text:
Patent application title: THERMALLY STABILIZED PET DETECTOR FOR HYBRID PET-MR SYSTEM
Michael A. Morich (Mentor, OH, US)
Gordon D. Demeester (Wickliffe, OH, US)
Jerome J. Griesmer (Mentor, OH, US)
Torsten J. Solf (Aachen, DE)
Volkmar Schulz (Wuerselen, DE)
Bjoern Weissler (Aachen, DE)
IPC8 Class: AG01R3344FI
USPC Class:
Class name: Electricity: measuring and testing particle precession resonance using a nuclear resonance spectrometer system
Publication date: 2010-07-29
Patent application number: 20100188082
Sign up to receive free email alerts when patent applications with chosen keywords are published SIGN UP
Inventors list
Agents list
Assignees list
List by place
Classification tree browser
Top 100 Inventors
Top 100 Agents
Top 100 Assignees
Usenet FAQ Index
Other FAQs
Patent application title: THERMALLY STABILIZED PET DETECTOR FOR HYBRID PET-MR SYSTEM
Michael A. MORICH
Jerome J. GRIESMER
Volkmar SCHULZ
Gordon D. DEMEESTER
Torsten J. SOLF
Bjoern WEISSLER
Origin: BRIARCLIFF MANOR, NY US
IPC8 Class: AG01R3344FI
USPC Class:
Publication date: 07/29/2010
Patent application number: 20100188082
In a hybrid PET-MR system, PET detector elements (30) are added in the
bore (14), in close proximity to the gradient coils (16). Fluid coolant
is supplied to transfer heat from the PET detector elements (30). Thermal
insulation (80) insulates the fluid coolant and the PET detector elements
(30) from the gradient coils (16). In some embodiments, a first coolant
path (90) is in thermal communication with the electronics, a second
coolant path (92) is in thermal communication with the light detectors,
and a thermal barrier (94, 96) is arranged between the first and second
coolant paths such that the first and second coolant paths can be at
different temperatures (Te, Td). In some embodiments a sealed
heat pipe (110) is in thermal communication with a heat sink such that
working fluid in the heat pipe undergoes vaporization/condensation
cycling to transfer heat from the detector elements to the heat sink.
1. A diagnostic imaging apparatus comprising:a magnetic resonance portion
that includes:a main magnetic coil assembly for generating a main
magnetic field in an imaging region of the apparatus;a gradient coil
assembly for overlaying gradient magnetic fields on the main magnetic
field;an RF coil assembly for at least transmitting RF signals into the
imaging region;a positron emission tomography portion including:a fluid
cooled detector array for detecting radiation indicative of nuclear decay
events, the detector array being thermally proximate to the gradient coil
assembly and maintained at a lower temperature than the thermally
proximate gradient coil assembly by fluid cooling of the fluid cooled
detector array;at least one reconstruction processor for producing an
image representation from detected signals originating from the imaging
region; anda display for displaying the reconstructed image
2. The diagnostic imaging apparatus as set forth in claim 1, further including:an RF shield enclosure that encases the detector array and shields the array from RF signals.
3. (canceled)
4. The diagnostic imaging apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein a coolant loop includes a cylindrical envelope.
5. The diagnostic imaging apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein a coolant loop includes a plurality of channels extending generally parallel to the main magnetic field.
6. The diagnostic imaging apparatus as set forth in claim 5, further including:at least one dielectric break in the coolant loop that disrupts eddy current paths.
7. The diagnostic imaging apparatus as set forth in claim 1, further including:a closed circuit coolant loop that encases the detector array, the detector array being immersed in thermally conductive dielectric oil.
8. The diagnostic imaging apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the detector array includes:a generally annular array of radiation detectors extending around the imaging region;detector electronics disposed between the generally annular array and the gradient coil assembly;cooling fluid paths defined between the detector electronics and the gradient coil array.
9. (canceled)
10. (canceled)
11. (canceled)
12. (canceled)
13. (canceled)
14. (canceled)
15. The diagnostic imaging apparatus as set forth in claim 8, wherein the cooling fluid paths include a first cooling path arranged to cool the detector electronics and a second cooling path arranged to cool the detector elements.
16. The diagnostic imaging apparatus as set forth in claim 15, wherein first and second coolant paths are driven by a common inlet and a common outlet in one of (i) a parallel arrangement, (ii) a counter-current arrangement, or (iii) a cascaded arrangement in which coolant fluid passes through the second cooling path and then into the first cooling path.
17. The diagnostic imaging apparatus as set forth in claim 15, further comprising:a temperature sensor operatively coupled with at least one of the second coolant path and the detector elements, a fluid flow through the second coolant path being controlled to maintain a stable temperature as indicated by the temperature sensor.
18. The diagnostic imaging apparatus as set forth in claim 15, further comprising:micro-Peltier elements defining a thermal resistance between the second cooling path and the detector elements.
19. The diagnostic imaging apparatus as set forth in claim 8, further including:one or more heat pipes in thermal communication with the radiation detectors to provide a stable temperature for the radiation detectors.
20. (canceled)
21. The diagnostic imaging apparatus as set forth in claim 1, further including:a common coolant circuit that cools both the gradient coil and the detector array.
22. A method of diagnostic imaging comprising:detecting the magnetic resonance using a magnetic resonance scanner;detecting radiation indicative of radioactive decay events with a detector array in thermal proximity with the magnetic resonance scanner;cooling the detector array with a fluid coolant;reconstructing at least one of the detected magnetic resonance and the radiation into an image representation of the subject; anddisplaying the image representation.
23. (canceled)
24. The method as set forth in claim 22, wherein the step of cooling the detector array with a fluid coolant includes:pumping the coolant through multiple channels adjacent to the detector array.
25. The method as set forth in claim 22, further including:thermally isolating at least one portion of a coolant loop from gradient coils that overlay the gradient fields.
26. The method as set forth in claim 22, further including:cooling detector electronics of the detector array with the fluid coolant;thermally isolating the detector array from a gradient coil assembly that overlays the gradient fields on the main magnetic field.
27. (canceled)
28. The method as set forth in claim 22, wherein the cooling comprises:cooling electronics of the detector array with a first cooling path through which fluid coolant flows; andcooling radiation detectors of the detector array with a second cooling path different from the first cooling path through which fluid coolant flows;wherein the first and second cooling paths both receive fluid coolant directly or indirectly from a common fluid coolant inlet.
29. The method as set forth in claim 28, wherein the first and second cooling paths are cascaded with fluid coolant flowing through the second coolant path to cool the radiation detectors and then through the first coolant path to cool the electronics.
30. The method as set forth in claim 22, wherein the cooling comprises:disposing at least a portion of the fluid coolant in a sealed heat pipe also containing a wicking material or structure, the sealed heat pipe operatively coupled with the detector array and with at least one heat sink such that vaporization/condensation cycling of the fluid coolant in the sealed heat pipe transfers heat from the detector array to the heat sink.
31. (canceled)
32. An imaging system comprising:a positron emission tomography portion;a magnetic resonance portion;a cooling system that shares at least one component for cooling the positron emission tomography portion and the magnetic resonance portion.
33. (canceled)
34. The imaging system as set forth in claim 33, wherein the at least one component includes shared coolant.
35. The imaging system as set forth in claim 32, wherein the at least one component includes a shared heat exchanger.
36. The imaging system as set forth in claim 32, wherein the at least one component includes shared heat sinking material.
37. An imaging system comprising:a magnetic resonance portion;a positron emission tomography portion located within a bore of the magnetic resonance portion;a magnetic resonance shield that encases the positron emission tomography portiona fluid cooling system that is introduced into the magnetic resonance shield to cool at least a detector array of the positron emission tomography portion.
38. The imaging system as set forth in claim 37, wherein the fluid cooling system cools the detector array and gradient coils of the magnetic resonance portion.
39. A radiation detector comprising:scintillators;light detectors arranged to detect scintillations generated in the scintillators by interaction with radiation of interest;electronics configured to receive and process electrical signals indicative of radiation of interest received from the light detectors;a first coolant path in thermal communication with the electronics and configured to transmit flowing coolant fluid;a second coolant path in thermal communication with the light detectors and configured to transmit flowing coolant fluid; anda thermal barrier arranged between the first and second coolant paths such that the first and second coolant paths can be at different temperatures.
40. The radiation detector as set forth in claim 39, wherein the thermal barrier includes at least one of (i) passive thermal insulation material and (ii) an isolation cooling path flowing coolant fluid.
41. The radiation detector as set forth in claim 39, wherein the second coolant path is maintained at a relatively lower temperature that is substantially stable, and the first coolant path is maintained at a relatively higher temperature.
42. (canceled)
43. (canceled)
44. (canceled)
45. (canceled)
46. (canceled)
47. (canceled)
[0001]The present application relates to the diagnostic imaging arts. It
finds particular application with hybrid positron emission
tomography-magnetic resonance (PET-MR) systems where the PET detector
elements are in close proximity to heat-generating elements of the MR
system, and will be described with particular reference thereto. As the
PET detector elements themselves also produce heat, the present
application is not limited to hybrid systems, but can be used in
standalone PET systems, PET/CT (computed tomography) systems, or nuclear
medicine systems other than PET, such as single photon emission computed
tomography (SPECT) systems.
[0002]In a bore-type MRI system, a large solenoidal main magnet produces a magnetic field along the axis of the bore. Generally, the closer that the main magnet is to the imaging region, the more cost effective is the design. Travelling inward from the main magnet are typically gradient coils, shim coils (sometimes built into the gradient coil assembly), a radio frequency (RF) shield, and RF coils. These coils, or MR bore components, take up more space. So even before a PET detector system is introduced into the bore of the MR system, space is at a premium. The PET detector is necessarily in close proximity to the MR bore components. PET-MR systems can also be built with a vertical field open MR system. The same space limitations apply to this type of system.
[0003]The gradient coils especially produce large amounts of heat. During MR scanning, the gradient coils dissipate on average about 15 kW with higher peak levels. This can cause the gradient coils to increase in temperature and water cooling may be used to limit their temperature to about 70° C. The RF coils also generate heat. RF coils and gradient coils also generate stray fields when pulsed and this time-varying stray field may interact with metal components of the PET detector, such as purpose-built RF shielding, and produce additional heat.
[0004]The PET detector elements, which generate heat on their own, are typically air cooled. As the light detectors are sensitive to heat (dark noise doubles about every 10° C. increase in temperature), cooling to a temperature below the operating temperature of the gradient coils, to which they are in such close proximity, limits dark noise. But cooling in a PET-MR hybrid system is a problem because space is at such a premium. The density of heat generating elements inside the main magnet is very high, while space available for cooling systems is minimal.
[0005]The present application provides a new and improved cooling system for PET elements within the bore of an MR apparatus that overcomes the above-referenced problems and others.
[0006]In accordance with one aspect, a diagnostic imaging apparatus is provided. A magnetic resonance portion includes a main magnetic coil, a gradient coil assembly, and an RF coil assembly. The main magnetic coil generates a main magnetic field in an imaging region of the apparatus. The gradient coil assembly overlays gradient magnetic fields on the main magnetic field. Shim coils may be located within and/or near the gradient coil assembly. Shim coils overlay correction magnetic fields to improve the homogeneity of the main magnetic field, inclusive of subject, in vivo, perturbations of the main magnetic field. The RF coil assembly at least transmits RF signals into the imaging region. A positron emission tomography portion includes a fluid cooled detector array for detecting radiation indicative of nuclear decay events. The detector array is thermally proximate to the gradient coil assembly and is maintained at a lower temperature than the thermally proximate gradient coil assembly by fluid cooling of the fluid cooled detector array. At least one reconstruction processor produces an image representation from detected signals originating from the imaging region. A display displays the reconstructed image representation.
[0007]In accordance with another aspect, a method of diagnostic imaging is provided. A main magnetic field is produced in an imaging region. Gradient fields are overlaid on the main magnetic field. Additional shim fields may also be overlaid. Magnetic resonance is induced in a subject in the imaging region. The magnetic resonance is detected. A radiopharmaceutical is introduced into the subject, generally, sometime prior to the diagnostic imaging scan. Radiation indicative of radioactive decay events are detected with a detector array. The detector array is cooled with a fluid coolant. At least one of the detected magnetic resonance and the radiation is reconstructed into an image representation of the subject. The image representation is displayed. It is to be appreciated that other orders for these steps are equally viable and have been contemplated.
[0008]In accordance with another aspect, a radiation detector is disclosed, comprising: scintillators; light detectors arranged to detect scintillations generated in the scintillators by interaction with radiation of interest; electronics configured to receive and process electrical signals indicative of radiation of interest received from the light detectors; a first coolant path in thermal communication with the electronics and configured to transmit flowing coolant fluid; a second coolant path in thermal communication with the light detectors and configured to transmit flowing coolant fluid; and a thermal barrier arranged between the first and second coolant paths such that the first and second coolant paths can be at different temperatures.
[0009]In accordance with another aspect, an imaging system is disclosed, comprising: a first modality imaging system defining a bore and configured to acquire first modality imaging data from inside the bore; and a positron emission tomography (PET) imaging system including a generally annular array of radiation detectors as set forth in the immediately preceding paragraph arranged coaxially with the bore of the first modality imaging system.
[0010]In accordance with another aspect, a radiation detector is disclosed, comprising: scintillators; light detectors arranged to detect scintillations generated in the scintillators by interaction with radiation of interest; electronics configured to receive and process electrical signals indicative of radiation of interest received from the light detectors; a heat sink; and a sealed heat pipe in thermal communication with the heat sink and the light detectors. The sealed heat pipe contains a working fluid and a wicking material or structure configured such that the working fluid undergoes vaporization/condensation cycling within the sealed heat pipe to transfer heat from the light detectors to the heat sink.
[0011]In accordance with another aspect, an imaging system is disclosed, comprising: a magnetic resonance scanner defining a bore and configured to acquire magnetic resonance data from inside the bore; and a positron emission tomography (PET) imaging system including a generally annular array of radiation detectors as set forth in the immediately preceding paragraph arranged coaxially with the bore to acquire PET data from inside the bore.
[0012]One advantage lies in improved cooling for PET detector elements.
[0013]Another advantage lies in compact cooling of the detector elements.
[0014]Another advantage lies in independent cooling systems for the gradient coils and the PET detector elements.
[0015]Still further advantages of the present invention will be appreciated to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading and understand the following detailed description.
[0016]The invention may take form in various components and arrangements of components, and in various steps and arrangements of steps. The drawings are only for purposes of illustrating the preferred embodiments and are not to be construed as limiting the invention.
[0017]FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic illustration of a combined PET/MR scanner, in accordance with the present application;
[0018]FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of a bore of the scanner of FIG. 1, specifically showing a detector array between gradient and RF elements;
[0019]FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of a bore of the scanner of FIG. 1, specifically showing a detector array between sections of a split gradient element;
[0020]FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic illustration showing coolant flow directions through parallel flow pathways.
[0021]FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic illustration showing a detector cooling configuration providing differential cooling for the electronics and the light detectors.
[0022]FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic illustration showing a detector cooling configuration employing heat pipes.
[0023]FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic illustration showing a planar view of the array of heat pipes of the detector cooling configuration of FIG. 6, along with the connection with fluid-cooled heat sinks
[0024]FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic illustration showing a detector cooling configuration similar to that of FIG. 6, but including thermal coupling to heat sinks at both ends of the heat pipes.
[0025]With reference to FIG. 1, an embodiment of a combined or hybrid magnetic resonance (MR) and PET data acquisition system 10 is depicted. The combined or hybrid system 10 is capable of acquiring both MR data and PET data, for example from MR and PET spatial regions that are at least partially overlapping (as illustrated) or spatially adjacent. It is to be understood that a multimodality system is ideal for temporally and spatially aligning or registering images; images taken from different scanners that are remotely located or spatially displaced are also contemplated, and similarly viable. The illustrated scanner 10 is an integrated system, but other scanner orientations are equally plausible, such as side-by-side systems, insert systems, and the like. The magnetic resonance scanner shown includes an annular magnet 12 including a plurality of conductor coil windings (diagrammatically depicted in FIG. 1 by boxes with crossing lines) that generate a static magnetic field B0 within an imaging region 14. The magnet 12 may be superconducting or resistive in nature; in the former case the magnet 12 is typically disposed in a cryogenic dewar or other cooling system (not shown). The illustrated magnet 12 is a solenoidal magnet having a relatively horizontal B0 field through the imaging region 14. Though the polarity of the B0 field is shown right to left, the opposite polarity is also suitable. In other embodiments, the magnet 12 may have a C or other configuration oriented to produce a vertical or otherwise oriented static magnetic field.
[0026]The magnetic resonance scanner also includes a magnetic field gradient assembly, which in the illustrative embodiment of FIG. 1 includes gradient coil windings 16 that cooperatively superimpose magnetic field gradients on the static B0 magnetic field responsive to selective energizing of selected gradient coil windings 16. Optionally, the magnetic field gradient coil, magnet, or both may include other features not shown for forming, stabilizing, and dynamically adjusting the magnetic field, such as passive ferromagnetic shims, active shimming coils, and the like. The magnetic resonance scanner further includes a radio frequency excitation and reception system 18. The radio frequency system includes at least one component, such as an illustrated whole body radio frequency coil 18, that can be energized at a suitable radio frequency to excite magnetic resonance in a subject disposed in the imaging region 14. The coil 18 can also operate as a radio frequency receiver to receive or detect magnetic resonance emanating from the imaging region 14 after RF excitation. In some embodiments, different coils are used for the excitation and reception operations. For example, the built-in coil 18 may be used to excite magnetic resonance, and a different, local coil or dedicated receive coil (not shown) may be positioned over, on, or close to the subject in the imaging region 14 to detect magnetic resonance. It is contemplated for the same magnetic resonance scanner to be configurable in different ways using different combinations of built-in coils, local coils, or both.
[0027]Received magnetic resonance samples are stored in a magnetic resonance sampling storage 20. A magnetic resonance reconstruction processor 22 applies a suitable reconstruction algorithm to reconstruct the magnetic resonance samples to form a reconstructed image that is stored in a magnetic resonance image memory 24. The reconstruction processor 22 applies a reconstruction algorithm that comports with the selected spatial encoding used in generating the magnetic resonance data. For example, a Fourier transform reconstruction algorithm may be suitable for reconstructing Cartesian encoded magnetic resonance data. Optionally, part of the MR reconstruction may be done in-line, before data storage and completion of reconstruction.
[0028]With continuing reference to FIG. 1, the illustrated combined or hybrid MR and PET data acquisition system 10 further includes radiation detectors for performing PET data acquisition. In the illustrative example of FIG. 1, an annular array of radiation detectors 30 encircles the bore of the hybrid system. As will be described below, the illustrated array 30 includes a scintillator layer and a layer of electron multiplier based photon detectors, however, other detector configurations such as planar detector arrays disposed about the imaging region 14 are contemplated. Solid state radiation detectors and solid state optical detectors are also contemplated. The radiation detector array 30 is configured to detect 511 keV gamma rays that are emitted by positron-electron annihilation events. In PET data acquisition, two substantially simultaneous 511 keV gamma ray detection events are presumed to have originated from the same positron-electron annihilation event, which is located somewhere along a "line of response" (LOR) connecting the two substantially simultaneous 511 keV gamma ray detection events. This line of response is also sometimes called a projection or a ray, and the collected PET data is referred to as projection data.
[0029]In conventional PET, substantially simultaneous 511 keV gamma ray detection events are defined as two 511 keV gamma ray detection events occurring within a selected short time window, such as within four nanoseconds of each other. Any positron annihilation that does not occur at the center of the field of view (FOV) will have a small difference in time of arrival at the opposing detector elements, proportional to the difference in travel times for the gamma rays, about four nanoseconds at the edge of the FOV. A related technique, called time-of-flight PET or TOF-PET, takes advantage of this small time difference to further localize the positron-electron annihilation event along the LOR with sub nanosecond precision.
[0030]The radiation detector array 30 of the hybrid system 10 is used to acquire PET or TOF-PET data. The gamma ray detection events are processed by a PET digitization unit 32 that performs time-to-digital conversion (TDC) and analog-to-digital conversion (ADC) of detection events, and a singles processing unit 34 that performs clustering, energy estimation, time stamping, and positioning. The singles processing unit 34 optionally filters out detections that are outside of a selection energy window for the expected 511 keV gamma ray energy. In some embodiments, the radiation detectors are pixelated. In other embodiments, clustering is applied by a block readout algorithm such as Anger logic or the like to provide further spatial localization refinement of the gamma ray detection events defining the projection. A coincidence detection processor 36 employs temporal windowing to identify gamma ray detection events that occurred substantially simultaneously, and hence likely correspond to a common positron-electron annihilation event and hence define a projection or line of response.
[0031]For TOF processing, the time difference between the identified substantially simultaneous or coincident detection events is used to spatially estimate the positron-electron annihilation event along the line of response.
[0032]The resulting PET or TOF-PET data are stored in a PET data storage 38. It is to be understood that the PET data could be stored before or after coincidence determination. A PET reconstruction processor 40 processes the projection or localized projection data using a suitable reconstruction algorithm to generate a reconstructed image that is stored in a PET images storage 42. For example, maximum-likelihood expectation maximization (ML-EM), a filtered backprojection algorithm or iterative reconstruction algorithm other than ML-EM can be employed. The system of FIG. 1 includes a continuous radiation detector array 30 for PET that completely encircles the subject. Incomplete encirclement can lead to imaging artifacts due to "missing" projections or lines of response. For example, certain projections can be missed, and so information ordinarily provided by such projections about related positions is unavailable. Advantageously, if time-of-flight PET data are acquired and reconstructed then the time-of-flight localization provides additional information that compensates for lost information even in the presence of incomplete encirclement. There are, however, other ways of compensating for incomplete encirclement, and other detector configurations are certainly contemplated in the present application.
[0033]The MR and PET acquisitions are optionally performed concurrently. Alternatively or additionally, MR and PET acquisition can be done sequentially (e.g., MR first followed by PET, or vice versa) or can be interleaved. An image registration processor 50 spatially registers and optionally temporally registers the reconstructed MR and PET images. If created, the co-registered images are stored in a co-registration image memory 52. The images so registered are suitably displayed on a display device 54, rendered using suitable two- or three-dimensional rendering software, or otherwise processed.
[0034]A first cooling system 56 is provided to cool the gradient coils 16 to about 70° C. or less when the gradient coils are operating at maximum average power level. The detector array 30 is thermally proximate to the gradient coils 16 in that the gradient coils are close enough to the detector array 30 for heat from the gradient coils to transfer to the detector array 30. A second cooling system 58 is provided to cool the detector array 30 to about 30° C. or less, more desirably to about 20° C., in spite of the thermal proximity of the gradient coils 16.
[0035]With reference now to FIG. 2, an enlarged view of the imaging bore is provided. As mentioned previously, in one embodiment the detector array 30 extends 360° about the longitudinal axis of the imaging bore. The same can be said for the RF coil 18, the gradient coil 16, and the main magnet 12. In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the detector array 30 is located between the gradient coils 16 and an RF shield 60 for the RF coils 18. In a split gradient coil embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the detector array 30 can be located between portions of the gradient coil 16. Other locations for the detector array 30 have also been contemplated, such as a removable system that is inserted and removed from the bore as needed.
[0036]In either of the embodiments of FIGS. 2 and 3, the detector array 30 is in close proximity to the gradient coils 16. Active cooling keeps the detector array 30 from reaching thermal equilibrium with the gradient coil 16. In order to keep the detector array 30 at an acceptable operating temperature, the detector array 30 is provided with the closed circuit fluid cooling system 58, as shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional, close up view of the detector array 30. The detector array 30 includes, among other things, a scintillation layer 62, light detector elements 64, and associated electronics 66. The detector array 30 is all packaged within an RF shielded enclosure 68. The enclosure 68 prevents excitation pulses from the RF coils 18 and magnetic resonance signals from the imaging region 14 from creating false signals in the detector array 30. Also, the RF shielding prevents extraneous signals generated by the PET detector from being sensed by the MR RF coils. As mentioned before, all bore components, including the detector array 30 extend 360° around the bore.
[0037]The gradient coil temperatures range from room temperature, or slightly cooler, when not in operation, up to 70° C. during operation. The surrounding bore space likewise rises in temperature. In addition, the electronics 66 of the PET detector generate heat. Stray field energy from pulsed MR fields deposited in surrounding RF shielding material also generates additional heat. Thus, to prevent all these heat sources from adversely affecting the operation of the detector array, the fluid cooling system 58 is applied to the PET detector array 30. The cooling is applied to at least one surface of the detector. In one embodiment, the surface that is closest to the electronics and the gradient coils is fluid cooled and ends of the detector are insulated. In another embodiment, the circumferential surface and the end surfaces are all fluid cooled. In yet another embodiment, all accessible sides of the detector are fluid cooled, as shown in FIG. 4. The cooling fluid is directed through conductive channels 70. The channels 70 are made of a highly thermally conductive non-ferrous material, such as copper, aluminum, or stainless steel. As the detector array 30 itself is encased, the channels 70 that conduct heat away from the detectors are also enclosed by the RF shielding material 68. Different, magnetically inert material may be used outside of the RF shield 68. A feed channel 72 in particular may be made of or encased in a thermally insulating material, so that the coolant fluid does not draw heat away from components upstream of the detector array 30, thereby becoming less effective in removing heat from the detector array 30 itself. In one embodiment, the feed channel runs between the RF screen 60 and the gradient coils 16.
[0038]The cooling system is configured to provide efficient cooling of the PET detector 30 while conserving space. To this end, the cooling channels 70 are preferably thin, flat channels that are soldered or otherwise thermally connected directly to the circuitry 66. It is also preferable that the channels 70 be added so as to not increase the volume of the overall assembly, such as the channels 70 being arranged in complimentary fashions, such that facing circuit boards may fit together with little space wasted between them.
[0039]The cooling channels 70 about the detector array 30 are configured in such a manner to avoid creating closed conductive paths that would couple to the gradient fields.
[0040]In one embodiment, this is accomplished by running the channels in zig-zag patterns primarily in an axial direction across the electronics carrying circuitry 66. When the sides are cooled, the cooling channels can extend radially. Avoiding annular channels reduces eddy current generation. Apertures in the RF enclosure 68 are made for the inlet path 72 and an outlet path 74. These apertures may be accomplished by using a waveguide. Dielectric breaks 76 in the cooling lines can be provided to break the channel conductive paths. A heat exchanger unit 78 provides flow and temperature control to the cooling fluid. The heat exchanger 78 can also chill the cooling fluid to below room temperature for more effective heat removal from the detector array 30. The heat exchanger 78 itself may be air cooled within the imaging room or an adjacent room. Another option would be to interface the heat exchanger 78 with a larger cooling system, such as a general cooling system of the building. Heat from the coolant could be transferred to another fluid pathway and out to a rooftop air conditioning compressor, or the like.
[0041]In one embodiment, pure or deionized water with minimal conductive properties which has desirable thermal transport characteristics, is the coolant fluid. The rate of flow of the coolant is proportional to the total electronics power dissipation and inversely proportional to the outlet-inlet temperature difference. The flow path may include parallel paths to minimize the accumulated temperature rise per circulation pass and effect an overall pressure drop. A single path might accommodate lower volume and flow capabilities with increased pressure drop, but portions of the detector array 30 at the end of the flow path may not be cooled as well as portions at the beginning of the flow path, meaning that the detector components further downstream might not be cooled to the same temperature as the upstream components. This may lead to, among other things, non-uniform image artifacts. Local provisions, such as heat sinks, can provide heat conduction paths away from the electronics 66 to the fluid channels 70. Alternatively, other coolant fluids, such as refrigerants, liquid nitrogen, forced air, or so forth could be used as the fluid coolant in the channels 70, and it is to be understood that "fluid" as used in the present application includes all of these. When using a colder than room temperature coolant, air flow can be provided through the bore to help prevent condensation.
[0042]In an alternate embodiment, a thermally conductive dielectric oil could be used as the coolant. In this embodiment, the dielectric coolant could come into direct contact with the electronics 66 and the detector elements instead of indirectly via the channel walls. In this immersion-cooling embodiment, the entire detector array 30 is encased in a fluid tight containment chamber, such as a cylindrical or elliptically profiled envelope. This method would obviate many fluid channels and heat sinks Baffles in the containment chamber can be included to reduce the potential for non-uniform flow rates and hot spots.
[0043]In another alternate embodiment, Peltier cooling is used to cool the detector array 30. This could be used as a stand-alone method, or selective Peltier cooling could be used to cool trouble spots as a supplement to one or more of other methods described above. In the split gradient coil configuration of FIG. 3, it is advantageous for the cooler 56 and associated gradient cooling lines to be arranged to cool the split gradient coil from the inside to the outside, that is, from the region proximate to the gap of the split gradient coil to the outer extremities of the split gradient coil. This is advantageous because the gradient coil will then be coolest and have most stable temperature near the gap proximate to the detector array 30. Optionally, the cooling lines are also concentrated near the gap to further enhance gradient coil cooling efficiency nearest the detector array 30.
[0044]In another alternate embodiment, a common fluid cooling system is used to cool both the gradient coils 16 and the detector array 30. One advantage of this embodiment would be savings in both cost and space. A disadvantage, however, would lie in the fact that the temperature of the detector array 30 might be influenced by the gradient coil 16 temperature. The cooling fluid could cool the detector array to the lower temperature with the cooling fluid leaving the detector array going to cool or help cool the gradient coils 16. Also, separate circuits could be utilized, so that only a portion of the heat exchanger 78 is shared. In a dual cooling system environment, insulation 80 can be used, at least in part, to thermally isolate the gradient coils 16 from the detector array 30. This way, independent benchmarks can be set for each cooling system. With a combined cooling system, the gradient coils 16 could be cooled to the desired operating temperature of the detector array 30, which would take significantly more rigorous cooling, due to the greater thermal mass of the gradient coil 16. Another alternative is to have a combined cooling system with separate heat exchangers for the PET detector array and other elements that require cooling.
[0045]With reference to FIG. 5, a detector cooling configuration is shown which provides differential cooling for the electronics 66 and the light detectors 64. The electronics may include, for example, time-to-digital converter (TDC) elements, analog-to-digital converter (ADC) elements, field-programmable gate array (FPGA) or other logic elements, low drop-out (LDO) regulators, and so forth. These components generate a substantial amount of heat that is to be removed, but performance of the electronics 66 is generally not strongly correlated with temperature so long as the electronics 66 are maintained at a suitably low operating temperature, denoted Te in FIG. 5. Thus, a first cooling path 90 proximate to and cooling the electronics 66 is configured to provide a relatively high coolant fluid flow rate, denoted Fe in FIG. 5, to provide high heat transfer.
[0046]The light detectors 64, such as silicon photomultiplier (SiPM) elements or photomultiplier tubes, have operating characteristics which are strongly temperature dependent. For example, for some SiPM detectors the gain increases by about 5-10% for each temperature increase of 1° C. However, the light detectors 64 generally output substantially less heat than the electronics 66. Thus, a second cooling path 92 proximate to and cooling the light detectors 64 is configured to provide a relatively lower flow rate, denoted Fd in FIG. 5, which maintains the light detectors 66 at a precise temperature Td that does not vary substantially with time.
[0047]The electronics 66 and associated cooling path 90 on the one hand, and the light detectors 64 and associated cooling path 92, on the other hand, are arranged to be substantially thermally isolated from each other. This can be accomplished by passive thermal insulation material 94, such as an insulating dielectric material or an air gap, disposed between the electronics 66 and associated cooling path 90 on the one hand, and the light detectors 64 and associated cooling path 92, on the other hand. Additionally or alternatively, this can be accomplished by active thermal isolation provided by an isolation cooling path 96 flowing coolant fluid at a flow rate Fi.
[0048]The scintillators 62 generally do not require cooling. However, the scintillators 62 are arranged in close proximity to the light detectors 64, which must be kept at a stable temperature. Accordingly, in the embodiment of FIG. 5 additional passive thermal insulation material 98 is disposed around the scintillators 62 so that the passive insulation 94, 98 substantially contains a stable-temperature region including the light detectors 64. The detector temperature management system as a whole is suitably contained in an outer container 100 surrounding the detector module, with a coolant fluid inlet 102 at one side distributing coolant fluid flows Fe, Fd, Fi into the cooling paths 90, 92, 96, and a coolant fluid outlet 104 at the opposite side draining the coolant fluid flows Fe, Fd, Fi from the detector module. The differing relative flow rates for the coolant fluid flows Fe, Fd, Fi are suitably defined by fluid flow resistances (or, equivalently, fluid flow conductances) of the corresponding cooling paths 90, 92, 96. Optionally, one or more temperature sensors 106 are disposed to measure the temperature of the light detectors 64, and the flow into the inlet 102 (or, alternatively, out of the outlet 104) is controlled to maintain the temperature sensor 106 at a desired temperature reading. Alternatively, the temperature sensor can be arranged to measure the temperature Td of the coolant fluid path 92 that cools the light detectors 64, as this temperature Td should be close to the temperature of the light detectors 64. Controlling coolant fluid flow based on the detector temperature (or, approximately, based on the temperature Td) is advantageous because this is the critical temperature that should be maintained stable.
[0049]Although not illustrated, it is also contemplated to provide active, e.g. externally controllable or temperature feedback-controlled, valving to adjust the relative flow rates Fe, Fd, Fi into the cooling paths 90, 92, 96. Additionally, although not shown it is contemplated to provide passive thermal insulation material surrounding the electronics 66 and associated flow path 90.
[0050]In another contemplated variation, The cooling of the module as shown in FIG. 5 is modified by using a counter-current setup for each individual plane to reduce temperature gradients within the module. This can be accomplished by placing the inlet 102 and outlet 104 on the same side of the detector module. It is expected that use of a counter-current setup will reduce temperature gradients by 1-2 orders of magnitude which can be expected to improve temperature stability. Alternatively, the cooling can be cascaded as the actual heat generated by the light detectors 64 is estimated to be 100 times lower than the heat generated by the electronics 66. In either a counter-current or cascaded design, it is advantageous to first cool the light detectors 64 and then the electronics 66, for example by flowing the coolant first through the cooling path 92 proximate to the light detectors 64 and then through the cooling path 90 proximate to the electronics 66. This arrangement of coolant fluid flow promotes a precise and lower temperature Td proximate to the light detectors 64 as compared with the temperature Te proximate to the electronics 66. The temperature Te of the electronics 66 is where most of the heat is dissipated, but the electronics temperature does not have to be as accurate and it can be cooled by the coolant fluid after passing proximate to the light detectors 64.
[0051]As yet another variation on the design of FIG. 5, with reference to inset II shown in FIG. 5 micro-Peltier elements 108 can provide an active, controllable thermal resistance between the cooling path 92 and the light detectors 64. As an example, standard Peltier elements are suitably based on Bismuth Telluride (Bi2Te3) and Bismuth Selenide (Bi2Se3). An arrangement similar to that used to cool semiconductors using silicon-based Peltier elements (described, for example, in Mathews et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,800,933 which is incorporated herein by reference) can be used, in which micro-Peltier devices are disposed in non-sensitive areas on top of semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) substrates used in the light detectors 64. It is possible to implement these structures also in a separate device mounted on back of the light detectors 64. In this approach, local temperature gradients can be tuned and controlled to within about 0.1° C. or less, so as to ensure exact and constant temperature at each light detector element. In these embodiments, the temperature of the cooling medium does not have to be as low as the light detector temperature, eliminating condensation and expensive cooling of the medium below room temperature.
[0052]The radiation detector system of FIG. 5 employs coolant fluid. The coolant fluid may be, for example, deionized water, forced air, a refrigerant, or so forth. In such embodiments, the inlet and outlet 102, 104 are suitably connected with external supply and return lines (e.g., lines 72, 74 of FIG. 4), for example using a permanent connection such as a soldered connection, or a detachable connector such a threaded coupling or a quick-disconnect connection.
[0053]With reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, in another embodiment one or more heat pipes, such as an illustrated array of parallel linear heat pipes 110, are used to provide heat transfer from the components of a radiation detector module to one or more heat sinks 112 made of a thermally conductive material such as a thermally conductive ceramic, aluminum oxide, aluminum nitride, or so forth. A thermally conductive metal such as copper can also be used for the heat sinks 112, but should be laminated or otherwise configured to suppress eddy current formation. Optionally, a cooling fluid pathway 114 passes through the heat sinks 112 to provide removal of heat transferred into the heat sinks 112 by the heat pipes 110.
[0054]Each heat pipe 110 includes a sealed interior volume 120 containing at least one working fluid, such as water, a solvent such as alcohol, or so forth, or a mixture of working fluids. A wicking material or structure 122 consisting of a porous material, grooves formed on the surface, or another material or structure supportive of capillary or wicking action is disposed on interior surfaces of the interior volume 120.
[0055]In operation, the working fluid vaporizes proximate to the end 124 of the heat pipe 110 distal from the heat sink 112, or at other "hot spots" along the heat pipe 110. A heat of vaporization is transferred from the hot spot to the vaporized working fluid, which is diagrammatically indicated by arrows 126. The vaporized working fluid 126 moves toward the heat sink 112 due to vapor concentration gradients. The vaporized working fluid 126 condenses proximate to the end 128 of the heat pipe 110 proximate to the heat sink 112. Condensation of the working fluid at the proximate end 128 transfers a heat of condensation from the condensing working fluid to the heat sink 112. The condensed working fluid is drawn back toward the distal end of the heat pipe 110 by capillary or wicking action associated with the wicking material or structure 122. When the working fluid vaporizes again at a hot spot, the heat transfer cycle is complete. Advantageously, the condensed fluid return by capillary forces in the wicking material or structure 122 is independent of spatial position of the heat pipe 110.
[0056]For use in a hybrid system including an MR component, the heat pipes 110 are preferably made of non-magnetic and electrically non-conductive materials, such as high thermal conductivity ceramics such as aluminum nitride or alumina. If metallic or other electrically conductive materials are used, they should be laminated, arranged as a composite in an electrically non-conductive matrix material, or otherwise configured to suppress eddy current formation. As illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, the array of heat pipes 110 is generally planar and is disposed between the light detectors 64 and the associated electronics 66 to cool both. Since the vaporized working fluid 126 is transported rapidly, there is an intrinsic temperature isolation between the relatively hotter electronics 66 and the relatively cooler light detectors 64.
[0057]Advantageously, the connection of the heat pipes 110 and the heat sinks 112 can be by thermally conductive surface contacts 130, optionally enhanced by a pressure fitting, threaded connection, or so forth, and does not entail flow of cooling fluid between the heat sinks 112 and the heat pipes 110 and hence does not include fluid connections therebetween. Advantageously, the heat pipes 110 are permanently sealed units that are not opened when the radiation detector module is mounted or dismounted.
[0058]Another advantage is that the temperature at the exterior of the heat pipes 110 is substantially controlled by the vaporization temperature of the working fluid and is substantially constant along the heat pipes 110. The vaporization temperature is a function of the cooling medium or media.
[0059]With reference to FIG. 8, to further reduce temperature gradients, it is contemplated to have each heat pipe 110 in thermal communication with more than one heat sink 112, such as having heat sinks 112 at both ends of the heat pipe 110 as shown in FIG. 8. It is also contemplated to arrange an array of crossing linear heat pipes, or to use a generally planar heat pipe, or to employ other heat pipe geometries to enhance heat removal and temperature stability.
[0060]The embodiment of FIG. 8 also includes the light detectors 64 and the electronics 66 integrated as a single layer, for example monolithically integrated on or in a single common layer of silicon substrate material. See, for example, WO 2006/111883 A2 (published Oct. 26, 2006 and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety) which relates to a digital silicon photomultiplier (SiPM) for time-of-flight PET in which the digital SiPM includes a detector arrays layer and a buried CMOS digital processing circuitry layer monolithically formed in or on a common silicon substrate. In the embodiment of FIG. 8, the heat pipe 110 has wicking material or structure 122 disposed on the interior surfaces of the interior volume 120 both distal from and proximate to the cooled elements 64, 66. However, since in the embodiment of FIG. 8 the cooled elements 64, 66 are disposed together on one side of the heat pipe 110, it is contemplated to dispose the wicking material or structure only on the interior surface proximate to the cooled elements 64, 66.
[0061]As another variation, although in the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 6-8 the heat pipes 110 are in direct contact or in close proximity to the cooled elements 64, 66, in other embodiments the heat pipes may be disposed in a block of thermally conductive ceramic material or electrically non-conductive composite material that in turn is in intimate thermal contact with the cooled elements 64, 66.
[0062]Although described in the illustrative context of a hybrid imaging system incorporating magnetic resonance imaging, it is to be appreciated that the radiation detector module cooling configurations disclosed with reference to FIGS. 4-8 are also contemplated for use in other imaging systems employing radiation detectors, such as stand-alone PET imaging systems, PET/CT (computed tomography) imaging systems, gamma cameras, and so forth.
[0063]The invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments. Modifications and alterations may occur to others upon reading and understanding the preceding detailed description. It is intended that the invention be construed as including all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.
User Contributions:comments("1"); ?> comment_form("1"); ?>
Inventors list
Agents list
Assignees list
List by place
Classification tree browser
Top 100 Inventors
Top 100 Agents
Top 100 Assignees
Usenet FAQ Index
Other FAQs
Patent applications by Bjoern Weissler, Aachen DE
Patent applications by Gordon D. Demeester, Wickliffe, OH US
Patent applications by Jerome J. Griesmer, Mentor, OH US
Patent applications by Michael A. Morich, Mentor, OH US
Patent applications by Torsten J. Solf, Aachen DE
Patent applications by Volkmar Schulz, Wuerselen DE
Patent applications by KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
Patent applications in class Using a nuclear resonance spectrometer system
Patent applications in all subclasses Using a nuclear resonance spectrometer system
User Contributions:
Comment about this patent or add new information about this topic:
|People who visited this patent also read:
|Patent application number
|Anti-Malarial Compound Isolated from Gomphostema Niveum


text:
Christine L. Highsmith, 58, (nee Smith) of Lorain, passed away at her home, Sunday, May 11, 2014, following a long illness. Mrs. Highsmith was born in Amherst on April 19, 1956, the daughter of the late Richard C. Smith and Darlene C. (nee Lucas) Miller, who survives.
She was a graduate of Brookside High School in the class of 1974, where she was a member of the National Honor Society. She attended St. Anthony Catholic Church in Lorain. She worked as the office manager at Joe Firment Chevrolet in Avon for 35 years. She loved spending time with her family, reading, gardening and taking vacations.
Mrs. Highsmith is survived by her husband, Robert J. Highsmith; daughters, Michele M. (Richard) Rucker, Robyn L. Highsmith, all of Elyria; grandchildren, Trey Tschaekofske, Jalen Rucker; her mother and stepfather, Darlene and Ralph Miller; sister, Valorie K. (Greg) Long of Beavercreek; brother, Richard J Smith of Sheffield Lake,
In addition to her father, she was preceded in death by her brother, Mark T. "Tim" Smith.
Friends may call Thursday, May 15, 2014, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 P.M., at the Schwartz, Spence, Boyer & Cool Home For Funerals, 1124 W. 5th Street, Lorain. Funeral Services will be Friday morning, May 16, 2014, at 10 A.M., in the funeral home, with Father Richard Hudak, Pastor of St. Anthony Catholic Church, officiating. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Lorain.
The family suggests that memorial contributions may be made to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society-Northern Ohio Chapter, 5700 Brecksville Road, Independence, OH, 44131-1500.
Online condolences at www.boyercool.com

subset: commoncrawl


text:
SUV Crashes into CHP Building In Madera
MADERA, Calif. (KMPH) —
KMPH had the only crew on scene when fire fighters pulled this Chevy Tahoe out of the California Highway Patrol building in Madera.
The driver, 56-year-old James Kopshever, is a former mayor and city council member of Chowchilla.
Kopshever told the Madera tribune he'd stared coughing and pulled over, the next thing he knew he had looked up, the airbags had deployed and his car was inside the office.
The Tahoe busted through concrete barriers, plexi glass, and a wall. It eventually came to rest against the wall that separates the lobby from the interior office. Only one officer was inside the lobby at the time.
Luckily, no one was seriously hurt in the crash.
Believe it or not, this is not the first time someone has crashed into that building. Officers say, about ten years ago, someone was parking their car there and instead of hitting the brake, they hit the gas and smashed right in to the building.


text:
Hi all, short summary: platform: i386 SMP (dual PIII) os: linux 220.127.116.11 vendor: debian (3.1, stable) pgsql ver: 7.4.7 (deb) disk: tech. SCSI vendor. IBM model. DDYS-T36950N rev. S96H controller: adaptec aic-7892a description: we're experiencing a weird problem trying to get a dump of our db for backup purposes, the executed command is: /usr/bin/pg_dump -U postgres -h 6pali elenco | /usr/bin/bzip2 > elenco_test.bz2 the output: pg_dump: ERROR: could not open relation with OID 201327173 pg_dump: SQL command to dump the contents of table "nominativi" failed: PQendcopy() failed. pg_dump: Error message from server: ERROR: could not open relation with OID 201327173 pg_dump: The command was: COPY public.nominativi (nome_cogno, indirizzo, cap, citta, prov, prefisso, telefono1, telefono2, note, idpersona, estrazione, num_estra, occupato, cod_prov, cod_com, cod_reg, capoluo, rand) TO stdout; so it seems that we've got some problems with the "nominativi" table (a 20 million-row table), in fact the following command also fails: pg_dump -t nominativi -U postgres -h 6pali elenco | /usr/bin/bzip2 > nominativi.bz2 with the same err msg as before. Before the erros occurs we're are able to get a partial backup, see: #> ls -l nominativi.bz2 -rw-r--r-- 1 sickpig users 2.5M apr 19 12:35 nominativi.bz2 #> wc -l nominativi 145904 nominativi We're trying to understand whether this is due to data corruption or hardware failure. We run long self-tests on our SCSI disk through smartmontools on a regular basis. see attached file for "smartctl -a /dev/sda" output. All suggestions are welcome. Regards, Andrea
Next: From: Tom Lane Date: 2006-04-19 14:15:54 Subject: Re: bug in windows xp Previous: From: Martijn van Oosterhout Date: 2006-04-19 10:20:06 Subject: Re: bug in windows xp


text:
MIL – Yovani Gallardo: 7 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 7 K, 62 GSc (97 pitches, 59 strikes)
LAD – Chad Billingsley: 6 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 0 BB, 2 K, 1 HR, 66 GSc (83 pitches, 54 strikes)
MIL Highlights:
Mat Gamel: 2-3, HR
Rickie Weeks: 2-4, 2B
George Kottaras: 1-1, (walk-off) 2B
LAD Highlights:
Andre Ethier: 2-4, 2B, HR
James Loney: 2-4, 2B
— Nyjer Morgan, Ryan Braun, Aramis Ramirez, and Corey Hart combined to produce one single, and the club was able to score five runs and scratch out a win anyway. There were plenty of positives to take away from that, even if it wasn't even necessarily a great day at a plate for the team as a whole. Between Norichika Aoki's on-base and bunting ability and George Kottaras' small-sample magic, the Brewers' bench looks like less of a liability than originally thought, and Mat Gamel has done nothing to contest the idea that he should be in the big leagues.
— Even if the bullpen couldn't hold the lead, Yovani Gallardo put the Brewers in great position to win the game through seven innings. Gallardo minimized the damage from various defensive miscues, missed bats, and worked efficiently, striking out seven on just 97 pitches. However, Francisco Rodriguez handed the lead right back, allowing a 2-run homer to Matt Kemp to give Los Angeles a 4-3 lead. K-Rod hasn't had the smoothest start to the year, allowing five hits and five walks in as many innings, but it really is too early to start worrying: At this time last year, John Axford's ERA stood at 8.53.
— It seems like I end up writing about some idiosyncratic decision made by Ron Roenicke after every game. Today is no exception, even though this one worked out a little bit better than usual. With the game tied in the bottom of the seventh, Mat Gamel led off with a single, and Jonathan Lucroy struck out, giving the Brewers a runner on first with one out. Gamel stole second, and Cesar Izturis hit a single. (You can't make this stuff up.) With runners on the corners and pinch-hitter Norichika Aoki up, Roenicke turned to his old friend, the suicide squeeze. Aoki executed the bunt perfectly, and the Brewers took the lead, but they were out of the inning soon after, and were behind again by the end of the next frame. The move worked tonight, but sooner or later, I have a bad feeling that the choice to go for one run so often will end up hurting the Brewers down the line.
— The bottom of the ninth was the most exciting half-inning of baseball I've seen this year, and there's nothing I can really do to add to it. The Brewers entered the frame down a run, and put runners on first and third with one out thanks to a single by Corey Hart and 8an eight-pitch walk by Mat Gamel. Pinch-hitter George Kottaras came to the plate, and ended the game with a 2-run double.
I'm pretty sure that, besides Opening Day, this will be the first game from this season I'll remember next Winter. After Gamel was called safe at home to score the winning run, the Brewers mobbed him at home plate with gusto that I haven't seen since last summer's "Beast Mode" heyday. Heck, they looked like a team out there.


text:
Enough Room? Page 5
As to the quality of the room's soundstaging capability, it was excellent before and remains so. One addition to the current treatment recommended by RPG is placement of a Diffusor or Abffusor between and slightly behind the loudspeakers. Extra panels are on hand to try this; it is the next planned step in the ongoing saga of experimentation with the listening room.
Back at your place
You can improve the performance of your listening room. This article in no way claims to be exhaustive, and if you really want to address the subject in detail, you'll have to do some homework on your own. There are several places you can go to get information about room acoustics.
Start with your local library. Investigate not only books, but articles in back issues of this and other magazines. Good audio dealers are also becoming aware of the importance of this subject, though naturally they'll hope to sell you one of the aforementioned specialized room-treatment products.
If you have a computer, you might wish to investigate two programs designed to help you choose the best room locations for your loudspeakers. The Listening Room was reviewed in these pages in Vol.13 No.12. Another pair of programs, CARA (Computer Assisted Room Analyzer) and LEO (Listening Environment Optimizer), are furnished by Snell Acoustics to their dealers to assist in setting up Snell customers' loudspeakers. Even if you don't own Snells, many Snell dealers can provide you with a printout for your room either gratis or for a nominal fee. Or, if you have a computer, have access to one, or know someone who does, the programs themselves are available from Snell Acoustics. They are inexpensive.
There are at least two books which you might want to investigate. Though oriented to the design of recording studios, both contain enough useful acoustical information to deserve a place on the bookshelf of any audiophile who wants to know more about acoustics and rooms without delving too deeply into math-laden textbooks. Both books are by F. Alton Everest and published by Tab Books: Acoustic Techniques for Home and Studio (out of print as of January 1991, but still available in some bookstores---a good source would be OPAMP Technical Books in Los Angeles, (213) 464-4322), and The Master Handbook of Acoustics. There is considerable overlap between them, yet both have particular strengths. Each has a thorough discussion of low-frequency room modes. Acoustic Techniques (reviewed by RH in Vol.13 No.2) seems the more heavily slanted toward studio construction, but contains some useful discussion concerning the small listening room.
Master Handbook would be my choice for the audiophile wanting to know more about acoustics and improving a listening room but reluctant to purchase both books. It has the most up-to-date and thorough discussion of room-treatment materials, from carpet to foam to Tube Traps to diffusors. In fact, it devotes an entire chapter to this last, giving enough information to enable the resourceful audiophile to consider a do-it-yourself effort---though it's likely to be more than a weekend project. But Acoustic Techniques has the more thorough discussion of room isolation techniques, a matter of real concern to those able to build a dedicated listening room that can be used without disturbing the rest of the family (footnote 10). Curiously, however, only the Master Handbook covers techniques for suppressing noise from heating and air-conditioning systems---another subject you won't want to ignore if you're building a listening room from scratch. You might, in addition, want to investigate Handbook for Sound Engineers, The New Audio Cyclopedia, edited by Glen Ballou, from Howard W. Sams & Co. (reviewed in Vol.11 No.2), though this book is considerably more expensive than the above (and covers many other audio subjects in addition to acoustics).
The bottom line to all such assistance, including that attempted in this article, is to avoid being a slave to it. Acoustics, especially as applied to small spaces (ie, home listening rooms), is still very much an art. Experiment---along with liberal use of your own two ears and the gray matter between them. And when all is said and done, the furniture and loudspeakers in their chosen positions and, if you really went off the deep end, the sawdust swept up and the last of the carpenters' empty Coke cans, cigarette butts, and discarded candy wrappers cleaned up, how can you be certain that you've made the absolute best choices of listening-room layout and treatment for you and your circumstances? You can't, and you never will. This is real life. If you've made choices which significantly improve your enjoyment over what you had before---choices which provide you with genuine musical pleasure, all at a price you feel comfortable with---then you've done your job. Sit back and enjoy.
Footnote 9: For information on RPG products, contact RPG Diffusor Systems, Inc., 12003 Wimbleton Street, Largo, MD 20772. Tel: (301) 249-5647. Fax: (301) 249-3912.
Footnote 10: The techniques used to provide proper absorption characteristics within a listening room are almost totally worthless in providing isolation between rooms. There is a tremendous amount of confusion among both the public and many supposed experts on this point. If this matter is of concern, I can recommend not only Everest's books, but also his article "Muffling the Neighbors" in the November 1990 Audio (pp.69-78, with a useful appendix).


text:
The Hatch vendetta
PeanutGallery Salt Lake City, UTJuly 14, 2011 12:57 a.m.
Re: Invisible Hand: Yes, I read the recent article about Hatch and the Tea Party. It's a good sign, but it wasn't enough to overcome my uneasiness about him. I still don't trust that Hatch would REMAIN conservative after the election. If he wins, he probably won't run again in 6 years, so we immediately lose all leverage unless in his heart he's truly committed to conservative principles.
PeanutGallery Salt Lake City, UTJuly 14, 2011 12:45 a.m.
Yes, Hatch has done a lot of good. But in more recent years he has sometimes strayed from his conservative roots and buddied up to liberal senators in various big-government causes. Then he has come home and condescendingly scolded us when we disapprove.
Now he's appearing conservative again - especially after seeing what happened to Senator Bennett. Personally, I don't trust him, because I don't think conservatism is in his heart any more, and I think we're naïve if we re-elect him.
I'd rather have a senator who is conservative through and through, not one who merely becomes conservative when re-election time rolls around. To me that's much more important than whatever "clout" Hatch may currently have.
Informed Voter South Jordan, UTJuly 13, 2011 5:07 p.m.
Seniority is over-rated, especially when seniority accompanies an absence of fighting for principle.
Invisible Hand Provo, UTJuly 13, 2011 11:37 a.m.
Did anyone read the DesNews article about a leader of the Utah Tea Party who Hatch calls to get his opinion before every major vote? So why would the Tea Party try to get rid of him when they have that kind of access? Hatch could be one of the most powerful people in the senate if he is re-elected and Republicans win a majority. If the Tea Party in Utah wants a voice in the senate, Hatch could potentially be far more effective than a junior senator.
Fitness Freak Salt Lake City, UTJuly 13, 2011 10:55 a.m.
"J Thompson" Agreed!
I would like to see Sen. Hatch explain EXACTLY WHY he still wants to be a Senator.
Is it for the front row seating at Jazz games?
Is it for the front row seating at Gen'l Conference? (I've witnessed both)
Or is it an extreme sense of patriotism to accomplish things for his country in general and his state in particular?
I honestly don't know!
Quite conceivably he wouldn't run for office again (assuming he IS elected in 2012)so what reason would he have to NOT vote with Democrats when faced with
Senate stalemates?
I'm divided because I don't see Sen. Hatch as being anywhere near the RINO as Bennett.
ugottabkidn Sandy, UTJuly 13, 2011 10:23 a.m.
Where has Orrin been since Ted Kennedy died? What meaningful legislation has he passed without the assistance of Kennedy? Having said this, be careful of what we wish for. The extreme doesn't represent anyone except themselves and I know Utahns are more reasonable than that. Placating the extreme is a major reason for the state of things in Washington today.
LDS Liberal Farmington, UTJuly 13, 2011 10:14 a.m.
Mike Richards | 6:38 a.m. July 13, 2011
South Jordan, Utah
Blaming the tea party for his opposition is a ruse. Those of us who have watched him for (36) years know that he has been ineffective. He has not rallied the other Senators for the cause of good. He only turns into a true conservative while he is on the campaign trail.
Nice rant.
So tells us, as a card carrying Republican -- why do you keep voting for him?
The blood is on Your hands.
[I smell a hypocrite.]
Pagan Salt Lake City, UTJuly 13, 2011 9:32 a.m.
'I have known Sen. Orrin Hatch since 1976.' - Article
*'Hatch proposes drug testing for welfare, unemployment recipients' - KSL News - 06/16/10
"We should not be giving cash to people who basically are going to go and blow it on drugs and not take care of their own children." - Sen. Orrin Hatch
*'Sen. Orrin Hatch utters profanity about President Obama's health care reform' - By Jamshid Ghazi Askar - DSNews - 03/01/11
'...so much so that, during a recent appearance at Utah State University, Utah's senior senator used profane language to describe the reform law.'
*'Hatch, Republicans challenge (Bush) tax cut expiration' - By Becky Bruce, Deseret News - 12/01/10
I do not like Hatch for many reasons. He has served for 36 years and claims he is part of the 'solution' to the problems we face.
After serving for over 3. Decades.
Hatch's first platform was term limits.
I was born in 1978.
Flashback Kearns, UTJuly 13, 2011 8:38 a.m.
Hatch has been remarkably consistant over the years. He has always said that the Senate needs more conservatives. The fact that he has at times compromised with the democrats doesn't make him bad. He has diluted much bad legislation over the years that could have been much, much worse if the democrats would have gotten their way. A prime example of that is CHIP. CHIP is a government program that actually works in the way intended. When the democrats attempted to expand it a few years ago, Hatch got it defeated even though he was one of the original sponsors of CHIP. He defeated it to keep the program as originally intended, not expand it.
If Obama gets a second term (hopefully not) Hatch would be a good asset in the Senate. If Obama loses then Hatch will still wield a lot of power and influence.
On the other hand, when Hatch was first elected in 1976, Jake Garn was the senior senator with a whopping 2 years of experience. Utah didn't seem to suffer with two rookies back then.
goatesnotes Kamas, UTJuly 13, 2011 7:52 a.m.
There's no vendetta -- it's just time.
goitalone w bountiful, utJuly 13, 2011 7:50 a.m.
Never thought I'd see the day when Mike Richards and Esquire would be in agreement on the same issue, or that I'd agree with them both. Apparently Senator Hatch does have the ability to bring opposing sides together, even if only on the issue of him being in the senate too long and too ineffectively.
Senator Hatch was once referred to as the "Lion of the Senate", but that was before he decided to blur the lines between his conservative roots and his desire for power. His ability to be a friend too all only brought out the old adage, "When you try to be all things to all people, you end up being nothing to everybody."
isrred Logan, UTJuly 13, 2011 7:40 a.m.
I agree, it's time for Hatch to go. That is why I will be voting for Jim Matheson for my next Senator.
J Thompson SPRINGVILLE, UTJuly 13, 2011 7:16 a.m.
Mr. Hatch is a very good man. He has served Utah well. At the end of this term he will have served for 36-years. There is much to admire but there are some difficult questions that must be asked.
Why does he want to serve another term? Some may think that that is a strange question, after all Mr. Hatch is a politician and politicians run for office. It's in their blood. Some call it Potomac fever. I think it may be more related to pride. Mr. Hatch seems to look down on anyone who wants to run for that office. He gives us the impression that he thinks everyone else is somehow inferior to him. He gives us the impression that he thinks that he is the only person in Utah who can sit in that chair and hold the title of Senator.
I see that as coveting the office. Between pride and coveting, he has disqualified himself for service.
Perhaps the more important point is that he falters when he answers simple questions. Listen to him on radio interviews. It is clear that he is easily confused.
It's time to send someone else to Washington.
RanchHand Huntsville, UTJuly 13, 2011 6:55 a.m.
You're a business man and Hatch devotes tons of time to businesses in the US.
The problem is he's forgotten that he represents Citizens (real people) and that businesses are NOT people.
Mike Richards South Jordan, UtahJuly 13, 2011 6:38 a.m.
There will come a day when he has to be replaced. No one lives forever. What happens then? Are we just "kicking the can" down the road. Are we just putting off the inevitable?
He can't serve forever. Someday someone will have to take his seat.
The time to do that is now. He is not the only person in Utah who is qualified to be a Senator. He is not the only civic minded citizen. He is not the only person who can act on behalf of Utah. He is not irreplaceable.
It's not the tea party that thinks he has served long enough. It's the average citizen, people like me, who appreciate what he has done, but know that thirty-six years is sufficient time to serve the State.
Blaming the tea party for his opposition is a ruse. Those of us who have watched him for years know that he has been ineffective. He has not rallied the other Senators for the cause of good. He only turns into a true conservative while he is on the campaign trail.
It's time for a new Senator from Utah.
Esquire Springville, UTJuly 13, 2011 6:19 a.m.
My problem is that Hatch changes his skin whenever it is self-serving. His latest efforts to identify with the tea party are disheartening and show a lack of principle and integrity. Unfortunately, Utah will likely elect someone far more conservative, which harm our interests even more. The pendulum has swung too far to the right.


text:
About me
Garry Main
36 yrs old
Beer installation technician
- Country of origin: England
- Playstyle: PVE and a little PVP
- What keeps you playing World of Warcraft ? Been Playing wow since vanilla and still love the game today i like the social side of the game as well as the game play.
- A lot of things I've missed to list
Still, we need to know you can raid with us, since we ARE a raid community.
- Times available : I am a service technicain so that 1 week in four i work late (20:00) so not sure if i can make the raid times but the rest of the month 7 days a week if needed from 1800 -->
- When you (most often) won't be available 1 week in four
- Any problems with the checklist : No.
What's special about you?
What have you done so far on Argent Dawn?
Do you know any of our members? no
What kind of gameplay experience do you have? been raiding since Vanilla but PVP never really been that strong at
If you have raided before, with which groups? When did you leave them? Why? Raided mainly on Blood feather realm with The Untouchables(guild Folded) and then to Eminent(Moved to Argent dawn with a friend to join The Unyielding guild.)
Do you have any max level alts? 4
Are you able to understand orders and tactics being explained on Mumble in English? Yes
Will Tayas' constant eating while he talks on Mumble cause you personal distress? lol no
Character Gtank
Armory http://eu.battle.net/wow/en/character/a ... ank/simple
How raid friendly do you consider your build? running with 2 specs atm a m+ spec and a raiding spec
Would you be willing to respec and if so, are there any limits? not played arms for about 3 years and tank spec is geared around 865
Why SeventhFlight? Found advertisement in trade and applied as i am looking for a new active raiding guild
Anything else you'd like to say? n/a


text: Eric Meier/Townsquare Media [ West Utica Cleanup Tomorrow Morning By Jeff Monaski May 6, 2011 Utica, NY (WIBX) - The Regional Clean & Green Initiative continues tomorrow in West Utica. Read More Category: Utica-Rome News Tags: regional clean and green, spring cleanup, the genesis group, west utica Send to a friend! Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Pin it! Reddit This! Share on Tumblr!


text:
Geno Smith gets a solid NFL referral from his college coach
Published: March 14th, 2013 | Tags: 2013 pro days, Dana Holgorsen, Geno Smith, West Virginia
Geno Smith was the center of attention at West Virginia's pro day on Thursday.
West Virginia head coach Dana Holgorsen joined NFL Network's "NFL AM" to talk about Smith's pro day and what Smith will bring to his new team in the NFL.
Guidelines: Fan feedback should be within the guidelines for the NFL community. These guidelines will be used to identify those comments that will be removed from display on the site. Please keep your comments relevant to the topic, not abusive or combatant towards other fans, and don't share any personal details. Use the "Report" link to help keep the community at its best.
Comments may be no longer than 2000 characters and will post to the site shortly after submitting.


text:
Flexible Skeleton 152 cmItem #: 18685
Add the product directly to your basket by clicking the checkbox
Flexible Skeleton 152 cm
A top-quality skeleton decoration with movable joints!
Skeletons make always a cool Halloween decoration! This plastic skeleton is a real highlight as it features flexible joints so you can make it assume any position you like, Sit it down cross-legged, make it bend over or have it wave at your party guests - the choice is all yours!
The Flexible Skeleton is approx. 152 cm long and looks like an authentic human skeleton. Most of its joints, such as shoulders, hips and knees feature hinges so you can can make your bony friend assume the position you like. You can make the skeleton look funny or scary by matching it with our 80s wig Farrah , and the Dirty Cop Costume Medium Large or our Ghost Sense Economy . The skeleton comes with an attached string for easy hanging or fastening.
Material: plastic
Size: approx 152 cm
Weight: approx. 2-3 kg


text: I have been looking for years for a decent tray heater. I bought one years ago from Nova. The guy told me it was the last one and it was 220v. I was lucky because I have 220 for my light sources in my darkroom but it was also about $200. ( yeah, back when I was more easily parted with my money ). Well, I seem to be the Salt Lake City repository for old darkroom stuff and a batch came my way the other day with what I thought was a tray warmer. it was older than I am, that's pretty old, and gave it a try. it heated to 125f and did a great job of heating my developer for doing hot lith prints. I started doing a web search and found that submersible heating pads only turned up junk for turtles, not what I was looking for. Then I looked closely at the pad I was given and found it was a mat. It's a heated floor mat for standing on cold cement floors. Now this was hardly submersible, but boy, did it do a great job of heating my soup. Now... forewarning: In no way did this say it was submersible, but one claim said it was waterproof. So if somehow you end up electrocuting yourself, don't blame me. I do stupid things all the time. So consider this link a suggestion: http://goo.gl/j8H3b Anyone else thought of this or a better solution for our solution?


text:
Please make sure the field is filled in correctly.
Ooops. Something went wrong! please check your details and try again.
Can't see your email?Don't forget to check your spam folder.
Special occasion coming up? Well Jane Norman has you covered with our brand new gem waist blue maxi dress. Featuring a deep-v neckline, gem detailing in panels around the waist, back zip fastening and a jaw-dropping maxi length; ensuring all eyes will be on you. Just add a stylish clutch bag and a killer heel to complete the look.
Fabric: 100% Polyester Lining: 95% Polyester / 5% Elastane
Wash Care: machine wash
Product Code: 19752-DARK BLUE
Standard Delivery: £3.99 3-5 Working Days*
Free standard delivery when you spend £50 and over
Deliveries are Mon to Sat, 8.30 - 5.30 excluding public holidays
Express Delivery: £4.99 Next Day** (for orders placed by 3.00pm Mon to Fri, excluding Sun and Public Holidays).
Pre Noon Express Delivery: £5.99 Pre Noon Next Day** (for orders placed by 3.00pm Mon to Thurs, excluding Sat, Sun and Public Holidays).
Free Express Delivery when you spend £100 and over
Deliveries are Mon to Sat, 8.30 - 5.30 excluding public holidays
*A small number of areas - Northern Ireland, Isle of Man, Isles of Scilly - may take up to 7 working days
** Scottish Highlands and Islands will take 2-3 working days on this service
Republic of Ireland: £9.99 10 Working Days
Netherlands: £5.99 10 Working Days
Europe (Selected): £9.99 10 Working Days
USA/Canada: £9.99 10-14 Working Days
Australia/New Zealand: £14.99 14-21 Working Days
For returns information please read our Returns section.


text:
Andover posted back-to-back 4-0 shutouts after Tuesday's win over Coon Rapids in the its home opener Nov. 12.
Coon Rapids was outshot 20-17 and went 0-for-7 on the power play Tuesday night.
The Huskies built a 2-0 lead four minutes apart in the first period on goals by Mikayla Goodin and Michelle Holmes.
Goodin found the net on a 2-0 break from the blue line and Holmes converted on a deflection.
Coon Rapids appeared to have a goal 3:27 into the second period. Junior Allie Stalboerger split between two Huskies defensemen and lost her edge before taking out goalie Maddie Rooney, who knocked the net off the moorings. This brought a whistle before Nicole Stalboerger blasted a shot on goal trailing the play.
Allie couldn't convert on a third-period shorthanded breakaway either, but drew a hooking penalty on Andover's McKenzie Sederberg in the final minute of the game.
Coon Rapids generated its chances with misdirection one-timers, but only had nine shots on goal through the first two periods.
Sederberg scored twice in the Huskies season opener five nights earlier in the 4-0 win at St. Francis.
The Huskies showed its offensive potential with goals five seconds apart in the second period. The first came on a power play by Goodin before Holmes converted the even strength chance.
Andover outshot the Saints 37-16 and went 2-for-3 on the power play.
Anoka OT win
Anoka rebounded from its opening game loss to Wayzata with a 2-1 overtime win over Elk River/Zimmerman at Anoka Nov. 12.
Tornadoes freshman Gabby Horsch scored 2:22 into the extra period for the win and goalie Molly Scarborough posted 32 saves to keep the game close.
Anoka's Sierra Maki converted a power play chance 7:29 into the third period with assists to senior captains Blair Parent and Amanda Kimmerle.
The Elks tied the game with 2:31 left in the contest to send the game into overtime.
Jason Olson is at
[email protected]


text:
Spring Valley keeps trimming asbestos removal costs
By Sari Gordon
SPRING VALLEY—Asbestos removal costs got attention from the Spring Valley Village Board at the latest meeting.
A representative from Cedar Corporation, village engineering firm from Menomonie, posed several questions for the final asbestos removal bid narrative for the vacant nursing home demolition. The goal is to reduce as many costs as possible from the proposed project.
Tests have been performed recently and more are scheduled. These tests should also help narrow the scope of the project. So far, the cost has been reduced by approximately $20,000.
Among the questions were:
--Does the village want the materials removed? For now, the cost-effective option is to bury it and develop the site as green space. The board would like the bid to include all options.
--Does the village want the shingles removed before the asbestos abatement? The village responded the preference is to get bids from local contractors for some of the work.
--Does the village want to keep or remove leftover concrete and bricks? Bricks might be kept for commemorative purposes, but options are desired.
The engineering firm reported the ash waste from the asbestos will qualify as demolition debris, not hazardous waste, and therefore will not be as expensive. The final document should be ready for action at the next board meeting.
For more please read the July 16 print version of the Herald.


text:
Groups backing the ouster of Mayor Ron Littlefield are not required to disclose any finances to state or local officials and at least one advocacy group says that poses a potential problem.
"I would certainly advocate strengthening the law from the very beginning," said Dick Williams, state chairman of Tennessee Common Cause, a nonprofit, nonpartisan group that tracks elections finances. "At least have a minimum requirement."
Three groups - Citizens to Recall Mayor Littlefield, the Chattanooga Tea Party and Chattanoogans Organized for Action - have banded together in recent months to force a recall of Littlefield. The Chattanooga Tea Party and Citizens to Recall Mayor Littlefield have said they have raised some amount of money to finance the campaign against the mayor.
But none of these groups is required to disclose any of their financial interests until the signatures are certified and the recall is placed on a ballot, according to state law. Drew Rawlins, director of the Bureau of Tennessee's Registry of Election Finance, said there is no law stating these groups have to disclose how much money they are spending, where they are getting their money from and how the money is spent.
Richard Beeland, spokesman for Littlefield, said the mayor knew where most of the money was coming from for the recall campaign.
"It's pretty obvious it's coming from the Chattanooga Tea Party and Mark West," he said.
Mr. West, president of the Chattanooga Tea Party, said his organization has taken money. He said most of the funds come from people in the area.
"It's all local business people," he said.
But he said he has also dipped into his own pocket.
"I have put my own personal finances into it as others have," he said.
So far, some of the expenses have been advertisements and mailings, he said. He said if there were any technical issues that came up the group would oblige with state law.
The groups involved in the recall effort all expressed most of their effort is a grassroots campaign with a huge amount of volunteer work being conducted. Chris Brooks, organizer for Chattanooga Organized for Action, said this week his group uses "virtually no funds."
"We're not taking money," he said.
Jim Folkner, with Citizens to Recall Mayor Littlefield, said his group bought a $200 advertisement with a local media company and paid for some gasoline expenses.
He said if it went to a campaign, the group would have no problem reporting it.
"We haven't raised much anyway," he said.
Mr. Rawlins said once the mayoral election goes on the ballot, all three groups would have to register, if they are raising or spending money.
"If they are going to spend money supporting or opposing [candidates], then they have to file," he said.
The financial disclosure are not retroactive, he said. The groups would only have to disclose the money they raised from the time the signatures are certified.
Williams said there should be some type of requirement at the front end so the public would have an idea where their money was going if approached by someone wanting a signature on a recall petition. He said he could look at lobbying the Tennessee General Assembly about changes in the rules.
"We might have to revisit that next year," he said.


text:
It only takes a minute to get started. Fill out our uncomplicated sign up form and login to the website.
This step is noncompulsory but will seriously boost your chances of getting interest from other over 40s members on the site. Let people know a bit about yourself, your pasttimes and upload your best photo.
Utilise our website's cutting-edge search to locate over 40s members who match your requirements. Or just browse through listings and locate singles that arouse your interest.
Discovered someone who looks interesting? Send an email to them or just a wink and see if they're interested. With a little luck you'll be on your way to finding your soulmate.
It only takes a few minutes


text:
The Zawahiri era begins
Six weeks after U.S. Navy SEALs killed al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden in Abbottabad, al-Qaeda's General Command announced the appointment of bin Laden's longtime deputy Ayman al-Zawahiri as the group's new leader. While Zawahiri's appointment resolves one question about the al-Qaeda's future, it leaves a multitude of others unanswered: What course will al-Qaeda pursue? Who will handle its day-to-day operations? How much impact will Zawahiri really have?
As the Arab Spring heats up and nearly 10 years after the 9/11 attacks that seared al-Qaeda into the world's consciousness, the AfPak Channel asked several terrorism experts to give their take on what al-Qaeda's new leadership might mean for the organization:
- William McCants: The al-Qaeda Zawahiri inherits
- Leah Farrall: Al-Qaeda's delayed announcement
- Daveed Gartenstein-Ross: Zawahiri's ascension won't change al-Qaeda's strategy
- J.M. Berger: Zawahiri's American court jester
Read the FP round table discussion.


text:
Published July 1, 2009 11:13 AM
Social anthropologist Hanna Skartveit from the University of Bergen analyzes the peculiar nature of the relation between fans and fan clubs and their dead idols: the Argentinean singers Gilda and Rodrigo. Read more here .
Published June 25, 2009 5:08 PM
This book by Leiv Marsteintredet from the University of Bergen deals with political institutions and their effect on democracy in the Dominican Republic since 1966. More information here .


text:
found a new home!
Plenty of my friends are looking
for one too. Find a pet to adopt.
I am already neutered, up to date with shots, good with kids, good with dogs, and good with cats.
Since we don't know at all what doggy genes are in the dogs make up (we don't know who mom & dad are!), we are guessing on breed and size when grown.
Please note that because we require a home visit at the time of adoption we can only place animals in homes within a 60 mile radius of Minneapolis.
If you are interested in meeting this dog or pup please fill out the pre-adoption application on our website at www.safehandsrescue.org under Adopt and we will get back to you to arrange a meeting in the foster home.
We also have an Adoptable Dog Meet & Greet on Saturday August 10 at Fetch Delivers Warehouse located at 2303 Kennedy St. NE from noon - 2 pm.
Cosmo, a Minneapolis Hound (Unknown Type) dog was adopted! Here's how you can benefit by looking at adoption as an option to buying a Hound (Unknown Type) for sale in Minneapolis, or seeking a Hound (Unknown Type) dog from a breeder in Minneapolis.


text:
Deadpool Surprises Fans In 'X-Men: Apocalypse' Trailer… Boo!
can't help but break the rules that Marvel instills upon its superheroes. The Merc with the Mouth appears at the end of the trailer for Japan, mimicking the after-credits scenes we are accustomed to seeing in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and in 20th Century Fox's X-Men franchise.
The fact that Deadpool appears at the end of a trailer as opposed to a movie is definitely a first. However, Wade Winston Wilson hinted that this will be a new norm for Fox. So now you'll have yet another reason to look forward to their trailers!
"I know what you're thinking… An after-credits scene for a trailer? I thought they only did that for movies, right? Well, not everyone makes it to the end of Fox movies, so now we're doing it at the end of trailers!"
In his cameo, shares his two cents with a list of five things we may have missed in the trailer. He also takes advantage of his screen time to advertise his own movie's release in Japan. Oh, Deadpool, always needing to steal the spotlight and focus the attention on himself… He's lucky we have no choice but to love him.
Perhaps he was having regrets about cheating us out of a proper end-credit teaser in the movie. That would explain feeling the need to compensate by hijacking someone else's end-credit scene — even if it was just in a trailer. Unless we're to expect any more surprise guest appearances, then Sayōnara Wade, see you in !
What did you think of Deadpool's surprise appearance?


text:
Ghrelin and Insulin Resistance
This study has been completed.
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Information provided by (Responsible Party):
Robyn Tamboli, Vanderbilt University Medical Center
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:
First received: April 16, 2009
Last updated: January 18, 2017
Last verified: January 2017
- Full Text View
- Tabular View
- No Study Results Posted
- Disclaimer
- How to Read a Study Record
Ghrelin, a hormone produced in the stomach that stimulates hunger and food intake, declines immediately after weight loss surgery. Some studies suggest that ghrelin may worsen an individual's ability to respond to insulin. The purpose of this study is to determine if the decline in ghrelin levels after weight loss surgery contributes to the improvement of insulin sensitivity.
|Obesity Insulin Resistance Normal Weight,Healthy Controls
|Drug: Ghrelin infusion to assess effects on insulin sensitivity
|Phase 1
|Study Type:
|Study Design:
|Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Crossover Assignment
Masking: Single (Participant)
Primary Purpose: Basic Science
|Official Title:
|Role of Ghrelin in the Improvement of Insulin Resistance After Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Surgery
Resource links provided by NLM:
Drug Information available for: Insulin Insulin humanU.S. FDA Resources
Further study details as provided by Robyn Tamboli, Vanderbilt University Medical Center:
Primary Outcome Measures:
- Evaluate the effect of ghrelin on insulin resistance in obese subject, as well as subjects in the immediate post-RYGB period. [ Time Frame: 1 year ]
|Study Start Date:
|August 2011
|Study Completion Date:
|May 2014
|Primary Completion Date:
|May 2014 (Final data collection date for primary outcome measure)
|Assigned Interventions
|Experimental: Roux-en-Y gastric bypass
|Drug: Ghrelin infusion to assess effects on insulin sensitivity
|Experimental: Lean
|Drug: Ghrelin infusion to assess effects on insulin sensitivity
|Ages Eligible for Study:
|18 Years to 65 Years (Adult)
|Sexes Eligible for Study:
|Accepts Healthy Volunteers:
Inclusion Criteria for RYGB group:
- Age 18-65
- BMI > 35 kg/m2
- Scheduled for bariatric surgery at Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Inclusion Criteria for Lean group:
- Age 18-65
- BMI < 30kg/m2
Exclusion Criteria:
- Prior bariatric surgery
- Serum creatinine > 1.5 mg/dl
- Hepatic enzyme elevations > 2x upper limits of normal
- Current use of warfarin or clopidogrel
- Intercurrent infections
- Females with positive pregnancy test
- Abnormal ECG
Contacts and Locations
Choosing to participate in a study is an important personal decision. Talk with your doctor and family members or friends about deciding to join a study. To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the Contacts provided below. For general information, see Learn About Clinical Studies.
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00884494
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00884494
|United States, Tennessee
|Vanderbilt University Medical Center
|Nashville, Tennessee, United States, 37232
Sponsors and Collaborators
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
|Principal Investigator:
|Robyn Tamboli, PhD
|Vanderbilt University Medical Center
|Study Director:
|Naji Abumrad, MD
|Vanderbilt University Medical Center
More Information
Publications automatically indexed to this study by ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier (NCT Number):
Keywords provided by Robyn Tamboli, Vanderbilt University Medical Center:
Additional relevant MeSH terms:
ClinicalTrials.gov processed this record on September 21, 2017
Publications automatically indexed to this study by ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier (NCT Number):
Garcia AE, Kasim N, Tamboli RA, Gonzalez RS, Antoun J, Eckert EA, Marks-Shulman PA, Dunn J, Wattacheril J, Wallen T, Abumrad NN, Flynn CR. Lipoprotein Profiles in Class III Obese Caucasian and African American Women with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. PLoS One. 2015 Nov 23;10(11):e0142676. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0142676. eCollection 2015.
|Responsible Party:
|Robyn Tamboli, Research Associate Professor, Vanderbilt University Medical Center
|ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:
|NCT00884494 History of Changes
|Other Study ID Numbers:
|Study First Received:
|April 16, 2009
|Last Updated:
|January 18, 2017
Keywords provided by Robyn Tamboli, Vanderbilt University Medical Center:
Insulin resistance
Additional relevant MeSH terms:
Insulin Resistance
Glucose Metabolism Disorders
Metabolic Diseases
Insulin, Globin Zinc
Hypoglycemic Agents
Physiological Effects of Drugs
ClinicalTrials.gov processed this record on September 21, 2017