Shimizu U.S. Pat. No. 4,818,492 discloses a capacitive liquid level sensor for an automatic clinical analyzer. He utilizes a resistor bridge with a fixed frequency oscillator exciting one diagonal of the bridge and the probe serving as a capacitor across the other diagonal. Phase shift across the capacitor (probe), as a result of change in capacitance of the probe, is detected by a phase detector which is referenced by the fixed frequency excitation oscillator through a variable phase shifter. The variable phase shifter allows for offset adjustment. The output of the phase detector is filtered and compared against a reference value to provide a signal indicating the presence of liquid at the probe.
The problem with many of these prior sensors is that they have to be run at relatively high frequencies in order to have the sensitivity required to detect liquid levels. This causes them to be sensitive to changes in capacitance of the flexible plastic tubing that couples the sucking probe to the suction pump. Hence the simple motion of the tubing as the probe is raised and lowered causes false levels to be indicated. This limits the sensitivity of the probe.
Many of these false level sensing problems associated with the prior art capacitive liquid level sensors are reduced by the subject invention which isolates the probe from the connecting tubing by the use of an element exhibiting inductive reactance.
According to this invention, a capacitive liquid level sensor for a liquid pipetting system comprises: a pipette probe for withdrawing liquid from a sample, means coupled to the pipette probe for applying suction, an oscillator coupled to the probe for applying a high frequency signal to the probe, the amplitude and/or phase of the oscillator being affected by the capacitance of the probe, comparator means for generating a level sensor signal according to the amplitude or phase of the oscillator for signaling the probe's reaching the liquid level of the sample, and means exhibiting an inductive reactance positioned on the probe adjacent to the suction means, thereby to isolate the probe from the withdrawing means.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the suction means is plastic tubing and the reactance means is a ferrite toroid positioned about the metallic probe. Alternatively, the plastic tubing itself may be coiled to form the inductor. To improve the inductance, the coiled tube may be disposed in a "pot core" ferrite. Also, a piece of metal tubing may be connected in series with the plastic tubing and grounded. These features have the advantage when a toroid is used of reducing the portion of the probe that carries RF voltage so that RF radiation is reduced. Also, since the probe does not have to be insulated from its mount, a more robust mounting can be used.
A more complete understanding of the invention and its advantages may be understood in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a liquid level sensor constructed in accordance with this invention;
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a preferred embodiment of a liquid level sensor constructed in accordance with this invention; and
FIG. 3 is a pictorial diagram of an alternative embodiment to FIG. 1.
Reference is now made to the drawings in which FIG. 1 illustrates a typical probe 10 driven by a robotic arm 12 which is controlled by a servo drive 14 of conventional design. The probe 10, translated in the X, Y, and Z directions by the servo drive 14 of conventional design, is adapted to be moved above and introduced into any one of plural sample or reagent containers 16.
The probe 10 is coupled through a flexible plastic tube 20 to what is designated as a fluid pipettor 22. The fluid pipettor 22 is able to either expel the contents of the probe or suck through the probe the contents of the containers 16. The tubing 20 is made of a suitable chemically inert, flexible plastic such as polypropylene and the probe 10 is made of a suitable chemically inert metal such as platinum or stainless steel. The robotic arm under the control of the servo drive 14 is able to raise and lower the probe 10 so as to dip into and suck fluid from the containers 16 and also move the probe in a translational movement to access in X and Y directions any one of the sample, reagent, or reaction containers 16 (Only two of which are shown.).
In accordance with this invention, a ferrite toroid 23 is positioned around the upper end of the probe 10. The toroid may be an 11-2060B from Ferronics, Inc., Fairport, N.Y. Several may be stacked as required. It may be attached to the probe by hot melt glue or other mechanical fastener. A high frequency oscillator 30 is coupled to the electrically conductive probe 10 through a coaxial cable 70, whose sheath is grounded. The feed from the oscillator is attached to the probe 10 below the toroid 23, i.e., between the probe tip and the toroid. Likewise the grounded sheath of the cable 70 is connected to the upper end of the probe above the toroid. In turn the oscillator, which may be a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO), is connected to a sweep oscillator 32 which preferably provides a linear (e.g., triangular or sawtooth) waveform such that the high frequency oscillator is successively swept through a range of frequencies. Abrupt changes in the probe capacitance are caused when the probe contacts a liquid. Such abrupt changes in capacitance generate a spectrum of frequencies in the output of the detector. The sweep oscillator preferably sweeps the high frequency oscillator frequency at a repetition frequency above those frequency components generated by abrupt changes in probe capacitance. In turn, the oscillator 30, preferably is a voltage controlled oscillator, as noted, or similar oscillator whose frequency can be varied as result of an input signal.
The output of the high frequency oscillator 30 is coupled to a phase detector 34 preferably capable of providing a D.C. output voltage. The high frequency oscillator 30 is coupled through a resistor 36 to the input of the coaxial cable 70 and a connection is made on the probe side of the resistor 36 to the phase detector. In this manner the phase detector is subjected to the shift in phase caused by a change in the dielectric to which the probe is subjected. In other words the dielectric is part of an RC phase shifter. There is a stray capacitance between the probe 10 and liquid in the container 16. The liquid provides a dielectric which is large compared to that of air. When the probe touches the liquid, the higher dielectric constant and greater surface area results in an increased capacitance of the probe to ground. The output of the phase detector is a D.C. signal which varies in amplitude in accordance with the changing capacitance sensed by the probe.
A voltage comparator 38 compares the signal from the phase detector 34 with a reference obtained by an adjustable voltage source 40. The output of the comparator is applied to a central processing unit (CPU) 42 which in turn is programmed to control the servo drive 14 in any conventional manner such as that described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,818,492. It controls the fluid dispenser 22 to suck liquid from the container 16 when the comparator signals that the liquid level has been reached. Thus the central processing unit 42 controls both the position of the probe 10 and whether the probe dispenses or sucks up fluid from a container. Such central processing units are well known and will not be described further since they do not relate directly to the particular invention which is a level sensor.
By thus isolating the probe from the tubing, the effect created by the electrically conductive or high dielectric fluid within the tubing does not affect the sensitivity of the probe during probe movement. The isolation of the tubing with the ferrite toroids greatly facilities the structure of the probe. With the probe grounded, it is easier to connect it to a suitable sturdy mount. Also the tubing is isolated and the amount of the probe that is carrying RF energy is reduced by the grounding of the upper end of the probe. Less RF energy is radiated thereby enabling the instrument to better comply with emission requirements for instruments of this type. The high conductive reactance property of the probe with the toroid serves to essentially decouple electrically the upper end of the probe and its feed line (in the form of tubing 20) from the rest of the probe. Thus the sensitivity of the probe is maintained while at the same time false signals due to the movement of the tubing are virtually eliminated.
With reference to FIG. 2, a specific circuit constructed in accordance with the preferred embodiment of this invention for sensing liquid levels is illustrated. In this circuit essentially two integrated circuit chips are used. The first is phase-locked loop (PLL) which may use, for example, a CD4046BM chip made by National Semiconductor. In addition a quad operational amplifier chip made by Texas Instrument Company, TLC274CN may be used. The phase-lock loop integrated circuit is designated by the dashed block 50. Similarly, the quad operational amplifier integrated circuit is designated by the dashed block 52. The phase-locked loop includes a voltage controlled oscillator 54 and several phase comparators only one of which 56 is shown. The voltage controlled oscillator 54 has several external components which have been selected to provide a nominal high frequency of 1 MHz, i.e., by choice of resistors R1 and R2 and capacitor C1. The selection of these values is described in the application notes for the chip from National Semiconductor. Furthermore, the resistors R1 and R2 have been proportioned such that the VCO input will sweep the nominal oscillator frequency 200 kHz at an approximately 20 kHz rate.
The frequency of VCO 54 is caused to change by a sweep oscillator in the form of an astable oscillator which is constructed as part of the quad operational amplifier chip 52. The sweep oscillator, designated 58, is constructed such that the output is applied through resistor R7 and capacitor C6 to the inverting input of the amplifier labelled Q2. Further, the output of Q2 is applied through resistors R8 and R9 to the noninverting input of the amplifier. Its operation is understood by supposing that the output of the amplifier goes high. The voltage at the noninverting input will go high. The voltage at the inverting input will remain low because of capacitor C6. As charge accumulates on capacitor C6 a time will come when its voltage exceeds that of the noninverting input, at which time the output of Q2 will swing low. In a similar fashion resistors R8 and R9 apply a low voltage to the noninverting input of Q2. Because of capacitor C6, the voltage at the inverting input will remain high. This status will remain until the voltage across C6 is discharged to a voltage below that of the noninverting input at which time the output of Q2 will swing high and the cycle will repeat endlessly.
In this circuit it is customary to take the voltage from the output which is a square wave 62. However to obtain a voltage to provide a linear sweep of frequency of the oscillator, a sawtooth or triangular waveform is preferred. This is the signal found at the junction of R7 and C6. This approximately triangle wave 60 is applied to the VCO 54 input. This signal causes the voltage controlled oscillator to sweep approximately 200 kHz around the nominal 1 MHz frequency. The rate at which it sweeps up and down is approximately 20 kHz and is determined by the values of the resistors R7, R8, R9, and C6.
The output of the voltage controlled oscillator 54 is designated by the square waveform 64. The output of the VCO is applied to two portions. One portion is supplied to a phase comparator 56. This serves as the reference signal and is illustrated by the waveform 66. The other portion of the output of the VCO is supplied to an RC phase shifter composed of elements R3, C2 and the probe. Capacitor C2 is used as the D.C. blocking capacitor. The actual capacitance affecting the phase shift is comprised of the capacitance of the coaxial cable labelled 70 and the capacitances to ground of the probe. The probe is metal as described. It may have plastic tubing 74 which is attached to a pump (not shown). At the junction between R3 and C2 is a signal labelled 76 that is affected by the dielectric of the sample whose level is sought. The signal 76 affection depicts a change in amplitude and/or phase over that of waveform 64, the degree of change being a function of the sample dielectric. This signal 76 is an approximate triangle wave and is applied to the signal input of phase comparator 56.
Phase comparator 56 is of the "exclusive OR" variety. The output of the phase comparator is a series of pulses, the width of which depends on the phase difference between the reference signal 66 and the input signal 76. The output of the phase comparator 56, in the form of a pulse train 78, is applied to an RC filter network 84 composed of resistor R4 and capacitor C3. The purpose of this filter is to remove the pulses from the phase comparator output and produce an approximate D.C. level proportionate to the area of the waveform 78. If the pulse width of 78 changes then the approximate D.C. level of the filter 84 will change. The changing D.C. level is represented by the waveform 80 which is applied to a differentiator 90, the heart of which is an operational amplifier Q1, a member of the quad operational amplifier 52. Thus, to effect the differentiation, the output of the RC filter 84 is applied through resistor R5 and capacitor C4 to the input of the amplifier 90. The feedback portion of the amplifier 90 is composed of R6 and C5 in parallel. These components have been selected to form a differentiator for low frequencies, namely the changing portion of waveform 80. These components also filter out high frequency noise that might leak through the filter network 84.
The output of the differentiator 90 is in the form of pulses, the height of which is dependent on the rate of change and extent of change of waveform 80. This output signal is represented by the waveform 82. These pulses can then be discriminated with a window comparator to select pulses of sufficient amplitude to represent a meaningful transition in the capacitances at the probe which, of course, is sensitive to the dielectric effect of the sample level. The window comparator is composed of amplifiers of operational amplifiers 52 labelled 94 and 96. In these amplifiers the signal level is compared against the voltage labelled V1 and V2. For example, if the input voltage to 94 is applied to the inverting input, whenever the input voltage is below V1 the output will be high. For the period of time that the input voltage rises above V1, the output will remain low. Thus, the positive going pulse in waveform 82 causes a negative going pulse in waveform 98. In a similar fashion the negative going pulse in waveform 82 appears as a negative going pulse from circuit 96 and has a waveform labelled 100. The two waveforms 98 and 100 are the outputs of the circuit. Waveform 98 has a negative going pulse whenever the probe encounters an increase in capacitance as when it touches a liquid. Waveform 98 has a negative going pulse whenever the probe encounters a liquid of increased conductance or dielectric constant. In a similar fashion waveform 100 is a negative going pulse whenever the probe decreases in capacitance, for example, when the probe is withdrawn from a fluid of high dielectric or conductance properties.
While the preferred embodiment of the invention described uses a phase detector and RC phase shift circuit it is to be understood that any of the devices known in the prior art using a source of oscillations for detecting small changes in capacitance at the probe may be used.
In an alternative embodiment of this invention, as depicted in FIG. 3, instead of a toroid the tubing 20' may be coiled. The tubing contains an electrically conductive fluid which forms the coil and whatever RF energy appears at the probe 10 tends to be blocked from passing through the high inductance provided by the coiled tubing 20'. In this embodiment it is desirable to connect the plastic tubing 20' through a small piece of metal tubing 33 to provide a ground for the conductive liquid in the tubing. The grounded metal tubing 33 should be between the fluid dispenser 22' and the coiled tubing 20'.
In an alternative embodiment, to improve the inductance of the coil 20', the coil may be installed in a ferrite pot core 35 depicted by the dashed lines. The ferrite pot core is a material 3622P-LOO-3B7 from Ferroxcube Saugerties, N.Y. The tubing was wound in two layers of four turns each for insertion into the pot core. Metal tubing may be used instead of plastic for that purpose. In which event the metal tubing must be insulated to avoid short circuiting the turns of the conductor.
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