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Guangzhou, China (Sports Network) - Fresh off her title last week in Uzbekistan, Serb Bojana Jovanovski stayed hot Tuesday by upsetting top seed Sorana Cirstea in first-round action at the Guangzhou Open tennis event.
The 21-year-old Jovanovski leveled the Romanian Cirstea 6-2, 6-1 on the hardcourts at Guangzhou International Tennis Center.
Up next for the surging Serb on Wednesday will be American qualifier Vania King.
A trio of seeds avoided upsets, as No. 2 Alize Cornet of France drubbed Belarus' Olga Govortsova 6-3, 6-1, No. 3 Laura Robson of Great Britain handled Serbian qualifier Jovana Jaksic 6-2, 6-4, and No. 4 Chinese favorite Peng Shuai beat Israeli wild card Shahar Peer 6-3, 6-4. Robson was last year's Guangzhou runner-up to Taiwan's Su-Wei Hsieh. Peer titled here in 2009. Peng was the Guangzhou runner-up in 2008.
Two more upsets came when Serb Vesna Dolonc drove out fifth-seeded Pole Urszula Radwanska 7-5, 6-2 and Hungarian Timea Babos upended seventh-seeded American Varvara Lepchenko 7-6 (10-8), 7-5.
Also on Day 2, Austrian Yvonne Meusburger mauled Ukrainian Lesia Tsurenko 6-3, 6-4, Chinese wild card Zheng Saisai overcame Thai qualifier Luksika Kumkhum 6-7 (3-7), 6-3, 7-5, and Chinese Zheng Jie bested Kazakhstan's Yaroslava Shvedova 6-1, 6-4.
The winner of this $500,000 tournament will collect $112,080.


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Yasuo Kuniyoshi, ca. 1950
Physical Details: Photographic print : 1 item : b&w ; 16 x 24 cm.
Creator: Adrian Siegel, photographer
Description: Kuniyoshi seated near a window.
Identification on verso (handwritten): Yasuo Kuniyoshi, Woodstock, N.Y., photo by Adrian Siegel, circa 1950.
Forms part of: [Rosalie Berkowitz collection of photographs], [1927-1950]
Rights Statement: Current copyright status is undetermined
Citation: Yasuo Kuniyoshi, ca. 1950
Digital ID: 3419
- Asian American artists
- Kuniyoshi, Yasuo
- Portraits
- Woodstock, N.Y.
View all Image Gallery items from the [Rosalie Berkowitz collection of photographs]

subset: commoncrawl


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IRVING, Texas (AP) - Tony Romo is pretty used to this drill by now.
Make a big mistake late to cost the Dallas Cowboys a chance to win. Say he wishes he had that throw back. Vow to be better the next time.
The latest routine was triggered by an interception that gave Green Bay new life in a 37-36 win after the Packers trailed by 23 at halftime.
Now Romo and the Cowboys have to bounce back again Sunday at Washington.
If they do, they'll get to play for the NFC East title in the finale against Philadelphia at home. If not, they could be eliminated from the playoffs for the fourth straight year.
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"Higgs! Guess what? We're hot!"
On Monday, we talked streaking, investigating which members of the Canucks were hot, and who had gone cold. Mason Raymond? Cold as ice, unwilling to sacrifice. He has just one point, an assist, in his last six games. Tom Sestito? Hot streak. Blistering. Dude has scored in one consecutive game. That's as hot as he gets.
But today we're going to talk about a different kind of hotness: physical hotness. Like what sexy people have. Did you know the Canucks are the NHL's hottest playoff team? Because they totally are.
Now, don't take my word for it, especially since I'm totally straight. I even married a woman to prove it. (Note to my wife: that's not why I married you, so stop crying.) The Canucks claim to fame as the league's hottest playoff-bound club comes from the sociologists of Cosmopolitan magazine.
Cosmo recently released its list of the hottest guys of the NHL playoffs, and as I often do, I perused the list, just to make sure Henrik Lundqvist was on it. (One time he wasn't, leading to an intense feud between Cosmo and myself that even received coverage from the New York Post.) This time, King Henrik was included, likely because Cosmo learned from their mistakes the last time around, and clearly feared my wrath yet again: "Fans freaked when this sexy goalie didn't make our original hot list," they wrote. (Right. "Fans"… I think we all know who they were really talking about, especially since they still follow me on Twitter.)
Anyway. As I was checking the list for errors, something else struck me: there are three Canucks on this list. Congratulations to Chris Higgins, Ryan Kesler, and Maxim Lapierre. You're all hot. Cosmo has recognized, respectively, your beard, aggressiveness, and, uh, sweaty demeanour:
Congratulations to Mike Gillis as well. (No, you didn't make the cut, probably because it wasn't a list of the hottest general managers.) But some have said that you just inherited Brian Burke's team, and Higgins and Lapierre are your acquisitions. That means you made this team thrice as hot as when you found them. That's some stellar GMing right there.
Finally, congratulations to fans of the Vancouver Canucks, You cheer for a hot group of dudes. Way to go. You did it.
The Canucks are one of three teams to have earned three spots on Cosmo's illustrious list, along with the Chicago Blackhawks (boo!) and the Montreal Canadiens.
Meanwhile, the San Jose Sharks, Vancouver's first round playoff opponent, have but one player on the list. They are hopelessly overmatched in the hotness department, which is why I'm picking the Canucks in seven.
I was reading this in my natural resources class and could not come up with a satisfactory answer as to why I started laughing when Dr. P was talking about aquadic life eating the bits of broken down plastic floating in the ocean during a lecture about recycling. Thanks, Harrison. This is completely your fault.
Just as you suggested they should change their criteria when Henrik was not on their list I feel they must change any criteria that allowed Patrick Kane on the list. I'm all for Sharp being #1 so it is not a hatred of Chicago thing, but seriously, Kane? Uhg.
Also, we need The Higgins Abs shot (named it), and a better pic of Max would have been easy to find as well.
My girlfriend and I were talking about this very topic yesterday and concluded that the Canucks are definitely the most attractive team in the NHL. Really, consider the list of decent- to really-really-ridiculously-good-looking gents on the Canucks. You've got Ryan Kesler, Kevin Bieksa, Chris Higgins, Jason Garrison, Dan Hamhuis, Alex Edler, Mason Raymond, David Booth, Max Lapierre apparently (that one I don't get), the Sedins, Burrows, Luongo has his swarthy italian charm…
It's kind of ridiculous, really. I think the only team that might give them a run is the New York Rangers. Lundqvist and Brad Richards are dreamy.
Harrison, it's a good thing we have you combing the list for errors; I only hope you're on Cosmo about the egregious nature of the ones they made this time round as well. Some of those dudes are not even remotely good looking, let alone sexy (obviously I recognize that the two traits are not necessarily mutually inclusive).
It seems clear that the Canucks are far and away the most attractive team in the league, which is a nice little bonus. Though let's be honest, it's not as if we'd stop cheering for them even if they were all hideous beasts of the Duncan Keith persuasion — I suppose we should consider ourselves lucky that Cro-Mag didn't make the cut. [While I'm on my little Blackhawks tangent, allow me to say that it's a crime that Kane made the list instead of someone more deserving (Kevin Bieksa comes to mind) and the fact that he is so much higher in the rankings than Toews is (I've long said he looks damn good in a suit, which is the same point made in the article) could rightfully be called a mystery for the ages.] Still, it's nice to have a bit of pretty to distract you on the nights the team chooses to play at 50-70% of its collective ability or ride a 1-goal lead as if scoring more would violate a hidden taboo of the highest order.
Poor little Sharks with only one hottie on the list. How do they stand a chance? I know this will likely prove an unpopular sentiment, but Scott Gomez deserves a spot. I know everyone hates him, but he is awfully easy on the eyes.
What no Cam "turtle head" Barker on Cosmo's list?
Actually did you also notice that the outline of his head is the same as depictions of area 51 aliens, he just needs bigger eyes…..this would explain a few things.


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Staff Council Minutes
February 28, 2013
Present: Cinthia Barnett, Jeff Bernard, Bobby Burk, Alberta Cook, Stephanie McCartney, & Lyndon Pitman
Absent: Tara Adams, Barry Birckhead, Jenny Brown, Sharon Hodge, Ann Lay, & Arthur Vaughn
Guests: none
1. Welcome
- The meeting was called to order at 2:12 pm by Bobby Burk.
2. Budget
- Foundation Account: $4341.98
- Agency Account: $2518.00
3. Approval of Meeting Minutes
- January 2013 Minutes – approved by all in attendance.
4. New Business
- Mary Phillips (Bobby)
i. Mary sent a thank you note for her retirement present (an engraved clock).
- Administrative Professional's Day (April 25, 2013)
i. There was a conflict in scheduling the events for APD as the SPSU Service Awards Ceremony (lead by Quint Hill from Human Resources) was already scheduled for April 24th. Therefore, APD will be celebrated on April 25th (the ballroom has been reserved).
ii. The committee (Jenny Brown, Sharon Hodge, and Ann Lay) talked to Dr. Ron Koger, who agreed to pay for the speaker.
iii. Margaret from Skill Path will come and speak during the APD luncheon
v. Staff Council will pay for the food and other minor expenses.
- Open Forum (Bobby)
i. President Lisa Rossbacher is in favor of an open forum and will discuss it with the Senior Staff.
ii. A list of general topics and questions need to be prepared. Each SC member will ask their constituents for input.
- Benefits Changes (Bobby)
i. It was suggested that President Rossbacher attend a SC meeting in order to explain the latest updated changes to benefits. It was then suggested that this could be done at the open forum.
- P&P 2010.0 (Bobby)
i. This P&P deals with how all P&Ps on campus are approved.
ii. Bobby is suggesting that it be amended to include SC in presenting new P&Ps (since it has been done before) and approving those that involve staff.
- Pay Scales
i. There is concern that new hires are making more money than existing employees based on the lack of cost-of-living raises over the past several years.
ii. Another concern is that a staff member making a lateral job move does not receive an increase in salary even if a new hire would receive a base pay that is higher.
iii. The Georgia State Legislature is voting on the state budget in January. President Rossbacher is awaiting the outcome in order to address pay issues.
- Outstanding Staff Awards (Alberta Cook)
i. An initial meeting has been set for the OSA committee to send out nomination applications.
Movement to adjourn meeting
- The meeting was adjourned at 2:45 pm.


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- United reportedly hacked by same group that breached Anthem, OPM
- Security concerns raised at Windows 10 roll-out
- TV5Monde in chaos as data breach costs roll into the millions
- Oracle PeopleSoft attack could enable big data breaches
- Zero-day in Fiat Chrysler feature allows remote control of vehicles
- Cyber attack on U.S. power grid could rack up $1 trillion in losses, study says
- All smartwatches are vulnerable to attack, finds study
- 'GSMem' malware designed to infiltrate air-gapped computers, steal data
- Government 'Cybersecurity Sprint' spurs agency authentication measures
- Report: News, entertainment websites serve majority of malvertisements
- UConn School of Engineering cyberintrusion originated in China
- Report delves into RAT videos on YouTube
- Tor Project, Library Freedom Project to establish Tor exit nodes in libraries


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Miller's Game Winner In 84th Minute Stuns Muskegon, Gives No. 15 Express Men 3-2 VictoryOctober 8, 2012
By Nicholas Huenefeld/Owens Sports Information
Toledo, OH---The nation's top assist producer and the nation's top goal scorer hooked up to give the No. 15 Express a 3-2 win over Muskegon Community College today at the Owens Soccer Complex.
Nickyle Webber, who leads the nation in assists, crossed a ball to the nation's top goal scorer, Glenroy Miller, who put it in the net to give the Express the hard fought win.
The Express had taken a 2-0 lead into halftime with goals from Webber and Juavanie Cole before Muskegon tied it up with goals in the 51st and 74th minutes.
Cole scored on an aerial kick off a goalkeeper deflection to put the Express up 1-0 just 9:34 into the match. Webber's goal came on a header a little over six minutes later via a crossing shot from Cole.
Joshua Kleinow played the entire 90 minutes in goal for the Express and six saves.
Webber now has 10 goals and 14 assists this year, while Cole got his eighth goal and eighth assist. Miller's 22nd goal inched him closer to Sean Bucknor's single-season program record of 28 set in 2006 and 2007.
Owens improves to 11-3-1 overall and 8-2-1 in Region XII. Today's win gives the Express a two game cushion over Muskegon (8-5-1 overall, 6-4-1 Region XII) for second place in the Region XII standings with three games remaining. Therefore, any Express win or Muskegon loss would clinch the #2 seed for the Express because they hold the head-to-head tiebreaker via their two wins over Muskegon.
The #2 seed would provide a quarterfinal round bye in the Region XII postseason tourney.
Owens will now travel to No. 6 Schoolcraft College (11-1-1 overall, 9-0-1 Region XII) on Wednesday for a 4 p.m. game. It will be a matchup of the top two teams in the Region XII standings. Owens and Schoolcraft battled to a 1-1 tie in 2 OT on Sept. 5.


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Metal Detectors By Barska®
Barska has developed a new line of Winbest® Pro, Master and Elite Edition metal detectors. These new metal detectors where developed for the active outdoors enthusiast to enhance the possibilities of outdoor activities. Barska metal detector technology has improved to a point that anyone can become a professional treasure hunter with one of the three models Barska offers. A trip to the beach should never be with out Barska® Winbest® metal detectors. People would never know of the possible treasures that lay hidden right under their feet. Don?t miss out on finding treasure with the Winbest® metal detectors by Barska®! The new Winbest® Pro Edition metal detector model (BE11638) was developed as an entry-level model for new treasure hunters.
The Pro Edition Features two metal detector operation search modes, the first mode allows the user to search for different types of metals with an auto ground balance and high sensitivity. The second mode allows the user to search by discriminating what kind of metal is being detected. The ability to weed out metals that are not of value to the user insures that time is not wasted on digging up junk metals and that the user focuses on precious metals that are worth more. The new Winbest® Master Edition metal features three search modes: The first mode tunes out false signals from mineralized soils, the second mode detects extreme differences in metals such as iron and gold, and the third search mode detects finer distinctions between metals such as aluminum and gold.
The Master Edition also has features such as user controls for ground balance, volume control, and fine-tuning adjustments between transmitter and receiver. The eight-inch waterproof search coil of the master edition metal detector allows for searching in shallow water. The professional Winbest® Elite Edition metal detector was designed for skilled treasure hunters. The elite Edition features three advanced search modes to help the avid treasure hunter make the most of their adventure by allowing detecting the difference from precious gold to mere minerals.
It also has an eight-inch waterproof search coil permitting the explorer to probe around various surfaces including shallow water. The advanced led display easily presents the findings in an easy to read format. Winbest® metal detectors by Barska® are compact, easy to use, and make a great gift for hobbyists. All Barska metal detectors are built for years of use and are backed be a one-year product warranty.
It's never been easier to judge ?trash from treasure? with these metal detectors. Ultra lightweight and compact make these metal detectors easy to transport and store. Features a discriminator that distinguishes from different types of metal, adjustable volume control for speaker or headphones (headphones not included) and low battery indicator. Operates on two 9V alkaline batteries (not included). Detection results are displayed on screen of the control box. Three models to choose from Pro Edition, Master Edition and Elite Edition metal detectors. Metal Detector Carrying Bag sold seperatley. Start exploring for treasures just about anywhere today.
Barska's commitment to outdoors hobbyists is without compare, as the company has expanded its line of products to include more than the devices which are most needed and sought-after by the typical outdoor gamesman and hunter. Indeed, the company's line of metal detectors is as broad and technologically advanced as anything sold to hunters through major retailers around the world, and there are two types to choose form which can provide a wealth of underground findings./p>
All too often, a metal detector is sold as a device which can simply signal any kind of metal that lies beneath the soil. That's fine, and it might meet the needs of some novice hobbyists who are just getting into the field of metal detecting and uncovering, but it's not enough for those who have sophisticated needs and know exactly what they're looking for with a metal detector in hand. For those customers, Barska produces a line of metal detectors each with there own special features. Most metal detectors offered by Barska have at least 2 modes; the first mode is aforementioned "general" search, which will cause the metal detector to ping whenever it comes across any type of metal located immediately beneath the soil. The second mode, which is far more advanced, actually allows the operator to determine which kind of metal they're looking for. The metal detector will then ignore all other findings, pinging only when it uncovers the desired form of metal during a typical ground search.
Best of all, the metal detector products sold by Barska display their findings on an easy-to-read control panel that can consist of a pointer, LED or LCD screen. That means customers will know what they're getting into (or, rather, digging into) before they actually put the metal detector down and begun to unearth the device's findings. It's the kind of mixture of high technology and old-school machinery that Barska has long pursued, and customers will appreciate its effect on their search.


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|Travelodge Clear Lake properties are listed below. Search for cheap and discount Travelodge hotel prices in Clear Lake, TX for your personal or business trip. We list the best Travelodge Clear Lake hotels/motels so you can review the Clear Lake Travelodge hotel list below to find the perfect place.
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BPL Community Profile
seth mcalister (sethmcalister) - BPL Forum Member
You cannot send this user a personal message (PM) because they have not specified a PM email address yet.
All Forum Posts by seth mcalister
RE: WM Caribou
Hey Ralph- Met you at Hilton's the other day. Was going to send you a PM, but you haven't specified a PM address yet. Seth
I've not heard of them. I tried to search for them over at hammockforums to no avail. looks like they're just a reseller. if you have amazon prime, you get pick them up for the same pric...
I've owned the original weight Sport crews, the original weight sport micros and the liners. The liners wore out within the first two days of hiking. I've had exceptional luck with the or...
I just had Te-Wa make me a custom Breeze (40*) using M50. Total weight (after I took off the asym loop and replaced the mitten hooks with with the Dutchware quilt clips) is 232g (8.2 oz). Takes m...
If you're comfortable with it, you can try hanging one low and the other one above you. That should ensure that you get the tarp coverage...I know it's pretty common with kids as I've ...
Just got my Tewa UQ in the mail today. Went with the Breeze but had Mike make it out of momentum 50. Final weight, without any trimming of the shock cord, is 8.3 oz. Taking it out this weekend ...
Papa Smurf
Have you considered contacting Papa Smurf and having him prototype an all-in-one hammock/insulation setup based off his Darien UL or something of the sort? IIRC, there was work on a cuben peap...
Re: Re: Underquilt or Pad?
Dale, While I agree with you to an extent about pads being the lightest, what isn't considered as how low pads will take us. Most hammockers can comfortable sleep to about the 50's or m...
Dream Hammocks
I was going to also suggest a Darien UL from Dream-Hammocks. Integrated bug net, supremely light suspension setup (pretty much the lightest available on the market). On a side note, I just or...
Best Wildlife Encounter
I was fishing with my family in northern Maine a few years ago. We rounded the corner of the road only to see about four deer, two bucks and two does. As we began to round the corner, the two doe...
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Emerging Leaders
This comprehensive program is designed to encourage students to learn more about themselves and how to become active leaders on our campus. The Emerging Leaders Program will be modeled after the Student Leadership Challenge by Kouzes and Posner. The Student Leadership Challenge is utilized by colleges and universities across the nation to teach students the 5 practices of exemplary leadership.
The Emerging Leaders Program occurs each spring semester, with the nomination process occuring in the fall semester.
If you have any questions regarding Emerging Leaders, please do not hesitate to contact Sara Kupferer, Assistant Director for Student Conduct, at email@example.com or at 215.717.6627.


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MT-09Yamaha get it bang on with new triple
Posted: October 17, 2013|
THE 850. It's a funny old size for an engine. Many manufacturers have tried it at one point or another, with varying degrees of success. BMW adopted it early on as a flat twin with their R80 series. Norton went Commando with a parallel twin 850 in 1973. Suzuki once created a popular four-cylinder version with their shaft-driven GS850, and more recently the Italians have had a punt with V-twin variants – the Aprilia 850 Mano, Ducati 848 and Moto Guzzi Le Mans.
Back in the very early 80s Yamaha had a brief dalliance with their three-cylinder XS850, but here we are 30 years on and they've rejoined the party with an all-new 850 triple. It's called the MT-09 – and it's an absolute blast.
Make no mistake, the MT-09 is one eager motorcycle. It's light, it's powerful, and it's agile. The engine oozes charisma, with its creamy blend of muscular torque and sweet top-end power. Acceleration is suitably impressive, with the front wheel regularly skipping off the Tarmac as it pulls harder and harder through the gears, while the ergonomics make it surprisingly comfortable to ride at higher speeds even with scant protection from the elements.
What Yamaha have created is a modern-day, useable sports bike that gives thrilling performance in everyday conditions.
Part of the reason it is such a joy to ride is its power-to-weight ratio. Tipping the scales at just 188kg, it weighs less than Yamaha's own R6. To give it further perspective, it's got an extra 10bhp over Triumph's Street Triple, and, while it's not as powerful as the Speed Triple R, it weighs a whole five stones less.
Yamaha designed the MT-09 with sporting intentions. If you're looking for a simple, unflustered ride, you're best off sticking with the XJ6 or the Diversion. That isn't to say the MT-09 is difficult to ride but the immediacy of its throttle response can make it seem flighty for the less experienced rider.
It has a choice of three power settings, and you really can tell the difference between them. Controlled with your right thumb and switchable while on the move, the standard STD setting offers all the power, spread evenly across the range, and is suitable for pretty much all occasions. Before the days of choosing our own power maps, this is where the MT-09 would have been all the time and we'd have been none the wiser.
The A position, however, tweaks the settings to make for sharper revving and even harder acceleration at low to middle revs. Pop it in B mode and the world seems a much safer place. I only used the B setting once as the rain lashed down across the Brecon Beacons, but it was nice not to feel like I had to ride like Rossi for a while.
More than any other form of transport, a well-designed motorcycle should feel like an extension of the body, and with adjustable front and rear suspension and Dunlop Sportmax tyres, cornering on the MT-09 is as fluid as you could hope for, holding lines with ease and carving through apex after apex with real surety.
The MT-09 is said to be the product of 'the same creative forces that drive the darker, more unconventional side of Japan', and every aspect of the MT-09's design has been carefully considered. From the menacing hunched looks to the concealed three- into-one exhaust, the MT-09 looks like an expensive motorcycle.
The rear lights are a work of art inspired by the MT-01. A long strip of LEDs features separate left and right side lamps when the lights are turned on, while the whole surface lights up during braking. Further features are the lightweight 10-spoke alloy wheels, and the offset LCD dash. The Fowlers demo bike I took out has a wonderfully deep metallic finish to its Blazing Orange 14-litre tank that holds enough juice to see you up to around 130 miles of spirited riding.
At just under £7,000, what you are getting with the MT-09 is a motorcycle that is totally new from the ground up, built around some of the latest technology available to the buying public.
If you're looking for a new bike with some real spark, you ought to try one.
Book yourself a test ride by calling Fowlers of Bristol on 0117 977 0466.


text: WORCESTER, Mass. – The College of the Holy Cross department of athletics will hold a press conference today, June 23, to announce the hiring of its new head men's ice hockey coach. The press conference will begin at 1:00 p.m. To view a live video stream of the press conference, click here.


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ment agencies, as well as the many public and private organizations that have operational responsibilities and relevant information and expertise. Systems analysis should be used as one tool to help identify these gaps and seams.
The analysis of terrorist threats is a major input, as shown in Figure 10.1, to the risk analyses that must be performed to establish homeland security priorities. Currently, a large volume of pertinent information is collected by the U.S. intelligence community, but there is much work to do in organizing and integrating the information so it can be used for counterterrorism activites.
This section discusses some of the factors involved in the development of an appropriate risk analysis model. It sketches an illustrative model based on systems analysis, probability theory, and game theory—one that can be used to set priorities among the various threats and threat-reduction measures. These measures include short-term actions such as restricting access to an airplane cockpit; medium-term actions such as the manufacture and stockpiling of vaccines; and long-term actions such as investing in specific areas of scientific research and in the development of new technologies.
Comparison of such options is complicated because of massive uncertainty, but investment decisions must be made nonetheless. To inform such decisions, we first need a system framework that embraces the various infrastructures within the United States, the terrorist system, and their interactions. The committee lays out such a framework, sketches a model that represents it, and describes ways of dealing with uncertainty in the model's variables.
An overall system description must describe connections between infrastructures, people, the national economy, and social values. All of these are vulnerable, in part from the myriad of interdependencies and in part from the openness of American society (Gilmore Commission, 2001). This modeling effort clearly must be approached in stages, with continuing improvements in scope and level of detail. And as the key threats become better understood, the evolution of this system description will lead to many near-term actions.
Ultimately, there is little we can do to avoid some level of discrete vulnerability. Still, we can seek to ensure to the degree possible that U.S. infrastructure systems as a whole, and certain critical subsystems, are robust, adaptive, and


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Month after month, JUSTICE LEAGUE has been setting the stage of the "New 52" universe for the DC characters. It wasn't so much that the series was dictating the direction of all the other books but because it was set five years ago, it was showing us some of the big heroes' early days.
After the first arc, the series has jumped forward to the present. That doesn't mean that the revelations are over. We are still getting some updates to these characters despite the fact that almost all of them have their own regular series. How they appear and interact here might not be exactly as you would expect them to, especially given the fact that they've been together for five years.
If you've read JUSTICE LEAGUE #7, you may have caught all of these points but let's take a closer look at them to think about what they really mean. We won't spoil everything in the issue but there will be some spoilers below.== TEASER ==
During Cyborg's origin,we saw his father analyzing a Mother Box which exploded when he was in the room. He was hit by the blast and bathed in the energies released. He discovered that he could talk to the Mother Boxes and was even able to open and close portals to Apokolips. As speculated, this ability to communicate with the Mother Boxes and the energy he absorbed allows him to open Boom Tubes as well. This gives the team a way to get around rather than rely on some sort of teleportation device.
Alien technology as a form of teleportation might be a stretch but it makes more sense than a human scientist coming up with the technology and only the Justice League being allowed to use it.
The Public (Still) Adores Them
When this series began, superhumans were feared and most likely hated. After Darkseid started attacking and abducting humans, it was up to the Justice League to save the day. This opened their eyes to how much superheroes are needed and should be appreciated. They were truly seen as heroes. They became the new celebrities in the world. No longer would the police chase after them (and shoot at them from helicopters.
It does seem a little odd that they would still be so incredibly excited to see them after five years of them operating as a team. The public usually has fickle tastes. They latch onto something until the next big thing comes along.
Etta Candy
Steve Trevor is still in the picture and has been assigned a new aide. Enter Etta Candy. We've seen a lot of changes since the events of Flashpoint ushered in a "new" universe. There have been lots of changes but somehow when the three timelines were merged together, it changed the race of Etta Candy.
Obviously there is nothing wrong with changing the race. It's just a little confusing how that would actually happen. Pretty much everyone else stayed the same in that regard.
The big question is will we see an actual reason for the change or was it done just to add diversity to the character/universe. Obviously there are certain stories that could be tastefully told concerning race but if the change was made just to make a change...
The Watchtower
Where will the Justice League call home? We've seen the Hall of Justice in the pages of JUSTICE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL. A team like the Justice League can't and shouldn't necessarily have a public base of operations. That just invites attacks from their enemies.
We don't get to actually see it from the outside but it is mentioned that the Watchtower is "orbiting somewhere above us." This is also a way for the team to stay away from those in the government that are concerned about their status. It also prevents them being constantly hassled to deal with minor problems when they need to focus on large and deadly threats.
Feelings on the Justice League International
Batman seemed on board with the JLI. He encouraged Booster Gold to take the reigns and lead the team. Their first mission didn't go too well and it seems he wasn't exactly thrilled with them. Batman made his thoughts on the team pretty clear. This could possibly open the door to a crossover/clash between the two teams.
There is the possibility that Batman simply wants to give the illusion that the two teams are separate entities. If he continues to support them on the side, it allows him to have some control over them while the government assumes it's the one controlling the team. We'll have to wait and see how an encounter between the two teams plays out.
There was a few other developments here. You'll want to check out the issue to see what else happened.


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How A Group of Parents Are Shining A Positive Light On Autism
This is a post in the weekly Autism Hopes series by Lisa Quinones-Fontanez, a mom who blogs over at AutismWonderland.
When it comes to autism, there are so many misconceptions and myths that need to be dispelled. I have learned to laugh some myths off. But mostly, I welcome questions. One of the reasons why I write is to share our experience to educate others. Because I want people to know what autism is and I especially want them to know what autism isn't.
However the latest misconception about individuals with autism is nothing to be taken lightly. The idea that there is some link between premeditated violence and autism is not only false but it further perpetuates that autism is something to fear. To know that there are groups of people who believe that there is a connection is frightening. For our children to be vilified is heartbreaking. And for parents to be blamed for not 'curing' their kids autism is hurtful.
In a recent article by John Elder Robinson he writes, "There is nothing in the definition of Asperger's or autism that would make a person think we are a violent group. That's reinforced by criminal justice studies telling us that people with autism are much less likely to commit violent crimes than the average person. Indeed, those studies show autistic people are far more likely to be victims of violence than perpetrators. "
While the percentage of people who believe there is a link between autism and violence is small, it's enough for parents and advocates to come to the defense of autism. Or rather shining a light on the reality of autism.
Last Saturday when I woke up and checked my Facebook, I noticed my feed was full of friends (mostly autism parents) sharing all these beautiful photos of kids, teenagers, adults. All the photos had some kind of personal message about the person in the photo. All the photos were shared from a page called Autism Shines - a page created by autism parents.
In reading the messages, I was so moved. Not only by the messages on the photos but by the amount of shares, likes and comments of support. One mother showed the page to her son and he said, "I used to think I was the only autistic kid on earth. Then I realized there were others like me. I think there are some kids who don't know they aren't alone, but now they will know."
In their effort to "show the world all the positive attributes of autism," The Autism Shines Facebook Page welcomes anyone to "upload your photo of someone you love with autism, or yourself, and caption it with something great about them."
When I uploaded my photo of Norrin, the page had about 200 'likes.' By the end of the same day – it had a little more than 1500 and the number keeps growing (it's close to 3000 now). This is the power of community. This is autism awareness at its best.Add a Comment
Tags: autism, Autism Hopes, Autism inspiration, Disability, health, Lisa Quinones Fontanez, Special needs, special needs parenting | Categories: Autism, Children With Special Needs, Disability, Must Read, Special Needs, Special Needs Parenting, To The Max
Must Read
by Morning Feeding: 'Teen Mom' Jenelle Evans' Husband Reveals His True (Crazy) Colors in Out-of-Control Rant - Mommyish
On December 27, 2012 at 10:10 am
[...] How a group of parents are shining a positive light on autism. (Parents.com) [...]


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Upcoming Events
February 22-28
GW SALDF's Annual Animal Week
GW SALDF is celebrating our Annual Animal Week during National Justice for Animals Week with these great programs:
Monday, February 23, Dinner & Discussion of Ag-Gag Laws with Taylor Radig. | 6:30 pm, SCC
Tuesday, February 24, SALDF Documentary Film Screening. Snacks provided | 6:30 pm, LL102
Wednesday, February 25, Careers in Animal Law Panel Discussion. Dinner provided. | 6:30, Tasher Great Room
Thursday, February 26, Free Vegan Breakfast for the law school community. | 8:30-10:30 am, Soft Lounge.
Past Events
January 2015
GW Law Students and alumni were recognized at the National Coalition on Violence Against Animals annual meeting for their outstanding work summarizing (and updating) the state anti-cruelty statutes and case law for the GW Animal Welfare Project and the Association of Prosecuting Attorneys.
Congratulations to GW Law Students: Danielle Caputo, Alyssa Clark, Nicholas Haley, Mike Jayne, Joshua Loigman, and Rebecca Schwartz and to GW Law alums Cynthia LeFavre, Laurel Palluzi, and Allison Schiebelhut.
The website housing the summaries is being accessed regularly providing invaluable help to advocates and law enforcement nationally.
Professor Joan Schaffner was named the 2015 Chair of the American Association of Law Schools' Section on Animal Law.
July 2014
The GW Animal Law Program supported the creation of the National Law Enforcement Center on Animal Abuse by the National Sheriffs Association to address the lack of awareness by law enforcement in the United States about the realities of animal abuse, and to promote their proactive involvement in the enforcement of animal abuse laws, and to help them deal with officer/dog encounters.
May 2014
Congratulations to 3L Ann Porter, winner of the 2014-15 ALDF Advancement of Animal Law Scholarship.
Congratulations to Laurel Palluzi, JD '13, winner of the David S. Favre Best Student Note and Mary Ann Norman Fellowship for her note entitled "Four-legged Tenants: Encouraging Pet-Friendly Housing While Protecting Landlords from Liability" recently published in the Mid-Atlantic Journal on Law and Public Policy.
Publications, Books & Awards
GW Law Students Successful at 10th Annual National Animal Law Competition
First Place - Legislative Drafting the Lobbying Competition
Ann Porter
Second Place - Appellate Moot Court Competition
Madelin Cohen & Peter Ormerod
"Animal Cruelty and the Law: Permitted Conduct," by Professor Joan Schaffner
As a part of Animal Cruelty: A Multidisciplinary Approach to Understanding, an anthology that addresses all aspects of animal cruelty, Professor Schaffner's chapter discusses legally permissible treatment of animals used for food, research and entertainment in institutional settings exempt from the anti-cruelty laws yet arguably in violation of their standards.
Introduction to Animals and the Law, by Professor Joan Schaffner
Throughout history, humans have raised and confined animals for food, clothing and research, trained animals for entertainment, fought animals for sport, bought and sold animals for profit, and lived with animals for companionship. The law under the umbrella of 'animal law' regulates these human uses and interactions with animals. Animal law is extremely diverse, cutting across every substantive area, jurisdictional boundary, and source of legal authority. Although most countries have enacted Animal Welfare Acts and Endangered Species Laws, the law is currently designed primarily to protect the interests of humans as owners of animals, or as users of environmental resources. The animals' inherent interests, if considered, are secondary.
This text surveys the laws allegedly designed to protect animals, identifies the themes that link them, analyzes and critiques them in light of their consideration and protection of animals' interests, and explores characteristics of a future legal system that would adequately protect animals' inherent interests. Full book review
Professor Joan Schaffner receives the 2009 Henry Bergh Leadership Award for unwavering commitment to ending the systematic killing of animals in U.S. shelters. Please see the press release for more information.
Two groundbreaking books on animal law have been recently published by the American Bar Association under the auspices of the Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section's Animal Law Committee (the Committee).
Professor Joan Schaffner is co-editor and contributing author of Litigating Animal Law Disputes: A Complete Guide for Lawyers (press release) and is the sole editor and contributing author of A Lawyer's Guide to Dangerous Dog Issues (press release).
Professor Schaffner is Publications Vice-Chair and Newsletter Vice-Chair of the Committee and will take over as Chair of the Committee at the ABA annual meeting in Chicago in August 2009. Two new groundbreaking books on animal law have been recently published by the American Bar Association under the auspices of the Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section's Animal Law Committee (the Committee).
Professor Schaffner is Publications Vice-Chair and Newsletter Vice-Chair of the Committee and will take over as Chair of the Committee at the ABA annual meeting in Chicago in August 2009. Professor Joan Schaffner also recently published an article in the ALC Newletter. Read the article.
The American Bar Association's Animal Law Committee's "Excellence in the Advancement of Animal Law Award" was presented to Professor Joan Schaffner in August 2013. From left to right: Rebecca Huss, Professor Joan Schaffner, Dick Semerdijan.
2000 H Street, NW
Washington, DC 20052
Phone: 202.994.1010 | Fax: 202.994.8980


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Twenty-third in a series of posts analyzing and celebrating old-school hip hop.
The history of hip hop holds only a handful of personalities like Ice-T. As we all know he currently plays a police detective on Law & Order: SVU without a whiff of irony toward his days being vilified by Law Enforcement nationwide for singing "Cop Killer" with his metal-core band Body Count. Before forming Body Count, Ice-T released several classic hip hop records (e.g., Rhyme Pays, Power, The Iceberg, and O.G. Original Gangster), the first of which was the first record ever to bear a Parental Advisory sticker. And let's not forget that Jay-Z's "99 Problems" (2003) were Ice-T's in 1993.
Prior to being the unsung pioneer of what became "Gangsta Rap" (what he called "Crime Rhyme"), Ice-T was bringing New York to L.A. His early classics sounded like Schoolly D or BDP's Criminal Minded. The West Coast didn't have its own recognizable sound yet. No "Gangsta Gangsta," no O.G., no G-Funk, the sounds of these streets weren't shaded by palm trees and red and blue bandanas. To do rap meant to sound like New York.
Ice-T's first single, "The Coldest Rap"/"Cold Wind Madness (a.k.a. The Coldest Rap, Part 2)" consists of a two-part rhyme-fest of boastful wordplay. The single is backed with "Body Rock," an electro-dance number that puts in extra work trying to explain what hip hop is all about. Past all of the playful posturing and woefully dated structure, one can hear the seeds of Ice-T's lyrical heyday. His distinctive delivery, his cadence, his occasional turn of phrase, and his gift for innuendo all shine through, hinting at his future success on the mic. "The Coldest Rap" is a player anthem, a party song, a hip hop trope that Ice-T would revisit throughout his recording career. The power production team of Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, who were then core members of Morris Day's band, The Time, as well as close associates of Prince, provided the backbone for the track. They stretch out a bit on Part 2, but Part 1 is all Ice-T's, though the track originally had female vocals on it. "They stripped the girl's vocal out," he told Wax Poetics in 2010, "gave me the instrumental, and I rapped over it that night in the studio." In spite of the single's inauspicious origins, Ice-T sounds as authoritative as ever, if not as focused as he would become a few years later. "Those were just some rhymes I had in my head," he said.
Among Ice-T's subsequent songs was one for the Breakin' soundtrack, a movie he also appeared in as a rapper, cementing a link to screen work that would continue to shape his career 30 years on. He remains one of the very few rappers who have stayed relevant on screen after his raps grew stale, and it all started with "The Coldest Rap."
2013: HERC YOUR ENTHUSIASM (old-school hip hop tracks): Luc Sante on "Spoonin' Rap" | Dallas Penn on "Rapper's Delight" | Werner Von Wallenrod on "Rappin' Blow" | DJ Frane on "The Incredible Fulk" | Paul Devlin on "The Adventures of Super Rhyme" | Phil Dyess-Nugent on "That's the Joint" | Adam McGovern on "Freedom" | David Abrams on "Rapture" | Andrew Hultkrans on "The New Rap Language" | Tim Carmody on "Jazzy Sensation (Bronx Version)" | Drew Huge on "Can I Get a Soul Clap" | Oliver Wang on "The Adventures of Grandmaster Flash on the Wheels of Steel" | Douglas Wolk on "Making Cash Money" | Adrienne Crew on "The Message" | Dart Adams on "Pak Jam" | Alex Belth on "Buffalo Gals" | Joshua Glenn on "Ya Mama" | Phil Freeman on "No Sell Out" | Nate Patrin on "Death Mix Live, Pt. 2″ | Brian Berger on "White Lines (Don't Do It)" | Cosmo Baker on "Here We Go (Live at the Funhouse)" | Colleen Werthmann on "Rockit" | Roy Christopher on "The Coldest Rap" | Dan Reines on "The Dream Team is in the House" | Franklin Bruno on The Lockers.
HIP HOP ON HILOBROW: HERC YOUR ENTHUSIASM series (25 posts about old-school hip hop) | DJ Kool Herc as HiLo Hero | Gil Scott-Heron as HiLo Hero | Slick Rick as HiLo Hero | Darryl "D.M.C." McDaniels as HiLo Hero | Afrika Bambaataa as HiLo Hero | Biz Markie as HiLo Hero | Eric B as HiLo Hero (forthcoming in November) | U-God as HiLo Hero | Slug as HiLo Hero | Adam Yauch as HiLo Hero | Ghostface Killah as HiLo Hero | DJ Run as HiLo Hero | Flavor Flav as HiLo Hero | Scott La Rock as HiLo Hero | GZA as HiLo Hero | Schoolly D as HiLo Hero | Aesop Rock as HiLo Hero | Notorious B.I.G. as HiLo Hero | Melle Mel as HiLo Hero | Rick Rubin as HiLo Hero | Rakim as HiLo Hero | Ol' Dirty Bastard as HiLo Hero | Madlib as HiLo Hero | Talib Kweli as HiLo Hero | Danger Mouse as HiLo Hero | Kool Moe Dee as HiLo Hero | Chuck D as HiLo Hero | Dizzee Rascal as HiLo Hero | RZA as HiLo Hero | Cee-Lo Green as HiLo Hero | Best Ever Clean Hip Hop
2014: KERN YOUR ENTHUSIASM (typefaces): Matthew Battles on ALDINE ITALIC | Adam McGovern on DATA 70 | Sherri Wasserman on TORONTO SUBWAY | Sarah Werner on JOHNSTON'S "HAMLET" | Douglas Wolk on TODD KLONE | Mark Kingwell on GILL SANS | Joe Alterio on AKZIDENZ-GROTESK | Suzanne Fischer on CALIFORNIA BRAILLE | Gary Panter on SHE'S NOT THERE | Deb Chachra on FAUX DEVANAGARI | Peggy Nelson on FUTURA | Tom Nealon on JENSON'S ROMAN | Rob Walker on SAVANNAH SIGN | Tony Leone on TRADE GOTHIC BOLD CONDENSED NO. 20 | Chika Azuma on KUMON WORKSHEET | Chris Spurgeon on ELECTRONIC DISPLAY | Amanda French on DIPLOMA REGULAR | Steve Price on SCREAM QUEEN | Alissa Walker on CHICAGO | Helene Silverman on CHINESE SHIPPING BOX | Tim Spencer on SHATTER | Jessamyn West on COMIC SANS | Whitney Trettien on WILKINS'S REAL CHARACTER | Cintra Wilson on HERMÈS vs. HOTDOG | Jacob Covey on GOTHAM.
2012: KIRK YOUR ENTHUSIASM (Captain Kirk scenes): Dafna Pleban: Justice or vengeance? | Mark Kingwell : Kirk teaches his drill thrall to kiss | Nick Abadzis: "KHAAAAAN!" | Stephen Burt: "No kill I" | Greg Rowland: Kirk browbeats NOMAD | Zack Handlen: Kirk's eulogy for Spock| Peggy Nelson: The joke is on Kirk | Kevin Church: Kirk vs. Decker | Enrique Ramirez: Good Kirk vs. Evil Kirk | Adam McGovern: Captain Camelot | Flourish Klink: Koon-ut-kal-if-fee | David Smay: Federation exceptionalism | Amanda LaPergola: Wizard fight | Steve Schneider: A million things you can't have | Joshua Glenn: Debating in a vacuum | Kelly Jean Fitzsimmons: Klingon diplomacy | Trav S.D.: "We… the PEOPLE" | Matthew Battles: Brinksmanship on the brink | Annie Nocenti: Captain Smirk | Ian W. Hill: Sisko meets Kirk | Gabby Nicasio: Noninterference policy | Peter Bebergal: Kirk's countdown | Matt Glaser: Kirk's ghost | Joe Alterio: Watching Kirk vs. Gorn | Annalee Newitz: How Spock wins
2011: KIRB YOUR ENTHUSIASM (Jack Kirby panels): Douglas Rushkoff on THE ETERNALS | John Hilgart on BLACK MAGIC | Gary Panter on DEMON | Dan Nadel on OMAC | Deb Chachra on CAPTAIN AMERICA | Mark Frauenfelder on KAMANDI | Jason Grote on MACHINE MAN | Ben Greenman on SANDMAN | Annie Nocenti on THE X-MEN | Greg Rowland on THE FANTASTIC FOUR | Joshua Glenn on TALES TO ASTONISH | Lynn Peril on YOUNG LOVE | Jim Shepard on STRANGE TALES | David Smay on MISTER MIRACLE | Joe Alterio on BLACK PANTHER | Sean Howe on THOR | Mark Newgarden on JIMMY OLSEN | Dean Haspiel on DEVIL DINOSAUR | Matthew Specktor on THE AVENGERS | Terese Svoboda on TALES OF SUSPENSE | Matthew Wells on THE NEW GODS | Toni Schlesinger on REAL CLUE | Josh Kramer on THE FOREVER PEOPLE | Glen David Gold on JOURNEY INTO MYSTERY | Douglas Wolk on 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY | MORE EXEGETICAL COMMENTARIES: Joshua Glenn on Kirby's Radium Age Sci-Fi Influences | Chris Lanier on Kirby vs. Kubrick | Scott Edelman recalls when the FF walked among us | Adam McGovern is haunted by a panel from THE NEW GODS | Matt Seneca studies the sensuality of Kirby's women | Btoom! Rob Steibel settles the Jack Kirby vs. Stan Lee question | Galactus Lives! Rob Steibel analyzes a single Kirby panel in six posts | Danny Fingeroth figgers out The Thing | Adam McGovern on four decades (so far) of Kirby's "Fourth World" mythos | Jack Kirby: Anti-Fascist Pipe Smoker


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2257 Betty Ln, Beverly Hills, CA 90210
MLS#: 14-760927 | 4 Bedrooms, 3 Full, 1 Half Bathrooms | 3,480 sq. ft. (per MLS)
Offered at $3,250,000
Schedule A Private Viewing | Contact Us to Learn More About This Property
"Pristine Mid-Century Architectural in Beverly Hills, designed by renowned sculptor Morris Levine as his personal residence, circa 1964. A truly exceptional home, set back on a large, private lot, this hidden retreat boasts many original details including terrazzo floors, milled cedar ceilings and walls, custom storage, an open family room, a large, solar-heated swimmer's pool, and a flat, manicured back yard. An entertainer's dream, with wonderful indoor-outdoor flow, 4 Bedrooms, 4 baths, plus a home office (or 5th bedroom) with a separate entrance. Great location convenient to downtown Beverly Hills and the Valley. Truly a museum-quality home for the architectural enthusiast." (Text and images courtesy of MLS listing #14760927)
To check out this listing or any others, call us at 310.869.1539 or email firstname.lastname@example.com. Listing details and pictures
Listed courtesy: Kevin Keyser/Sotheby's International Realty Co-Listed with Jovana Keyser/Sotheby's International Realty


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– Bully Ray talked about CM Punk's altercation with a fan on RAW during an interview with The Buckethead radio show on Wednesday. You can check it out here.
– Former WWE superstars Davey Boy Smith Jr. (DH Smith) and Lance Archer (Lance Hoyt) won the IWGP Tag Team Titles from Hiroyoshi Tenzan and Satoshi Kojima in Tokyo, Japan on Monday, October 8th. The match took place on New Japan Pro Wrestling's first iPPV.


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Flash my Phone
Smartphone Android flashing
briked Droid2/Milestone 2
easy instructions
Do you have the Droid 2 or the Milestone 2?
A first i buyed another droid 2 @ amazon to recharge my battery(i send it back to amazon). I think you can buy a battery charger, too. Don't know...
Now you have to flash a sbf-File to fix the briked Bootloader. You need -->RSD-Lite<-- You have to download this SBF File: -->Milestone 2<-- -->Droid 2<--
Install all drivers for your PhoneConnect your Device with your PC. Select your Phone and the SBF-File -> "Start". That should be all... ask if there are problems. ;)


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Connect for Life
The South Texas Blood & Tissue Center collects blood and tissue from volunteer donors.
Posts filtered on Category
5 Weeks Left 2 Donate Blood and Win!
Call STBTC at 731.5590 and make your appointment to give blood this holiday season. Who knows, you may be the one driving away the brand new truck with that satisfying feeling of saving lives! [Read More]
Support the cause, challenge-Ntl Cesar Chavez Challenge underway
March 25th will kick off South Texas' participation in the National Cesar Chavez Blood Drive Challenge. The South Texas Blood & Tissue Center (STBTC) will be the beneficiary of efforts by students across South Texas to positively impact our communities. A total of 10 schools will participate in the 43 counties that STBTC serves. STBTC […] [Read More]
Show More


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Champlain While many musicians would dream of performing at New York City's famed Carnegie Hall, Adrian Carr is dreaming of performing there again.
Carr was living in the city when he was chosen to perform at Carnegie Hall to debut his "Days of the Year" in 2004.
"It was quite a remarkable experience," recalled Carr.
Though nervous to perform in the world-famous venue, Carr said once it was over, it helped him "relax" as a musician — and left him wanting more.
"Once you've performed at a place like Carnegie Hall, I think it's a lot easier to relax and put things in context," he said. "I've always wanted to go back."
Now, Carr is taking steps to do just that. Through Kickstarter, a website that helps people and groups raise money for creative projects, Carr is putting a call out to fans of his music — and even those who may have never heard of him — to aid him in raising $6,570 to record and arrange to perform a new album at Carnegie Hall.
"Kickstarter is a great new way for musicians to raise money," said Carr. "The world of the music business has changed and the record labels aren't really out there to support the musicians like they used to be. This puts the power in the hands of the musician, but, at the same time, puts the responsbility on them to find their own funding to do the projects they want to do."
What helps create an incentive for people to donate, said Carr, is how the artists can reward people for donating at various levels. In Carr's case, those who donate $10 or more get access to all project updates and invitations to special events. The rewards continue as a person's level of generosity increases, including signed copies of his album, a dedication on the new piece, and even tickets to his Carnegie Hall performance. The top level, for those who donate $10,000 or more, gets a donor's travel arrangements to New York City made by Carr and include two nights in a four-star hotel. Additional perks include the donor being able to commission a piece on the album along with a story that Carr will tell at his concerts, and more.
(Continued on Next Page)
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Posted by Noche Regular on 02/11/2014
I adore everything, from the waitresses and delivery men, to the floor-to-ceiling windows and consistently-good food. The small black bean soup is big enough for two, and so delicious with their sour cream. The taco salad is great and full of greens, and they always let me order it with tinga chicken, even though it's not on the menu. I love the shrimp burrito, tinga tostadas, tinga nachos, shrimp tacos, the chocolate mousse cake and unique cheesecake. Oh, and the tortas hit the spot if you're just in a sammie and fries mood.
Posted by Bonnie on 05/08/2013
haven't eaten here in 6 months. Came back. Food arrived 37 minutes after ordering at 2 p.m. on a week day. Service was slow and the server never came back to ask if everything was alright. We had to bring our empty drink glasses up to the counter to get refills. We will NOT eat here again.
Posted by anonymous on 05/05/2012
An incredible bargain! Sauces are the heart of Mexican cooking and their Pipian (pumpkin seed) is a mild and full exotic flavor, red mole, green mole and chilate have more heat and are also full of homemade flavor. Delivery can be slow - don't first order when you are starving!
Posted by BLEV on 04/30/2012
This restaurant is great! Wonderful prices. I've eaten in and the restaurant is very clean with a great atmosphere. I mostly have them deliver however. They are particularly great about fixing everything the way you like it. I cannot eat rice - so I always request that my burrito have no rice inside and they fix it without rice! Perfect - you'll love it!
Posted by Davy Boy on 09/25/2011
The food here is quite good, but don't expect any loyalty from these people if you order often and ask them to tweak something that is perfectly doable.
Posted by Emily on 08/03/2011
I have been ordering from Noche for about five years now. There is nothing quite like a Noche burrito. I have tried all the other Mexican restaurants nearby it, but it remains the keeper of my heart.
Posted by Melissa from the 'hood. on 05/20/2011
I've been going here for years (I live on the block) & have both ordered and eaten in at least 50 times. The food is consistently fantastic! My 'faves are the Burrito Pollo con Mole, the Vegetarian Quesadilla & the Grilled Cactus salad. The service friendly & prompt. My friends all love it, as well, & I often have my birthday dinner here.


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Daniel Nava hits grand slam in first major league at-bat
Jun 12, 2010, 5:29 PM EDT
UPDATE: Nava came up with the bases loaded again in the third inning, however he struck out. Too good to be true.
5:00 PM: If you aren't watching this afternoon's Phillies-Red Sox game, you just missed something pretty special. Daniel Nava, who was called up from Triple-A Pawtucket on Saturday, connected for a grand slam off Joe Blanton in his first major league at-bat in the bottom of the second inning. In fact, it was on the very first pitch he saw.
Nava is the fourth player in major league history to hit a grand slam in his first at-bat in the big leagues. He's the first to do it since Kevin Kouzmanoff on Sept. 2, 2006.
Nava became the 10th player in Red Sox history to hit a home run in his first major league
at-bat. The last (and only other) player to hit a grand slam in his first Red Sox at-bat was Rip Repulski on May 10, 1960.
Nava, 27, has a .342/.434/.545 batting line over four seasons in the minor leagues. If you'd like to learn more about the rookie outfielder's incredible story, check out this piece by Tony Lee of NESN.com. He's a real story to root for.
- Old Gator - Jun 12, 2010 at 5:24 PM
Rip…Ripulski? You've got to be kidding – someone really went through life with a name like that? Sounds like a character out of Gravity's Rainbow.
- uncle jumpy - Jun 12, 2010 at 5:45 PM
Let's not make too much of it , after all Fenway has the dimensions of a little league park in places.
- jeff - Jun 12, 2010 at 6:09 PM
and the big green monster that prevents homers that would be out in every other park in the league. let's look at the whole picture if we're gonna criticize the place.
- Bobby Townsend - Jun 12, 2010 at 6:32 PM
"IN PLACES" Would you like to be more specific? He hit the ball about 400 ft into the bullpen. Have you ever been to Fenway and if so, describe what sounds to be a dreadful experience for you? It couldn't possibly be as dreadful as your post.
- JBerardi - Jun 12, 2010 at 6:51 PM
"Let's not make too much of it , after all Fenway has the dimensions of a little league park in places."
His home run was hit to deep right field. 400+ feet on a cool, rainy day.
- gazzzmann - Jun 12, 2010 at 7:06 PM
Uncle jumpy!!! if you really followed baseball you would have known that Curt Shilling would not agree to be traded to the Sox untill he was made aware that its not and easy homerun park
- JBerardi - Jun 12, 2010 at 7:44 PM
This is true. Fenway is a good hitters park, but not a good home run park. According to ESPN's park factors, Fenway is the best park in baseball to hit a double in, but that's as far as it goes. It's actually somewhat worse than average for hitting home runs.
- Smith - Jun 12, 2010 at 7:46 PM
Fenway is an over sentimentalized garbage dump
- Melody - Jun 12, 2010 at 8:21 PM
Saw the game, it was a nice moment. It was great to watch the NESN guys slowly figure out what a great story it was as they discovered that Nava's parents had just barely made it to the park in time to see the game, and that the kid had been "washing uniforms!" on his college team. Hopefully it's one of many good games he'll have at Fenway.
- John from Concord - Jun 12, 2010 at 9:03 PM
Spoken like someone who has never been there. Try it, you'll like it. There aren't too many parks left that aren't injection-molded "family entertainment centers". If you want to watch baseball, there's nowhere finer.
- JBerardi - Jun 12, 2010 at 9:05 PM
Ever been to a game there, Smith?
- josh - Jun 13, 2010 at 12:08 AM
Its impossible to like baseball and not like the Daniel Nava story. A good interview by the folks at SP posted at ESPN: http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/red-sox/post/_/id/2090/meet-daniel-nava-the-best-red-sox-minor-leaguer-you%E2%80%99ve-never-heard-of
Didn't play much in HS, didn't make college team as a walk-on freshman, takes a year off after college (undrafted of course), indy ball, works his way hitting every step and GS in first pitch in majors. Just awesome story.
- kanock - Jun 13, 2010 at 2:32 AM
Good for him , but my question is, why did it take him so long to get the call ? it's not like the Sox have a bundle of good outfielders . If they did they wouldn't get an old middle of the road outfielder like Mike Cameron . Is it possible they missed Nava as a prospect , or more likely did he just get lucky . Time will tell just what he has .
- uncle jumpy - Jun 13, 2010 at 2:41 AM
Who cares about curt schilling ? he's a back stabbing liar . Just like that phony bloody sock scam he pulled , what a low life . schilling has no credibility with me . So much so that I won't use caps for his name . I have another name for him .
- uncle jumpy - Jun 13, 2010 at 2:47 AM
Oh my ! that must mean the Sox are ready to make a run at the Rays and Yankees . I'm sure Nava will make the difference . Yeah right , If they play well , third or fourth will be the best they will do .
- Pico - Jun 13, 2010 at 2:54 AM
" Ever been to a game there " Why would anyone want to be around those moronic fans of theirs ? they have to be the nastiest , and crudest fans in sport . I couldn't imagine having to look and listen to their nasty fans . Heaven forbid .
- JBerardi - Jun 13, 2010 at 3:04 AM
Kanock, they hardly "missed" Nava; they're the team that signed him out of indie ball (when anyone could have had him). And since that time, they've promoted him pretty aggressively. Nava had never played above AA before this year; whereas the other outfielders that the Red Sox have called up this year have all had previous MLB experience.
- JBerardi - Jun 13, 2010 at 3:10 AM
Not my experience at all. The fans at Fenway tend to be quite friendly, not to mention incredibly enthusiastic, energetic and engaged. In fact, 'd say that the fans are really the best reason to attend a game at Fenway.
- JBerardi - Jun 13, 2010 at 3:13 AM
I don't think anyone is saying that Daniel Nava is going to power the Red Sox past the Yankees and Rays. But his homerun today was a legit shot.
- brat - Jun 13, 2010 at 8:22 AM
WOW! Nava is the next Kevin Kouzmanoff. Enjoy your cup of kawfee.
- Joey B - Jun 13, 2010 at 12:12 PM
"Ever been to a game there, Smith?"
I seriously doubt it. Every ball park built in America in the past 20 years (except YS) studied the Fenway fenomenon and modeled the new parks after Fenway. Most of the critics are HS dropouts who would've bulldozed Grand Central Terminal to put up a KMart.
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Great American Insurance Company is the flagship company of the Great American Insurance Group and is a subsidiary of American Financial Group (AFG). As a niche player in a number of specialty commercial property/casualty markets, the company provides insurance coverage to customers ranging from cattle ranches to day care centers to long-haul truckers. It also provides risk management and surety insurance products to lenders, banks, construction contractors, and vehicle leasers. Other products include crop insurance, marine and cargo insurance, professional liability coverage, workers' compensation, and alternative risk services.
While Great American Insurance is an autonomous subsidiary of AFG, its administrative functions are handled by a central organization that serves all two dozen or so Great American Insurance Group divisions and companies. Policies are underwritten by specialized groups focusing on areas such as property and transportation, specialty casualty, and specialty financial.
In addition to organic growth, such as adding regional offices and new product offerings, the company makes selective acquisitions to strengthen its niche operating division. For instance, in 2011 Great American Insurance bought CUMIS, an equipment maintenance insurance provider to credit unions, from CUNA Mutual. It then added the business to its existing Equipment Management Solutions business.
Company Background
Great American Insurance has been around since 1872, making it one of the oldest insurers in the US. The Great American Ball Park, home of the Cincinnati Reds, is named after the company.
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Techniques and systems for constructing a three-dimensional representations of anatomical structures from a series of images of the structure include creating interpolated images between actual images and defining voxels based on pixel values of the actual and interpolated images. A three-dimensional representation of the structure may be constructed based on the voxels.
1. A method of constructing a voxel-based representation of an anatomical structure, the method comprising the steps of:
(a) acquiring a plurality of images of the anatomical structure;
(b) defining a space of voxels, each having a size, with respect to the acquired images;
(c) determining distances between the acquired images;
(d) based on the determined distances and the voxel size, creating a sufficient number of interpolated images between the acquired images such that a sufficent number of voxels between images are intersected by pixels from at least one acquired image or interpolated image; and
(e) assigning values to the voxels based on the intersecting pixels.
2. The method of
3. The method of
4. The method of
5. The method of
6. The method of
7. The method of
8. The method of
9. The method of
10. The method of
(i) defining a reference coordinate system about the anatomical structure;
(ii) determining a plurality of intersection lines between a first plane substantially orthogonal to a first axis of the reference coordinate system and the acquired images and the interpolated images intersecting each voxel;
(iii) determining a number of points along each intersection line;
(iv) defining an array for each intersection line having a number of positions based on the number of points in its respective intersection line;
(v) placing pixel values from each point along each intersection line into the respective position of the respective array;
(vi) repeating steps (ii) through (v) for subsequent planes along the first axis; and
(vii) constructing a three-dimensional representation of the anatomical structure based on the pixel values stored in the arrays.
11. A method of constructing a three-dimensional representation of an anatomical structure from a series of images, the method comprising:
(a) defining a reference coordinate system about the anatomical structure;
(b) determining a plurality of intersection lines between a first plane substantially orthogonal to a first axis of the reference coordinate system and an image from the series of images;
(c) for each intersection line, defining an array having a number of positions based on a length of the intersection line;
(d) placing pixel values from each position of each intersection line into respective positions in the corresponding arrays;
(e) repeating steps (b) through (d) for additional planes along the first axis; and
(f) constructing a three-dimensional representation of the anatomical structure based on the pixel values stored in the arrays.
12. The method of
13. The method of
14. A system for constructing a voxel-based representation of an anatomical structure, the system comprising:
(a) a register for storing a plurality of images of the anatomical structure;
(b) a processor configured to (i) define a space of voxels, each having a size, with respect to the anatomical structure, (ii) determine a distance between the images, (iii) based on the determined distances and the voxel size, create a sufficient number of interpolated images between the stored images such that a sufficient number of voxels between the images are intersected by pixels from at least one image or interpolated image, and (iv) assign values to the voxels based on the intersecting pixels; and
(c) a display for displaying a three-dimensional representation of the anatomical structure constructed from voxels.
15. The system of
16. The system of
17. The system of
18. The system of
19. The system of
20. The system of
This application claims priority to and the benefit of, and incorporates herein by reference, in its entirety, provisional U.S. patent application Ser. No. 60/954,635, filed Aug. 8, 2007.
This invention relates to methods and systems for constructing three-dimensional representations of anatomical features from a series of two-dimensional ultrasound slices.
Ultrasound imaging captures a time series of two-dimensional images (sometimes referred to as "frames") that each correspond to a position- and orientation-specific slice through an anatomical structure. The temporal nature of ultrasound scanning allows the operator to move the imaging device (typically a hand-held probe) to different positions and/or view angles to fully perceive the three-dimensional nature of the anatomical structure under study. The user may also decide to maintain a constant view angle and position in order to observe temporal changes in the anatomy itself due, for example, to breathing or heart beats.
Three-dimensional ultrasound images are useful because they provide a more complete representation of the anatomy for later review by a physician. They may also be used to direct or modify treatments during image-guided surgery or radiotherapy, for automated segmentation of an anatomical structure, and/or in combination with images obtained using other modalities such as computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Conventionally, three-dimensional images consist of a series of voxels in space, with each voxel having color and luminance parameter values and a location in a defined coordinate system.
The most common type of three-dimensional ultrasound image acquisition (referred to as "freehand three-dimensional ultrasound") uses a two-dimensional probe. The operator sweeps the probe about the patient in the vicinity of the anatomical structure of interest, thus acquiring a time series of two-dimensional ultrasound frames. The frames may then be assigned positions and orientations in three-dimensional space by, for example, tracking the probe using an optical camera, a magnetic tracker, an articulated arm or robot, or by using various signal-processing algorithms on the images themselves to calculate the approximate motion of the probe between successive images. Three-dimensional probes are also available, but they tend to be more costly and have a limited field of view, and may be less flexible in imaging certain anatomical structures.
Many algorithms exist for creating three-dimensional voxel images from a series of two-dimensional freehand ultrasound images having known positions and orientations. Such techniques generally fall into one of two categories, namely "reverse" or "forward" techniques. Reverse techniques traverse each voxel and find the best parameter value(s) to assign to that voxel based on the adjacent pixels of the neighboring two-dimensional slices. The operation of determining which neighboring slices are relevant to a given voxel is time-consuming and costly. One example of the reverse approach is the voxel-nearest-neighbor (VNN) algorithm, in which each voxel is assigned the value of its nearest neighboring pixel. This method is relatively straightforward to implement, but the results tend to be visually unappealing and artifacts can appear in the reconstruction. To improve reconstructed images, some reverse algorithms compute an average of a number of pixels from neighboring slices to estimate mean parameter values for the voxel. This additional step, however, increases the computational cost.
One advantage of the reverse techniques is that they easily port to a multi-threaded processing environment. While each thread requires access to the original ultrasound image frames and their three-dimensional positions, the volume can be divided into several sub-volumes with each thread running on one of the sub-volumes. Another important advantage of the reverse techniques is that they can easily exploit optimizations typically found in modern processors. These allow large increases in speed if the jumps in memory access are small. By traversing the reconstruction volume voxel by voxel, the algorithm can utilize these processor optimizations by making the step between voxels consistent with a small jump in the computer memory.
In contrast, "forward" reconstruction techniques start with the first ultrasound frame and cycle through the pixels of that frame, while inserting the pixel values into the appropriate voxels. This process is then repeated for each frame. This approach is more straightforward than the reverse techniques because the algorithm only has to cycle through each pixel, find the correct voxel in three dimensions, and insert the pixel value at that voxel. If multiple pixels intersect a given voxel, their values are typically averaged, which results in the need for a separate volume in memory to keep track of the number of times a pixel "hits" a given voxel, and a larger word-width in the accumulation volume. One drawback of forward techniques is that if the maximum distance between successive frames is larger than the voxel size, voxels between the successive frames are not filled, resulting in "holes" in the reconstructed volume. This is typically addressed by a second step of the algorithm, referred to as "hole filling," which applies interpolation to fill the holes from neighboring voxel values. This second step slows down the reconstruction, and can lead to unappealing interpolation effects. Typically, a kernel size is defined for interpolation process. If the kernel size is too large, the result is excessive interpolation that results in a blurred image or artifacts; but if the kernel is made too small, some holes may remain unfilled.
Another drawback of forward methods is that they are not easily adapted to multi-threaded processing environments. This is because multiple memory volumes are needed to avoid interference among the multiple threads during the simultaneous writing of the voxels to memory; writing operations to the same fields at the same time by multiple threads is not possible. Furthermore, keeping multiple volumes in the memory at the same time increases memory costs dramatically. Also, pixels are added to the volume in an unorganized fashion, leading to large memory jumps. Thus, the forward algorithms do not take advantage of modern processor optimizations.
As such, existing reconstruction algorithms have disadvantages that lead to relatively slow processing times, unless sacrifices are made that compromise the reconstruction results. Therefore, a new approach to reconstruction is needed.
The present invention provides techniques and systems that facilitate the rapid acquisition of accurate, reconstructed three-dimensional ultrasound voxel data from a series of two-dimensional freehand ultrasound slices or one-dimensional scan lines having known positions and orientations in space. Embodiments of the invention involve two processing techniques, referred to herein as "frame interpolation" and "sorting." Although each is useful alone, certain embodiments use both to produce an accurate three-dimensional representation of an anatomical structure.
In a first aspect of the invention, "interpolated" slices are added in between previously obtained two-dimensional ultrasound slices such that the slices fill the reconstruction voxels directly without creating holes. In particular, a voxel space containing the image slices is defined; that is, the image slices intersect the voxel space and pixel values are used to determine the voxels they intercept. But because the distance between successive image slices exceeds the voxel size, voxels between the successive frames cannot be assigned values from intersecting image pixels. The artificial slices are used to supply pixel values to voxels not intercepted by image pixels, and are generated by interpolating pixels between adjacent neighboring image slices. As a result, the "hole filling" step found in many implementations of conventional reconstruction algorithms is no longer needed.
Accordingly, a method of constructing a representation of an anatomical structure uses two-dimensional images of the anatomical structure, and defines a voxel size for the anatomical structure (based, for example, on the average length of the voxel along each dimension). Interpolated images are then created between the pairs of acquired images such that all voxels between each pair are intersected by pixels from one of the original images or from an interpolated image. The number of required intervening slices, therefore, is determined by the distance between acquired images as compared with the voxel size. This process is repeated until each voxel can be assigned values based on intercepting pixel values. A representation of the anatomical structure is then constructed based on the voxels. For simplicity, the ensuing discussion refers to a unitary pixel or voxel "value," but it should be understood that the value may be unitary (or even binary, in the case of black-and-white images) or multidimensional (e.g., including hue, chroma and luminance values).
The images may be two-dimensional ultrasound images or, in some cases, one-dimensional image lines. In some embodiments, a reference coordinate system is defined about the anatomical structure. The reference coordinate system establishes the positions of the pixels and voxels relative to the structure. In certain implementations, the distance between pairs of images can be computed as the maximum (or in some cases average) distance between corresponding corner points of the two images.
In some embodiments, the technique further includes removing some of the previously-acquired ultrasound frames if, for example, they provide redundant information, or if they are not required to fill the reconstruction volume. For example, the frame rate of the ultrasound may be very high, leading to dense slice information relative to the voxel size, in which case removing certain slices reduces the number of slices that must be processed for reconstruction without adversely affecting image quality.
In further embodiments, the slices may be subdivided into a number of sub-images, which can reduce the number of inserted slices and/or increase the number of images that can be removed. The process of subdividing the images may be particularly applicable in instances where the acquired ultrasound slices are not parallel, as is usually the case in freehand three-dimensional ultrasound.
In some cases, the voxel can be defined using the pixel values stored in a computer memory. For example, a reference coordinate system can be defined about the anatomical structure and lines can be determined that intersect a plane substantially orthogonal to a first axis of the reference coordinate system and the images and interpolated images that intersect the voxel. Using the number of points along each intersection line to define an array for each intersection line, pixel values from each point along each intersection line are placed into the respective position of the respective array. This process can be repeated for subsequent planes along the first axis, and once a certain number of planes are processed, a three-dimensional representation of the anatomical structure is created based on the pixel values stored in the arrays.
In another aspect, a method for constructing a three-dimensional representation of an anatomical structure from a series of images (e.g., two-dimensional ultrasound images) includes defining a reference coordinate system about the anatomical structure and determining intersection lines between a plane substantially orthogonal to a first axis of the reference coordinate system and the images. For each intersection line, an array is defined based on equally spaced points along the intersection line, and the pixel value at each point is placed into the corresponding position of the array. This process can be repeated for subsequent planes along the first axis, and once a the number of planes processed is sufficient to create an accurate representation of the anatomical structure, a three-dimensional representation of the anatomical structure is created based on the pixel values stored in the arrays. In some cases, the number of planes processed may be limited by processing capabilities and/or time constraints.
In some embodiments, an average pixel value may be calculated for each intersection line based on the pixel values along that line, and voxels along the intersection line may be defined based on the average pixel value.
In another aspect, a system for constructing a voxel-based representation of an anatomical structure includes a register, a processor and a display. The register stores images of the anatomical structure, which may be received from one or more imaging modalities. The processor is configured to define a space of sized voxels representing the anatomical structure and to determine distances between the images stored on the register. The processor is also configured to create interpolated images between the stored images based on the inter-image distances and the voxel size such that a sufficient number of voxels between the images are intersected by pixels from at least one stored or interpolated image. Pixel values are then assigned to the voxels based on the pixels that intersect the respective voxels. The display presents a three-dimensional representation of the anatomical structure constructed from voxels.
In some embodiments, the processor may be further configured to subdivide the images into a number of sub-images, which may reduce the number of inserted slices and/or increase the number of images that can be removed.
The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention disclosed herein, as well as the invention itself, will be more fully understood from the following description of preferred embodiments and claims, when read together with the accompanying drawings.
In the drawings, like reference characters generally refer to the same parts throughout the different views. Also, the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead is generally being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention.
Referring now to
Referring to
Still referring to
In some embodiments, a maximum distance threshold D between original slices may limit the creation of interpolated slices to avoid interpolation over very large distances (e.g., where d>D), as it is likely that any reconstructed voxel information in such cases would not be useful or accurate. In still other embodiments in which slices are removed due to an excess of slices through one or more voxels, the pixel values for the removed slices may be averaged and assigned to the voxels.
Once pixel values of interpolated slices 420, 425 are found (and coordinates assigned based on the associated coordinate systems 430 and 435), the process may be repeated for the next two consecutive slices, and so on until each of the slices has been addressed. At the end of the procedure, three-dimensional image reconstruction is based on the actual and interpolated image slices, thus assuring there are no holes in the reconstruction.
In some instances, the slice interpolation and removal techniques described above may not be optimal—that is, more slices may be added than are needed to ensure that all voxels are filled. For example, if original ultrasound images were acquired using a fanning motion (e.g., where one end of the probe remains relatively stable while the other end traces an arc about the stable end) a greater number of interpolated slices will be needed to fill voxels at certain portions of the reconstruction than others. In such cases, each image frame may be separated into an array of sub-images. For example, if each slice is 200 pixels square (i.e., 200�200), each image may be converted to a set of four sub-images, each 100 pixels square (i.e., 100�100 pixels). These sub-images can then be used to create interpolated slices, remove redundant slices, and reconstruct the final three-dimensional voxel image.
In some instances, interpolation is carried out based on one-dimensional lines instead of two-dimensional images. In such cases, a minimum line length needed to fill the volume without leaving empty voxels can be calculated from the size of the voxels and the coordinates of the lines. The lines may then be interpolated and/or resampled to a length close to the minimum length. For example, an ultrasound system may provide raw data lines having a length of 2000 samples for each line. According to the selected voxel size, the selected coordinate system of the three-dimensional volume, and the positions of the one-dimensional ultrasound lines, the minimum length of a line required may be determined to be 800 pixels. In such cases, downsampling the line by a factor of two provides lines 1000 pixels in length, close to the required 800 pixels.
The above techniques ensure that no holes exist when reconstructing directly from a series of ultrasound slices, and also that the optimal number and spacing of slices is present prior to the reconstruction step. The new set of slices can then be used to reconstruct a voxel image using the sorting method described below.
More specifically, the original and/or interpolated slices may be used to construct a three-dimensional voxel-based image of an anatomical structure by filling the voxels of the image with original and interpolated slices. In one such approach, referred to here as the sorting method, a pre-defined image coordinate system defines the voxels' positions in three-dimensional space, and a subset of pixels from the ultrasound slices corresponding to a tolerance band around a given [x, y] position in a plane of the image coordinate system is determined for each ultrasound slice (either original or interpolated). This subset of pixels is then inserted into the voxels intersected by the respective plane of the image. The process can be repeated for different [x, y] bands along the z axis of the image coordinate system, until all voxels have been addressed. In this manner, the pixels are inserted into the reconstruction grid in an order that minimizes jumps in the reconstruction volume, and thus in memory. The result is generally much faster and more efficient than either forward or reverse methods, and particularly in combination with the interpolation technique described above with reference to
The interpolation and sorting methods may be used independently, but when used together address the disadvantages of both the reverse and forward techniques. The slices can be inserted into the volume without filling holes after insertion and the pixels can be efficiently and rapidly inserted into the volume in a manner that takes advantage of processor optimizations by limiting the insertions along a single dimension of the volume.
Referring now to
Once the positional values of the slices are determined, the transform between each image slice and the target volume can be calculated, as well as an intersection line between each image and the z=0 plane of the target volume and the translation of the intersection line for increments along the z axis.
The target volume can then be filled slice-by-slice along the z-plane. For each z-plane, one or more intersection lines are determined for each image (STEP 510), and a counter used (STEP 520) to track the processing of each intersection line. The coordinates for the first and last point of the intersection line are calculated for each image. The number of points between the first point and the last point may be calculated (STEP 525) for each intersection line, and the unit transformations for any point along the intersection lines can be calculated as well. Because increments are mainly conducted in the direction of the volume that allows unit jumps instead of far jumps, the filling of the volume is accomplished much faster than by traditional techniques.
The z-planes are then filled along the y axis. Accumulation arrays of length x are allocated in memory to store the pixel values. The value of every point crossing the y position of the accumulation array or intersection line can then be added to the x index of the accumulation array for every image (STEP 530), and the number of accumulated values is stored for further processing. If additional lines remain, the process repeats (STEP 535) until all lines are addressed. The unit translations (described above) may then be applied to each of the point positions. The values within the accumulation array may then be divided by the number of accumulated values and associated with the target volume, and the target volume will therefore be filled with the mean or average values of the pixels (STEP 540). Such an approach may, for example, be used to complete the filling and construction step (STEP 340) of
Other pixel selection and calculation techniques such as the maximum pixel value, the first encountered pixel value, the last encountered pixel value, or other more complex functions of the underlying pixel values may instead be used.
In some embodiments, the process can be summarized according to the following steps:
The register 605, which may be any suitably organized data storage facility (e.g., partitions in RAM, etc.), stores images received from an imager 630 such as an MRI, CT/PET scanner, ultrasound device, or x-ray device. In some embodiments, the images are stored on a data-storage device separate from the imager (e.g., a database, microfiche, etc.) and sent to the system 600. The images may be received through conventional data ports and may also include circuitry for receiving analog image data and analog-to-digital conversion circuitry for digitizing the image data.
The register 605 provides the image to the processor 615. The processor 615 implements the functionality described above, namely defining a voxel size for the anatomical structure, determining distances between image pairs and comparing the distance to the voxel size, and creating the interpolated images. Further, the processor 615 is configured to construct the three-dimensional representation of the anatomical structure based on the defined voxels. The processor 615 may be implemented in hardware or software, or a combination of both on a general-purpose computer. In addition, such a program may set aside portions of a computer's random access memory to provide control logic that affects one or more of the image capture, processing, user manipulation (using, for example, an input device 635) and/or presentation on the display 620. In such an embodiment, the program may be written in any one of a number of high-level languages, such as FORTRAN, PASCAL, C, C++, C#, Java, Tcl, or BASIC. Further, the program can be written in a script, macro, or functionality embedded in commercially available software, such as EXCEL or VISUAL BASIC. Additionally, the software can be implemented in an assembly language directed to a microprocessor resident on a computer. For example, the software can be implemented in Intel 80x86 assembly language if it is configured to run on an IBM PC or PC clone. The software may be embedded on an article of manufacture including, but not limited to, "computer-readable program means" such as a floppy disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magnetic tape, a PROM, an EPROM, or CD-ROM.
While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to specific embodiments, it should be understood by those skilled in the area that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. The scope of the invention is thus indicated by the appended claims and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced.
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