text:
|Publication number
|Publication type
|Application number
|Publication date
|Dec 14, 1993
|Filing date
|May 21, 1991
|Priority date
|May 21, 1991
|Fee status
|Publication number
|Felix W. Wehrli
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|The Trustees Of The University Of Pennsylvania
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|Patent Citations (4), Non-Patent Citations (6), Referenced by (75), Classifications (9), Legal Events (11)
|External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, Espacenet
The present invention generally relates to the field of characterizing bone and particularly relates to characterizing trabecular bone with nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The invention more particularly relates to a method and apparatus for noninvasively diagnosing osteoporosis with NMR interferometry.
Trabecular bone consists of a three-dimensional gridwork whose individual components (the trabeculae) are plates and struts 100-300 μm thick with the mean intertrabecular space varying between about 500 and 1500 μm. The function of the trabecular structure is to provide the skeleton with mechanical strength. Trabeculation is reduced with a concomitant loss in bone strength as a result of normal aging and disease processes such as osteoporosis.
The most common method of assaying bone density is based on a measurement of the X-ray attenuation coefficient using either a projection technique (X-ray dual photon absorptiometry) or its tomographic analog, quantitative computed tomography (QCT). Although these techniques are capable of providing bone mineral densities, they do not provide information on trabecular microstructure (i.e., the geometry, thickness, orientation and density of the trabecular plates), which is commonly obtained by optical stereology, whereby thin sections of transiliac bone biopsy specimens are microscopically analyzed. There is currently no known noninvasive method for obtaining detailed information on trabecular microstructure.
Osteoporosis is a widespread disease predominantly afflicting postmenopausal women. It is a complex, multifactorial, chronic disease that may be silent for decades until resulting in fractures late in life. As a result of demineralization and gradual depletion of the trabecular microstructure, the weight-carrying capacity of the bone decreases, leading to atraumatic fractures. The two currently used methods for diagnosis and therapy follow-up are single or dual photon absorptiometry (SPA and DPA, respectively) and QCT. Those methods, however, are invasive in that they use ionizing radiation and their scope is limited in that they only measure bone mineral density (BMD), while ignoring the morphology of the trabecular structure. Moreover, those methods fails to take into account the physiological and/or biochemical state of the marrow.
The definition and diagnosis of osteoporosis has generally focused on bone density because that is the only parameter that has been quantitated in vivo. However, resistance to fracture (i.e., mechanical strength) is a function of the structural arrangement of the bone as well as the bone's density. Most osteoporotic fractures occur in the regions of the skeleton with a high proportion of trabecular bone. A high correlation has been found between vertebral body compressive strength and the density of the trabecular bone; (R=0.91 in one study, McBroom, R. J. et al., "Prediction of Vertebral Body Compressive Fracture Using Quantitative Computed Tomography," J Bone Joint Surg (1985) G7A:1206-1214; and R=0.87 in another, Eriksson S. A. V., Isberg B. O. and Lindgren J. U., "Prediction of Vertebral Strength by Dual Photon Absorptiometry and Quantitative Computed Tomography," Calcif Tissue Int (1989) 44:243-250. Measurements using QCT (R=0.47) and DPA (R=0.74) are less predictive. This relationship may be even weaker in patients with osteoporosis since this disorder is accompanied by an unpredictable disruption of the trabecular architecture.
Histomorphometric information may be obtained in vitro by means of scanning electron microscopy of bone specimens. Histomorphometric studies of iliac crest biopsies have shown that the loss of trabecular bone may be the result of a loss of trabeculae or a thinning of individual trabecular plates. See Kleerekoper, M. et al., "The Role of Three-dimensional Trabecular Microstructure in the Pathogenesis of Vertebral Compression Fracture," Calcif Tissue Int (1985) 37:594-597; Parfitt, A. M. et al., "Relationships Between Surface, Volume, and Thickness of Iliac Trabecular Bone in Aging and in Osteoporosis," J CIin Invest (1983) 72:1396-1409. Researchers have found that increased trabecular spacing accounted for 67% of the decrease in bone volume with age, while 33% was due to trabecular thinning. See Weinstein, R.S. and Hutson, W. S., "Decreased Trabecular Width and Increased Trabecular Spacing Contribute to Bone Loss with Aging," Bone (1987) 9:137-142. Patients with vertebral compression fractures have been shown to have a lower trabecular plate density in biopsies of their iliac crest than osteoporotics with similar bone mineral densities (BMD's). See Kleerekoper, M. et al., "The Role of Three-dimensional Trabecular Microstructure in the Pathogenesis of Vertebral Compression Fractures," referenced above. The latter study suggests that heterogeneity with respect to trabecular plate density may account for some of the variance in fracture incidence.
Whereas with current technology bone is almost inaccessible to in vivo magnetic resonance imaging as a result of its unfavorable relaxation properties (in solids: T1˜101 -102 sec, T2<<1 msec), bone marrow has been studied extensively by bulk proton imaging. See Dooms, G. C. et al., "Bone Marrow Imaging: Magnetic Resonance Studies Related to Age and Sex," Radiol (1985) 155:429-432; Pettersson, H. et al., "MR Imaging of Bone Marrow in Children: Magnetic Resonance Relaxation Characteristics of Muscle, Fat and Bone Marrow of the Extremities," JCAT (1986) 10:205-209; LeBlanc, A.D. et al., "The Spine: Changes in T2 Relaxation Times from Disuse," Radiol (1988) 169:105-107; Bloem, J. L., "Transient Osteoporosis of the Hip: MR Imaging," Radiol (1988) 169:753-755.
Bone marrow has also been studied with spectroscopy and spectroscopically resolved imaging. See, Luyten, P. R., Anderson, C. M. and den Hollander, J. A., "HNMR Relaxation Measurements in Human Tissues In Situ by Spatially Resolved Spectroscopy," Magn Res Medicine (1987) 4:431-440; Richards, T. L. et al., "Lipid/Water Ratio of Bone Marrow Measured by Phase-encoded Proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy," Invest Radiol (1987) 22:741-746; Rosen, B. R. et al., "Hematologic Bone Marrow Disorders Quantitative Chemical Shift Imaging," Radiol (1988) 169:799-804.
The large range in the apparent proton spin-lattice (T1) and spin-spin (T2) relaxation times reported has been attributed to changes in fat/water composition of the marrow since T1,2(fat)<<T1,2(water). Aging has been found to be associated with a decrease of the apparent T1 and T2 relaxation times, presumably as a consequence of replacement of hematopoietic marrow by fatty marrow. See Dooms, G. C. et al., "Bone Marrow Imaging: Magnetic Resonance Related to Age and Sex," Radiol (1985) 155:429-432; Richards, M. A. et al., "In Vivo Measurement of Spin-lattice Relaxation Time (T1) of Bone Marrow in Healthy Volunteers: The Effects of Age and Sex," Br J Radiol (1988) 61:30-33.
An attempted direct NMR measurement of the 31 P resonance showed that the phosphate resonance in calcium hydroxy apatite, the mineral constituent of bone, can be detected by high-resolution NMR and that it is conceivable to integrate the signal and determine the absolute concentration by calibration against a reference standard. However, this technique merely duplicates BMD measurements by QCT or absorptiometry. See, Brown et al., "Noninvasive Evaluation of Mineral Content of Bone Without the Use Ionizing Radiation," CIin Chem (1987) 33:2272236.
Thus, despite extensive study of trabecular bone and the causes of osteoporosis, there is no known method of characterizing the trabecular bone structure in vivo.
One of the objects of the present invention is to provide noninvasive methods and apparatus for acquiring information on trabecular bone structure. A further object of the present invention is to provide methods for acquiring quantitative information on trabecular plate density from an analysis of proton magnetic resonance imaging data. A further object of the invention is to provide methods of detecting osteoporosis by examining the spatial distribution of the magnetic field(s) within the trabecular bone of a patient.
A first embodiment of the present invention achieves these goals by providing a method for detecting a condition of a mass of bone that comprises the steps of subjecting the mass to electromagnetic energy so as to cause a time-varying response, detecting the rate of decay of the response, and comparing the rate of decay with rate of decay data corresponding to a second mass of bone having a known condition, whereby the condition of the mass of bone is determined.
In a preferred embodiment of the foregoing method, the bone is subjected to an electromagnetic pulse that causes the mass of bone to radiate electromagnetic energy.
In a second preferred embodiment, the effective transverse relaxation time T2* is detected.
In a further preferred embodiment, the detected rate of decay is compared with rate of decay data for a mass of bone that has a known trabecular structure.
In a still further preferred embodiment the detected T2* is compared with T2* data for a mass of bone that has a known trabecular structure.
A yet further preferred embodiment further comprises the step of determining on the basis of the comparison whether the condition of osteoporosis is present.
To determine the decay rate, a plurality of data points may be measured and a single-exponential curve fitted to those data points; alternatively, a plurality of data points corresponding to a plurality of spectral components may be measured and the respective rates of decay of the spectral components determined; a further alternative is to perform localized spectroscopy on the mass of bone.
The present invention also encompasses methods for detecting osteoporosis in a mass of bone comprising the steps of subjecting a patient to a pulse of electromagnetic energy so as to cause a time-varying response, detecting the effective relaxation time T2* of the response, comparing the detected T2* with a reference value, and determining on the basis of the comparison whether the patient is osteoporotic.
A further embodiment of the invention provides methods for detecting osteoporosis that are characterized by the steps of detecting the spatial distribution of a magnetic field in the mass of bone, producing a signal indicative of the spatial distribution of the magnetic field, and analyzing the signal to determine whether it is indicative of osteoporosis.
The invention also encompasses apparatus for carrying out the foregoing methods.
A preferred embodiment of the present invention employs measurement of a marrow signal modulated by the magnetic field distribution in the vicinity of the trabecular matrix/bone marrow phase boundary. The invention, which has been tested on normal subjects and subjects with independently diagnosed osteoporosis, is based on line broadening caused by the intrinsic inhomogeneity of trabecular bone secondary to spatial variations of the magnetic susceptibility between bone (calcium phosphate) on the one hand, and soft tissue structure (water, lipids in the bone marrow) on the other hand. The intrinsic inhomogeneity causes the phases of the spin isochromats to disperse, resulting in decay of the transverse magnetization with a time constant T2* (rather than T2, as in a perfectly homogeneous field).
T2* is not directly related to bone density, as measured by absorptiometric techniques. Rather, it is governed by the geometry, thickness and density of trabecular plates. It thus provides information not previously accessible in vivo. During the aging process bone demineralization leads to alterations in trabecular structure, including a reduction in the number of trabeculae per unit volume; as a result, the intrinsic magnetic field becomes more homogeneous, which causes an increase in T2*.
T2* is determined, in accordance with the present invention, by mapping the free induction signal to an equation of type:
S(t)=S.sub.o exp(-t/T2*) (1)
where S(t) represents the signal intensity at time t following excitation, from which T2*, the time constant for the signal decay, is derived. This is achieved, e.g., by acquiring gradient-echo images at two or more echo times and computing the average of the signal from a region of interest (ROI) in the vertebral bodies.
Alternatively, a T2* image may be generated by performing a pixel-by-pixel regression analysis of the linearized form of the equation for S(t) given above. See Wehrli et al., "The Dependence of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Image Contrast on Intrinsic and Pulse Sequence Timing Parameters," Magn Res Imaging (1984) 2:3-16; MacFall et al., "Methodology for the Measurement and Analysis of Relaxation Times in Proton Imaging," Magn Res Imaging (1987) 5:209-220. The advantage of this approach is that T2*, the quantity characterizing trabecular bone density, can be directly read from arbitrary regions of interest without the need for further processing.
A third embodiment employs a measurement of the line width Δν, in Hertz(=1/πT2*), derived from localized proton spectra such as the ones obtainable by the STEAM technique. See Frahm et al., "Localized High-resolution Proton NMR Spectroscopy Using Stimulated Echoes: Initial Applications to Human Brain In Vivo," Magn Res Medicine (1989) 9:79-93.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the data is obtained from a series of gradient-echo images, acquired by stepping the echo delay (TE) in small increments (e.g., 1 ms steps) over a range of values (e.g., from 9-18 ms). The signal is typically found to decay as an amplitude-modulated exponential function. The modulation is caused by the spectral components of marrow (fat and water) adding constructively and destructively during the decay process. See Wehrli et al., "Chemical Shift-induced Amplitude Modulation in Images Obtained with Gradient Refocusing," Magn Res Imaging (1987) 5:157. The decay curve is therefore called an interferogram and this particular version of the method is called MR interferometry.
Other features of the invention are described below in connection with the detailed description of the preferred embodiments.
FIG. 1 is a representative semilogarithmic plot and linear regression of gradient-echo signal amplitude versus TE, showing different decay rates and amplitude modulation for trabecular structures.
FIG. 2 is a plot similar to FIG. 1, except that equation (6) (set forth below) was fitted to the ROI signal amplitudes and certain simplifying assumptions (described below) were made.
FIG. 3 is a representative plot of localized proton spectra that shows the broadening of the CH2 resonance from diaphysis toward epiphysis.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a magnetic resonance imager.
FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of one method for detecting osteoporotic bone, in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a plot of T2* versus age for the L5 lumbar vertabrae in twelve normal females and twelve osteoporotic patients.
Whereas in isotropic materials the effect of the magnetic dipoles cancels, uncanceled magnetic "charges" remain at the boundary, resulting in a distribution of the magnetic field, i.e., the magnetic field becomes inhomogeneous at the boundary of two materials of different susceptibility. Therefore, inhomogeneous materials are characterized by zones of nonuniform magnetic fields. The extent of local field inhomogeneity can be inferred from a measurement of the effective transverse relaxation time T2*, which is related to the spread in magnetic field ΔB as follows:
1/T2*=1/T2+γΔB (2)
where γ represents the gyromagnetic ratio, 1/T2 represents the true transverse relaxation rate and γΔB is the contribution to the effective transverse relaxation rate caused by the spread in magnetic field across the sample. Because the spin dephasing caused by ΔB is reversible by means of phase-reversal RF pulses (spin-echo), the effect is not perceptible in spin-echo imaging. Equation 2 is strictly valid only for monoexponential relaxation, however, as shown below, it is a valid approximation.
Qualitative support for the susceptibility theory is provided by the distinguishing signal properties of gradient and spin-echo images. In the case of trabecular bone, the magnetic field inhomogeneity is caused by the structural heterogeneity of the calcium apatite versus marrow constituents. The different diamagnetic susceptibility of the two macroscopic regions causes a distribution of magnetic fields ΔB and field gradients in the boundary zones between the two entities. Since the density of trabecular plates decreases during the normal aging process and to a greater extent in osteoporosis, so will the degree of spatial magnetic field inhomogeneity; thus either process induces a prolongation of T2*.
To test the theory behind the present invention the inventor chose the distal femur, wherein the trabeculation is know to vary. Qualitative MR evidence for this behavior has recently been discovered in a study that found a progressive decrease in gradient-echo signal amplitude with increasing echo delay, primarily in the epiphyseal portion of the bone. Representative gradient-echo images illustrating this behavior are shown in FIG. 2 of Ford, J. C., Wehrli, F. W. and Watson, C. K., "In Vivo Quantitative Characterization of Trabecular Bone by NMR Interferometry and Localized Proton Spectroscopy," Magn Res Medicine (1991) 17:543-551, which is hereby incorporated by reference into the instant application as if fully set forth herein. In addition, it has been discovered that there is an amplitude modulation of the signal due to the presence of different chemical shift components, primarily the CH2 protons of the fatty acid chains and the CH olefinic protons from unsaturated fatty acid moieties.
The methodology presented below was evaluated in trabecular bone of the distal femur in four normal volunteers (age 25 to 31, means 28), one female and three males. The rationale for the choice of the distal femur is twofold: First, the known variation in trabecular density (epiphysis>metaphysis>>diaphysis) renders it uniquely suited for testing the methodology. Second, the marrow in the distal portion of the femur, consisting almost exclusively of yellow marrow, is chemically homogeneous. Hence, other potential sources of line broadening from susceptibility effects, such as arising from iron in red blood cells, can be excluded.
Three different approaches for quantification of this effect have been developed: single-exponential fitting, interferometry and localized spectroscopy.
The first approach involves a direct image-based measurement of T2* assuming a simple monoexponential decay of the gradient-echo amplitude with echo delay (TE). For this purpose an array of gradient echoes may be collected. FIG. 1 shows a semilogarithmic plot of an ROI signal from the multiple ROI's indicated in FIG. 3A of "In-vivo Quantitative Characterization of Trabecular Bone By NMR Interferometry and Localized Proton Spectroscopy," fully referenced above, and representing epiphysis, metaphysis, diaphysis and subcutaneous fat, where the straight lines were computed from a least-squares linear regression of log(S) versus TE.
This approach ignores the chemical shift-induced amplitude modulation of the signal, for which a period of 4.5 ms was found, consistent with a chemical shift difference of 220 Hz or 3.5 ppm at 1.5 T field strength resulting from the aliphatic CH2 protons and olefinics in the fatty acid chains (rather than the CH2 protons and water). This approach is useful as long as data points are collected over several modulation periods, in which case the modulation merely adds coherent noise to the data, which increases the uncertainty of the fit. Experimental data indicates the expected systematic differences in decay constant (T2*) for the four tissues samples, with T2* (epiphysis)<T2* (metaphysis)<<T2* (diaphysis<T2* (subcutaneous fat).
A more sophisticated analysis involves a determination of T2* for the various spectral components. It is readily recognized that the image data I=f(TE) has the characteristic of an interferogram
I=|Σ.sub.i I.sub.i |={Σ.sub.i Σ.sub.j I.sub.i I.sub.j cos (ΔTE.sub.ij +Δφ.sub.ij)}.sup.1/2, tm ( 3)
where Ii represents the quadrature signal of the ith spectral component, Δωij the frequency difference between the ith and jth components and Δωij the initial phase between the ith and jth components. Ii =Ioi exp(-TE/T2*i) is the T2*-weighted modulus signal amplitude of the ith component. Summation is over all spectral components. T2* for the various components may then be obtained by performing a multiparameter curve fit to Equation (3). This may be accomplished by means of a Marquardt χ2 minimization procedures, which is described below.
Equation (3) reveals that as the number of spectral components increases the number of adjustable parameters increases very rapidly. E.g., for four spectral components, the total number of parameters is 14 (four amplitudes, four decay constants, three difference frequencies, and three phase factors). Simplifications can be made, however. First, one can assume that the line broadening for all spectral components is the same (the molecular dimensions are negligible relative to the spatial extent of the inhomogeneity (ΔB) giving rise to line broadening). Second, the frequency differences are readily obtained from the well known chemical shifts and from the in vivo spectrum. Unresolved spin-spin coupling, another possible source of line broadening, may be ignored (although it may not be negligible for the long T2* regions (e.g., diaphysis)). These simplifications lead to a total of eight parameters (four amplitudes, three phase differences, and a single line broadening factor ΔB). T2* may then be computed from Equation (2) using known values for T2.
The results of such a four-component fit are shown in FIG. 2. T2* for the major spectral component in the four regions (epiphysis, metaphysis, diaphysis, and subcutaneous fat) is: 5.1�0.2 ms (epiphysis), 15.7�2.3 ms (metaphysis), 18.9 35 1.1 ms (diaphysis), and 28.1�2.3 ms (subcutaneous fat), thus following the same trend as established with single-exponential fitting. Note that for epiphysis and metaphysis the results are in fair agreement with those from single-exponential fitting, whereas for diaphysis and subcutaneous fat there is a substantial discrepancy.
In the lumbar vertebrae there are only two detectable spectral components, those related to the CH2 resonance of the fatty acid chains and water. The respective T2* values for the two components is very similar if we assume that the line broadening is dominated by susceptibility broadening and that hematopoietic and fatty constituents are exposed to similar gradient fields. Support for this assumption is provided by small-volume localized spectroscopy. Stimulated-echo (STEAM) volume-selective spectra that were acquired showed in one volunteer that the line width averaged over all five lumbar vertebrae was not significantly different for the two spectral components. See FIG. 5 of Wehrli, F. W. et al., "Magnetic Resonance Interferometry: A Preliminary Application to the Study of Trabecular Structure," Radiology, in press, which is hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein; hence other line broadening effects, such as broadening of the CH2 resonance due to its spin-spin multiple structure, appear to be masked by susceptibility broadening. This finding warrants the analysis of the interferogram in terms of the single time constant T2*.
Equation 3 thus can be simplified to:
I={(I.sub.w).sup.2 +(I.sub.f).sup.2 +2I.sub.w I.sub.f cos {ΔωTE+Δφ}}.sup.1/2 (4)
I.sub.w =I.sub.wo exp(-TE/T2*),
I.sub.f =I.sub.fo exp(-TE/T2*),
Iwo and Ifo represent the amplitudes of the initial water and fat signal components and Δφ represents a phase factor. This reduces the number of adjustable components to four (T2*, Iw, If and Δφ).
Iwo and Ifo, which are by-products of the analysis, are proportional to the fat and water concentration (cf and cw, respectively):
I.sub.wo ˜c.sub.w {1-exp(-TR/T1)} and
I.sub.fo ˜c.sub.f {1-exp(-TR/T1)}.
Since sampling must occur at a frequency greater than the Nyquist frequency (which is approximately 420 Hertz in the present case), a sampling time interval of one millisecond corresponds to about two-fold oversampling. Images were acquired by means of a .slice-interleaved gradient-echo technique with the following parameters: TR=400 ms, α=90�, 128�256 matrix, field of view=24 cm, NEX=2 and the echo delay incremented in 1 ms intervals from 9 to 18 ms.
On two subjects a spin-echo-derived T2 value was also obtained by acquiring two 4-echo data sets, with TEs of 20, 40, 60 and 80, and 35, 70, 105 and 140 ms, on which a biexponential T2 analysis was performed. A comparison of the long component of T2 derived from spin-echo data from a typical volunteer indicates that the ratio T2/T2* is much greater for the vertebral bodies (approximately 4.5) than for the intervertebral discs (approximately 1.2), lending additional support to the theory that the shortening of T2* in the marrow is of an intrinsic nature.
The four adjustable parameters (T2*, Iw, If and Δφ) are assumed to be constant over the ROI from which the signal versus TE data is taken. This is a fair assumption, as effects from macroscopic magnetic field inhomogeneity are negligible for the voxel size that was used (1.9�0.9�5 mm3). T2* is therefore determined by line broadening due to the magnetic field inhomogeneity over a single voxel. Thus, T2* reflects the degree of inhomogeneity of local fields that have a spatial extent on the order of the voxel size. This is in contrast to the artificially shortened T2* that is derived from spectroscopy data, which data is hampered by line broadening from global field inhomogeneities on the order of the spectroscopy voxel.
A χ2 minimization procedure may be used to fit the mean ROI signal amplitudes to Equation 4. The Marquardt algorithm (see Marquardt, D. W., "An Algorithm for Least-squares Estimation of Non-linear Parameters," J Soc Ind Appl (1963) 11:431), which combines the best features of a simple gradient search on the χ2 hypersurface with the method of linearizing the fitting function, may be employed. A gradient search may be employed to bring the point on the χ2 hypersurface to a region near the χ2 minimum (the hypersurface was assumed to be parabolic in the parameters). Expansion of the fitting function to second order in a Taylor expansion as a function of the fitted parameters reveals that in this region the solution may be found by a linear least-squares method and the χ2 minimum rapidly converged upon. To assure that the global minimum is attained, the algorithm should be repeated from numerous starting points (e.g., 100) on the χ2 hypersurface. This algorithm provides estimates of the four fitted parameters and their uncertainties and takes about one minute to execute on a VAX 11/780 (when implemented in FORTRAN).
Localized Spectroscopy
Since T2* also characterizes the spectral line width Δν(Δν=1/πT2*), spatially localized spectroscopy and spectroscopic imaging are possible alternatives to image-based T2* analysis. The STEAM (stimulated echo) method (see Frahm J. et al., "Localized High-resolution Proton NMR Spectroscopy Using Stimulated Echos: Initial Applications to Human Brain In Vivo," Mag Res Medicine (1989) 9:79-93) (currently the preferred method for localized proton spectroscopy) is readily available and has excellent localization capability. STEAM is an image-based single-voxel technique The principle is to detect a stimulated echo from three 90� pulses, each applied in the presence of one of the three orthogonal slice selection gradients. In this manner a cube or parallelepiped is selected. Gradient shimming (x,y,z) may be performed interactively by signal optimization for maximum peak height. The preferred voxel size is 1�1�1 cm3, which represents a compromise between the need for sufficient SNR and minimal line broadening from magnetic field inhomogeneity. Ten to thirty averages may be collected and the spectrum may subsequently be transferred to a PC-based processing system for phase correction and plotting.
FIG. 3 shows spectra corresponding to four anatomic locations (diaphysis, metaphysis, epiphysis, muscle) obtained in this manner (note the broadening of the CH2 resonance from diaphysis toward epiphysis, consistent with increased trabeculation causing increased spatial inhomogeneity). The spectra were acquired from 1 cm3 voxels, each corresponding to 21 averages. The spectra confirm the total absence of water in the three anatomic regions of the distal femur, showing resonances (from low to high frequency), pertaining to CH3 (δ=0.9), CH2 CH2 (δ=1.5), CH2 --CO and CH2 --CH=(δ=2.0-2.2), CH2 --O(δ=4.0-4.2), and CH=(δ=5.3) in fatty acid triglycerides. In none of the spectra is spin-spin coupling resolved. As expected, the line width of the CH2 protons increases in this order, corresponding to T2*s of 44, 22, and 16 ms in the diaphysis, metaphysis, and epiphysis, respectively, in good agreement with the imaging results. These experiments again show an inverse relationship between the degree of trabecular plate density and T2*
Another embodiment of the invention, which circumvents the problem of fitting the time-variant signal to an interferogram, makes use of frequency-selective suppression of one of the spectral components (e.g., the fat component). See Keller, P. J. et al., "Multisection Fat-Water Imaging With Chemical Shift Selective Presaturation," Radiol (1987) 164:539-541. Suppressing the fat component, e.g., largely eliminates the modulation and a direct fit to Equation (1) can be performed and T2* extracted. Alternatively, the water component can be suppressed and the fat component monitored.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a magnetic resonance imager that may be programmed to noninvasively detect osteoporosis in accordance with the present invention. The magnetic resonance imager comprises a magnet 10, gradient coils 12, RF coils 14, transmitter 16, RF power amplifier 18, gradient amplifier 20, receiver 22, digitizer 24, computer 26, display interface 28, scan operation interface 30, image display terminal 32, camera 34 and data store 36. Each of the components depicted in FIG. 4, except for the computer 26, is standard equipment in commercially available magnetic resonance imagers. The computer 26 is unique in that it includes program code (not shown) that embodies the present invention; i.e., the computer is programmed to acquire and analyze data to detect osteoporotic bone.
FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of the operation of the apparatus of FIG. 4. The process starts with the selection of scan parameters (block 40) and acquisition of an image (blocks 42, 44). The echo time TE is incremented until a predefined number of images, each differing in echo time, has been acquired. The images are then displayed, a region of interest (ROI) is selected and mean signal amplitudes are computed (block 46). The mean signal amplitude values are then used as inputs for the curve fitting procedure that computes T2* (block 48). The final step of the process compares the computed value of T2* with a normal baseline (block 50), which permits the ROI to be classified as either normal or osteoporotic (block 52).
The method disclosed has been applied to studies on normal subjects and patients with clinically established osteoporosis. An age related reduction in trabecular plate density should lessen the magnetic field inhomogeneity caused by the susceptibility variations between bone and marrow, which are the cause of the shortening of T2* ordinarily found for marrow hydrogen in the intertrabecular bone cavities, and thus lead to a prolongation of T2*. In a group of twelve normal volunteers there was a significant age related increase of T2* with T2* increasing at a rate of 0.09 ms per year (R=0.65). Patients with osteoporosis had T2* values that were significantly prolonged and that covered a large range, with extremes of nearly 50 ms, with little overlap with the normal subjects. In order to evaluate the significance of these findings the T2* values for normal and osteoporotic subjects were adjusted for the mean age of the osteoporotic subjects using the age dependence found in normal females. The mean adjusted T2* of patients with osteoporosis was significantly greater than that for normal subjects (P=0.01). FIG. 6 depicts a graph showing the age dependence of T2* in twelve normal subjects and twelve osteoporotic patients.
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|Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
|Method/apparatus for NMR imaging using an imaging scheme sensitive to inhomogeneity and a scheme insensitive to inhomogeneity in a single imaging step
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|Device and method for analysis of bone morphology
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|Schick Technologies
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|Apr 11, 1997
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|Trustees Of The University Of Pennyslvania
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|Aug 25, 1999
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|Dec 21, 1999
|Dec 25, 2001
|Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
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|Method for providing optimal drug dosage
|Apr 13, 2004
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|Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
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|Dec 5, 2002
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|May 19, 2003
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|Processing of multiple echo data sets in magnetic resonance imaging
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|Jul 20, 2009
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|Calibration devices and methods of use thereof
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|Methods to diagnose treat and prevent bone loss
|Dec 30, 2009
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|Methods and devices for quantitative analysis of x-ray images
|Feb 2, 2009
|Nov 29, 2011
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|Methods and devices for quantitative analysis of x-ray images
|Sep 17, 2004
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|Method for bone structure prognosis and simulated bone remodeling
|Aug 28, 2007
|Oct 16, 2012
|Imatx, Inc.
|Method for bone structure prognosis and simulated bone remodeling
|Jul 27, 2007
|Jan 1, 2013
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|Systems and methods using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy to evaluate pain and degenerative properties of tissue
|Aug 15, 2011
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|Imatx, Inc.
|Calibration devices and methods of use thereof
|Sep 16, 2005
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|Dec 22, 2009
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|Mar 29, 2010
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|Methods and devices for evaluating and treating a bone condition based on x-ray image analysis
|Oct 3, 2011
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|Feb 19, 2015
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|Jan 6, 2014
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|Methods and devices for analysis of x-ray images
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|Nocimed, Inc.
|Systems and methods for automated voxelation of regions of interest for magnetic resonance spectroscopy
|Jun 3, 2002
|Dec 19, 2002
|Anderson Carl M.
|Method for providing optimal drug dosage
|Jan 7, 2004
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|Imaging Therapeutics, Inc.
|Methods of predicting musculoskeletal disease
|Mar 25, 2004
|Jan 13, 2005
|Imaging Therapeutics, Inc.
|Methods for the compensation of imaging technique in the processing of radiographic images
|Dec 5, 2002
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|Wehrli Felix W.
|Virtual bone biopsy
|May 19, 2003
|Oct 27, 2005
|Ackerman Jerome L
|Method and apparatus for quantitative bone matrix imaging by magnetic resonance imaging
|Apr 8, 2003
|Nov 17, 2005
|Sean Casey Louis Deoni
|System and method for generating t1 and t2 maps
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|Holgers Eggers
|Mr. imaging method
|Jul 27, 2007
|Feb 14, 2008
|The Regents Of The University Of California
|Systems and methods using nuclear magnetic resonance (nmr) spectroscopy to evaluate pain and degenerative properties of tissue
|Jan 12, 2009
|Jun 18, 2009
|The Trustees Of The University Of Pennsylvania
|Virtual Bone Biopsy (VBB) system
|Aug 8, 2005
|Sep 10, 2009
|Koninklijke Philips Electronics, N.V.
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|Jul 20, 2009
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|Calibration Devices and Methods of Use Thereof
|Jan 30, 2006
|Oct 31, 2007
|The Regents of the University of California
|Systems and methods using nuclear magnetic resonance (nmr) spectroscopy to evaluate pain and degenerative properties of tissue
|Jan 30, 2006
|Jun 16, 2010
|Univ California
|Systems and methods using nuclear magnetic resonance (nmr) spectroscopy to evaluate pain and degenerative properties of tissue
|Dec 5, 2002
|Jun 12, 2003
|The Trustees Of The University Of Pennsylvania
|Virtual bone biopsy
|Dec 5, 2002
|Sep 12, 2003
|Bryon Roos Gomberg
|Virtual bone biopsy
|May 19, 2003
|Nov 27, 2003
|The General Hospital Corporation
|Method and apparatus for quantitative bone matrix imaging by magnetic resonance imaging
|Apr 13, 2004
|Nov 4, 2004
|Philips Intellectual Property & Standards Gmbh
|Mr imaging method
|Aug 8, 2005
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|Mr method for the quantitative determination of local relaxation time values
|Jan 30, 2006
|Aug 3, 2006
|The Regents Of The University Of California
|Systems and methods using nuclear magnetic resonance (nmr) spectroscopy to evaluate pain and degenerative properties of tissue
|U.S. Classification
|324/308, 324/300, 600/410
|International Classification
|Cooperative Classification
|European Classification
|Sep 16, 1992
Owner name: UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA, PENNSYLVANIA
Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNOR:WEHRLI, FELIX W.;REEL/FRAME:006255/0781
Effective date: 19920911
|Dec 11, 1992
Owner name: UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA, PENNSYLVANIA
Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNORS:WEHRLI, FELIX W.;FORD, JOHN C.;REEL/FRAME:006423/0787
Effective date: 19921125
|Jun 14, 1994
|Certificate of correction
|Jun 12, 1997
|Fee payment
Year of fee payment: 4
|Jun 13, 2001
|Fee payment
Year of fee payment: 8
|Jun 29, 2005
|Maintenance fee reminder mailed
|Dec 14, 2005
|Reinstatement after maintenance fee payment confirmed
|Dec 21, 2005
|Fee payment
Year of fee payment: 12
|Dec 21, 2005
|Surcharge for late payment
|Feb 7, 2006
|Expired due to failure to pay maintenance fee
Effective date: 20051214
|Feb 13, 2006
|Patent reinstated due to the acceptance of a late maintenance fee
Effective date: 20060215


text:
Interiors: An Introduction is the starting point for a lifetime of design education, appreciation, and enjoyment. Whether the goal is a career in interior design, or simply a better understanding of how to enhance one's own living space, the information and ideas in this text will help readers achieve it.
Interiors offers an introduction to the elements, practice, and aesthetics of residential and nonresidential interior design, as well as their application. In addition, the authors describe the numerous choices of materials, furnishings, and components used in interior design.
A comprehensive treatment of the philosophy, principles, and materials of interior design, focusing on residential interiors, with a section at the end of each chapter focusing on non- residential considerations. This edition (first, 1990) includes a new section on design for special populations, including the elderly, physically handicapped, and visually impaired, as well as sections on historic design and the design profession. The glossary is particularly thorough. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

subset: commoncrawl


text:
The 20th Century Design auction November 18 at Heritage Auctions will showcase 11 pieces of highly collectible Martin Brothers stoneware, the third largest group ever offered in a single auction. Most recently, a collection of 23 Martinware pieces from the British ceramics maker realized $1,592,250 at Phillips.
The motifs, at once grotesque and playful, are the innovation of Robert Wallace Martin, the sculptor-turned-potter at the design helm of the Martin Brothers workshop. Production began around 1877 and continued through 1915. Heritage will offer eight of the iconic stoneware birds dating from 1884 -1913. The wares are representative of the Victorian period's great transition – a time when Charles Darwin's The Origin of Species set in motion a chain of events that challenged church teachings and divided the public mindset on evolution. Other English pottery houses were preoccupied with increasing trade with the east and adapting styles to create the Aesthetic Movement, but it was the astute and insurgent Martin Brothers whose anthropomorphic facial expressions both embraced and chided the public's fascination with Darwinian theories. The largest and most impressive bird on offer is pictured on the cover of the auction catalogue along with an important Tiffany bronze mirror.
Large and Impressive Martin Brothers Glazed Stoneware Bird Jar and Cover
Estimate: $30,000-40,000
Tiffany Studios Bronze Fern Table Mirror
Estimate: $30,000-50,000
In addition to the birds, the Martinware session includes an example of the popular double-sided face jug.
Martin Brothers Glazed Stoneware Grotesque Double-Sided Face Jug
Estimate: $2,500-3,500
All of the Martinware items are property from two Dallas/Fort Worth area private collectors.
The fern motif table mirror anchors the Tiffany Studios session, which also includes the private collection of the very public Maryland Congresswoman Helen Delich Bentley – a champion of civic development who spent 10 years on Capitol Hill. Congresswoman Bentley's carefully curated, lifetime collection of Tiffany is comprised of more than 100 piece of glass, most of which have never appeared on the auction market. Most of Bentley's collection was acquired prior to 1980; her interest spanned across Tiffany Studios' masterworks.
Large Tiffany Studios Gold Favrile Glass Foliate Vase
From The Estate Of Helen Bentley
Estimate: $3,000-5,000
Rounding out the Tiffany session are numerous lamps, including an early 20th century example of the iconic tulip lamp.
Tiffany Studios Leaded Glass and Bronze Blue Tulip Table Lamp Circa 1905-1910
Estimate: $60,000 – $80,000.
The complete Most recently, a collection of 23 Martinware pieces from the British ceramics maker realized $1,592,250 at Phillips. can be found here, and all inquiries directed to Nick Dawes here.
If you see something you like or have something similar you'd like to sell then please inquire about it here.


text:
Deppen, T., Raczkowski, B., Amrhein, M., Wells, J. et al., "A Specification Analysis Framework for Aircraft Systems," SAE Int. J. Aerosp. 9(1):82-90, 2016, https://doi.org/10.4271/2016-01-2023.
Future aircraft systems are projected to have order of magnitude greater power and thermal demands, along with tighter constraints on the performance of the power and thermal management subsystems. This trend has led to the need for a fully integrated design process where power and thermal systems, and their interactions, are considered simultaneously. To support this new design paradigm, a general framework for codifying and checking specifications and requirements is presented. This framework is domain independent and can be used to translate requirement language into a structured definition that can be quickly queried and applied to simulation and measurement data. It is constructed by generalizing a previously developed power quality analysis framework. The application of this framework is demonstrated through the translation of thermal specifications for airborne electrical equipment, into the SPecification And Requirement Evaluation (SPARE) Tool. The SPARE Tool is a MATLAB toolbox that automates both the thermal and power quality analysis of simulation and experimental data based on the techniques discussed in this paper. The combination of both thermal and power quality analysis into one tool, demonstrates how a single program can be used to analyze requirements across both power and thermal systems. A sample inverter design problem is used to illustrate how the SPARE Tool can be used to analyze thermal requirements and identify potential design compromises between the electrical and thermal domains. This example shows the value of multi-domain analysis programs, like the SPARE Tool. Use of such tools will enhance collaboration, speed up design iterations, and aid engineers and researchers in meeting the design challenges of future aircraft systems.


text:
Past champ and World No. 121 makes final preparations for his 18th consecutive Sony Open in Hawaii.
Jerry Kelly descends on Playa Del Carmen, México, for this week's OHL Classic at Mayakoba.
Jerry Kelly kicked off his week at the Deutsche Bank Championship with a 3-under-par 35-33=68 to throw his name into the mix early in the week.
Jerry Kelly painted a 6-under-par 32-32=64 in the final round of the Travelers Championship to post 13-under 267, up nine places to solo second and good for the 72-hole clubhouse lead. UPDATE: With play completed, Kelly finished in solo second, one back of champion Russell Knox, his seventh runner-up finish in 603 career starts, first since the 2008 Memorial .
Overnight co-leader Jerry Kelly teeter-tottered his way to an even-par 34-36=70 during the second round of the Travelers Championship, maintaining a position inside the top 10 at 6-under 134.
Jerry Kelly dialed in his putter from long distance en route to a 6-under-par 33-31=64 during round one of the Travelers Championship, joining Andrew Loupe and Vaughn Taylor as early co-leaders.
University of Hartford's Jerry Kelly makes his annual trek to TPC River Highlands for this week's Travelers Championship.
Three-time TOUR winner Jerry Kelly is slumping ahead of this week's RBC Canadian Open at Glen Abbey Golf Club.
Jerry Kelly crafted a 4-under-par 33-35=68 in the second round of THE PLAYERS to post 9-under 135, up seven on the live leaderboard to T6.
Jerry Kelly kicked off his week at THE PLAYERS with a bogey-free, 5-under-par 33-34=67, currently four strokes off the pace set by Jason Day.
Jerry Kelly opened his week at the Valero Texas Open with a 3-under-par 33-36=69, currently three strokes off the pace set by Charley Hoffman.
Jerry Kelly crafted a 2-under-par 34-35=69 during the second round of the RBC Heritage, reaching the midpoint at 3-under 139.
Jerry Kelly makes his annual pilgrimage to Harbour Town Golf Links for a 19th appearance at this week's RBC Heritage.
Jerry Kelly smoothed a 7-under-par 32-33=65 in the final round of the Puerto Rico Open at Coco Beach to post 6-under 282, up 37 places on the live leaderboard to T25 and the low lap thus far in the clubhouse. UPDATE: With play completed, Kelly's 65 was the low round of the day.


text: Full disclosure: This tutorial is available for free on my blog www.mustlovequilts.com. I took a little extra time to convert the online pattern into a pdf which is why I'm asking the nominal $1.00 fee. You are more than welcome to just visit my blog for the free version! If you'd like to help support my pattern endeavors I'd love you to "donate" the $1 fee to my student loan payoff fund. :) Either way, thanks for checking out my pattern! Piece Out, Corinne @ MustLoveQuilts BASIC SKILLS NECESSARY This pattern shows you how the piece the top. It does not include instructions for basting and quilting. SIZING / FINISHED MEASUREMENTS This tutorial is written for a lap size quilt measuring 53x70 inches. Quilt can easily be modified for larger or smaller sizes.


text:
RARE Gemmy GREEN and BLUE KYANITE WAND Blade ~ Brazil
Sold for:
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- Sold Date:
- Source: eBay
Natural Green Kyanite WandThese gems are hard to find, but always a treasure when we come across a batch. This transulent green kyanite is gemmy with a blue streak right in the center that glows when caught in the light. Weight: 7.1 grams Measures: 4.1 cm x .80cm x .60 cm Green Kyanite helps one connect with the truth of the heart. It can aid one in discerning truth in one's environment, whether one is listening to the TV news or to a friend or family member. If someone is or is not speaking from the heart, one will know it. It is not necessarily a 'lie detector', but it is a sincerity detector. Having this stone around also helps one live from the heart's truth. This is very rewarding because being in the heart's truth means one is not looking outward for answers. Also, Green Kyanites can powerfully enhance dream life, and can facilitate getting into the lucid dream state. For this, it should be placed in the pillowcase or taped to the third eye Kyanite is an excellent stone for meditation and attunement. This powerful stone amplifies high frequency energies and stimulates psychic abilities. It aligns the chakras and is restorative to the physical body. Kyanite dispels blockages, illusion, anger, frustration, and stress. It increases the capacity for logical thought and stimulates the ... read more


text:
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Some observations from the second day of the Kansas City Chiefs' rookie camp:
-- The Chiefs continued to utilize De'Anthony Thomas in a variety of spots but he received more work as a wide receiver than he did on Saturday. Thomas, a fourth-round draft pick, still lined up plenty of times as a running back. Though he could get some work there when the regular season begins, I still don't see how the Chiefs will get much out of him as a running back. First, the Chiefs are loaded there with Jamaal Charles and Knile Davis. Life is also not just difficult for 5-9, 175-pound running backs, but also the teams that utilize them. Until such a time comes that the Chiefs move Thomas to receiver full-time, running backs coach Eric Bieniemy will work Thomas hard. Bieniemy yelled at Thomas to finish on several plays Thomas thought were over. Bieniemy did the same thing with other backs, but not as often as with Thomas.
-- Similarly, the Chiefs are trying to figure out where offensive lineman Laurent Duvernay-Tardif best fits. He worked at left guard in this practice after spending his time at right tackle on Saturday. Duvernay-Tardif, a sixth-round draft pick who played in college at Canada's McGill University, has the athletic skills to play either position.
-- One of the developmental veterans participating in camp is wide receiver Frankie Hammond Jr., who has made several nice catches. Hammond is fast and would challenge for a roster spot with a strong training camp. Hammond joined the Chiefs last year as an undrafted rookie and spent all season on the practice squad.
-- The numbers are in on the contract signed by fifth-round quarterback Aaron Murray. Murray's four-year contract is worth $2,402,424. He received a signing bonus of $182,424.


text:
Full Name: Brendan David Johnson
Nickname: Monkeyboy
Date of Birth: 4th June 1992
Place of Birth: Poole, Dorset
Height: 5ft 7in
Weight: 11.5 stone
Eye Colour: Brown
First Job: Hydraulics
First Love: Manchester United
Lives: Poole, Dorset
Pets: Springer spaniel called Alfie
Favourite Food: Chicken and CousCous
Worst Food: Tomatoes
Favourite Drink: Out of season - JD and Coke and in season - Blackcurrant and Lemonade
Favourite Film: Any Adam Sandler films
Favourite Colour: Orange
Current Club(s): Isle Of Wight Warriors 2016
Previous Clubs:
- 2015 - Rye House 'Raiders' (NL)
- 2014 - Poole 'Pirates' (EL) - Mildenhall 'Fen Tigers' (NL)
- 2013 - Isle of Wight 'Islanders' (NL) - Coventry 'Storm' (NL)
- 2012 - King's Lynn 'Young Stars' (NL)
- 2011 - Newport 'Hornets' (NL), Dudley 'Heathens' (NL) and Isle of Wight 'Islanders' (NL)
- 2010 - Isle of Wight 'Islanders' (NL) and Weymouth 'Wildcats' (NL)
- 2009 - Somerset 'Rebels' (PL), Isle of Wight 'Islanders' (NL)
- 2008 - Weymouth 'Wildcats' (CL)
- 2007 - Oxford 'Cheetahs' (CL)
Contracted to: Mildenhall 'Fen Tigers'
First Started Speedway: Eastbourne Training Track
Started Speedway aged: 13
Machinery: Stuha Frames, RNR (Ricky Neale Engines)
Mechanic(s): Dave Johnson (Big Dave) and Ryan Cooper
Hours in workshop: On average 5 hours per day
Transport: Mercedes VITO
Favourite Track(s): Swindon
Worst Track: Lakeside
Most Respected Riders: All Riders
Favourite Current Rider: Nicki Pedersen
Favourite Former Rider:
Main Influence: My nan Mary who always supported me
Best Meeting: British Under 19's Final at Somerset Speedway
- 2010 - French Open Champion and Under 19's British Champion
- 2009 - Under 21 World Team Cup Semi-Final Squad
- 2008 - British Under 21 Finalist
- 2014 (Mildenhall) National Trophy Winner
- 2008 (Weymouth) Four-Team Championship Winner and League Championship Winner
Worst Injury: Head injury and collapsed lungs
Hobbies: Football, Gym, PS4
How do you relax?: Spending time with my family and friends. Watching and playing football. Playing PS4, watching TV and movies.
Phobias: Heights
Are you superstitious?: Yes, very
What do you wish for in life?: To stay healthy, keep travelling and to have a family one day.
Website: www.bdjracing.co.uk
Twitter: @BDJRacing13


text:
Nuclear power in the Philippines
Nuclear power was considered as a solution to the 1973 oil crisis, in which the Philippines was affected. The Bataan Nuclear Power Plant was built in the early 1980s but never went into operation because it sits on a tectonic fault and volcano. The Fukushima nuclear disaster gave pause to efforts to revive the plant.[1]
The Bataan Nuclear Power Plant[edit]
Under a regime of martial law, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos in July 1973 announced the decision to build a nuclear power plant. This was in response to the 1973 oil crisis, as the Middle East oil embargo had put a heavy strain on the Philippine economy, and Marcos believed nuclear power to be the solution to meeting the country's energy demands and decreasing dependence on imported oil.[2]
Construction on the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant began in 1976. Following the 1979 Three Mile Island accident in the United States, construction on the BNPP was stopped, and a subsequent safety inquiry into the plant revealed over 4,000 defects. Among the issues raised was that it was built near major faults and close to the then dormant Pinatubo volcano.
See also[edit]
- ^ John Ruwitch (2 February 2012). "Analysis: Southeast Asia goes slow on nuclear". Reuters.
- ^ [1] ABS-CBN Interactive


text:
MOVIE SYNOPSIS [ General Audiences ] With production of NZ, this 2013 film was directed by Alex Galvin. You can watch Eternity online on TV cable or theaters with original audio in English at different dates. This film premiered in theaters in 2013.
Rating: 5 by 200 users./
Runtime: 100 minutes
Elliot Travers, Amy Tsang, Dean Knowsley, Liz Kirkman, Amy Usherwood, Ralph Johnson, Geraldine Brophy, Alan Brunton, Rachel Clentworth, Felicity Cozens, Ben Fransham, Alex Galvin, Nigel Harbrow, Luke Hawker, Alana Henderson and Sam Lee.
Science fiction.
100-minute film (full movie) directed by Alex Galvin.
The original audio of Eternity has dialogues in Dolby Digital, it was produced in NZ.
It premiered in cinemas or television in 2013.
Screenplay written by Alex Galvin.
Matthew Sharp.
Brendon King, Michael Stephens, Eric Stark, Alex Galvin and Hal Josephson.
This film was produced and / or financed by Galvinized Films, Eternity Productions and Creative Coast.
Composed by Michelle Scullion.
Ace Entertainment Films and IndieReign.
Without commercial breaks, the full movie Eternity has a duration of 100 minutes; the official trailer can be watched in streaming on the Internet. You can watch this full movie free in EnglishDolby Digital in movie TV channels, renting the DVD or with VoD services (Video On Demand player, Hulu) and PPV (Pay Per View, Netflix).
See the page of this full movie, Eternity in FULLTV Movies.


text:
Binmen heroes foil betting shop thief
THREE binmen were hailed as have-a-go heroes yesterday for thwarting a robbery by chasing a thief in their dustcart.
They saw a man ambush a betting shop cashier on his way to a post office to bank his takings.
The trio caught up with the yob who fled empty-handed in a getaway car after dropping the takings. Cashier David Henry, 59, of BetFred in Ingol, Lancs, was shaken but unhurt.
He said: "Without those lads on the bin wagon, he would have got clean away.
"What they did was marvellous, I can't thank them enough.
"They scared the living daylights out of him.
"I gave chase but at my age there's no way I would have caught him. It was like something out of a film."
The binmen's boss, Duncan Coward, 39, of Preston City Council, said: "I'm very proud of the lads."
Police said: "They were brilliant."
Two men, aged 26 and 27, arrested on suspicion of robbery have been released on bail pending inquiries.


text:
Support Our WorkFive Rivers Conservation Trust has proven to be a trusted organization with the ability to get results and achieve success. Your support is vital to maintain and grow our conservation successes. There are many ways that you can contribute to Five Rivers – find out about these opportunities by looking through the options below. Help us preserve a legacy for future generations.
And remember, because we are a not-for-profit, donations to Five Rivers are tax deductible. Thank you for your support!


text:
Use of Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields for Postoperative Knee Pain
The recruitment status of this study is unknown. The completion date has passed and the status has not been verified in more than two years.
Verified August 2011 by Center for Joint Surgery and Sports Medicine, Maryland.
Recruitment status was: Recruiting
Recruitment status was: Recruiting
Center for Joint Surgery and Sports Medicine, Maryland
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:
First Posted: August 12, 2011
Last Update Posted: August 12, 2011
Information provided by:
Center for Joint Surgery and Sports Medicine, Maryland
- Full Text View
- Tabular View
- No Study Results Posted
- Disclaimer
- How to Read a Study Record
No Study Results Posted on ClinicalTrials.gov for this Study
|Study Status:
|This study is currently recruiting participants.
|Study Completion Date:
|No date given
|Estimated Primary Completion Date:
|May 2012 (Final data collection date for primary outcome measure)


text:
Observations and recommendations from experts in our field.
Why Can't We Get a Handle On This Safety Thing? by Mike Meier (owner of Wills Wing and former USHPA Director) - this article appeared in the September 1998 issue of Hang Gliding magazine.
- NEW Fatalities and Risk Management by Mitch Shipley, Accident Reporting Co-Chair (HG)
- NEW Human Factors - Violations in Hang Gliding and Paragliding by Frank Drews, January 2015 Magazine
- Target On Your Back by Paul Voight, March 2013 Magazine
- Awakenings by Steve Messman
- Glider Emergency Response by Lt Jeanette Kehoe, Golden Fire Dept (c/o RMHPA)
- Being Prepared by Gary Trudeau
- AOPA's index to on-line "Safety Pilot" articles


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Car And Auto Body Repair, Cherry Hill, NJ
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MARANELLO: Italian sports car manufacturer Ferrari is going to debut its new 12-cylinder berlinetta - the 812 Superfast at the 87th edition of the Geneva International Motor Show 2017. The car is going to be the most powerful and fastest Ferrari in the marque's history, the company said.
The carmaker further said, that Ferrari 812 Superfast is aimed at clients demanding the most powerful and exclusive Ferrari in the range: an uncompromising sports car that will deliver exhilarating driving both on road and track yet also be comfortable enough to allow its owners to enjoy it as an all-round experience.
Powered by a new 6.5-litre V12 engine that unleashes 800 cv, the 812 Superfast achieves maximum power output at 8,500 rpm, which translates to a specific power output of 123 cv/l. The engine's power is underscored by a full, rich exhaust sound that exploits the acoustic clout delivered by its increased displacement.
Maximum torque is 718 Nm @ 7,000 rpm, a significant 80% of which is already available at 3,500 rpm, improving both driveability and pick-up even at low revs, claims Ferrari. With a maximum speed of 340 km/h, Ferrari 812 Superfast accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 2.9 seconds.
The 812 Superfast is the first Ferrari to sport EPS (Electric Power Steering) which is used to fully exploit the potential of the car's performance and, through the complete integration with all the electronic vehicle dynamics controls – including the latest 5.0 version of Ferrari's patented Side Slip Control (SSC) – make its powerful performance easier to handle.
The vehicle controls also feature, for the first time, the Virtual Short Wheelbase 2.0 system (PCV) which, following the experience gained with the F12tdf, features a further evolution of the software that improves the nimbleness of the handling and reduces the vehicle response times even further.
The car measures 4,657 mm X 1,971 mm X 1,276 mm.
Designed by the Ferrari Styling Centre, the new 812 Superfast features a two-box design with a high tail reminiscent of the glorious 365 GTB4 of 1969. The design of the flanks visually shortens the tail and is characterised by muscular wheelarches which imbue the 812 Superfast with the power and aggression warranted by its imposing V12.
Full-LED headlights integrated into the design of the sculpted air intakes on the bonnet also emphasise that front muscle, integrating with, and wrapping around the front wheelarch. At the rear, four round tail-lights inspired by Ferrari tradition emphasise a design crafted around horizontal lines and give the 812 Superfast a broad, imposing stance, visually lowering both spoiler and cabin.
The car is being launched in a special new colour, Rosso Settanta, which marks the company's 70th anniversary.
Coming to the interior of the 812 Superfast, the cabin has been given a sportier, more radical look with the main elements seeming to float, creating an effect of both thoroughbred racing eagerness and lean elegance. The horizontal dash loops stylishly around the central air vents for a sophisticated, sculptural look.
New, more sporty and ergonomic seats feature alongside the new HMI, including new steering wheel and instrument clusters and the latest infotainment and air-conditioning units.


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Gaza Mother Campaigns for Son's Release in Prisoner Swap
Umm Razi Nimes holds protest vigil every week for her son, who has been in Israeli prison for 24 years.
Fifteen years ago, Umm Razi Nimes and other mothers of Palestinian prisoners began a weekly tradition of holding a protest vigil outside Red Cross offices in Gaza City to call for the release of their children from Israeli incarceration. Razi Nimes, a member of Fatah, has been in prison for 24 years, since he was 27. When visits were allowed, Umm Razi and her family rode Red Cross buses from 3 A.M. to the following evening for the opportunity to see Razi for 45 minutes. Three years ago, the authorities at Nafkha Prison allowed them to be photographed together, and to embrace and kiss, for the first time after years of being allowed to see each other only through a barrier.
The Israel Prison Service allows security prisoners to be photographed with their parents when the parents reach 65.
Since June 2007, when Hamas took over the Gaza Strip, Umm Razi and the other prisoners' families have not seen their family members or even heard their voices, since security prisoners are not allowed to use the phone.
Razi's mother lives in Gaza City's Sabra neighborhood, on the edge of which the Israel Defense Forces ground operation and tanks focused. Razi's cell-mate, who was released a month ago, told his mother: "When we got sick of watching TV news all day, we wanted to change channels and Razi wouldn't let us. He wanted to hear what was happening in his mother's neighborhood."
Umm Razi was born in Jaffa, and she remembers the convoy of trucks that brought them to Gaza, "accompanied by three jeeps of the Jewish army, at the front, the middle and the end."
On Monday the Red Cross yard was crowded with mothers, photographers and reporters. Outside a few men with red flags called for the release of the secretary general of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, Ahmed Saadat. A number of Islamic Jihad posters were prominent, as were many pictures of Fatah leader Marwan Barghouti.
If the prominence of Islamic Jihad, the Popular Front and Fatah were intended to remind Hamas not to neglect prisoners of the other movements, no one said so directly.
Speaking from her simple home, with mattresses and straw mats on the floor and plastic chairs, Umm Razi said no one from Hamas came to tell her whether her son was on the list of prisoners for the exchange in return for kidnapped IDF soldier Gilad Shalit. However, "the Hamas guys in my neighborhood, many of whom are my relatives, said he is," she said.
Razi Nimes was sentenced to life imprisonment in 1985 for membership in a Fatah cell that in 1983 murdered Israelis Salomon Abu-Kasis and Menahem Dadon in the Gaza City market. What does Umm Razi think? "Are only our hands bloody? Their hands are not? Didn't soldiers come in here to kill us?" she asked.
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KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 17 – The government has so far approved 5,153,238 applications for the 1Malaysia People's Aid (BR1M) this year, said Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
The Prime Minister said the decision on another 3,123,950 applications would be announced next month.
He said the first BR1M payment would be made in stages beginning tomorrow.
In terms of age, the highest groups to receive approval were those in the 21 to 30 years bracket and those aged 61 and above, he said.
Najib in his latest blog posting at www.najibrazak.com, said 2,782,799 applicants would receive RM1200 each; 243,434 would get RM900 each; and 2,127,005 others, RM450 each.
In regard to figure breakdown for states, Selangor recorded the highest number of approvals with 666,316 followed by Sabah and Sarawak, with 477,482 and 537,588.
Meanwhile, the prime minister lashed out at the opposition for saying that BR1M was a bait to win votes and a bribery.
"BR1M should not be politicised. Don't keep saying that the country was going bankrupt; in fact, the BR1M amount has kept increasing to further assist those in need," he said.
He added that BR1M was a sincere aid from the government to the target groups, irrespective of race, religion or political affiliation and given according to eligibility and criteria based on individual or household income.
BR1M, Najib added, was among the primary mechanisms in targeted subsidy delivery to replace the less effective bulk subsidy system.– BERNAMA


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Rome, Feb 16 (AP) Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconishowed aplomb in the face of charges that could end hispolitical career or land him in prison, saying he isn''tworried about his impending prostitution trial or calls forhis resignation.
It was the first public comment by the 74-year-oldleader since he was indicted yesterday on charges he paid forsex with a 17-year-old Moroccan girl and then used hisinfluence to cover it up.
He spoke shortly before holding talks and a workingdinner with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, his firstinternational meeting since the indictment.
Berlusconi has denied any wrongdoing, dismissing theaccusations as "groundless" and the case as a "farce" and a"shame."
He has accused prosecutors of trying to topple hisgovernment. The premier today dodged questions about the caseduring a news conference on economic themes in Rome and, incontrast with recent days, did not go on the offensive todefend himself.
"Out of love of my country, I won''t talk about this,"Berlusconi told reporters. "I can only say one thing: I''m notworried at all."
Berlusconi also avoided the topic in remarks before ameeting with Medvedev, focusing instead on the close tiesbetween Russia and Italy.
"I believe that I am a point of reference for Russiawithin the European Union, and I have personally tended to allof the relations that the EU has and will develop with theRussian federation," Berlusconi said, emphasising his closepersonal friendships with Medvedev and Russian Prime MinisterVladimir Putin.
The prostitution trial starts April 6 before threefemale judges, an ironic twist for the premier. Italian womenstaged nationwide protests last week contending that thescandal and Berlusconi''s view of women is degrading to femaledignity.
The three judges were picked at random. The indictmentmarks a serious challenge to Berlusconi''s grip on power at atime when the premier is weakened by an acrimonious split withan ex-ally.
It reignited calls for Berlusconi''s resignation, withthe opposition contending the scandal, with allegations ofwild parties at the premier''s villas with scantily clad women,has embarrassed Italy and damaged its image abroad. (AP)


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I just spent a glorious two weeks in the Boston area, sampling ethnic foods in different neighborhoods. I had the pleasure to have Cape Verdean cuisine in two restaurants -- Cesaria in Dorchester and Cristal in Brockton. So yummy! I had the bacalhau at Cristal con todos, a humongous codfish dish with stewed potatoes and cabbage alongside rice and red beans and hardboiled eggs. I had the beef mozambique at Cesaria, a delicious entree with a juicy steak, shrimp, rice and potatoes, and fried eggs.
The owner of Cesaria told me that there is a thriving Cape Verdean community in Newark, and that I might find a restaurant there. He also said that Brooklyn Heights and Yonkers used to have restaurants, but he wasn't sure if there were still operating.
Can someone recommend good Cape Verdean food in the NYC-metro area? In any of the five boroughs and the close neighborhoods in NJ.
Thank you!!


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General Information
The budgerigar (Melopsittacus undulates), also referred to as a parakeet or more commonly a Budgie, is the most popular pet bird worldwide. This beautiful, small bird originates from the drier regions of Australia. Escaped Budgies are currently establishing themselves as an introduced population in Florida, USA. Their natural habitat is dry open plains, wood lots bordering waterways and sparsely wooded grasslands.
Budgies are generally very social, gentle and affectionate in nature. These loving companions interact well with most members of the family. Budgies are inquisitive, active, free spirits who enjoy flying, playing and chewing. Non-toxic pet-safe toys should be provided for your Budgie's entertainment. Although their voice is not as clear as some of the larger parrots, Budgies have the capacity to develop extensive vocabularies. Talking or mimicking requires some effort and training. Males seem to talk better than females although both are capable. One endearing trait of a Budgie is its cheerful whistling and chatter. Budgies can be finger trained and some even enjoy head scratches and petting.
Purchasing a Budgie
Budgies may be purchased from a pet store or a reputable breeder. When selecting a Budgie, try to choose a young bird, as it may be easier to tame and train. Older, wild, colony or parent raised birds may prove difficult to tame. Hand raised babies often make better pets since they have been completely socialized with humans. Young birds are easier to tame and adapt readily to new environments and situations. Your new bird should be exposed early to different events (young and old people, males and females, other pets, car trips, visits to the veterinarian, etc.) to help promote a calm, well-adjusted pet. The lively, alert bird that is not easily frightened is more likely a healthy bird. After purchasing your new bird, have it examined by a veterinarian familiar with birds.
Veterinary Care
Budgies require regular, routine veterinary health check-ups. Your veterinarian can perform a physical examination, grooming (beak, nail or feather trim) and laboratory tests as needed. During these semi-annual check-ups, health, nutritional and maintenance issues can be identified and addressed. Veterinary check-ups help prevent disease and will aid in the maintenance of a long lasting, healthy relationship between you and your bird.
The wild bird is basically green with yellow on the face. Black and yellow barring is found on the wings and head, black spots across the throat.
Domestic varieties show infinite combinations and shades of green, yellow, blue, mauve, slate and white.
Eye (iris) is white
Legs gray/blue with a reptilian pattern
Duller color, black barring on forehead, throat spots may be absent
Iris dark gray
Feathering between sexes is similar
The male's cere (featherless area around the nostrils) is rich blue in color
The female's cere is pale blue, pinky blue or brown and sometimes crusty in the breeding female
Cere color may not identify the sexes 100% and may vary with domestic color variations
Difficult to sex
Weight Average 1.0 – 1.2 ounces (30 – 35 grams), large varieties 1.2 – 1.6 ounces (35 – 45 grams)
Size Average 7 – 7.5 inches (18 – 19 cm) in length
Life-span 6 – 10 years (maximum 18 years)
Diet Consult your veterinarian.
Breeding Sexual maturity 6 months old
Gregarious birds that breed best if several pairs are kept within sight and sound of each other
Naturally breeding in the spring but most will easily breed any time of year
Brood Size 3 – 6 white eggs will hatch in 18 days on average, young leave the nest in 4 -5 weeks


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A regular guy gets some bad news that sends him on a new life path in this independent drama. Malik (Lars Rosing) is a carpenter who lives and works in Nuuk, the capital city of Greenland. Nuuk is not a pretentious place and Malik is not a pretentious guy; while he's good at building things, can take care of himself in the woods and likes to make time with the ladies, he doesn't seem very concerned about his future and spends much of his spare time hanging out with his friend Carsten (Morten Rose) and cousin Michael (Angunnguaq Larsen). Malik's outlook suddenly changes when he learns he has a serious health problem that could soon claim his life. Faced with an uncertain future, Malik decides to head out for a long journey by boat, with Michael tagging along, and as they face the elements and Malik learns more about his cousin's Inuit heritage, he gains a new understanding of his life, his place in his family and the nature of the world around him. Nuummioq was the first feature film produced in Greenland; the project was initiated by director Otto Rosing, but when health problems forced him to drop out of the project after shooting was completed, screenwriter Torben Bech oversaw the film's post production and editing, and shares directorial credit in the final version.
Add this movie to your queue to receive more information about
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Sunil Grover shares photos from 'Comedy Nights With Kapil' last episode shoot
Actor-comedian Kapil Sharma's TV show 'Comedy Nights With Kapil is coming to an end on January 17. While fans are storming social media by expressing their disappointment over the news, actor Sunil Grover, who plays Gutthi, posted photos from the shoot of the last episode.
Here is what he tweeted:
Last episode view for me in #CNWK. pic.twitter.com/E849aYpzvt
— Sunil Grover (@WhoSunilGrover) January 14, 2016
This audience i am going to miss. ðÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂ.The last episode telecast is coming Sunday. 17th Jan. pic.twitter.com/ZaaHbZMxwW
— Sunil Grover (@WhoSunilGrover) January 14, 2016
Actress Sumona Chakravarti, too, took to Twitter to share photos from the last day of shooting of the TV show.
.Shooting the last ep of #ComedyNightsWithKapil with the beautiful @NimratOfficial pic.twitter.com/kk6ZN7rCBT
— Sumona Chakravarti (@sumona24) January 12, 2016
.A roller coster ride its been! Will miss the madness, the energy of this mad ass #CNWK family! pic.twitter.com/pDPqUeNPxJ
— Sumona Chakravarti (@sumona24) January 12, 2016
Several Bollywood stars, including Shah Rukh Khan and Alia Bhatt, have expressed their disappointment over the show's end. (Here's what they had to say)
The show's first episode was aired on June 22, 2013, and its successful run so far has made the actors of the show, Kapil Sharma, Sunil Grover, Kiku Sharda, Ali Asgar and Sumona Chakravarti, household names.


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I was fucking Olivia in her pretty mouth when suddenly I realized that someone is watching us. Seems that I'm not the only one that likes to see people fucking so we went inside where Olivia showed me her ass. Stick around and see what I'm about to do with her booty!
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The Aroma Home orange camper van mug & socks gift set is the perfect treat for a special man in your life, and an absolute ideal gift for Father's Day, Birthdays or Christmas (if you can resist keeping it for yourself!)
The orange printed ceramic mug is the perfect vessel for a cuppa! Adorned with a camper van & a slogan reading 'Those who wander aren't always lost', and a thick, grey rim for comfort when drinking.
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Retire to the sofa with a brew, and wear your lovely socks to match!
Comes in a sturdy gift presentation box with a protective acetate cover so you know your mug is as safe as the socks!
This product hasn't received any reviews yet. Be the first to review this product!


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A Development Model for Domain-Oriented Information Service Based on Cloud Computing Infrastructure
For the diversity of users demand for information services in converged network environment, a solution was proposed with the combination of cloud computing technology and domain engineering, in which three stages starting from the domain engineering include service-oriented domain analysis and modeling, domain architecture design based on cloud computing infrastructure and construction of service-oriented domain infrastructure. It will achieve the development, assembly and reuse of large-scale distributed information services in the domain by fully using cloud computing technology in the advantages of integration in the business.
Provided by: JATIT Topic: Cloud Date Added: Dec 2012 Format: PDF


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Welcome to Roman's College of Country Knowledge! This morning Roman faced John from the North Side.
Here are today's questions:
- This American Idol contestant came in sixth place on this fifth season, however she was the first place winner of Dancing With The Stars in 2013. Who is this "Small Town Girl"?
- Kenny Chesney's brand new track called "Setting The World On Fire" features a long time pop singer. Who is she?
- "Baby Girl" was their debut smash single. Who group had this hit in 2004?
- "Some Beach" is about a guy dreaming of being on a beach after a bad day. What male artist sang this hit in 2004?
- She got her start on Zoey 101, and her sister is well-known in the pop music world, but this singer has made her way to the country music scene with her first song "Sleepover". Who is she?
1. Kellie Pickler
2. Pink
3. Sugarland
4. Blake Shelton
5. Jamie Lynn Spears
Interested in playing? Listen every morning at 7:40am for your chance to play or email email@example.com
– Stylz & Roman


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Does anybody have a canneloni receipe please?
Discussion in 'SW Winter Warmer Recipes' started by Jelliejo, 3 January 2011 Social URL.
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Not so long ago on a little drugstore haul I was browsing the hair section in Superdrug as you do and I came across a small range of products I hadn't seen in there before. I usually really like Superdrug own brand products as they're normally sensitive-skin-friendly and they are cruelty free. They all seem to be numbered I think it's 1-11 but don't quote me on that and they are all tailored towards different things. I picked up the number 3 which is the Blow Dry Straightening Crème and the number 6 which is the protecting heat styling spray. I decided to go for these in particular just because that's what I was looking to replace. If I'm honest I'm not the kind of girl that puts 100% into my hair everyday and this is mainly because I can't do hair, I really do look like a 7 year old that has just had a full on busy day at school – it's bad. However, I still always use a heat protector when I blow dry my hair, that is since I started blow drying my hair!
Since the summer I have been loving L'orèal Paris Hot and Smooth Straight cream. I find it nice to apply and it never fails to make my hair feel better than it looks! As much as I like this I have a short attention span and get a bit bored now and then which is why I decided to mix it up a little!
I was so excited to try these out and see if these had what it takes to tame my mane I in fact washed my hair when I got in just so I could use them. My hair's in good condition now that I haven't dyed it for a couple of years and I get it cut around every 4 months. I don't know if you are meant to get it done more or less often but my hair is so long I just end up feeling bad for the hairdresser when I tell her I only want the ends off and the poor woman is practically laying on the floor to get to the ends!
Getting back on track – I went for the spray as I knew I was only going to be at home for the rest of the day so wouldn't actually be doing anything extra than drying it. I sprayed mainly to the ends and then gently ran my fingers through my hair just because I don't like the feeling of brushing wet hair! When it was completely dry I ran my fingers through it again and I noticed not only did it look frazzled it was quite sticky and I didn't use an excessive amount so I was a bit disappointed by this one and I haven't used it since.
I did get over the initial disappointment and move on to the Blow Dry Straightening Crème . I put a small amount into my finger tips, rubbed it together and ran it through the ends of wet hair and dried as normal. It's quite thick and slightly tacky to touch but I feel like this worked so much better with my hair, it dried nice and kept the frizz at bay and it smells good which is always a bonus, so I will be using this one again.
What drugstore heat protectors do you recommend? Do you have problems with sticky hair products?


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At what point does a fan base say enough is enough? Northwestern Wildcats fans must be thinking that once again after the news broke Friday that junior guard JerShon Cobb is being suspended for the entire 2012-13 season for a violation of team policy.
It's obviously a major knock to the Wildcats hopes of joining the NCAA tournament party for the first time in their history. While he was oft injured throughout his two years in Evanston, his talent is unquestionable. On paper he was probably Northwestern's best player and best athlete. Known most for his smooth crossover and tedious on ball defense.
In Cobb's absence, head coach Bill Carmody will have to mix and match his lineups depending on the game situation. The two best candidates to take over at the two guard position will be redshirt freshman Tre Demps and senior Reggie Hearn.
Demps is 6'2 combo guard who Northwestern was expecting to the win the point guard job last year before being injured in a preseason pickup game. He's considered a good but not great athlete. However, his basketball IQ is said to be off the charts and he should be able to immediately jump in and "learn on the fly".
Hearn is a former walk-on who came into his own last season after giving his parents a huge gift by getting on scholarship. He's an excellent 3 point shooter and a surprisingly good defender. Last year he played in a lot of three guard lineups despite being listed at just 6'4.
Other names that have been mentioned as possible replacements for Cobb include senior Alex Marcotullio. He's best known for his game tying 3 against Ohio State in February during a game Northwestern eventually lost. Marcotullio is a great three point shooter who hit at over a 41 percent clip last year. Chances are he'll mostly be used though to spell minutes for starting sophomore point guard Dave Sobolewski and if Northwestern goes to a situational three guard look.
Can Northwestern replace the contributions of Cobb? Probably not but they can work around it. For the first time in ages Northwestern should actually have some front court size with 6 players 6'8 or above. I expect the Wildcats will go with a more traditional look this season employing a starting lineup of 2 guards and 3 forwards. It also wouldn't surprise me if they go big in certain situations moving senior Drew Crawford to the shooting guard and Louisville Cardinals transfer Jared Swopshire to the small forward spot. He played some in that spot last year for Rick Pitino's squad.
Getting punched in the gut is nothing new for Northwestern fans, frankly they expect it. Between Kevin Coble's injury then disappearance, John Shurna's mid-season injury and now this, what else could go wrong? The expectations will be lowered and maybe that's a good thing for the program. Just keep fighting until you get knocked out.


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"Oh, why do my actions have consequences?" ~ Homer Simpson
"She knew my one weakness: That I'm weak." ~ Homer Simpson
I hope everyone can take a minute to stop and remember that day, and what happened, and why it happened.
Sending hugs, strength, and warm memories to those who lost loved ones that day.
It still sickens and angers me that our nation allowed this attack.
Also: There is a page that starts with "Down the Ramp:
The narrow corridor opens onto the first overlook of the museum space. Continuing on, large artifacts reinforce a sense that we have arrived at the World Trade Center site." There is a large picture below that.
What are these "things" sticking out of the wall?


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Earlier in the week, sources mentioned that the Los Angeles Dodgers wanted to wrap up Clayton Kershaw's new deal by Friday. On Wednesday, the Dodgers and Kershaw agreed to a perfect deal for both parties, and the team is now set up for perennial success. First tweeted by Ramona Shelbourne of ESPN and confirmed by other sources, the deal is worth $215 million over seven years with an out clause after five.
Overall, this is a win-win for both the Dodgers and Kershaw. The two-time Cy Young winner will only be 32-years old when the seven-year deal ends, and his potential does not seem to be plateauing anytime soon. Additionally, Kershaw is arguably the best pitcher in the league, and it is obvious that the Dodgers' success in recent years is mainly due to his dominance on the mound.
If the Dodgers were not the already NL West favorites for 2014 and beyond, the deal cements them as favorites for years to come. For those saying Kershaw does not deserve this lucrative contract, try to figure out who was a better pitcher in the NL last year. Some were expecting Kershaw to receive a deal closer to $300 million over 10 years. However, this deal is better as it ends during Kershaw's prime.
The Dodgers hit the ball out of the park by signing Kershaw to this long-term deal. Likewise, Kershaw was finally paid what he earned, and the new contract should not change his performance on the mound. During this new contract, Kershaw could double his collection of Cy Young awards. Opposing NL West batters are surely shaking in their cleats now that Kershaw will be with the Dodgers for at least five more years.
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