Author: Serkadis

The web has made the world a much smaller place and geography plays a much smaller part in how someone uses a product, a service or just interacts with the ones around them. The laws of economics still hold though and, while anyone in the world can use Gmail, for example, providing it’s not blocked by the local government, Goo… (read more)

It’s no secret that we think Nathan Myhrvold’s Intellectual Ventures is a dangerous, innovation harming monstrosity. The company used a bait and switch scheme to get a bunch of big tech companies to fund it, not realizing that they were then going to be targets of his shakedown system. Basically, IV buys up (or in some cases, applies for) tons of patents, and then demands huge cash outlays from those same companies (often hundreds of millions of dollars) for a combined promise not to sue over those patents and (here’s the sneaky bit) a bit of a pyramid scheme, where those in early supposedly get a cut of later deals. Of course, to just talk to IV requires strict NDAs, so the details of these deals are kept under wraps and only leaked out anonymously. But the hundreds of millions of dollars going towards this sort of trolling behavior, rather than any actual innovation in the marketplace can be seen on various financial filings (you can’t hide hundreds of millions of dollars in payments that easily).

Now, for years, Myhrvold tried to avoid the term “patent troll,” by claiming that IV had never actually sued anyone. Two years ago, though, it seemed clear that the company was on the verge of breaking out the lawsuits. However, the company still hasn’t been directly linked to a lawsuit. Late last year, though, some eagle-eyed reporters noticed that IV patents were showing up in lawsuits, but those lawsuits were from different companies. Reading between the lines, it became clear that IV had decided to protect its brand name by getting other companies or creating those companies itself, giving the patent to those other companies that no one had ever heard of, and having them sue. This is a very common practice among patent hoarders. They set up shell companies for their lawsuits, that often make it difficult to track back who actually owns what patents. It’s all a shell game to extort more money.

The NY Times is now running yet another profile (they do this every two years or so) of Myhrvold and Intellectual Ventures that covers the usual bogus claims by Myhrvold about how he’s creating “invention capital,” with very little skepticism. However, it does reveal one interesting tidbit that we had missed. Last year, a research firm released a report highlighting that Intellectual Ventures has up to 1,110 shell companies, with which it can hide its activities. No wonder IV can pretend it doesn’t sue anyone. It can simply hide behind its shell companies.

It’s hard to find anything in Myhrvold’s activities that actually contribute to any innovation, but you can see billions of dollars being siphoned away from actual innovation — the kind that brings real products to market — and see it being fed into what appears to be a giant shakedown scheme that is trying to pull as much money out of the system as possible before Congress wakes up and realizes it needs to fix an incredibly broken patent system.

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Perhaps it was the Philadelphia Fed’s minutes, perhaps it was the President talking about the deficit; either way, markets have begun to retreat.

The Dow is currently breaking even and is about to head into negative territory as it sits at 10,3010. The NASDAQ is down 3 points to 2223 and the S&P 500 is hovering at 1098.

Oil is up over 1% to $78.18 a barrel.

Gold is down $0.90 to $1119.20 an ounce; coincidentally, silver is up $0.10 to $16.10.

Futures are mixed, with corn, natural gas, rice, and pork bellies taking a beating. Soft goods are generally up along with cattle and metals.

Join the conversation about this story »

See Also:

• The Snow Kills Volume As The Markets End Slightly Down For The Day
• After Early Greece-Fueled Rally, Equities Turn Lower
• Markets A Snooze After Last Week’s Violence

BERWYN, Ill. (CBS) ―A pediatrician in Berwyn has been indicted on charges that he sexually assaulted a 13-year-old girl who was one of his patients.

Dr. Abdulbari Akhras, 63, of Burr Ridge, has been charged with numerous felony counts for the alleged incident has his office at 6920 W. Ogden Ave. in Berwyn.

He is accused of sexually abusing a 13-year-old patient, Bewyn police said.

The criminal investigqation into Akhras’ conduct is ongoing, and more complaints have been received sinc ehte first report. The Illinois Department of Professional Regulation is also investigating, Berwyn police said.

Berwyn police ask anyone with information about other possible victims to call (708) 795-5600 and ask for an investigator.

Read the original article from WBBM News Radio.

Distributed via Chicago Press Release Services

KNOX, Ind. (STMW) — A man wanted in connection with the theft of a valuable macaw in Naperville fired 50 to 60 shots with an assault rifle and a handgun as Indiana authorities attempted to serve a warrant Monday, police testified in court Wednesday.

Naperville police on Tuesday confirmed that Michael Drogosz, 27, is the man believed responsible for the Jan. 19 theft of a green, 7-month-old female macaw from the Petland store at 720 S. Route 59, opposite the Westfield Fox Valley shopping center in Aurora.

Police Sgt. Brian Cunningham said information reported through Naperville Crime Stoppers led Friday to the macaw’s recovery and put investigators on Drogosz’s trail.

That trail led to the Bass Lake area in Starke County, Ind. Starke County sheriff’s Officer John Ferguson and Detective Bill Dulin said at Wednesday’s hearing they went Monday to 5196 E. Summerhome Drive in Bass Lake to serve Drogosz with an Illinois felony warrant for the Naperville theft.

Ferguson testified that the officers heard a commotion inside when they knocked on the door. Dulin went to the back of the home.

A woman answered, he testified, and at first said Drogosz wasn’t at the residence. But Ferguson said he pressured her, and she said Drogosz was inside but that he had a lot of guns inside.

Ferguson and Dulin put the woman in the police car of Detective Ken Pfost, who had arrived, along with several other officers, for backup. Ferguson said the woman told him Drogosz had placed weapons in all the rooms, that they were loaded, with clips taped together to quickly change expired clips, and that he was wearing body armor and had other body armor in the home.

Ferguson said he then used a loudspeaker to ask Drogosz to come out of the home.

At that point, a man, later identified as James Reed, came out of the building, Ferguson testified.

In the meantime, Ferguson said, a man later identified as 23-year-old John Brooke appeared out of a woods from a nearby golf course. He was approaching the home wearing an armored vest and carrying an assault rifle. Officer Fred Baker, who had posted himself at the side of the house, ordered Brooke to drop his weapon, Ferguson testified, which he did. But when Baker attempted to handcuff him, Brooke fought him, they fell to the ground, and Brooke reached into his coat, Ferguson said, where police later found a handgun.

Brooke later ran from the squad car and to his uncle’s house, where he picked up a dog, police said, and ran back with the dog in front of him, police said. Police said Brooke told them, “I didn’t flee, I didn’t flee, I was protecting my family.”

Meanwhile, Ferguson again asked Drogosz to come out, but instead, Drogosz allegedly fired a shot, which came about four inches from Dulin, who was now crouched behind his car, near the wheel well, Ferguson testified.

Ferguson said he thought Drogosz had shot himself in a suicide attempt, but instead, about 15 seconds later, he opened fire, scattering fire.

Ferguson stood and returned fire. The woman signaled from the police car that she wanted to get out of firing range. Ferguson again stood up, and fired his weapon three times to cover her.

Drogosz continued to fire, eventually spending 50 to 60 rounds from his handgun and assault rifle, riddling most of one squad car and a part of another, Ferguson testified.

Ferguson said he told Dulin, who was too close to Drogosz’s fire, to get ready, and he fired his handgun and yelled, “Run, run, run,” as he fired.

Ferguson then moved to behind Pfost’s car and told Pfost to take cover farther from the home, but Pfost said he wouldn’t leave Ferguson by himself.

Finally, a SWAT team arrived from Pulaski County, and they quickly ended the standoff, firing tear gas rounds into a back bedroom. A fire started in the house, and Drogosz finally left the home and was captured.

Firefighters standing by put out the fire, which had damaged most of a bedroom. Smoke damage wafted throughout the house.

A State Police technician, with a search warrant, went into the house, and with ATF officers, found more than 30 SKS 308 fully automatic assault rifles, with 30-round clips that were taped together in pairs, a duffel bag with Molatov cocktails and a pipe bomb that was attached to a propane tank.

The woman said she had purchased the small propane tank at a farm store in Knox.

Brooke claimed in court that “all of his guns were legally purchased.”

The pair are expected to return to Starke Circuit Court on Friday for an initial hearing. Starke County Prosecutor Julianne Havens told the court Wednesday that Drogosz is being held on $500,000 bond. Brooke is being held on $1 million bond.

Havens said Drogosz could face additional charges of attempted criminal recklessness, and a serious violent felon in possession of firearm charge, both Class C felonies; as well as attempted aggravated battery, a Class D felony.

Brooke could face three Class C felonies: intimidation, escape and possession of a destructive device; as well as resisting law enforcement, unlawful use of body armor and assisting a criminal, all D felonies.

Read the original article from WBBM News Radio.

Distributed via Chicago Press Release Services

Filed under: Concept Cars, Geneva Motor Show, Europe, Hatchback, GM, Opel, Electric

Think of the Opel Flextreme GT/E concept as a bigger Chevrolet Volt (or Opel Ampera if you’re European). The idea behind this concept, which will debut at the Geneva Motor Show, is to show how the Volt’s extended-range electric vehicle drivetrain can be used in a larger vehicle, in this case a mid-size five-door hatchback. So far, every vehicle shown by General Motors with an ER-EV drivetrain, including the Volt, Ampera and Cadillac Converj concept, has been compact in size.

By paying attention to aerodynamics, the Flextreme GT/E still achieves a low 0.22 coefficient of drag despite its bigger dimensions and large 21-inch wheels. It even employs active aerodynamics in the rear where panels extend out from the air extraction slots behind the rear wheels at speeds above 50 km/h (31 miles per hour). Opel also used carbon composite panels for the body and aluminum for the vehicle structure to keep weight down.

Powered by an electric motor producing 120 kW and 273 pound-feet of torque, the Flextreme GT/E is augmented by a 1.4-liter four-cylinder gas engine/generator. It will travel 37 miles on battery power alone before the generator kicks in to keep supplying electricity to the motor, at which point its range extends to 311 miles. CO2 emissions are kept below 40 g/km and Opel pegs fuel consumption at 1.6 liters/100 km (converted straight that’s about 147 mpg).

[Source: Opel]

Continue reading Opel Flextreme GT/E concept adds Volt drivetrain to larger car

Opel Flextreme GT/E concept adds Volt drivetrain to larger car originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 18 Feb 2010 10:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Google has been experimenting with various ways for users to consume news stories that sway from the traditional approach and generally feel more native to the web rather than an application of the print model online. One interesting experiment was Living Stories, in which the company partnered with reputable publica… (read more)

The 2010 Geneva Motor Show is one auto show that even popular German tuners like to attend to show off their latest creations. AC Schnitzer will be on hand showing an extensive modification range for the new BMW X1 and rather than just offering some visual upgrades, Schnitzer is also offering a nice chunk of power upgrades.

The BMW X1 xDrive23d has been upgraded from 204-hp to 240-hp. The 2.0 d and 1.8 d engines also feature Common Rail injection and a turbocharger, and with the AC Schnitzer tuning package they can make 210 and 171-hp respectively. AC Schnitzer says that performance upgrades are available for both the sDrive and xDrive versions, however, the company didn’t provide any numbers.

As for visual upgrades, AC Schnitzer offers a bunch of modifications to make the X1 look aggressive, but we could’ve done without the hood nostrils.

Click through for the press release and the high-res image gallery.

AC Schnitzer BMW X1:

Press Release:

New Standards in Driving Pleasure
Quality and Emotion: The BMW X1 by AC Schnitzer

The X1 is the latest welcome addition to the compact vehicles segment, and brings the characteristic BMW “Driving Pleasure” to this class. With an extensive range for the BMW X1, the AC Schnitzer version now celebrates its world premiere at the Geneva Motor Show 2010.

The BMW X1 is available with choice of a 6-cylinder petrol engine and three 4-cylinder diesel power plants. Here again, AC Schnitzer is setting totally new standards for driving pleasure in the premium compact segment. The BMW X1 xDrive23d has been upgraded from a 150 kW/204 HP diesel engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo and Common Rail injection to 240 HP. The 2.0 d and 1.8 d units in the BMW X1 also feature Common Rail injection and a turbocharger, and with the AC Schnitzer tuning package achieve 210 and 171 HP respectively. Naturally, the power upgrades are available for both the sDrive and xDrive versions. The AC Schnitzer engine styling including capacity logo is available for vehicles with and without performance upgrade.

Acoustically, the sporting driving experience is enhanced by the AC Schnitzer sports rear silencer for the petrol X1 xDrive 28i (in development). Visual elegance is provided by the chromed “Racing” tailpipe trim which is also available for all other models.

The superb driving behaviour of the BMW X1 with its focus on agility, precision and handling is the direct result of the sophisticated suspension technology used on the extremely solid body structure. AC Schnitzer has built on this and with its suspension spring kit and an aluminium strut brace, ensures the perfect balance between sporting performance and driving comfort.

The AC Schnitzer aerodynamics package is far more than mere decoration, although it harmonises effectively in the overall concept. The front spoiler and rear skirt extension, in combination with the rear roof spoiler, improve downforce and ensure additional ground adhesion. Engine bay venting is optimised by the AC Schnitzer Bonnet Vents. These are enhanced further with chromed centre webs available as an option. In aesthetic terms, the AC Schnitzer aerodynamic conversion emphasises the expressive styling and reveals to the observer on first glance the universal sporting ambitions of the X1 by AC Schnitzer.

Impressive design elements also lend a sporting and youthful note to the interior of the BMW X1 by AC Schnitzer. These elements include silver “Exclusiv” carbon interior trim, illuminated leather gear knob, aluminium gear knobs with or without digital gear display, “Black Line” aluminium cover for the i-Drive system controller, aluminium handbrake handle and pedal set, foot rests and velours foot mats.

The finishing touch comes from a set of attractive wheels, so the X1 retains its stylish appearance not only on twisty or changing terrain, but also outside a fashionable cafe. An ideal choice is the brand-new Type VIII wheel in 19″. The new wheel with its 5 double spokes in BiColor Finish is an evolution of the well-known Type VI wheel, and complements perfectly the styling language of the BMW X1. AC Schnitzer Type IV wheels in silver or in BiColor in 18, 19 or 20 inch, together with the Type VI rim in 18″, complete the range available for the BMW X1.

– By: Kap Shah

You know things are bad when a European country whips out the old no-longer-relevant scapegoat of World War II Germany.

Reuters:

“How does Germany have the cheek to denounce us over our finances when it has still not paid compensation for Greece’s war victims?” Margaritis Tzimas, of the main opposition New Democracy party, told parliament.

“There are still Greeks weeping for their lost brothers,” the conservative lawmaker said during a debate on a bill to clean up the country’s discredited statistical service.

…

Six deputies from the small Left Coalition party urged the government to press Berlin over the reparations issue and blamed German banks and politicians for Greece’s crisis.

“By their statements, German politicians and German financial institutions play a leading role in a wretched game of profiteering at the expense of the Greek people,” they said in a written question to the government.

If anything, contemplating the last sixty years since the war should make Greece (and many other countries in fact) wonder why defeated nations like Germany and Japan were able to rise from their ashes and turn into some of the world’s largest economies.

Perhaps an economy’s worst enemies lie within its old tangled domestic structures.

Join the conversation about this story »

See Also:

• If The Euro Keeps Dropping, The G7 Will Have To Step In With Its Big Stick
• Germans Can’t Get Tough On Greece Because They Have A Massive Guilt Complex
• Italy Now Suspected Of Using Derivatives To Hide Their Debt Problem, Just Like Greece

Hosts from LAN1 should be able to access hosts at LAN2 and vice-versa through GRE tunnel between R1 and R2. ISP doesn’t care what networks are behind R1 and R2 so the only way to establish connection between LAN1 and LAN2 is to use VPN, in this example we use GRE.

GRE setup example topology

R1’s startup-config (part of it)

!

hostname R1
!
interface Tunnel0
description GRE tunell to R2
ip address 192.168.200.1 255.255.255.0
tunnel source 123.123.0.10
tunnel destination 123.123.1.10
!
interface FastEthernet 1/0
ip address 10.0.0.1 255.255.255.0
!
interface Serial1/0
ip address 123.123.0.10 255.255.255.0
serial restart-delay 0
!
ip classless
ip route 0.0.0.0 0.0.0.0 123.123.0.1
ip route 10.1.1.0 255.255.255.0 192.168.200.2
!

R2’s startup-config (part of it)

!

hostname R2
!
interface Tunnel0
description GRE tunnel to R2
ip address 192.168.200.2 255.255.255.0
tunnel source 123.123.1.10
tunnel destination 123.123.0.10
!
interface FastEthernet 1/0
ip address 10.1.1.1 255.255.255.0
!
interface Serial1/0
ip address 123.123.1.10 255.255.255.0
no fair-queue
serial restart-delay 0
!
ip classless
ip route 0.0.0.0 0.0.0.0 123.123.1.1
ip route 10.0.0.0 255.255.255.0 192.168.200.1
!

Results

R2#ping 10.1.1.1
Type escape sequence to abort.
Sending 5, 100-byte ICMP Echos to 10.1.1.1, timeout is 2 seconds:
!!!!!
Success rate is 100 percent (5/5), round-trip min/avg/max = 12/17/28 ms

R3#ping 10.0.0.1
Type escape sequence to abort.
Sending 5, 100-byte ICMP Echos to 10.0.0.1, timeout is 2 seconds:
!!!!!
Success rate is 100 percent (5/5), round-trip min/avg/max = 12/20/44 ms

The owners of an apartment complex are suing village officials for allegedly conspiring to make false and malicious claims against them and the complex.

Michael Slinkman, president of SKS & Associates, and Mark Slinkman, property manager at SKS’ Colonial Court Apartments, filed the federal lawsuit Wednesday against the village and four of its officials – village manager Larry Deetjen, trustees Robert Streit and Alex Olejniczak and Jean Galzin, the village’s code enforcement officer.

The suit follows a nasty public dispute last fall between village officials and the Slinkmans, who accused the village of targeting their three apartment buildings in the 9300 block of Harlem Avenue for code violations because the buildings have many minority tenants.

The village conducted three inspections at the complex in August, finding several building code violations, according to the suit. It says Michael Slinkman met with Deetjen on Sept. 15, telling him the inspections were conducted improperly and claiming they were racially motivated.

When Slinkman attended a village board meeting a week later to complain about the flawed inspections, Streit and Olejniczak made several false statements – including that the Slinkmans are absentee landlords, that police answer many calls at the complex and that 17 registered sex offenders reside there, according to the suit.

Distributed via Chicago Press Release Services

NEW YORK (AP) — John Salmons missed the Bulls’ game at New York on Wednesday night, with coach Vinny Del Negro saying he was told to leave the guard at the team hotel.

That would seem to indicate Chicago was close to trading Salmons, with the NBA’s deadline coming Thursday afternoon.

“I’m not at liberty to say,” Del Negro said before the game. “I just got a call he’s not going to play. He’s going to be at the hotel and then I’ll find out more after the game just like everybody else.”

Salmons is scheduled to make $5.8 million next season if he doesn’t opt out of his contract. The Bulls have been hoping to clear salary to become major players in free agency during the summer.

“I would love to be with my teammate, but I understand it’s a business and it’s not up to me, it’s the people in the front office,” guard Derrick Rose said after Chicago’s 115-109 victory.

The Bulls and Knicks both have been linked to Tracy McGrady, who the Houston Rockets have been exploring a trade for.

The Knicks were without Nate Robinson, who they said has flulike symptoms and also missed Tuesday’s game in Chicago. Media reports earlier Wednesdsay said New York was close to trading the backup guard to the Boston Celtics.

Team president Donnie Walsh wouldn’t comment on any uncompleted deals, and an official within the league said the deal would be completed Thursday.

Read the original article from WBBM News Radio.

Distributed via Chicago Press Release Services

Remember that Opel concept teaser we showed you last week? Well, here is what the whole thing looks like. Known as the Flextreme GT/E Concept, the study continues GM’s extended-range electric vehicle technology that is currently found in the Chevrolet Volt and the Opel Ampera. The point of the Flextreme GT/E is to show the versatility of the E-REV technology being applied to a larger, mid-size vehicle.

Known by Opel as a 5-door-coupe, this 4-seater concept is powered by a 160-hp electric drive unit mated to a 71-hp 1.4L 4-cylinder gasoline engine. Despite having a top speed of more than 124 mph and a 0-62 mph time of less than 9 seconds, the Flextreme GT/E is expected to provide ‘green performance’ that is similar to that of the Ampera. On a full charge of its lithium-ion batteries, which takes 3 hours, the Flextreme GT/E can provide a driving range of 37 miles. With the onboard engine in the mix, the Flextreme GT/E provides a total range of more than 311 miles while averaging a fuel-economy estimated at 147 mpg.

“The Flextreme GT/E concept shows the shape of things to come from Opel,” says Frank Weber, Vice President, Corporate and Product Planning. “Bold, expressive and highly efficient, it represents the product strategy we will apply to all our future vehicles, large and small, across all market segments.”

The Opel Flextreme GT/E will debut at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show.

Hit the jump for the press release and the high-res image gallery.

Opel Flextreme GT/E Concept:

Press Release:

The Shape of Things to Come: Opel Flextreme GT/E Concept

Rüsselsheim. Opel will unveil its Flextreme GT/E concept car at the 80th Geneva Motor Show (March 4 – 14), that will boost the company’s credentials as a leader in green technologies, offering expressive design with efficient environmental performance – and engineered with German precision.

In Opel’s strategy for achieving more independence from fossil fuels, electricity plays a key role. The 4.7-meter long Flextreme GT/E concept illustrates how extended-range electric vehicle (E-REV) technology can be plugged into large or mid-size vehicles, as well as compact cars such as the upcoming Ampera.

Opel calls this strategy e-mobility unlimited: adapting the highly efficient E-REV drive system – which removes the limitations of battery-only power – to vehicles across all market segments. To enjoy zero CO2 driving emissions Opel-style, the Flextreme GT/E concept shows that size doesn’t matter.

The purposeful design also enables the Flextreme GT/E to achieve a projected drag co-efficient of just 0.22, which helps it reach a 200 km/h-plus top speed as well as conserve energy and extend its driving range. Stand-out visual features include a low and wide stance, wing-shaped lights front and rear, a distinctive nose and grille, floating C-pillars and muscular, sculptured bodywork.

“The Flextreme GT/E concept shows the shape of things to come from Opel,” says Frank Weber, Vice President, Corporate and Product Planning. “Bold, expressive and highly efficient, it represents the product strategy we will apply to all our future vehicles, large and small, across all market segments.”

Exterior design: expressing efficiency with emotion

The low, coupé-like proportions of the Flextreme GT/E explore the potential for evolving Opel’s new design language – sculptural artistry meets German precision – within an envelope optimized for aerodynamic efficiency.

The clean, frontal styling features a low hood line and an extended nose section, which is clasped by wing-shaped, signature LED headlamps. These are deeply carved into the front fenders and across the hood line. The new trapezoidal grille execution is slim but bold. The prominent wing-shaped chrome bar carries a large Opel emblem, which doubles as a socket for charging the Flextreme GT/E’s battery pack.

The upper section of the grille is used to admit cooling air, the lower portion being covered by a translucent panel. The absence of additional air intakes allows a low frontal area for aerodynamic efficiency and also enables the Flextreme GT/E to meet future pedestrian protection requirements.

The sculpted hood, with an Opel signature central crease line, features narrow longitudinal vents on either side to draw air out of the engine compartment. The muscular fenders and wheel-arches sweep back into the side-body.

In profile, the Flextreme GT/E is distinguished by innovative, stubbed C-pillars. This floating design allows the glasshouse to be extended rearwards under the arching roofline, emphasizing the flowing lines of the side body. The car’s dynamic character is further underlined by a fresh expression of Opel’s signature blade motif, now a swooping swage line from the base of the C-pillar into the lower front fender.

Access to the cabin is enhanced by the adoption of rear-hinged rear doors, an evolution of the Opel FlexDoors concept from the new generation Meriva monocab. To preserve the clean exterior looks, all door handles are replaced by light sensors. These trigger the doors open when covered by the driver’s or passenger’s hand. To reduce air turbulence, exterior front door mirrors are also absent, replaced by small camera pods in the base of the A-pillars.

At the rear, a strong shoulder line embraces sculpted wheel-arches that further emphasize the Flextreme GT/E’s wide, ground-hugging stance. The coupé look is completed by a steeply raked tailgate, carrying wing-shaped LED light units which echo the form of the front headlamps. Like that of the Insignia Sports Tourer, the tailgate has a wraparound design for improved trunk access. Its deep glass screen is slightly convex to improve airflow.

The translucency of the fixed glass panel in the center of the roof is adaptive, allowing sunlight to warm the interior in the cold of winter, but darkening for coolness in summer. A duct at the rear edge of the roof is for additional cooling of the battery and electronic components.

Managing airflow and saving weight

Integral to the Flextreme GT/E’s expressive looks is the efficiency of the design execution. The small frontal area, low roof height (1308 mm) and a flat, enclosed underbody all enable the car to cleave the air with a minimum of disturbance.

A series of measures optimize airflow management. The 21-inch alloy wheels are relatively narrow, to reduce wind resistance, and fitted with 195/45, low rolling resistance tires. Clear, flush-mounted trim inserts also minimize air turbulence.

The minimal front intake improves airflow around the nose of the car and the underbody sweeps up, venturi-like, at the rear to further reduce drag.

The Flextreme GT/E also explores the potential for active shape shifting. At speeds above 50 km/h, a vertical panel extends along the body from the air extraction slot behind each rear wheel-arch. These 350 mm-long side spoilers guide high-speed airflow around the rear corners of the car, further reducing the amount of turbulence.

Mass reduction measures for the body include the use of lightweight, carbon composite outer panels, polycarbonate window glazing and aluminum alloy structural components. Compared to conventional materials, these offer a 40 percent weight saving which further contributes to reduced energy consumption and an increased driving range.

Innovative propulsion

The efficient concept also includes GM’s ground-breaking E-REV drive system, already developed for the Opel Ampera. The Flextreme GT/E shows the versatility of this technology by displaying it in a larger, mid-size vehicle format.

Despite its greater size and a maximum speed of more than 200 kilometers per hour, the Flextreme GT/E is projected to offer performance similar to that of the Ampera: a battery-powered driving range of up to 60 km – with zero CO2 tailpipe emissions – and a total range of more than 500 km. Average fuel consumption is estimated at 1.6 l/100 km, with CO2 emissions of less than 40 g/km.

Unlike a hybrid vehicle, the wheels of the Flextreme GT/E are powered at all times by electricity. For typical journeys up to 60 km, energy is supplied by a T-shaped lithium-ion battery pack located under the floor and rear seat.

However, unlike a battery-only electric vehicle, the Flextreme GT/E eliminates any possibility of range anxiety through fear of being stranded without power. The small gasoline engine/generator is seamlessly engaged to provide electricity whenever the battery’s supply becomes depleted. In this mode, the driving range is extended to more than 500 km, until the plug-in battery pack can be recharged or the car is refueled.

The motor in the electric drive unit delivers a substantial 370 Nm of instant torque, giving lively performance and projected zero to 100 km/h acceleration in less than nine seconds.

The Flextreme GT/E concept is a further step in Opel’s unfolding strategy for the electrification of the automobile, which includes a wide portfolio of products using battery, extended-range, hybrid and fuel cell technologies.

Opel Flextreme GT/E Concept: Technical Data

Body style
Type	5-door coupé, 4-seat upper mid-size concept vehicle
Co-efficient of drag	0.22

Exterior dimensions
Overall length (mm)	4762
Height (mm)	1308
Width (mm)	1871
Wheelbase (mm)	2900
Front track (mm)	1600
Rear track (mm)	1600

Wheels/Tires
Wheel size	21 inch
Tires	195/45 R 21; extra low-rolling resistance

Powertrain
Type	Electric drive, front-wheel-drive
Battery system:
Type	Advanced lithium-ion (manganese spinel)
Energy	16 kWh
Nominal voltage	350 volts
On-board charger	3.3 kW
100% recharge time (230V outlet)	< 3.0 hours
Electric drive unit:
Max. power	120 kW
Torque	370 Nm
Generator:
Power	53 kW peak output
Engine type	4-cyl. 1.4l gasoline-fueled combustion engine

Performance
Pure electric mode range	60 km
Full range, range extender engaged	> 500 km
CO2 emissions, combined cycle (est.)	< 40 g/km
0 – 100 km/h acceleration	< 9.0 seconds
Maximum speed	> 200 km/h

– By: Omar Rana

Morgan Stanley economist David Greenlaw thinks deflation fears are looking tired after today's higher than expected Producer Price Index (PPI) result.

Still, there's no reason yet to get worried about inflation either. Most of the PPI upside was caused by price rises for energy and metals, while inflation within most core categories (ex-food and energy) remained subdued:

David Greenlaw @ Morgan Stanley: Both headline and core came in somewhat higher than anticipated. Energy prices posted an even sharper than anticipated gain.

...

The early stage readings showed some elevation in energy and metals prices. In particular, rising quotes for iron, steel, copper and aluminum helped to push up the core crude materials gauge -- which jumped a whopping 6.6% on top of a 4.5% gain in December.

If anything, thank the current economic recovery for keeping deflation at bay.

The bottom line is that deflation risk seems to be falling as economic recovery takes hold but, at the same time, we don't expect the recent build-up of inflation pressures at the early stages of production to be sustained.

(Via Morgan Stanley, Economic Data Bulletin, David Greenlaw, 18 Feb 2010)

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SPRINGFIELD, MO — Beth Phillips, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced today that two former bank vice presidents and the former branch manager of the Small Business Administration’s office in Springfield are among 16 defendants who have been indicted in five separate but related cases for their involvement in a bank fraud scheme that took advantage of business loans guaranteed by the Small Business Administration.

According to the indictments, the bank fraud scheme involved at least 31 fraudulent business loans, ranging from $100,000 to $1.6 million, issued by Mid-America Bank and Trust Company (MABTC) in Pulaski County, Mo., between January 2005 and January 2007. The fraudulent loans cited in the indictments total more than $10.1 million.

George G. Spencer, 53, and Dennis K. DePriest, 55, both of Ozark, Mo., Larry Steven Aduddle, 63, of Springfield, Mo., Richard N. DeLong, 44, of Newburg, Mo., Melinda L. Reese, 37, of Dixon, Mo., Gerald E. Harris, 68, of Edgar Springs, Mo., Michael Edward Clegg, 48, of St. Robert, Mo., his daughter, Andrea M. Clegg, 25, of Laquey, Mo., Perris D. Rask, 67, of Licking, Mo., Keith David Miller, 54, of Republic, Mo., and Lindell L. Vawter, 65, of Rock Island, Ill., were charged in a 185-count indictment returned under seal by a federal grand jury on Feb. 5, 2010. That indictment was unsealed and made public today upon the arrest and initial court appearance of DePriest.

DeLong was executive vice-president and chief lending officer at MABTC during the course of the alleged conspiracy. Reese was vice-president and loan compliance officer at MABTC from 1998 through May 2008. Aduddle was the branch manager of the Small Business Administration’s Springfield office from March 21, 2005, to May 21, 2007.

Several of the defendants were business owners. Rask owned Circle R Saloon, Inc., which ran the Rockin R Saloon and Adonia’s Steak and Seafood in St. Robert. Vawter owned and operated Vawter, Inc., doing business as A&W Root Beer/Long John Silver’s restaurant in St. Robert.

Michael Clegg was president of Heintz Lighting One and Appliance, Inc. Miller owned and operated RadiusCom Corporation, which provided wireless Internet service in Republic, Missouri. Harris owned Harris Land Development, LLC and Gerald Harris Construction, Inc.

In separate but related cases, Daniel J. Metz, 65, of Eldon, Mo., Randall S. Rogers, 41, of Springfield, Mo., and Catherine S. Debar, 42, of Rolla, Mo., were charged in three separate indictments that were returned by a federal grand jury in Springfield on Dec. 17, 2009.

In each case, the indictments allege, the defendants were nominee borrowers—that is, borrowers in name only, for loans that were secretly for the benefit of others.

They allegedly claimed the loans would be used for legitimate business purposes, when in reality the loans were made to benefit others and for other purposes.

In another related case, James Stewart Dunlop, Jr., also known as “Stu,” 55, of Springfield, Mo., was charged in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Springfield on Dec. 17, 2009.

In this case, the indictment alleges that Dunlop concealed his ineligibility for a Small Business Administration loan and that he conducted financial transactions to conceal the proceeds of the related bank fraud scheme.

The indictment that was unsealed today alleges that, beginning in January 2005, Spencer, DePriest, Aduddle and DeLong participated in a conspiracy to obtain loans from MABTC and to defraud the Small Business Administration.

Those loans, according to the indictment, were guaranteed by the Small Business Administration under federal loan programs that were designed to provide financial assistance to small businesses.

They and the other eight co-defendants in this indictment are also charged with participating in a bank fraud scheme to fraudulently obtain loans from MABTC.

According to the indictment, Spencer and DePriest assisted DeLong as consultants to Michael Clegg, Vawter and Rask, each of whom controlled failing businesses and had outstanding MABTC loans with significant past due balances.

DeLong allegedly made loans and issued lines of credit to nominee borrowers, including entities controlled by Spencer, Harris and Boothe, in order to conceal unbooked letters of credit that he had issued in the name of MABTC.

DeLong allegedly made additional loans to nominee borrowers including Rogers, Metz and Debar in order to conceal improvident loans, previously made nominee loans and nominee lines of credit, and to cure overdrafts.

As part of the conspiracy, the indictment alleges that DeLong made false entries in the records of MABTC to conceal disbursements of bank funds and past due loan payments of distressed borrowers. DeLong allegedly structured loans to avoid scrutiny of those loans by the MABTC board of directors.

According to the indictment, Spencer, DePriest, and others organized limited liability companies solely as nominee borrowers, the indictment says, and recruited nominee borrowers to funnel MABTC loan proceeds that were guaranteed by the Small Business Administration to themselves and others.

DeLong allegedly requested Small Business Administration guarantees of MABTC loans made to nominee borrowers recruited by Spencer and DePriest. DeLong allegedly signed fraudulent Small Business Administration loan authoriziations for MABTC loans whose proceeds ultimately benefitted Spencer, DePriest and others.

As part of the conspiracy, the indictment alleges that Spencer, DePriest and Dunlop prepared fraudulent Small Business Administration borrower applications for submission to the Small Business Administration.

DeLong and others misapplied MABTC loan proceeds, some of which were guaranteed through Small Business Administration loan programs, by diverting those proceeds to Spencer, DePriest, and others.

The indictment also alleges that Spencer paid a $7,500 bribe to DeLong in order to receive a $195,000 business loan from MABTC.

The indictment charges various defendants in a total of 185 counts of making false bank entries, making false statements to MABTC, making false statements to the Small Business Administration, bank bribery, bank fraud, misapplication of loan funds, false bank entries and money laundering.

In separate indictments, Metz and Debar are each charged with two counts of making a  false statement to MABTC in connection with a loan. Rogers and Dunlop are each charged with one count of making a false statement to MABTC in connection with a loan.

Rogers is also charged with one count of money laundering. Dunlop is also charged with two counts of money laundering.

Phillips cautioned that the charges contained in these indictments are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

These cases are being prosecuted by Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael S. Oliver. They were investigated by the Small Business Administration – Office of Inspector General and the FBI.

Distributed via Chicago Press Release Services

ST. LOUIS, MO — The United States Attorney’s Office announced today that Ronald Schweppe of Caseyville, Illinois was sentenced to 18 months in prison today in United States District Court for his part in a multi-state stolen property ring.

RONALD SCHWEPPE, Caseyville, IL, was the subject of an undercover investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Missouri Highway Patrol and the Illinois State Police.

Schweppe appeared before Judge Rodney W. Sippel in St. Louis.

According to the plea agreement, Schweppe stole in excess of $120,000 worth of property, including construction equipment and recreational vehicles, and transported it between Missouri and Illinois for the purpose of hiding and fencing it.

Because the investigators were able to locate and return all of the stolen property, no restitution was ordered beyond “buy money” used by law enforcement during the investigation.

Schweppe, who was on federal supervised release at the time of his arrest last year, faces a proceeding to revoke that supervision in the Southern District of Illinois.

Distributed via Chicago Press Release Services

I’ll repeat that headline above – because it’s important!

Guilt is to the past, what worry is to the future!

Both are a waste of your precious present!

How much of your day is gobbled up thinking: “Why didn’t I?” “Why did I?” “What if?” “Why me?” “Why not them?” “What if that bad thing happens?” “What if that person lets me down?” “What if my fear comes true?”

These are all thought-time-wasters you gotta STOP ‘N SWAP!

Here are some new present-tense thoughts – which will make your present less-tense – that you should swap for thoughts of GUILT and WORRY: “How can I learn from this?” “How am I better person from this?” “What can I do now to make my life better?” “Who can I surround myself with today to make my life happier?” “What can I do to relax?” “What do I have to look forward to that I should aim myself at?”

Remember: If you ask depressing questions, you will get depressing answers! If you ask proactively-oriented, happy questions, you will not only get happier answers – but a happier life!

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CHICAGO (AP) — A Chicago neighborhood filled with historic bungalows and tree-lined streets has landed on a best-of list by This Old House magazine.

The magazine lists North Mayfair on the city’s Northwest Side as one of the best “old-house neighborhoods” in the U.S. and Canada.

North Mayfair was selected for its affordability and ongoing efforts to maintain the area’s historic character.

Many of the homes in the neighborhood date back to the early 1900s. And neighbors succeeded in getting part of the area listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

The magazine’s list includes 51 neighborhoods chosen for their architectural diversity, the craftsmanship of the homes, and the preservation activity in the area.

On the Net: thisoldhouse.com/best-places

Read the original article from WBBM News Radio.

Distributed via Chicago Press Release Services

CHICAGO — Mental health services for foster kids could get a boost thanks to research at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

UIC social work researchers have received a nearly $1 million grant from the National Institute of Mental Health.

It’s part of the government’s stimulus money.

The funds will be used to analyze ways for social workers to address behavior problems in child-welfare settings.

UIC researcher Sonya Leathers says effective treatments for behavior problems aren’t widely used some settings. And that includes the child-welfare system.

More than 15,000 Illinois children were in foster care last year.

Read the original article from FOX Chicago News.

Distributed via Chicago Press Release Services

CHICAGO — The health of Illinois’ former First Lady Lura Lynn Ryan is failing.

George Ryan is hoping president Obama will release him from prison early so he can be home with her.

The ex-governor was convicted of corruption charges and has served two years in prison.

He has four-and-a half more years to go.

Lura lynn is suffering from terminal lung disease and is on oxygen around the clock.

Ryan already tried to request clemency from President Bush, but that went nowhere.

Read the original article from FOX Chicago News.

Distributed via Chicago Press Release Services