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110 W. New York Ave.
DeLand, FL 32720
Deltona softens stance against Internet cafes
By Al Everson
posted Mar 14, 2011 - 9:40:45am
Wanna bet Deltona will keep its hard line against Internet cafes?
At its March 7 meeting, the City Commission signaled it may take a kinder and gentler approach to online gambling businesses.
In February, the Deltona City Commission approved an ordinance that would have outlawed Internet-sweepstakes cafes within city limits. Internet cafes sell Internet access, and patrons play online sweepstakes or games of chance to win prizes.
Deltona's approach to regulating the cafes was more hard-line than the actions of Volusia County and other West Volusia cities, where new cafes have been restricted to unattractive zoning classifications, such as industrial areas.
But now, Deltona's hard-line stance is on hold. Instead of approving the cafe ban on second reading at its March 7 meeting, commissioners voted to extend a moratorium on new cafes for 90 more days, to give officials time to gather more information.
Deltona now has three Internet cafes. Those businesses secured licenses from the city before the commission imposed a six-month moratorium last fall, and are exempt from the freeze on similar businesses.
"We're inadvertently creating a monopoly or an oligopoly," Commissioner Herb Zischkau said.
One point discussed in the latest debate was the amount of time an existing cafe would have to close — for remodeling, for example — and still be safe from new regulations upon reopening.
City Attorney Gary Cooney advised the governing body to allow more time for an Internet cafe to suspend business. Cooney recommended changing the provision in the proposed law from 90 days to six months, for such a business to close temporarily and reopen, perhaps under new ownership, with new management, or after a renovation.
"Under this draft, they would be allowed to move," he told the City Commission. "They would be allowed to transfer that business license."
Changing the time from 90 days to six months would treat Internet cafes the same as other types of businesses.
Deltona's land-development regulations give other businesses six months to close temporarily without having to restart from the beginning of the licensing process. Cooney and Zischkau — who is also an attorney by trade — favored the longer time as a matter of consistency in regulations.
Commissioners also brainstormed about exchanging an outright ban on Internet cafes for a new law allowing them to operate in industrial zones. Commissioners could readily identify only one industrially zoned property within the city, and that is a small electronics plant along Enterprise Road, not far from Deltona Middle School.
But one commissioner didn't like the idea of locating sweepstakes cafes near schools or churches.
"We should not have these businesses near these places," Commissioner Zenaida Denizac said.
In advising the County Council on ways to regulate Internet cafes, Volusia County Attorney Dan Eckert said Seminole County's outright ban is already being challenged in court. The new law Deltona was considering is also an outright ban.
Asked about Orange City's ordinance, which permits Internet cafes only on industrially zoned land, Cooney said Deltona may want to follow that lead as more legally sound.
"It's a safe harbor, perhaps," he said. "You have very limited industrial property."
Deltona Mayor John Masiarczyk said he expects to learn more about options for regulating Internet cafes. Also, he added, the Florida Legislature may pass bills dealing with Internet cafes and other forms of gambling. A state law may pre-empt, or override, efforts by local governments to regulate Internet cafes.
Reader Comments
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May 17, 2013 | Manila | Tagged: Aura, Fort, Global City, Premier, rants, SM
In response to Ayala's more upscale shopping centers, Henry Sy, founder of the SM mall chains, retaliates in a way only the richest man in the Philippines would-with uber shiny, modern, gregarious mega- mall, Aura, in Global City, Taguig.
234,892 sqm of retail, business space, IMAX theater, convention center, concert hall, and chapel are enclosed in a beautiful glass structure designed by a Miami based architectural firm with the added benefit of a beautiful "Sky Park" on the roof. It also so happens to be a ten minute walk from our condo. As SM Aura Premier boasts the opening of international fashion lines Suiteblanco, Stefanel, Minelli, TM Lewin, J. Lindberg, B.B. Dakota and River Island, as well as French bakery Paul in the Philippines, it seemed criminal not to see what the fuss is all about. SM flew in Sarah Jessica Parker last night for the official launch of the shopping center, a very telling sign of the haute exclusivity they are trying to exude.
It is exciting that a more diverse shopping space from the rest of the identical malls littering the metro is now in my very own backyard. Many of the stores are yet unopened but the space is undoubtedly beautiful. The SM grocery store selection of international goods was nothing short of arousing. The booze was wickedly cheap. Human cut-outs of store personnel assisted customers out of their hologram mouths. The elevators had smartly dressed female attendants to press buttons for those with fingers too weary to do so.
The only downside: there were way too many people. It was silly how many people congregated at the new mall just to see the reality of the 47th addition to the SM chain. I saw far too many just sitting at the very beautiful un-foodcourt-like tables of the foodcourt sans any trace of bought refreshment, just idling. It was strange. Despite the rows and rows of snacks seen last on some previous trip abroad and beckoning me from every aisle of the supermarket, I just couldn't stomach waiting in a two hour line for them. So we left empty-handed but determined to return to this shiny new shopping mecca on another day, but rest assured, first thing in the morning.
Obviously didn't take nearly enough photos of the place…but you get the idea….

subset: commoncrawl


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Orange County: Lunch with Dean Larry Kramer
December 2, 2011 12:00pm - 1:30pm
December 2, 2011 12:00pm - 1:30pm
Room Offsite
SLS alumni and guests are invited to join us for a lunch with Larry Kramer, Richard E. Lang Professor of Law and Dean for Stanford Law School.
Lunch will be served. The event is free, but registration is required.
- SLS Alumni Relations
- alumni.relations@


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Eco-Innovation Expo and Pitching Event
Thursday 23 June 2011, 1000-1400
Reebok Stadium, Bolton
This event will showcase some of the businesses and products that have been supported through the North West Eco-Innovation programme and highlight and promote some of the diverse range of eco-innovative products and services that have been developed in the North West of England.
The event will include an exhibition of eco-innovative products and services, plus networking and an opportunity for a range of SMEs to deliver a 90-second business pitch to an audience of small and large companies, investment businesses, public sector organisations and research and university organisations.
To develop the event, the North West Eco-Innovation Programme has teamed up with North West Innovation Network who have been successfully running business pitch events for the past 3 years.
Who should attend?
o Businesses that have received support through the North West Eco-Innovation programme.
o North West SMEs that have developed eco-innovative products and services and would like the
opportunity to network with like-minded businesses and other organisations that may be interested in
their goods.
o North West SMEs who would like to find out more about Eco-Innovation and what other businesses have
o Potential investors and purchasers who would like to find out more about the range of eco-innovative
solutions that have been developed by North Wets businesses.
o Other organisations who would like to see and hear about technologies and innovations available from
eco-innovative SMEs in the North West.
10:00 Exhibition opens
Registration and refreshments available from 10am until 11am.
o Welcome and Introductions - Mark Bacon, Lancaster University
o Keynote Speaker (TBC)
o Business Pitches (90 seconds each)
o Wrap up
12:30 Exhibition, Networking and Lunch
14:00 Exhibition closes
*The agenda is subject to change


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Golden Home Builders is proud to offer custom homes in Forest Hills Neighborhood in Watertown, MN
Forest Hills is located near the edges of the Crow River in Watertown Minnesota and consists of 80+ single family home sites all located on a wooded rolling landscape with walking trails, ponds and scenic wetlands. Many walkout sites to choose from, all with beautiful views and city utilities.
50+ acres of parks and open space have been preserved within the development. Protective covenants in place. No association fees (SF -detached homes).
Supplement Sheet
Golden Home Builders:
Split Entry: 3br, 2ba, 3 car gar. Starting at $219,800
Rambler: coming soon
2 Story: coming soon
2 Story: coming soon


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Wat does the date on the bottom of a bud light beer can mean?
Budweiser uses a "Born On" date, which is what you will find on the bottoms of Bud Light cans as well as on bottles. This date tells you exactly when the beer was brewed so you can see that it's fresh. They recommend consuming the beer within 110 days of this date for best taste, but it will still keep for much longer.
Updated on Wednesday, February 01 2012 at 11:44PM EST
Source: www.budweiser.com/...
Collections: flat, expiration date, beer
Related Questions
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What type of beer is bud light?
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What is bud light?
Is bud light beer vegan?


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News has slowly trickled out about the dangers of the Trans-pacific Partnership (TPP) to American sovereignty and democracy. What has received less attention is TPP's Atlantic cousin, the Trans-atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP). The TTIP is set to annihilate what little democratic accountability remains in the European Union and the United States on corporate power.
The purpose of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership is to remove the regulatory differences between the US and European nations. I mentioned it a couple of weeks ago. But I left out the most important issue: the remarkable ability it would grant big business to sue the living daylights out of governments which try to defend their citizens. It would allow a secretive panel of corporate lawyers to overrule the will of parliament and destroy our legal protections. Yet the defenders of our sovereignty say nothing.
The mechanism through which this is achieved is known as investor-state dispute settlement. It's already being used in many parts of the world to kill regulations protecting people and the living planet.
The TPP and the TTIP would be a 1% kill shot on democracy in the developed world. All major political and economic decisions in Europe and Southeast Asia – excluding China – will be settled not in Congress or parliaments but in corporate board rooms. And by the time anyone even objects to one of the rules the corporatocracy implements and demands public hearings the corporate players will have already gotten ahead of the game in their own/the real halls of power. They have rigged the system completely in their favor.
But in the event that a sovereign democratic government actually does stand up to corporate power, they can expect to be sued in corporate controlled courts under the provisions of the trades deals.
Here's what one of the judges on these tribunals says about his work. "When I wake up at night and think about arbitration, it never ceases to amaze me that sovereign states have agreed to investment arbitration at all … Three private individuals are entrusted with the power to review, without any restriction or appeal procedure, all actions of the government, all decisions of the courts, and all laws and regulations emanating from parliament."
There are no corresponding rights for citizens. We can't use these tribunals to demand better protections from corporate greed. As the Democracy Centre says, this is "a privatised justice system for global corporations".
Has any public official anywhere justified this top-down revolution? This open attack on our republic? Of course not. Instead conservatives wine incessantly about power going to Washington – when the reality is Washington will be pushed aside in favor of Davos.
The global 1% are launching a quiet coup on the world.


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The power of the interwebs
Also in the quote box:
He who does not know how to write imagines it to be no labour, but although these fingers only hold the pen, the whole body grows weary. – Scribe of St. Gall
This used to hang over the drafting table where I did hours of calligraphy. I was reminded by it tonight when Neil Gaiman (aka @neilhimself) posted this link about illuminated manuscripts. Love this stuff. He'd asked how long it takes to create one and someone provided the link.
And that folks, is how the internet works on a person to person basis.


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Area Baseball Report: 07.05.08
CORPUS CHRISTI - Future's here for Pennington
The Futures is almost now for Cliff Pennington.
The former Carroll High standout has been selected to participate in the Futures Game, which will be held next Sunday as part of All-Star Week festivities at Yankee Stadium.
The game features some of baseball's elite prospects. Players who participate in the game also are considered top candidates for the U.S. Olympic Baseball Team, which will play in China next month.
Former New York Mets manager Davey Johnson will coach the U.S. in the Futures Game as it takes on a team made up of prospects from across the world. Johnson also will lead the Olympic Team.
First pitch for the Futures Game is set for 11:30 a.m. It is scheduled to be broadcast by ESPN2.
Pennington was a first-round choice of the Oakland Athletics in 2005. He now plays for the A's Class AAA Sacramento affiliate.
Omar Gutierrez is finding a niche in professional baseball. He just can't seem to find a place to stay.
The ex-Sinton High and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi pitcher has bounced between Oregon and Indiana in the San Diego Padres system. Gutierrez started the year training in low Class A Eugene (Oregon), but was told he would get one stint with high A Fort Wayne (Indiana) before heading back to the West Coast.
It worked out that way at first, but Gutierrez has been so effective in his relief role that he was promoted back to Fort Wayne.
Gutierrez, drafted only last month, has surrendered no runs over the course of 11 innings split between Eugene and Fort Wayne. At Fort Wayne, he hasn't yielded a hit in his five innings pitched.
Former Sinton High star Adrian Alaniz was tagged for his first loss of the season June 30, giving up six runs in five innings of work for the Washington Nationals Class AA affiliate in Harrisburg (Pa.). Alaniz has not won -- but has three no-decisions -- since being promoted to AA last month. ... David Castillo, formerly of Moody High, is coming off a big week for Fargo-Moorhead of the independent Northern League. Castillo went 9 for 21 with two runs, six RBI and his first home run of the season over the past week. He raised his batting average 30 points during the tear.
Contact Lee Goddard at 886-3613 or email@example.com
Subscribe to the Caller-Times
Need Help? Call us at 1-800-566-8098.
Monday-Friday: 6am-3pm / Saturday: 7am-11am / Sunday: 7am-11am


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Free Weekly Newsletter
Join thousands of design-conscious readers for exclusive offers, gardening inspiration and innovative design solutions for enjoying outdoor spaces.
Sign Up Today
* Required
We will never sell or distribute your email to any other parties or organizations.
The rose garden is the pride and joy of the Garden Club of Irvington-on-Hudson, who have been taking care of the rose garden since 1968. The roses were originally planted in the early 1900s, during Helen Gould Sheperd's ownership of Lyndhurst (Gould Sheperd was the oldest daugher of Jay and Helen Gould) and the garden focused on pink climbing roses. After Sheperd's death, the estate passed to her younger sister, the Duchess of Talleyrand-Perigord (née Anna Gould). Through World War II, the garden began to decline and when the estate was left to the National Trust after the death of the Dutchess in 1961, there were only a few roses left.
All of the text and information about the roses is from the garden club's master list of roses:
Left: 'New Dawn' Large-flowered climber to 12 to 15 feet. Dreer, U.S. 1930. Pale pink flowers of moderate fragrance up to 35 petals, medium to large, very double, borne mostly solitary in small clusters. Light repeat. It has glossy dark green foliage and is constantly putting out new growth. It holds the first rose patent ever issued in the U.S.


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Tailbeep Talks to Festival
Tailbeep is a simple administration tool that sends an audible beep when it finds a specified search string in a log file. Version 0.45 now includes an interface to the Festival speech synthesis framework.
Tailbeep was originally designed to send an alarm about firewall intrusions by searching for the "DENY" string in /var/log/messages files. The command line tool can also be used for any file that a process writes to in Append mode, thereby requiring write privileges to /dev/tty* files.
Previously Tailbeep supported speechd, but now works together with the Festival free text-to-speech system. The current version adds the ability to speak a predefined message or the line number of the source location.
Tailbeep, licensed under GPLv2, is available for download as C source code from developer Thomas Glascock's soomka.com webpage.
Issue 178/2015
Buy this issue as a PDF
Qemu Flaw Lets the Guest Escape
Xen project announces a privilege escalation problem for Qemu host systems
Android Bug Threatens Millions of Users
Attackers can compromise an Android phone just by sending a text message
Lenovo and Canonical Announce Laptop Deal
PC vendor will pre-install Ubuntu on portables in India.
Mozilla Firefox Blocks Flash
More embarrassment for Adobe's embattled multimedia tool
Security Problem in Firefox's NoScript Add-On
Mozilla's script blocker add-on could be putting malware sites on the whitelist.
RIP SSLv3
The Internet community officially banishes the notoriously unsafe Secure Sockets Layer protocol.
Mate 1.1 Arrives
Popular desktop environment continues the Gnome 2 legacy – with new support for the Gnome 3 toolkit.
US Government Requires HTTPS
The Obama White House has issued a memorandum telling all US government agencies they must use HTTPS for all websites and web communication.
Mozilla Signs Firefox Add-Ons
New program will dial up security for the Firefox browser.
Fedora 22 Arrives
Red Hat's community distro embraces the cloud.


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While poking around for a review of "Play" performances at The Joyce, I found this feature -- over 9 minutes! (okay, it was PBS) -- in which Ilir Shtylla was interviewed about "Play" and dancing for the company and there were clips from a studio rehearsal of "Play" in the first two minutes, and then a seven-minute studio interview with Ib Andersen.
When asked about whether it was a drop-dead-sexy ballet, Andersen refrained from saying that this was a marketing slogan.
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Interview with Ilir Shtylla and Ib Andersen (before "Play")
Started by Helene , Mar 26 2012 09:24 AM
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If you are concerned about your credit rating and worried you may be declined for a credit catalogue, then you have found the right place.
Listed below are 11 UK bad credit catalogue companies who can help you get a credit account and allow you to Buy Now Pay Later on a range of pay monthly deals.
Choose from men and women's fashion, electrical appliances, electronics, gifts, home and garden items and much more.
The recommended company are BrightHouse and DialaTV who have the highest acceptance rate.
The other catalogue brands are from the NBrown group of stores and have a higher acceptance rate compared to companies such as Very, Littlewoods, Isme and K&Co which belong in the ShopDirect group and have a low acceptance rate.
1) BrightHouse – High acceptance rate
BrightHouse is the top choice when it comes to getting approved for a credit catalogue account. No matter what you need around the house, be it computers, bedding, furniture, home audio and video equipment, and much more, you can find it at BrightHouse. They are one of very few credit companies that will consider applications from people with bad credit history and should be the first place you consider.
BrightHouse is the biggest rent-to-own catalogue within the UK. They offer a wide variety of household appliances and goods from a number of famous brands at affordable weekly payment plans.
Deliveries, Returns and Credit Options
BrightHouse delivery service is available nationwide and it can take upto 7 days to receive your goods but usually sooner. This service includes free installation and assembly of your product and they will also take away any packaging too!
BrightHouse is a great option for those of you who think about getting a rent-to-own item. Not only they can give you offers on the spot, they can also give you a credit account. The application is done online and as soon as you get a positive answer, you can pick whatever items you want from their store and have it shipped to your door.
BrightHouse currently operates a network of more than 280 stores and they are in a continuous process of expansion. They serve more than 250,000 households all over the UK and they are growing at a steady pace.
2) DialaTV – High Acceptance Rate
You can choose from a wide range of household equipment and products at Dial a TV, with low weekly or monthly payments. All your concerns about repairs and service will be eliminated as it is included in the total price. This gets rid of those high-cost call-outs for your kitchen appliances and repair costs for anything that could go wrong.
Television rental gives you the opportunity to move with technology. You can choose the latest technology and upgrade every year as new technology is introduced. This method of rental is particularly popular for home entertainment equipment as features are updated and introduced on an annual basis.
Washing Machines
Everyone knows how expensive washing machine repairs can become. By opting for a rental washing machine, you are able to avoid these unwanted costs by allowing Dial a TV to service the equipment.
If you are the owner of a washing machine which requires repairs, you may have to wait weeks for parts or for a service technician to make an appointment. With Dial a TV, you will be offered a fast solution or you could opt for a replacement, with no added charge.
Delivery is Free
Dial a TV offers free delivery on all their options. A date will be arranged with you and on that day, you will receive a telephone call first thing in the morning to arrange a suitable delivery time. If you work all day and require to be called after 5.30pm, that is no problem ñ just let us know.
Installation is Free
Dial a TV has a team of trained installation experts. This is important as you need to have knowledge to install equipment properly. If you require advice on using your equipment, the trained technicians will gladly assist you. When it comes to cookers and white goods, Dial a TV will undertake the installation, on condition that there is no electrical or plumbing work involved.
Repairs are Free
If the technicians are unable to repair the product at your home, you will be provided with a loan product with similar specifications.
3) Jacamo – Good for men's clothing
Jacamo has provided mens clothing for a number of years. Do you want to save a little cash? Well if you visit their website right now you will notice that they are having an end of season sale. The products you will find on the site right now might be as much as 60% off in price.
Choose from a selection of clothing including jackets, footwear, sportswear and accessories. They also offer many other things for sale such as electronics and gifts. You will also be able to find some of the top brand names in clothes when you search this retailer such as Voi, Penguin, Lambretta and Joe Brown.
You may notice that your delivery has reached your house quite early when shopping with Jacamo. You may even find your stuff at your house within 24 hours. Sometimes when larger items will take a bit longer though. They have a delivery chart which will explain this to you in further detail.
Jacamo always accepts returned unopened items if you decide that you don't want them anymore. You may not return personalised items that you have purchased for them or perishable items. Also the return must take place within seven days.
Jacamo also has the option for you to pay with credit if you are approved. It varies how much credit they will allow you to use. Don't worry though, It should be at least a 100 pounds if they approve you. You will probably expect to see a minimum pay out each month of five pounds. You should make these payments each month or they will give you something to worry about.
Jacamo is part of the N Brown group which is a collection of well known home shopping websites. Jacamo is typically used by men over thirty years of age and was founded by a man named JD William.
4) Simply Be – Ideal for plus size ladies
If you are a plus-sized woman, you are familiar with the frustration of seeking fashionable, comfortable, well made clothing that suits your needs and helps you express your true self. Now, thanks to the all new plus-sized woman's catalog, Simply Be, you can end your frustration and enjoy shopping for beautiful clothes.
Simply Be offers a huge assortment of gorgeous everyday wear, formal wear, swimwear, sports wear, lingerie, footwear and accessories for the abundant woman. You will find top fashion brands such as Joe Brown, Grazia, Anna Scholz, Gok Wan and more for a complete, up-to-date selection.
In addition to top fashion items for the elegant plus-sized woman, Simply Be also offers beauty items, gift items, kitchen-ware, dÈcor, textiles, electronics and more. For your further convenience, a generous credit plan is available to shoppers over the age of 18.
Simply open your own personal account by at Simply Be by providing verifiable contact information including your current physical address. Once confirmed, you can begin enjoying this convenient and easy credit plan. Check your online statement to keep track of your purchases, make payments and more. This credit plan is established on a monthly cycle with payments due by the last day of each month.
If you prefer revolving credit, this can be arranged. The interest rate for this arrangement is 39.9%, and you must pay at least 1/12 of the cost of your balance or a minimum payment of £5. Therefore, if you were to purchase an item costing £500, your minimum monthly payment would be £51 a month for a full year. With these low monthly payments, you will be able to manage your money better and get more value for your pound.
The wide and attractive selection, excellent prices and easy installment plan make it easy for shoppers to get maximum value along with unparalleled convenience.
5) Fashion World – Trendy clothes for women including plus size
Fashion World is an online store that provides customers the option to purchase popular brands such as Blue Wahoo, Nica, Joe Browns, Viva La Diva and Beach to Beach. If you have never shopped at Fashion World you can take advantage of getting a 10% discount on your fist order.
Fashion World has ongoing sales on offer to all their customers you will just need to navigate the site in order to take advantage of specials. At the end of the summer and winter seasons they hold sales on end of range items and you will be able to find certain items that have been reduced by up to 60%.
At Fashion World you can shop for all sorts of different items for your home or if you are looking for gift ideas to buy for your family and friends. The wide selection of items ensures that you will find something to your liking.
Shop today and have your items delivered to your doorstep the very next day. You have the option to return items within 14 days of your purchase as long as the price tag are still attached to the item you return.
If you would prefer to buy on credit you can apply for a personal account online, once you have registered you will receive a message to say if your account is approved. The approval process is simple and fast and you should have an answer within a couple of minutes.
Once your credit is approved you will be able to shop for items online and pay back at a later stage. It is important that you pay the installments due on your account every month to ensure that you do not fall into arrears.
6) JD Williams – Sells a wide range of everything you need
JD Williams is pretty much a one stop catalogue. They sell everything from clothes and shoes all the way to your favorite beauty products. You can even find items for your home and the latest electronics. They often feature the best and most well known brands out there. All of these brands are brow-sable on there website. You will find one that you like as they offer many of them.
The return policy at this shop is not complicated. They give you two weeks to return an item if you decide that you do not want it any more. You need to make sure that the item is not damaged in anyway. You also need to understand that some of the items are not returnable.
They give qualified customers the option of paying with credit. This is great when you need an item but decide that you can not afford to pay for it all at once. You may be denied credit however if they decide that you are not qualified for it. Once you establish credit on this site you will receive a personal online account for this store. You will be able to access it anytime you want and can order freely from it.
Do you want to know a little history about JD Williams?
JD Williams was created over a 100 years ago by James David Williams. They reached fame because they offered fashionable yet not to pricey clothing through there catalogue in the united kingdom. Their reputation built up a lot during the 1900's when people started to realize what a great service that they have. They are growing today more rapidly then ever before and are one of the most popular catalogues that you can find in the UK. They also employ a lot of the united kingdom as well. They seem to have well over 4,000 hard working men and women making sure that your items are shipped out on time. Not to mention to 2 million loyal costumers that use them.
7) Marisota – Plus size women's clothes
If you love receiving fashion catalogues in the mail as much as I do, the Marisota catalogue is one you will not want to miss. It is full of attractive, trendy fashions and offers the convenient option of easy monthly payments. It also has accessories galore, including scarves, belts, jewelry and such, as well as beautiful footwear and lingerie. There is something for everybody in all the latest styles! What is more, it branches on beyond clothing to fashion for the home, offering home decor and even electronics and appliances.
Personal Account at Marisota
You can set up your own personal credit account with Marisota. That way, they will keep track of your shopping and orders and bill you an easy monthly charge based on your personal shopping activity. They will send you an easy to read monthly statement reflecting all of your recent activity, your pay monthly charge and the remaining balance that you owe. All it takes is confirmation from you that you are over the age of 18 and have a valid address.
How Pay Monthly Works
Once you have established your personal account with Marisota, you can arrange to participate in their easy pay monthly option. That way you can purchase items whenever you want and pay their minimum monthly payment. This minimum is either one-twelfth the cost price or £5, plus an interest charge. So as long as you pay your bill on time, all you will owe is the pay monthly charge plus interest. For late payments there is an additional charge of £2.83. So, for instance, if you purchase an item costing £450 and desire to pay it over 12 months. Your monthly payment will be slightly higher than £45 per month. This, in turn, will free up your hard-earned money to use on other expenses. It makes shopping convenient and affordable.
8) Premier Man – Dedicated to men's fashion items
Premier Man offers a little something for everyone. The catalogue contains a myriad of clothing options, including jeans, t-shirts, coats and suits, and it also has a selection of electronics as well. Potential buyers will find video games, e-Readers, cellular devices and even audio-visual equipment available for purchase. Shoes, sportswear, pajamas and even furniture are listed, too. Even though the catalogue is geared toward men, there are items that will be of interest to women. In addition, one of the benefits of Premier Man is the fact that users can shop over the course of a month and then pay for all the purchases at one time.
Premier Man Personal account
When users set up an account with Premier Man, they are able to shop using credit, and they are also eligible for special deals and discounts. Over the course of the month, anything you purchase will be noted in your account. At the close of the period, a statement is released that details how much you spent and what you still owe. However, it is important to note that anyone opening an account with Premier Man must submit their address, and they must be over the age of 18.
Paying Monthly
After receiving your statement, it is up to you whether you pay the amount in full or whether you decide to pay in monthly installments. It is possible to make payments over the course of the year, which means that you can buy what you need and pay for it a little at a time. As a result, you are able to afford things that you might not have been able to afford otherwise. Your balance is subject to a 39.9 percent variable APR. In addition, you must pay at least £5, or 1/12th the value of the item, each month.
9) Ambrose Wilson – Offers a range of household items and clothing
When you shop and Ambrose Wilson you will be able to find various items ranging from clothes and shoes and items that you may need in your home. At Ambrose Wilson you will find popular brands such as Ava, Lazy Lou, Joanna Hope, Toe to Toe and various other brand names.
Ambrose Wilson is now having a sale on their end of year stock and you can save up to 60% on selected items. Some of these items will include plus sized items such as dresses and jeans wear.
Ambrose Wilson Provides its Customers with the Following Options:
– You can order the items you like online and get them delivered to your home, their fast delivery policy can ensure you receive your items in less than 24 hours.
– You are able to return items to the store as long as you make sure it is within 14 days.
-If you have ordered your items online and would like to return them you can make use returning the items through postage
Ambrose Wilson offers customers the option of buying on credit. In order to apply for credit you will need to be over the age of 18. An important additional requirement will be that you will need to be a UK resident. If your account is approved with the store it is important that you pay your monthly instalments on time to avoid suspension of the account.
History on Ambrose Wilson
Ambrose Wilson originates from James David Williams back in 1875. The store was well known for offering their customers fashionable high quality clothing at a price they could afford. James David Williams was known to be one of the first people to make use of the parcel post system in the United Kingdom. Ambrose Wilson is an affiliate company of the well known JD Williams and Company limited who are still a leading company for home shopping in the UK.
The brand and the stores for Ambrose Wilson have successfully grown over the years and now have over two million customers that shop at their stores or online. This growth has helped them to become a top online home shopping store and shipping option based in the United Kingdom.
Ambrose Wilson has more than 4000 employees that currently work for their stores and their continued success has helped this popular store grow to new heights year after year.
10) Fifty Plus – Clothes for the older lady
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With their own credit card, you can be approved online and from the comfort of your own home. Providing your meet all of the requirements on the application, you can be approved for your credit card and start purchasing products immediately from their online site. To be approved however, you'll need to be at least 18 years old and be able to show a way you can repay it such as providing your income information from your place of employment.
Thanks to modern technology, you can access your account online and order any time of the day or the night. You can make a payment, see what your balance is, know your amount of available credit and any other business activities concerning your account you may wish to know.
If you do not make your payments on time your card will be frozen and you won't be able to purchase any more items until you pay off your balance. Also, you may be assessed a charge for late fees or returned payment fees. If you find you can't make a payment, call immediately and make appropriate payment arrangements to keep your account in good standing. Don't purchase anything else until you're able to get this paid.
A branch of JD Williams, Fifty Plus was founded in 1875 by James David Williams and has quickly grown to become a leading fashion catalogue in the UK today. As their growth increased, they become more and more popular and slowly added to their line until they became the catalogue company as it's known today.
Today, Fifty Plus is one of the most well known and successful home shopping catalogues with over 2 Million customers and employing more than 4,000 employees.
11) Julipa – Mostly ladies clothes
Most customers favor Julipa as their personal department store website. This catalogue has various items for sale: clothes for men and women, electrical items, gift items and many more including their catalogs. Julipa's website lists some of the top brands in the world such as Sloggi, Playtex, Allice Collins and Toe to Toe.
Delivery, Returns, and Credit Options
The Julipa department store is famous for their on time delivery. Customers will receive their orders as soon as they place the orders through the website and in most cases it would be as early as the following day. The return procedure is well streamlined. Customers will have 14 days to refund any product that they are unsatisfied with and will get a full refund for the same.
The store will allow their members, who are approved and registered with them to maintain a personal credit account with them After you open this account, you can buy anything you want and pay within a mutually agreed time period.
There are two requirements that anyone should fulfill to open an account with Julipa , in order to get this credit facility. The first being, you should be over 18 years of age and the second is being a resident of the United Kingdom. If you fulfill both these requirements, you can apply for an account. Remember that all who applies will not be approved. They will screen your financial status before granting approval. Once you are approved and you purchase anything from Julipa, make sure to pay your dues before the agreed time period and not to delay the payments. Your personal account is accessible around the clock and you should maintain a good credit score with Julipa, in order to enjoy further benefits in the future.


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What's The Upper Limit on Free Refills?
When I go to a particularly unappealing sort of chain restaurant (or chain-style restaurant), as I happened to do last night, there's one thing I know I can count on: free soda refills. I mean, if there's nothing else you can look forward to in a meal at a huge American bad-burgers-and-taco-salads restaurant, at least you can look forward to getting your soda topped off a few times, right? But I always run into a question of conscience: How many soda refills is too many? More


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A method for providing a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) angiographic image substantially only of moving spins associated with fluid flow in a living organism sample having a cardiac cycle at a cardiac rate, and immersed in a main static magnetic field, commences by nutating the spins by a preselected amount α less than 90°, in the initial part of each of a pair of imaging sequences. The repetition time interval TR between sequential nutations occurs at a rate greater than the cardiac rate. After each nutation, a pair of alternating-polarity flow-encoding signal pulses are generated in a first magnetic field gradient impressed upon the sample, with each of the flow-encoding pulses in the first sequence of each pair having a polarity opposite to the polarity of the like-positioned flow-encoding pulse in the second sequence of each pair. The NMR response echo signal is acquired and the difference in the data from the pair of sequences is used to display at least one projection angiographic image.
1. A method for rapidly acquiring at least one nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) angiographic projection image of flowing material in at least a selected portion of a living organism sample having a cardiac cycle occuring at a cardiac rate, comprising the steps of:
(a) immersing the sample in a main static magnetic field;
(b) nutating by an angle α which is less than 90°, in the initial part of each of a first sequence and a second sequence of a sequential pair of imaging sequences for each of a multiplicity S of phase-encoding amplitudes operating upon said selected sample portion, the spins of all nuclei of a selected species and with a repetition time interval TR between sequential nutations being less than the reciprocal of the cardiac rate;
(c) applying, after each nutation, a flow-encoding subsequence comprising a pair of alternating-polarity signal pulses in a first magnetic field gradient impressed upon the sample, in a first direction selected to cause a resulting NMR response echo signal from the spin of a moving nucleus to different from the NMR response echo signal resulting from the spin of a substantially stationary nucleus, each of the flow-encoding pulses in the first sequence of each pair having a polarity opposite to the polarity of the like-positioned flow-encoding pulse in the second sequence of each pair;
(d) then acquiring, responsive to an imaging subsequence evoking an NMR response echo signal from at least the sample portion, a set of data in a response data acquisition time interval of each of the first and second sequences;
(e) subtracting the data in each of the NMR response signal data sets acquired in a selected one of the first and second sequences from the data in the data set of the remaining one of the first and second sequences, to generate a difference data set from which response data obtained from stationary nuclei has been substantially removed;
(f) repeating steps (b)-(e) a plurality N times, with N set approximately equal to 60(M)/(2TR (PR)), where M is a positive number and PR is the cardiac rate, to generate a plurality N of difference data sets for each of the different S amplitudes;
(g) averaging all N difference data sets for each of the S amplitudes, to obtain a single average data set for each of the S amplitudes; and
(h) generating, responsive to all S average data sets, each of at least one angiographic projection image, each lying in a plane having a preselected relationship with respect to the first direction.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein step (f) includes the step of setting M to be greater than 1.
3. The method of claim 2, further comprising the step of selecting M to be a positive integer.
4. The method of claim 3, further comprising the step of selecting N such that 30≦N≦64.
5. The method of claim 4, further comprising the step of selecting α to be between about 15° and about 30°.
6. The method of claim 2, further comprising the step of selecting α to be between about 15° and about 30°.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein step (d) further includes the steps of: generating a readout magnetic field gradient signal pulse in a second direction, independent of the first direction, and substantially coincident with each acquisition time interval in each sequence; generating a dephasing pulse in the readout gradient signal prior to each acquisition time interval in each sequence; and providing each dephasing pulse with opposite polarity to the polarity of the associated readout gradient pulse.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein step (d) includes the steps of: providing a phase-encoding signal in the magnetic field gradient in a third direction orthogonal to the second direction; and assigning, in each pair of sequences, one of the multiplicity S of different amplitudes to the phase-encoding signal.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein step (d) further comprises the step of applying a projection-dephasing gradient signal in a fourth direction, substantially orthogonal to both the second and third directions, and of characteristics selected to limit the dynamic range of the response signals evoked from the nuclei with substantially stationary spins.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein step (b) includes the step of applying at least a portion of a slice-selective magnetic field gradient signal during each nutation.
11. The method of claim 10, further comprising the step of applying a flow-compensation portion in the slice-selective magnetic field gradient direction, after step (b) is complete and prior to commencement of step (d), with the flow-compensation portion having characteristics substantially those of a temporal mirror-image of the slice-selective signal portion, mirrored about a time selected to be after completion of step (b) and before commencement of the flow-compensation slice-selective signal portion.
12. The method of claim 11, further comprising the step of applying a flow-compensation readout gradient portion in the readout gradient direction, after the nutating subsequence of step (b) is completed and prior to commencement of the readout pulse and dephasing pulse portion of the readout gradient signal, with the flow-compensation portion having characteristics substantially those of a temporal mirror-image of the readout gradient and dephasing pulse portion of the readout gradient signal, mirrored about a time selected to be prior to that readout gradient and dephasing pulse portion.
13. The method of claim 12 further comprising the step of selecting N such that 30≦N≦64.
14. The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of selecting α to be between about 15° and about 30°.
15. The method of claim 7, further comprising the step of applying a flow-compensation readout gradient portion in the readout gradient direction, after the nutating subsequence of step (b) is completed and prior to commencement of the readout pulse and dephasing pulse portion of the readout gradient signal, with the flow-compensation portion having characteristics substantially those of a temporal mirror-image of the readout gradient and dephasing pulse portion of the readout gradient signal, mirrored about a time selected to be prior to that readout gradient and dephasing pulse portion.
16. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of selecting N such that 30≦N≦64.
17. The method of claim 16, further comprising the step of selecting α to be between about 15° and about 30°.
18. The method of claim 1, wherein step (b) further comprises the step of synchronizing the start of each repetition time interval TR to a selected event external to the sample.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein the synchronizing step comprises the steps of: providing a trigger signal for each zero-crossing of an AC signal, with frequency F, energizing the NMR imaging system; and then using every C-th sequential one, where C is a selected integer, of the F trigger signals-per-second to synchronize the start of the next sequence.
20. The method of claim 19, wherein only the positive-going zero-crossings of the A.C. signal, with F=60 Hz., are used; C=2, and TR =1/30 second.
21. The method of claim 1, wherein step (c) further comprises the step of scaling the flow-encoding subsequence in the second sequence of each pair by a factor D, where D is any real number.
The present invention relates to nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) angiographic methods for imaging fluid flow in a sample and, more particularly, to novel NMR angiographic methods in which a single response is generated for each excitation of the sample and with many excitations occurring in each cardiac cycle, to provide medically-significant anatomy images of averaged fluid flow, in non-invasive manner.
It is known to provide NMR angiographic projection images, indicating the flow of bodily fluids through various bodily passages, for medical diagnostic purposes. Methods for producing such images are described and claimed in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 835,683, filed Mar. 3, 1986, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,714,081, issued Dec. 22, 1987, and application Ser. No. 013,592, filed Feb. 11, 1987, both assigned to the assignee of the present application and incorporated here in their entireties by reference. While those methods provide true projection images (through the entire anatomical thickness) and allow high quality NMR angiograms of arterial and venational structures to be obtained along one or more selected projection axes and with a selected direction of flow sensitivity in a sample, it is still highly desirable to obtain the same, or more, information in the NMR angiograms in a shorter time interval. This is especially important in human diagnostic imaging, where the likelihood of patient movement increases with increased imaging time. Other benefits, such as the ability to acquire three-dimensional flow information, saturate non-moving spins (for additional suppression of non-moving spins), and/or measurement of total vessel flow (particularly in a sample having a cardiac cycle) are also desirable. Accordingly, methods for providing NMR angiograms with improved features, while substantially reducing both data acquisition time and sample motional sensitivity, are highly desirable.
In accordance with the invention, methods for providing a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) angiographic image substantially only of moving spins associated with fluid flow in a living organism sample having a cardiac cycle at a cardiac rate, includes the steps of: immersing the sample in a main static magnetic field; nutating by a preselected amount α less than 90°, in the initial part of each of a first sequence and a second sequence of a sequential pair of imaging sequences for a multiplicity N of pairs for each of a multiplicity S of phase-encoding amplitudes operating upon said selected sample portion, the spins of all nuclei of a selected species, where the repetition time interval TR between sequential nutations occurs at a rate greater than the cardiac rate; after each nutation a pair of alternating-polarity flow-encoding signal pulses are generated in a first magnetic field gradient impressed upon the sample, in a first direction selected to cause a resulting NMR response echo signal from the spin of a moving nucleus to differ from the NMR response echo signal from the spin of a substantially stationary nucleus; each of the flow-encoding pulses in the first sequence of each pair has a polarity opposite to the polarity of the like-positioned flow-encoding pulse in the second sequence of each pair; acquiring, responsive to a readout magnetic field gradient impressed upon the sample in a second direction, independent of the first direction, a set of data from the NMR response echo signal evoked, from at least the sample portion, in the response data acquisition time interval of each of the first and second sequences; subtracting the data in each of the NMR response signal data sets acquired in a selected one of the first and second sequences, from the data in the data set of the remaining one of the first and second sequences, to generate one of a like plurality N of difference data sets from which response data obtained from stationary nuclei has been substantially removed; averaging all N difference data sets for each of the plurality S of phase-encoding amplitudes operating upon the sample; and generating, responsive to all averaged difference data sets, an angiographic projection image lying in a plane having a preselected relationship with respect to the first and second directions.
In presently preferred embodiments of our novel rapid-scan NMR angiographic method, the use of a nutation angle α between about 15° and about 30° still allows the multiplicity of sequences to produce a single image with increased signal-to-noise ratio and total-flow angiographic information, while providing increased suppression of motional artifacts. Velocity dispersion effects are substantially eliminated by use of flow-compensation gradients in the slice selection and/or readout directions.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide novel methods for rapid-scan nuclear magnetic resonance angiographic imaging of moving fluid flowing in vessels through a desired portion of a sample, such as the anatomy of a living subject.
This and other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description of my invention, when considered in conjunction with the drawings.
The sole FIGURE is a set of time-coordinated graphs illustrating magnetic field gradient, RF and data gate signals for one complete sequential pair of sequences of a presently preferred embodiment of a rapid-scan NMR angiographic sequence for acquiring flow information for a system utilizing gradient fields arranged along Cartesian coordinate system axes.
The method of the present invention is practiced in a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) system in which a sample, e.g., a patient, is placed in an imaging region in which a highly homogeneous and relatively high-intensity static magnetic field B0 is provided. As is well-known to the art, the static magnetic field B0 is formed along a chosen volume axis, e.g., the Z axis of a Cartesian coordinate system having its center within the bore of a magnet means providing the static field. Magnetic field gradient-forming means are used to form a set of substantially orthogonal magnetic field gradients impressed upon the static field. For the Cartesian coordinate system, the gradients GX, GY and GZ can be summarized as: GZ =∂B0 /∂z, GY =∂B0 /∂y, GX =∂B0 /∂x. In addition to the static magnetic field B0 and the magnetic field gradients GX, GY and GZ therein, the sample is subject to a radio-frequency (RF) magnetic field B1 rotating at the resonance, or Larmor frequency ω=γB0, where γ is the gyromagnetic constant for the particular nuclear species to be imaged. The static magnetic field B0, the magnetic field gradients GX, GY and GZ and the RF magnetic field B1 are all provided by means, and in manner, well known to the art. Reference to allowed U.S. patent application Ser. No. 743,114, filed June 10, 1985, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,667,159, issued May 19, 1987, assigned to the assignee of the present invention and incorporated herein in its entirety by reference, can be had for background information both as to the general system definitions and apparatus, and as to synchronization of NMR sequences to events external of the system. Previously, angiographic imaging of living fauna required providing cardiac (EKG) signals to the NMR imaging system from the cardiac portion of the sample, e.g. from the chest area of the patient to be imaged. As explained in the forementioned applications, cardiac gating of the NMR angiography sequences could be used to prevent periodic motion artifacts, i.e., ghosts, from appearing in the final image and or for selecting a particular portion of interest of the cardiac cycle during which the angiograph is taken.
The NMR angiographic methods of the aforementioned applications allowed data for at least one, and often several different, angiographic projection(s) to be acquired in each of the plurality S of acquisition time intervals, each triggered by a cardiac cycle event of the patient sample. Thus, each sequential pair of applications of magnetic field gradient and RF magnetic field pulse signals provides at least one difference set of NMR response signals containing information as to the concentration of motion of the spins of a selected nuclear specie, when viewed along one imaging axis of projection or several different projection axes, but always for only one of the multiplicity S (typically 128 or 256) of phase-encoding gradient amplitudes operating upon the sample and producing information for the projection image. Therefore, when acquiring data for a single angiographic projection, along a selected projection axis An, at least S sequential pairs of pulse sequences were required with each sequence positioned in a different sequential, non-overlapping acquisition time interval triggered by a selected cardiac event, i.e. with a repetition time interval TR, between the start times of any sequential pair, being set by the sample's pulse rate. Since each interval is typically in the 0.5-1.0 second range for a human patient with a pulse rate in the 60-120 B.P.M. range, the procedure would require from about 2 to about 4 minutes if a single response signal was sufficient; longer examination times will be required if several response signals must be acquired and averaged to increase the signal-to-noise ratio of the final angiograph. In either case, the patient would have to be relatively constrained in a single position during the entire time, to reduce motional artifacts.
In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the acquisition of each of a plurality of informational echo responses from a different excitation sequence is provided by using a sequence repetition time TR which is much less than the time between the like events in the cardiac cycle of the sample fauna being imaged, i.e. TR <<(60/PR), where TR is in seconds and PR is pulse rate, in beats per minute. Each additional pair of echoes is utilized to provide additional signal to supplement the information obtained in the response of the first echo sequence.
Prior to describing the various presently preferred embodiments of our novel rapid-scan NMR angiographic method, a brief statement is presented of the applicable theory for imaging macroscopic spin motion by a monitoring of spin magnetization phase. The required information about transverse spin magnetization phase change is readily derived from a bimodal flow-encoding gradient pulse set, i.e. a pair of pulses having opposite polarity in each excitation sequence, and with polarity alternating in alternating ones of the sequences. The Larmor frequency (ω), in the presence of a magnetic field gradient, is dependent upon the position of the spin providing the response signal; thus, ω(z)=γ(B0 +z·Gz), where Gz is the magnetic field gradient strength in the desired direction, e.g. the Z direction. Responsive to an applied gradient pulse which starts at a time t=0 and ends at another time t=Tg, the transverse spin magnetization phase change φ is ##EQU1## where z(t) and Gz (t) are the spin position and gradient field strength as respective time functions. Both moving and non-moving excited spins will be subjected to the gradient field; only the moving excited spins have a non-constant spin position time function z(t). If the excited spins experience constant motion of the direction of the applied field gradient, this spin position time function z(t) is z(t)=Z0 -Vt, where Z0 is the spin position at time t=0 and V is the spin velocity. Thus, ##EQU2## When a second gradient pulse G'z (t) is applied to the sample at a time T after the begInning of the first gradient pulse, the entire phase shift φ introduced by the gradient magnetic field pulse pair is given as: ##EQU3## where Z1 is the position of the spin at the commencement of the second gradient pulse G'z (t). If the second gradient pulse is made identical in shape and amplitude to the shape and amplitude of the first gradient pulse, but is given opposite polarity, i.e. G'z (t)=-Gz (t) and T'g =Tg, equation 3 reduces to
φ=γAg (Z0 -Z1) (4)
where Ag is the total area under each gradient pulse. Since the velocity of the spins is assumed to be constant, Z0 -Z1 =VT, and therefore, φ=γAg VT, which provides the basis for selective detection of moving spin magnetization; it will be seen that the phase shift induced in the spin magnetization of stationary spins, having (by definition) a velocity V=0, by a bimodal pair of gradient pulses, is itself zero. Conversely, it will be seen that the phase shift induced by moving spin magnetization depends linearly on the spin velocity V, the interpulse delay time interval T and the gradient pulse area (Ag) Therefore, data acquired for two different conditions of any of these three variables (V, T or Ag) can be subtracted, one from the other, to leave a resultant containing only spin density information for moving spins. As discussed in the aforementioned application, while NMR angiography will work with one sequence of a pair being devoid of the bimodal gradient pulses, a better result is obtained if the polarity of the flow-encoding gradient pulses are inverted on alternate excitations; this form is used in the illustrative pulse sequences described herein.
From the foregoing brief theoretical exposition, it will be seen that the complex difference of two data sets, each acquired from a different one of two echoes (as described above) has a modulus which is a sinusoidal function of spin velocity. This presents the possibility of aliasing conditions wherein certain spin velocities will provide no observed signal, or will be indistinguishable from lower spin velocities. The aliasing problem can be obviated if the induced phase shift is constrained to be less than π/2 radians. In fact, if the induced phase shift φ is constrained to be less than one radian, the image intensity is approximately linear with respect to spin velocity. Since the measured signal intensity is also a linear function of the number of spins, image pixel intensity is proportional to volume (and therefore mass) flow, so that the total flow of blood within a vessel can be measured by integrating the signal intensity across the vessel. While only that flow component in the direction of the applied flow-encoding gradient is imaged with such a pulse sequence, the total flow angiogram can be obtained by acquiring two separate angiograms, each sensitive in a flow direction orthogonal to one another and also orthogonal to the projection axis, and combining these two individual angiograms using the relationship It =(IA 2 +IB 2)1/2, where It is the total intensity and IA and IB are the intensities of the corresponding pixels in the two orthogonal angiograms. Finally, it should be realized that an angiogram can be generated by providing the flow-encoding gradient pulses with any standard imaging procedure. The imaging procedure utilized here is the gradient-refocussed spin-warp sequence, although spin-echo refocussed spin-warp and the like procedures can be utilized.
Referring now to the sole FIGURE, our presently preferred rapid-scan NMR angiographic method utilizes at least one pair of sequences to acquire the response data from one phase-encoding gradient amplitude of the plurality S of such amplitudes needed for a complete projection image. Each sequence commences with nutation of the nuclear species magnetization by a flip angle α, caused by a radio-frequency (RF) signal pulse 10, commencing at a sequence start time t0. Although standard magnetic resonance images may be provided with limited thickness, angiograms are generally obtained as projections through the entire anatomical thickness so that any slice-selective gradient in the direction of projection is weak or absent, although a slice-selective gradient can be applied in an orthogonal direction (either the readout direction or the phase-encoding direction) to limit the field of excitation, if desired. In the illustrated sequence, wherein the projection direction is along the Y axis, a excitation-limiting slice-selective gradient signal pulse 11a is provided in the phase-encoding direction along the Z axis, during the presence of the RF nutation signal pulse 10, from time t0 to time t1. A rephasing pulse portion 11b, from time t1 to time t2, can be provided, with an amplitude such that the total area under the rephasing pulse lobe 11b is substantially equal to one-half the total area under the slice-selective gradient pulse lobe 11a. We presently prefer RF signal pulse 10 to nutate, or "flip", the spin magnetization vector through an angle α between about 15° and about 30°, although lesser or greater flip angles can be utilized.
The nutated spins are flow-encoded during a next-subsequent angiographic subsequence 12. A bipolar pair of flow-encoding pulses 12a and 12b, of opposite polarity, are utilized. Thus, the first flow-encoding signal pulse 12a commences at time t7, rises to a maximum positive amplitude +A substantially at pulse midtime t8, and returns to a substantially zero amplitude at pulse termination time tt, for a total pulse time interval Tg. Shortly thereafter, the opposite-polarity second flow-encoding signal pulse 12b occurs, commencing at time ta and falling to a maximum negative value -A' substantially at pulse midtime tb (which pulse midtime is equal to the interpulse time interval T after the midtime t8 of first pulse 12a), before returning to a substantially zero amplitude at pulse termination time tc, with a pulse time interval Tg '. Advantageously, the pulse time intervals are essentially equal, so that Tg =Tg '. Each of the bipolar pulses induces a phase shift in all spins of the sample, although the opposite polarity flow-encoding pulses of the sequence of the pair, is hereinbelow described, essentially negates the effects upon stationary spins.
After flow-encoding the spins of the entire volume from which flow information is to be projected, information about the tagged spins must now be acquired, in an imaging subsequence 14 commencing after angiographic flow-encoding subsequence 12 termination time tc and terminating before the start of the next angiographic sequence at time t0 '. The actual imaging subsequence can be selected from a wide range of such sequences, such as the presently-known spin-echo, spin-warp and the like subsequences. A gradient-refocussed spin-warp imaging subsequence is illustrated, with the readout gradient signal occurring in a readout direction along the X axis of the Cartesian coordinate system and with the phase-encoding direction lying along the Z, or axial, direction. Thus, a readout signal dephasing pulse portion 16a commences at a time th, and terminates at a time ti ; the readout gradient signal pulse 16b following immediately thereafter, and lasts until the end of the NMR response signal readout interval, at time tk. Essentially simultaneous with the readout dephasing pulse 16a, one of a plurality S of different amplitudes of phase-encoding signal pulse 18 is provided. Also substantially simultaneous with pulses 16a and 18, a projection-dephasing signal pulse 20 is applied in the gradient, e.g. gradient Gy, in the projection direction, e.g. the +Y axis perpendicular to the XZ plane of projection, to limit the dynamic range of response signals from stationary spins. Substantially concurrent with the readout gradient pulse 16b, a response data gate 22 is enabled, to allow the NMR angiographic response signal 24 to be received, digitized and processed, in known imaging manner. The center of the readout pulse 16b/data gate enable portion 22, at time tj, is at a fixed time interval Te from the center of nutation pulse 10.
The second sequence (of each sequence pair) now occurs with exactly the same amplitude and timing values as in the first sequence, except for the inversion of the polarity of the flow-encoding pulses, i.e. first flow-encoding pulse 12a' has a negative polarity and second flow-encoding pulse 12b' has a positive polarity. This second sequence, starting at a time t0 ' (which is at a repetition time interval TR after the first sequence start time t0), also has an initial RF nutation signal pulse 10', nutating the spins of the selected species through a flip angle α', which is substantially equal to the flip angle α of the first sequence nutation pulse 10. The nutation pulses can be of any desired envelope shape, including the truncated sin(x)/x shape illustrated. If a slice-selective phase-encoding gradient pulse 11a and its rephasing pulse 11b were utilized in the first sequence, similar pulses 11a' and 11b' are utilized in the second sequence. In the second sequence flow-encoding subsequence 12', the aforementioned negative-polarity first pulse 12a' has an amplitude -A" and a duration Tg ", while the subsequent positive-polarity pulse 12b' has an amplitude +A'" and a duration Tg '", with the pulse temporal midpoints t8 ' and tb ' being separated by a time interval T'. Advantageously, the amplitude values A" and A'" are substantially equal and are each equal to the amplitude value A=A' of the first sequence; the pulse durations Tg " and Tg '" are equal to each other and to the pulse duration value Tg =Tg ' of the first sequence, while the interpulse time interval T' is equal to the interval T of the first sequence. In the second sequence imaging subsequence 14', an imaging gradient dephasing pulse 16a' (similar to pulse 16a of the first sequence) is present substantially simultaneously with a phase-encoding pulse 18' (which has the same one of the S amplitudes values as pulse 18), and with a projection-dephasing pulse 20' (which is similar to first sequence pulse 20). The subsequent readout gradient portion 16b' occurs substantially simultaneously with the data gate enablement portion 22', having their midtimes tj ' at the time interval Te ' (substantially equal to Te), from the midpoint of second sequence RF pulse 10'. The second sequence response signal 24' is processed in the same manner as the first sequence response signal 24. The data set obtained from response signal 24' is subtracted from the data set obtained from response signal 24, to provide a difference data set. Advantageously, a number N of pairs of sequences will be used for each of the S phase-encoding gradient amplitudes, we presently prefer to use 30≦N≦64, if at all practical, to provide for each amplitude a relative large number of difference data sets which can be averaged to greatly improve the signal-to-noise ratio, and hence the contrast, of the final image. It should be understood that any number N of sequence pairs, from N=1 to any practical higher limit, can be utilized, if desired.
In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the sequence repetition time interval TR is very much less than the cardiac cycle pulse time interval of the living sample being investigated. For a typical human subject, with pulse rate of about 60-120 B.P.M., pulse time intervals of between 0.5-1.0 second occur. We presently utilize repetition time intervals TR between about 30 milliseconds and about 60 milliseconds, with a typical echo time interval Te between about 15 milliseconds and about 45 milliseconds. In particular, we prefer to synchronize the commencement of each sequence, at its start time t0, t0 ', . . . , to zero crossings of the periodic AC waveform of the powerline energizing the NMR imaging system. Thus, there is no attempt to synchronize the angiographic sequence to the cardiac cycle of the patient sample. In particular, we have found that synchronizing on every C-th positive-going zero crossing of the powerline, where C is a positive integer, provides a repetition time interval TR =C/FL, where FL is the powerline frequency (substantially equal to 60 Hz. in the United States). With C=2, interval TR is approximately equal to 1/30 seconds, or about 33.3 milliseconds. That is, the first positive-going zero crossing 26+ of the synchronizing SYNCH powerline waveform causes commencement of the first sequence of the sequence pair; the next immediate zero crossing 28+ of the AC waveform is ignored (as by processing the output of any of the many zero crossing detectors known to the circuit art, through a simple divide-by-two logic element, such as a flip-flop and the like), so that the second sequence of the sequence pair is triggered on the second-subsequent, positive-going zero crossing 26'+. The next pair of sequences commences at a fourth-subsequent positive-going zero crossing 26", with the intervening odd-numbered (third-subsequent) positive-going zero crossing 28'+ being again ignored.
Recapitulating, an angiographic projection image is acquired with short repetition time interval TR (e.g. about 33.3 milliseconds), and shorter echo time interval Te (e.g. about 20-25 milliseconds), and with RF flip angle α of less than 90° (e.g. about 15° to about 30°). The acquisition of each echo is synchronized to a non-cardiac-cycle source, such as the line frequency of the electrical power supply to the imaging system. The number N of excitation/response sequence pairs for each step value of the plurality S of phase-encoding pulses, can be any integer value, although a fairly large number of excitation sequence pairs per phase encoding step, e.g. about 30 to about 64, has proven beneficial. The phase of the flow-encoding pulses are inverted on alternate acquisitions, while the phase and magnitude of all of the gradient pulses and the RF pulse are kept constant, with, of course, the exception of the phase-encoding gradient pulse, which is monotonically advanced in amplitude in a normal spin-warp fashion (to the next one of the S different values, after each N sequence pairs). Data acquisition is limited only by the necessity for having two similar data matrices, such that the matrix resulting from the second sequence of the sequence pair can be subtracted from the first sequence matrix, to yield the difference matrix for realization of the angiographic image. We typically acquired data in a 128×256 matrix, and zero fill that matrix to 256×256, prior to Fourier transformation in the phase-encoding dimension. Two images, with orthogonal flow-encoding gradient directions, can be combined, with the image intensity of the total angiograph being the modulus of the two orthogonally flow-encoded images. Such total flow projection images can typically be acquired in a total acquisition time of about 4 minutes.
We have found, as in normal spin-warp imaging, that flow artifacts are a serious problem in angiographic projection imaging. In fact, because a large volume (encompassing many blood vessels) is typically excited and detected in NMR angiography, flow artifacts may be more of a problem than in normal limited-slice NMR imaging. Also, because the stationary spin density information is suppressed, NMR angiographic projection imaging flow artifacts are more apparent than in many other imaging forms. We have found that relatively small flow artifacts, which might not even be noticeable in a traditional limited-slice NMR image, can greatly degrade the quality of a NMR angiographic projection image; ideally, all signals should be absent in any region having no blood flow. The visually-manifested flow artifacts appear as a smearing or ghosting of vessel intensity in the flow-encoding dimension, e.g. in the Z-axis dimension with the illustrated sequence. These artifacts are apparently caused by the pulsatile nature of blood flow, rather than by the flow presence itself. Pulsatile flow appears to cause phase spin fluctuation, as the response signal phase φ, per equation 1, is directly proportional to spin velocity V. The final portion of signal information in the phase-encoding dimension of an image is determined by the spin magnetization phase, so that random phase fluctuation (due to pulsatile flow) causes a loss of moving spin intensity definition in the phase-encoding dimension. The most obvious solution to the flow artifact problem, is to synchronize data collection with the cardiac cycle, so that cardiac gating insures consistent blood velocity within each image voxel, for the acquisition of each scan echo. Unfortunately, cardiac gating requires a relatively long TR and a longer imaging time.
We prefer to suppress flow artifacts by the use of flow-compensation signals in the magnetic field gradients, to remove that flow phase shift which is independent of flow velocity, for flow velocities which do not change in the short time between sequential application of the flow-compensation gradients and the gradient pulses being compensated for. As blood velocity typically cannot change by an appreciable amount in the echo time interval Te (between the RF pulse and the echo acquisition), flow compensation gradient pulses have proved successful in reducing flow artifacts, but at the expense of increasing the minimum sequence repetition time interval TR. Thus, the bipolar slice-selective gradient pulses 11a and 11b are flow-compensated by a subsequent substantially time-reversed pair of pulses 11c and 11d; a temporal mirror-image of the rephasing pulse 11b is provided as first flow-compensation pulse 11c, with the same amplitude as pulse 11b, and with a duration, from time t4 to time t5, equal to the original pulse amplitude (i.e. from time t1 to time t2). Also mirrored about intermediate time t3, the positive-polarity pulse 11d has the same amplitude as the pulse 11a being compensated for, and has a duration, from time t5 to t6, essentially equal to the time, from t0 to time t1, of pulse 11a. Similarly, in the second sequence, the slice-selective bipolar pulses 11a' and 11b' are flow-compensated for by mirror pulses 11c' and 11d', having the same amplitude and time duration characteristics as pulses 11c and 11d in the first sequence. The readout gradient bipolar pulses 16a and 16b are flow-compensated for by pulses 16c and 16d, mirrored about time tg in the first sequence; in the second sequence, the bipolar readout gradient pulses 16a' and 16b' are flow-compensated for by pulses 16c' and 16d', mirrored about time tg '.
The effect of the unipolar phase-encoding gradient pulse 18/18' cannot be cancelled by a mirror-image signal; in the presence of flow in the sample, there will always be some projection image registration error, in the phase-encoding (e.g. Z-axis) direction. The error magnitude Xerror is given by:
Xerror =VTp-e /2, (5)
where Tp-e is the duration of the error-inducing gradient pulse, e.g. from time th to ti. It will be seen that Xerror is relatively small (e.g. 0.5 millimeters) under normal imaging conditions (e.g. Tp-e of about 5 milliseconds) and for expected flow velocities (e.g. about 20 centimeters/sec.). For an angiographic projection with a 20 cm. field of view and data acquisition in a 256×256 matrix, each pixel images an area of about 0.8 mm. on each side, so that a registration error of 0.5 mm. corresponds to a flow intensity shift of less than one pixel (i.e. there is no "shadow"). Because of the short TR interval (which also causes rapid saturation of stationary spins for additional suppression), this form of projection sequence is relatively insensitive to motion of the sample patient; the flow-encoding gradients are inverted on alternating acquisitions and, with short TR, maximum suppression of non-moving spins obtains in the subtraction portion of the process, even if normal breathing and occasional swallowing occur.
The use of flow-compensation gradient signal pulses is not, alone, sufficient to suppress all flow artifacts, and especially not those artifacts due to flow pulsatility. Pulsatile flow ghosting and smearing occur due to non-consistent phase shifts induced by non-consistent velocities present during the imaging procedure. Cardiac gating is one method for solving this problem. In the present method, we obtain more consistent imaging procedure velocity by measuring the velocity average over the entire cardiac cycle, instead of using instantaneous velocity. The average velocity is thus measured by obtaining and averaging N velocity observations, where 2NTR is approximately equal to a multiple M (with M being a positive number, and preferably a positive integer) of the sample organism's pulse period (1/PR), where PR is pulse rate. Thus, N=60(M)/(2TR ×PR). Cardiac synchronization is not required, because the average flow velocity is substantially invariant with the portion of the cardiac cycle measured, provided that the duration of the averaging interval is approximately equal to an integral number of heartbeats.
There has been described presently preferred embodiments of our novel rapid-scan NMR angiography technique. Many variations and modifications will now occur to those skilled in the art. For example, to maximize suppression of stationary material and the like, the amplitude of both of the flow-encoding pulses 12a' and 12b' of the second sequence can be scaled by a common factor D, where D is any real number. It is our intent, therefore, to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims and not by way of specific details presented herein.
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I like the food, but i do think they are a little pricey but you do get big servings, i do agree that the customer service can be a little bad at times but usually im in and out anyway, but i would recommend this for a simple night of take out Chinese.
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They should be more quicker with the delivery
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Food is really good .There is no problem with their food , but service is very bad And they shows lots of attitude But food is good so i go there , but really they need to be polite and calm
Posted by Jackson of Trevose , PA. on 02/28/2014
I`ve eaten take-out from this restaurant for over 10 yrs. It has changed management, and the food is even better. Hats off to coco and her crew!! thanks, mr. Jackson
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We will never go back!! On 3 seperate occasions, our order was wrong when we went to pick it up. They argued with us, made us pay and we had to take the wrong food. Our final attempt was when they delivered the wrong order to our house twice!! When we called, the second time that night, the lady told me she checked order and hung up on me!!
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They freeze all their food before serving....chicken was slimy and noodles were uncooked. The sweet and sour sauce was very disappointing. I do not reccomend this food to anyone.
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The Lo Mein was so greasy. It also had the taste of rotten meat. When I complained they offered me a credit which I accepted. When I tried to redeem it, it was nothing but problems. They wouldn't deliver the credit! I explained that the original food was delivered but they would not count the credit toward the $10 minimum delivery charge. These people are all about the money they are bringing in and can obviously care less about the quality of what they are sending out.


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By Samantha L. QuigleyAmerican Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, June 28, 2006 Labor and Defense Department officials celebrated the federal government's support of National Guardsmen and reservists and the government's role as a "model employer" at a ceremony here today.
"The message to America, to employers, to Guardsmen and reservists is your government is a model employer -- your agencies, your secretaries," Thomas F. Hall, assistant secretary of defense for reserve affairs, said.
Today's ceremony concluded an initiative to have all 16 cabinet secretaries sign an Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve statement of support. The heads of all 80 federal agencies also have signed the statement, Hall said.
The statement signed is a 5-Star Statement of Support for the Guard and Reserve, meaning that the highest support criteria established by the Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve have been met. Those criteria include an employer's willingness to sign a public statement of support, compliance with the Uniformed Services Employment and Re-Employment Rights Act and adopting policies that go "above and beyond" what's required by law in supporting Guardsmen and reservists.
While reserve component personnel are a part of the Defense Department, it's the Labor Department that enforces the Uniformed Services Employment and Re-Employment Rights Act of 1994. The act protects servicemembers' re-employment rights when returning from a period of service in the uniformed services, according to the Labor Department's Web site.
"This is the first document in U.S. history that has been signed by all the members of a president's Cabinet in support of the National Guard and Reserves," said Labor Secretary Elaine Chao, the first non-defense cabinet member to sign statement, said. "This is an historic and sweeping pledge to support our Guard and Reserve."
That pledge is of the utmost importance, David S.C. Chu, undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness, said. It's a reassurance that Guardsmen and reservists will have their job and benefits when they return from a mobilization. "Our nation could not meet its challenges today without its Guard and reserve forces," he said of the nearly 100,000 reserve component forces currently on active duty.
Chu said he believes it's important that the federal government, as the nation's largest employer of Guardsmen and reservists, set an example for supporting these employees. It was in that spirit that the secretary of defense invited his fellow cabinet members to sign this declaration of support, he said.
"It's important because it symbolizes the federal government's commitment to its employees who are also members of the reserve and the Guard," he said of the 5-Star Statement of Support. "This is the embodiment of all the cabinet departments and all the agencies of our government to the principles of appropriate employer support to Guard and Reserve members."
Related Sites:Department of LaborEmployer Support of the Guard and Reserve


text: Last August, when a 5.8-magnitude earthquake shook Virginia, people in offices up the East Coast were reading about the quake before they felt their desks not-so-mysteriously begin to wobble. How? Chalk it up to another feat of Twitter (by this time it had already helped topple unruly regimes in the Middle East). During the earthquake, users tweeted at a rate of 5,500 tweets per second, with 40,000 tweets hitting Twitter timelines and TweetDecks in just one minute.


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BRUSSELS, 29 March 2003 --/World-Wire/-- A coalition of environmental NGOs is calling on the European Commission to phase out mercury production and its use, stop the toxic trade in surplus mercury particularly from the chlor-alkali industry, and to store it until a permanent solution is found. NGOs including Greenpeace and the European Environmental Bureau are attending two key meetings in Brussels at the European Parliament on 29-31 March, sponsored by the EC and the Nordic Council of Ministers, to grapple with the global mercury crisis identified by the United Nations last year, and to develop an EU-wide strategy to reduce global pollution and human exposure to mercury.
'Mercury is a very potent neurotoxin with devastating consequences for the global environment. Given that alternatives exist for virtually all key uses, it's time that we stopped trading it on the global market like potato chips,' said Hana Kuncova of Czech environmental group Sdruzeni Arnika.
The meetings are taking place just days after the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) advised pregnant women and children to eat less swordfish, tuna and certain other fish, due to high levels of mercury contamination.
'The EFSA advice reflects the scale of impacts on human health and the environment which have resulted from the ongoing production, trade and use of mercury in products and processes, despite alternatives being available for virtually all uses,' said Dr Kevin Brigden, a Greenpeace scientist. 'Unless the current situation is addressed both within Europe and globally, these impacts will continue.'
In the EU, mercury is used mainly in chlorine production, dental amalgam and other products. Within the EU the use of mercury is restricted in many products and applications including batteries, and in the manufacture of cars and electric appliances. Many EU chlorine manufacturers are still using old technology which should be phased out by 2007, according to EU legislation, and by 2010 under the 1990 OSPAR 1 convention. But, right now, almost 100% of chlor-alkali manufacturers in the EU still use mercury. Japan banned mercury use in the chlor-alkali process 40 years ago after the serious contamination accident at Minamata. The US has also restricted the use of mercury in the chlor-alkali industry, promoting permanent storage of this toxic substance. Many groups are calling for a total phase-out of all uses of mercury, substituting with available mercury-free alternatives.
Even if a mercury ban were implemented, the EU still has a serious problem with what to do with accumulating waste mercury. Background reports for the meetings today prove that most of the global demand for mercury is from the developing world and involves products or technologies that would be considered illegal or antiquated by EU standards. The EU is dumping its mercury problem on others, and creating a circle of poison in the process. Several hundred tonnes of mercury has flooded the marketplace. In addition, the Spanish mine Almaden produces virgin mercury and, in a confidential agreement, buys mercury from EU chor-alkali plants for resale to global markets
'In India, exposure to mercury is a serious problem and with assistance we could substantially reduce many current uses,' said Ravi Agarwal of Toxics Link India. 'The EU should take the responsibility for helping India and others to reduce demand, instead of allowing the projected 15,000 tonnes of mercury being sent to developing countries, where it contaminates our people, local communities and the global food supply.'
Industry wants to trade the waste mercury, but many want it to be stored indefinitely. Permanent storage options are being investigated, with Sweden having already made considerable investment, though additional research and capacity building is required within Europe
'There is an immediate need for the total phase-out of mercury mining and trading through a sustainable European strategy. This must include the promotion of a legally binding global instrument with the ultimate goal of zero use and emissions,' said Roberto Ferrigno, policy director of the European Environmental Bureau. 'The EU plays a substantial part in supplying the global demand for mercury. It is therefore appropriate that Europe take the lead in reducing its toxic trade, which is contributing to global pollution and coming back to harm us in the food we eat.'
Notes for editors
NGOs attending: Jim Puckett (Basel Action Network), Roberto Ferrigno (EEB), Kevin Brigden (Greenpeace), Michael Bender (Mercury Policy), Linda Greer & David Lennett (National Resources Defense Council, Hava Kuncova (Sdruzeni Arnika, Czech Republic), Ravi Agarwal (Toxics Link, India)
For further information and interviews, contact:
Katharine Mill, Greenpeace: + 32 2 274 1903, + 32 496 156229 Roberto Ferrigno, EEB, tel +32 (0)2 289 1094, e-mail firstname.lastname@example.com, Jim Puckett +1 206-779-0363.
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