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Patent US5986279 - Method of recording and reading a radiation image of an elongate body - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Sign inPatentsA radiation image is recorded on a plurality of photostimulable phosphor screens of a size that is smaller than the size of the elongate body. The screens are exposed to a radiation image of a grid of threads of attenuating material and a radiation image of the elongate body so that each of the screens...http://www.google.com/patents/US5986279?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US5986279 - Method of recording and reading a radiation image of an elongate bodyAdvanced Patent SearchPublication numberUS5986279 APublication typeGrantApplication numberUS 09/035,528Publication dateNov 16, 1999Filing dateMar 5, 1998Priority dateMar 21, 1997Fee statusPaidPublication number035528, 09035528, US 5986279 A, US 5986279A, US-A-5986279, US5986279 A, US5986279AInventorsPiet DewaeleOriginal AssigneeAgfa-GevaertExport CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManPatent Citations (6), Referenced by (65), Classifications (9), Legal Events (5) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetMethod of recording and reading a radiation image of an elongate body
US 5986279 AAbstract
A radiation image is recorded on a plurality of photostimulable phosphor screens of a size that is smaller than the size of the elongate body. The screens are exposed to a radiation image of a grid of threads of attenuating material and a radiation image of the elongate body so that each of the screens stores part of the image of the body and superimposed thereon, part of the image of the grid. The screens are read out individually. Reconstruction of the image of the elongate body is performed on the basis of the reconstructed image of the grid.
1. A method of recording and reading a radiation image of an elongate body, characterised by the steps of(a) simultaneously exposing a plurality of photostimulable phosphor screens each having a size which is smaller than the size of the elongate body, to distinct parts of a radiation image of the elongate body and of a pattern of reference marks, (b) scanning each of said screens by means of stimulating radiation, detecting light emitted upon stimulation and converting said light into signal representations of images stored in said screens, (c) extracting partial signal representations from said digital signal representations, said partial signal representations each representing a part of said pattern of reference marks that was stored in a screen, (d) determining from said partial signal representations the position of the image of the part of the pattern of reference marks stored in a screen, (e) stitching the signal representations obtained in step (b) in such a way that an image of the total pattern of reference marks is reconstructed making use of the determined positions of the parts of the pattern. 2. A method according to claim 1 wherein said pattern of reference marks consists of a grid of threads of radiation attenuating material.
3. A method according to claim 1 wherein said plurality of screens are conveyed in a cassette in a juxtaposed relationship.
4. A method according to claims 2 wherein said grid is provided in said cassette.
5. A method according to claim 2 wherein said grid is formed by mutually orthogonal horizontal and vertical threads and wherein said position is determined by determining offset of horizontal and vertical lines of the grid with respect to horizontal and vertical image borders, periodicity of said pattern in horizontal and vertical direction, inclination of grid lines relative to horizontal or vertical direction.
This application claims benefit of provisional application 60/045,868, filed May 7, 1997.
The present invention relates to the recording and reading of a radiation image of an elongate body.
In the field of digital radiography a technique has been developed wherein a radiation image, for example an image of X-rays transmitted by an object, is stored in a screen comprising a photostimulable phosphor such as one of the phosphors described in European patent publication 503 702 published on Sep. 16, 1992 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,340,661.
The technique for reading out the stored radiation image consists of scanning the screen with stimulating radiation, such as laser light of the appropriate wavelength, detecting the light emitted upon stimulation and converting the emitted light into an electric representation for example by means of a photomultiplier.
The signal is then digitized, processed and subsequently used to control the hard copy recording in image reproducing system such as a laser recorder. For diagnostic purposes the reproduction is viewed and analyzed on a lightbox.
Stimulable phosphor screens used in this technique are selected from a variety of sizes which are adapted to the body part that is examined.
The read out apparatus is designed so that it is able to accommodate and read all these sizes of screens.
However, examination types exist in which a larger part of the body is examined than can be recorded on a single, even the largest sized cassette (among commonly used cassette types).
Examples of such examination types are the diagnosis of the entire vertebral column or of the leg, so-called full leg-full spine examinations, where clinical indication requires that e.g. the full spine be examined at once to enable diagnosis or to qualify diagnosis.
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,111,045 and in U.S. Pat. No. 5,130,541 such applications have been dealt with.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,111,045 discloses a method wherein a radiation image of a large object such as a vertebral column is recorded on first and second stimulable phosphor screens that are successively positioned in the image recording unit of the apparatus with their confronting ends superimposed on each other in the recording position. The stimulable phosphor sheets are circulated in the apparatus along a circulatory path through a recording unit, a read out unit and an erasure unit. Special features are provided to hold the sheets in position at the recording unit. After having been exposed, the sheets are consecutively fed to a read out unit where a digital signal representation of the image stored in a sheet is obtained. Then, the image signals representing the images read out of the two sheets are processed so as to combine image portions corresponding to the superimposed portions of the two photostimulable phosphor sheets, with the result that a combined image signal is produced. No details are given on the way in which this image processing is performed.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,130,541 discloses another method and apparatus for recording a radiation image of an elongate body. The method is based on the use of a plurality of elongated stimulable phosphor screens that are successively fed along a circulary path in a combined and dedicated exposure and read out device. The disclosure generally relates to the handling of the sheets in such a dedicated combined exposure and read out device.
It is an object of this invention to provide a method of recording a radiation image of an elongate body on a photostimulable phosphor screen which does not require the use of a photostimulable phosphor screen of dedicated dimensions adapted to the dimensions of the elongate body and/or which does not require the use of a dedicated read out apparatus adapted to the use of such dedicated screen(s).
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method by means of which a radiation image of an elongate body is obtained that is geometrically correct.
To achieve the above objects the present invention provides a method of recording and reading a radiation image of an elongate body, according to claim 1.
The method of the present invention is advantageous in that it does not require the use of phosphor screens of sizes that are adapted to the size of the elongate body.
The method of the present invention provides that a read out apparatus which is designed to accommodate `normal size` screens can be used for reading the image of an elongate body.
In a specific embodiment a plurality of photostimulable phosphor screens each having a size which is smaller than the size of the elongate body, are placed in a large size cassette in a partially overlapping or in a touching disposition.
The pattern of reference marks may take different forms. Preferably it is composed of a grid or a raster of parallel horizontal and vertical threads of X-ray attenuating material. This embodiment eases the reconstruction of the complete image of the pattern of reference marks.
The pattern of reference marks may be provided in the cassette wherein the plurality of photostimulable phosphor screens are mounted. The cassette is then to be positioned so that the pattern is situated between a source of radiation (X-ray source) and the screens so that, when being exposed, the radiation image of the pattern is recorded on the plurality of photostimulable phosphor screens.
Alternatively the grid may be mounted in the X-ray table or on an X-ray stand in between the X-ray source and the cassette.
In any way must be provided that an image of the pattern of reference marks will be superimposed on the X-ray image of the elongate object.
Following exposure, the individual partial images stored in the individual photostimulable phosphor screens are read out. These partial images consist of a partial image of the pattern of reference marks superimposed on a partial image of the elongate body.
Then, a complete image of the elongate body is constructed by means of the partial images. The reconstruction of the image of the elongate body from the constituent partial images is in the following referred to as `stitching`. The way in which the partial images are assembled to form a complete image of the elongate body is guided by the way in which partial images of the pattern of reference marks are to be assembled to form the complete image of the pattern of reference marks. Further details on the way in which these images are formed is described extensively hereafter.
Neither the order of input of the screens into the read out apparatus nor the sense in which these screens are scanned is important since the image of the pattern of reference marks can be used to reconstruct the image of the elongate body from the constituent partial images in a seamless, uninterrupted and correct way.
Prior to stitching the partial images read out of the screens may be viewed on a workstation to enable the operator to select the order and sense of re-assembling the images read out of the different screens. A front-end Graphical User Interface may be used. The following functionality may be supported on the workstation: (1) rotate (90, 180, 270 degrees) functionality; (2) flip horizontal/vertical functionality; (3) anatomical order indication; (4) left-right or top-down composition. These functions may correct for incorrect sense of one or more of the images due to incorrect handling for the individual image screens by the radiology operator etc.
Particular embodiments of the present invention will be explained with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein
FIG. 1 schematically illustrates the positioning of a X-ray attenuating grid and a plurality of phosphor screens in a cassette which is adapted to the dimensions of an elongate body to be irradiated.
FIG. 2 is a read out apparatus,
FIG. 3 depicts the image of a grid (solid lines) superimposed on one of the acquired sub-images.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the different steps of the algorithm.
FIG. 5 depicts the different dispositions of successive image screens, thereby resulting in the following cases: (a) overlap zone contains one grid line; (b) overlap zone contains two or more grid lines; (c) overlap with no common grid line; (d) touching configuration with no grid line involved; (e) touching configuration with image borders coinciding with grid line; (f) non-overlapping case with no grid line in the non-imaged portion; (g) non-overlapping case with one or more grid lines in the non-imaged portion.
FIG. 6 depicts a typical integration profile in a block of lines,
FIG. 7 depicts the Laplacian enhanced profile of FIG. 6,
FIG. 8 depicts the result of sieving the profile of FIG. 7,
FIG. 9 depicts the difference profile resulting from subtracting the profile of FIG. 8 from the profile of FIG. 7,
FIG. 10 depicts the thresholded and shrinked profile of FIG. 9.
FIG. 11 shows the peaks of FIG. 10 according to grid lines only.
FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of the contents of a cassette used in e.g. full leg or full spine examinations. It comprises a grid of strongly X-ray attenuating (e.g. metallic) threads, arranged in a rectangular periodic pattern. The grid is positioned in alignment with the cassette's borders. The grid covers the full surface of the cassette in a continuous way. The cassette holds a plurality of photostimulable phosphor screens. The screens may be positioned in a partially overlapping or non-overlapping arrangement.
FIG. 1 shows an arrangement wherein the screens are provided in a partially overlapping position. In this figure the overlap zone is shown in gray and non-visible image screen borders are drawn in dashed lines.
When an elongate body such as a human spine or a human leg is to be irradiated with penetrating radiation such as X-rays to record an X-ray image on a plurality of photostimulable phosphor screens, the elongate body is placed between an X-ray source and the cassette comprising the phosphor screens and the grid of attenuating material so that a partial image of the elongate body and a partial image of the grid is recorded on each of the screens in the cassette.
After exposure, the photostimulable phosphor screens are taken out of the large-size cassette. Each of the screens is then put into a `normal-sized` cassette (i.e. a cassette the dimensions of which correspond to the size of the individual phosphor screens) and applied to a read out apparatus that is able to accommodate and scan the normal size cassettes.
The read out station is illustrated in FIG. 2 and comprises a laser 1 emitting light of a wavelength adapted to the stimulation spectrum of the phosphor used, galvanometric light deflection means 2 for deflecting light emitted by the laser onto the photostimulable phosphor screen, a light guide 3 directing light emitted by a stimulable phosphor screen into the light input face of a photomultiplier 4, a sample and hold circuit 5, and an analog to digital convertor 6.
The read out device also comprises a processing module (not shown) for performing online processing on the digital signal representation of the radiation image. The read out signal is applied to a workstation (not shown) for off-line image processing.
The operation of the read out station is as follows.
Stimulating rays emitted by laser 1 are directed onto the photostimulable phosphor screen to scan this screen. The stimulating rays are deflected into the main scanning direction by means of galvanometric deflection means 2. Subscanning is performed by transporting the phosphor screen in the subscanning direction indicated by arrow 7. Upon stimulation, the photostimulable phosphor emits light within a second wavelength range which is different from the wavelength range of the stimulation light. The emitted light is directed by means of a light collector 3 onto a photomultiplier 4 for conversion into an electrical image representation. Next, the signal is sampled by a sample and hold circuit 5, and converted into a digital raw image signal by means of an analog to digital convertor 6.
The signals read out from the different photostimulable phosphor screens are then applied to a workstation for performing stitching, i.e. for re-assembling the image of the elongate body and the image of the grid from the sub-images read from the plurality of screens.
When the individual screens are taken out of the large size cassette and transferred to the normal size cassettes that are read out, it may happen that (1) the order in which the images were placed in the large size cassette (this order corresponds with the order in which the images are to be re-assembled to form the elongate image) and/or (2) the direction into which individual images are to be positioned, is lost.
This problem could be solved by automatic detection of markers on the screens. Alternatively, the individual images may be displayed on a workstation that is equipped with a suitable user interface and the following functionality:
(1) a function that allows indication of the sequence of images to be re-assembled (e.g. top-down order),
(2) a rotation function that allows images to be rotated by a number of times 90 degrees,
(3) a mirroring function (left-right, top-down position),
(4) flip horizontal/vertical function.
Next, the images read out of each of the individual screens are subjected to the stitching method described hereafter.
The method applied to assemble the sub-images read out of the plurality of phosphor screens is based on: (1) the detection and modelling of the periodic grid and (2) cross-correlation of overlapping image parts.
The periodic grid aids to align and stitch the sub-images with respect to each other. Since the grid covers the cassette's surface in a continuous way, the image of the grid should also be present in the assembled image (assembled from the sub-images read out of the plurality of screens) in a continuous way.
The stitching algorithm is able to cope with the following reconstruction malfunctions:
dislocation of the grid in the transverse direction of one sub-image of the elongate body with regard to the grid of the next sub-image, said dislocation being due to dissimilar feed through of the screens,
shortening or lengthening of a period of the grid in the longitudinal direction of the elongate body, said period covering partially one sub-image and partially the other subsequent sub-image,
rotation of the grid of one sub-image with respect to the grid of the next sub-image, said rotation being due to minor differences in scanning angle in the longitudinal direction of successive sub-images and non-parallel alignment of individual imaging screens in the elongated cassette during exposure.
FIG. 3 depicts the image of a grid, represented by solid lines, superimposed on one of the acquired sub-images.
The grid is tilted with respect to the image borders either due to rotation of the screen in the elongated (large size) cassette, or due to rotation of the screen with respect to the scanning axis (due to non-perfect feeding of a screen through the image read out apparatus) or due to a combination of said misalignments. The tilt angle is shown enlarged for clarity.
The figure further depicts grid model parameters: periodicity in horizontal and vertical direction, offset of the first grid line in horizontal and vertical direction, tilt angle. The dashed lines (- - - ) denote subdivision into rectangular vertical and horizontal blocks for profile calculation, the dotted lines (. . . ) denote the centre lines of the corresponding blocks.
The hole marks (o) denote the positions of the vertical grid lines in the horizontal profiles, the cross marks (x) denote the positions of the horizontal grid lines in the vertical profiles.
Coordinates used in the process of image re-assembling are defined relative to a coordinate system. The origin of this system is situated in the upper left corner of FIG. 3, with coordinate m running inside a row from left to right along different columns (in the horizontal direction), coordinate n running from top to bottom along different rows (in the vertical direction). The solid lines represent the imprint of the attenuating grid onto the image.
The raster formed by the grid lines may be tilted with an angle αh with respect to the horizontal axis. Normally, the tilt angle αh is small and has been drawn in an oversized way for clarity.
Basic to the operations is the detection and characterization of the grid which produces a rectangular pattern of less exposed pixels in each of the sub-images Sz, z=1 . . . Z, read from individual screens.
Z is the total number of sub-images to be stitched and is typically 3 or 4. The method however applies to any number of sub-images.
The pattern formed by the grid in sub-image Sz is fully characterized by the knowledge of:
(1) the period Pz h and Pz v between the gridlines in horizontal resp. vertical direction,
(2) the angle αz h of the horizontal gridlines with respect to the image borders, further assuming that the vertical gridlines are perpendicular to the horizontal ones, and
(3) the offset Oz h and Oz v of horizontal and vertical gridlines with respect to the horizontal image border and the vertical image border respectively.
A model of the digital grid for each of the sub-images Sz, z=1 . . . Z thus consists of five parameters, (Pz h and Pz v), (Oz h and Oz v), αz h. Knowledge of the sets of these parameters is a necessary and sufficient condition for the reconstruction or prediction of the image of the grid in the sub-images and for forming a re-assembled image of the grid and consequentially also of the elongated body by image stitching.
In the sequel, (i,j) and (m,n) denote image coordinates. (M,N) denote the image dimensions. It is assumed without loss of generality that all sub-images have equal dimensions.
FIG. 4 depicts the general flow of operations, the steps of which are further commented.
Sub-image Acquisition
The first step, namely the acquisition of the sub-images has already been described higher. The sub-images are acquired by reading the individual phosphor screens.
Sub-image Standardisation
This step refers to the functions that are performed on the workstation prior to the stitching in order to provide that the partial images are processed in the right order, the right sense etc. The functions have been described higher, they include rotation, mirroring etc.
Block Profile Calculation
The grid lines appear in the gray value profile of a horizontal or vertical line of pixels through the image, in the form of a signal peak superimposed onto the original diagnostic gray value originating from the elongate body.
Fluctuations in the profile corresponding to original diagnostic gray values may however immerse the peak corresponding to a grid line and may therefore cause poor detectability of the grid lines.
In order to increase the signal to noise ratio (SNR), a block of gray value profiles is integrated. In this context of this paragraph, since it is the object to detect the image of grid lines, the noise is composed of image fluctuations due to diagnostic detail whereas the relevant signals are the signal peaks representative of the grid lines .
For example, to achieve a better signal to noise ratio for signals representing horizontal gridlines, a horizontal box smoothing filter is applied to each sub-image Sz to obtain Sz h. In a similar way, by applying a vertical box smoothing filter, the signal to noise ratio for vertical gridlines is enhanced so that an image Sz v is obtained.
Denoting by (2 Ks +1) the size of the smoothing kernel that is used, Sz h and Sz v are expressed as ##EQU1##
In the context of the present invention, Ks =150 for sub-images of size typically M�N=2496�2048.
Preferably the box filter is calculated in a recursive way, needing only one addition and one subtraction per pixel, irrespective of the kernel parameter Ks.
FIG. 3 shows an example of horizontal and vertical blocks used for integration, these blocks are represented by horizontal and vertical dashed lines (- - - ) respectively. The centre line of each of the blocks is indicated with a horizontal resp. vertical dotted line (. . . ).
From the images Sz h and Sz v, the sequences Bzq.sbsb.hh, qh =1, . . . Qh and Bzq.sbsb.vv, qv =1, . . . , Qv of integrated profiles are extracted by sub-sampling Sz h resp. Sz v along rows resp. columns, each profile representing the integration of the original image Sz row-wise in a block of columns, resp. column-wise in a block of rows: ##EQU2##
Typically, the sequences of blocks associated with the central lines with coordinate mq resp. nq can be either spaced apart from one another or overlapping. In the context of the present invention, depending on the original image dimensions (M,N), the number of blocks Qh is in the range 4 . . . M, the number of blocks Qv is in the range 4 . . . N. The cases Qh =M,Qv =N represent the situations in which all computed arrays of subsequent profiles can be viewed as images. FIG. 6 depicts a typical integration profile in a block of lines.
Profile Peak Enhancement
The grid lines appear in the form of peaks in the block profiles. Because the size Ks is much smaller than the image dimension M and N, the grid lines will form peaks even when the raster is tilted with an angle α.
The effect of the rotation is a broadening of the peaks resulting in a decreased detectability. In order to cope with poor detectability, the sequence of profiles is next submitted to a peak enhancement step by means of a Laplacian filter. Executed one-dimensionally on the profiles Bzq.sbsb.hh and Bzq.sbsb.vv, it acts as a peak sharpening filter on the profiles, thereby enhancing the detectability of the peaks associated with the grid lines. Fzq.sbsb.hh and Fzq.sbsb.vv denote the peak sharpened profiles and are obtained by
Fzq.sbsb.hh (n)=2Bzq.sbsb.hh (n)-Bzq.sbsb.hh (n-KL)-Bzq.sbsb.hh (n+KL)n=0, . . . , N-1; qh =1, . . . , Qh Fzq.sbsb.vv (m)=2Bzq.sbsb.vv (m)-Bzq.sbsb.vv (m-KL)-Bzq.sbsb.vv (m+KL)m=0, . . . , M-1; qv =1, . . . , Qv The optimal Laplacian mask size, expressed in pixel units, depends on the pixel width of the peaks corresponding to grid lines, said size being a function of the thickness of the physical grid threads and the digitization resolution. The thickness of an attenuating grid line typically is in the range of 0.5 to 1 mm. This corresponds with 6 to 12 pixels when an image recorded in a photostimulable phosphor screen of 35�43 cm is digitized at a resolution of 2048�2496 pixels. In the context of the present embodiment, the halfwidth KL of the Laplacian filter equals 11. FIG. 7 depicts the Laplacian enhanced profile of FIG. 6.
Profile Peak Sieving
The peaks corresponding to grid lines are extracted using a known technique based on the sifting theory. This technique is for example described in "S. Herman, An introduction to sifting theory, SPIE Vol. 767, Medical Imaging (1987), pp. 332-337". Sifting is a nonlinear signal processing method with characteristic operation analogous to the operations in linear filter theory. In one dimension, a sifting filter is able to `sieve` peaks so as to separate them according to their width. Depending on the hole size of the sieve, peaks with smaller base will fall through, peaks with larger base will be retained. Therefore, the analog of the low-pass linear filter is the long-pass sieve filter. Similarly, a short-pass sieve favours short-duration signal components in analogy to a high pass linear filter and a band-pass sieve serves similar purposes as the band-pass linear filter. The difference however between non-linear sieve filters and linear filters is that, although long-pass sieves will clip signal components smaller than the hole size, they will not alter the shapes of any signal components larger than the hole size, they will not change the edges of such long duration signals. A further important difference is that linear filters operate on both positive and negative going signal features. Their non-linear sieve equivalent is called a bipolar sieve. However, it is also possible to have a monopolar sieve. Such a sieve will clip only the positive or negative going signals, but not both. The grid detection problem presents itself as one of sieving the peaks corresponding to grid lines only. These peaks are by their nature only directed in one sense, hence a monopolar sieve is needed to detect them and leave the peaks of other sense intact. In the context of the present invention, a negative monopolar sieve is built composed of a sequence of a maximum operator followed by a minimum operator to eliminate negative going peaks. ##EQU3##
The maximum operator performs a dilation of positive going signals and an erosion or shrinking of negative ones. The minimum operator performs an erosion of the positive going signals and a dilation or stretching of negative going signals. Naturally, when the gray-value image is inverted, such that gridlines present themselves as positive going peaks, a positive monopolar sieve (composed of a minimum operator followed by a maximum operator) is needed to eliminate the peaks.
FIG. 8 depicts the result of sieving the signal represented in FIG. 7. Analogously to the Laplacian halfwidth KL, the sieving halfwidth KM depends on the pixel width of the grid lines, hence on the physical dimensions of the grid threads, scanning resolution and processing resolution. In the context of the present invention, KM is in the range 3 . . . 9.
Automatic Difference Profile Thresholding
A signal D containing negative going peaks only is obtained by subtracting the sieved signal H from the Laplacian enhanced signal F
Dzq.sbsb.hh (n)=Fzq.sbsb.hh (n)-Hzq.sbsb.hh (n)n=0, . . , N-1; qh =1, . . . Qh Dzq.sbsb.vv (m)=Fzq.sbsb.vv (m)-Hzq.sbsb.vv (m)m=0, . . . , M-1; qv =1, . . . , Qv It can be noted that, due to the elimination of negative going peaks only in the sieved signal H and the preservation of positive going signals, the difference D contains zero or negative values only.
FIG. 9 shows the difference profile as a result of subtracting the profile of FIG. 8 from the profile of FIG. 7.
To derive a signal with background noise eliminated, the difference signal D is thresholded with an automatic threshold derived from the array of difference values, sorted e.g. in ascending order.
Alternatively, a percentile of the cumulative histogram values can be used.
Ezq.sbsb.hh (n)=sort{Dzq.sbsb.hh (n)}n=0, . . . , N-1; qh =1, . . . , Qh Ezq.sbsb.vv (m)=sort{Dzq.sbsb.vv (m)}m=0, . . . , M-1; qv -1, . . . Qv The profile dependent automatic threshold T is determined as a fixed fraction entry of the sorted array E of difference values, multiplied by a factor β.
Tzq.sbsb.hh =βEzq.sbsb.hh (αN)qh =1, . . . , Qh Tzq.sbsb.vv =βEzq.sbsb.vv (αM)qv =1, . . . , Qv in the context of the present invention α=0.05. A binary signal B is obtained by thresholding D ##EQU4##
The binary signal B is further processed to shrink the "1"-intervals to one pixel only to ease subsequent processing. FIG. 10 shows the thresholded and shrinked profile of FIG. 9.
Grid Line Extraction and Periodicity Determination
The thresholded profile shows a marked presence of peaks according to gridlines; however, spurious peaks due to diagnostic detail may still be present. The pattern of peaks corresponding to grid lines has a periodicity. Mutual pixel distances are equal to an integral number of the periodicity numbers Pz h and Pz v searched for. Peaks not corresponding to grid lines will usually have interpixel distances different from an integral number of the periodicity number.
Therefore, a histogram of interpeak distances is built in which the distance between two peaks at coordinates m1 and m2 is divided by the number I(m1, m2) of intermediate peaks to yield a normalized distance d(m1,m2). ##EQU5##
The index d of the maximum histogram entries hz h (d) and hz v (d) will equal the periodicity numbers Pz h resp. Pz v searched for.
The grid is extracted from the series of peaks by an error minimization method. Each peak in the binary profile Bzq.sbsb.hh (n) resp. Bzq.sbsb.vv (m) is subjected to the hypothesis that it corresponds to a physical grid line, and an accumulated error measure of the grid associated with said peak is computed. The peak with the least error attached to it is finally selected as the winner and the associated grid G is extracted by selecting all peaks in the profile Bzq.sbsb.h (n) resp. Bzq.sbsb.vv (m) within an small interval centered around an integral number r of periods from said winner peak.
Gzq.sbsb.hh (n)=1∀(ni,nj):|ni -nj |=rPz h qh =1, . . . , Qh Gzq.sbsb.vv (m)=1∀(mi,mj):|mi -mj |rPz v qv =1, . . . , Qv For competing peaks having equal minimum error, the peak with the highest number of associated grid line peaks is selected. The grid sequences G are thus equal to the binary profiles B except for the removed non-grid peaks. FIG. 11 is identical to FIG. 10 except that the non-grid peaks are removed by the disclosed grid detection algorithm.
Grid Model Parameter Computation
The two-dimensional grid of each of the sub-images Sz, z=1, . . . ,Z is characterized by the set of 5 parameters (Pz h,Pz hu v), (Oz h,Oz v), αz h. Parameters (Pz h,Pz v) are derived in the periodicity detection and grid lines determination section. The parameters (Oz h,Oz v), αz h are jointly derived from the sequences G as follows for a sequence of images, presented in top-down order, whereby image Sz is assumed to lay on top of image Sz-1. Two grid matrices are determined, gh for the horizontal resp. gv for the vertical direction, storing the indexes of all grid lines detected from the sequences Gh resp. Gv. Obviously, the grid matrices gh and gv have substantially smaller size than the sequences Gh and Gv. Due to the variability of the diagnostic detail in the image, it may happen that one or more grid lines are not detectable in the derived sequences Gh and Gv respectively. Therefore, whenever a gridline is missing in the sequences Gh resp. Gv, a zero is inserted at the corresponding entry in gh and gv, such that the resulting arrangement of non-zero entries in a column of gh resp. a row of gv all correspond to the row resp. column locations of the same grid line passing through successive blocks. By denoting the number of detected grid lines in the sequences Gh and Gv by Ng.spsb.h resp. Mg.spsb.v, the dimensions of gh and gv are Qh XNg.spsb.h resp. Qv XMg.spsb.v, such that there are Ng.spsb.h horizontally oriented grid lines detected and Mg.spsb.v vertically oriented grid lines detected.
Overlap Computation
The overlap between two successive images Sz-1 and Sz can be partially derived from the matrices gh from the row position of the lowest horizontal grid line in Sz-1 and the row position of the highest horizontal grid line in Sz. Depending on the physical disposition of the imaging screens (z-1) and z in the elongated cassette at exposure time, different configurations of the screen borders with respect to the grid threads are possible and depicted in FIG. 5.
Denoting by dg1 the average distance between the lowest horizontal grid line and the lower border of the image Sz-1, and by dg2 the average distance between the upper border and the highest horizontal grid line of the image Sz, the following equations hold, recalling with reference to FIG. 4 that Oz h signifies the offset of the first horizontal grid line with respect to the horizontal sub-image border ##EQU6##
Alternative computations of dg1 and dg2 could be thought of. Since the physical grid is periodic with the same period over all sub-images, it is further assumed that Pz.sbsb.1h =Pz.sbsb.2h =Ph, ∀z1, z2, without departing from generality.
It is further assumed that dg1 <Ph, dg2 <Ph, the former assumption meaning that all grid lines are visible and detected in the attenuated portion of each sub-image Sz, and both assumptions meaning that dg1 and dg2 represent integer fractions of the period. Should the latter assumption not be met, the integer number of pixels of the incomplete period at either the upper or lower side of the sub-image is easily derived by taking the remainder of the division by Ph (dg1 ←dg1 %Ph,dg2 ←dg2 %Ph).
Table I summarizes the different cases. When no initial conditions are indicated for the case, dg1 and dg2 can each vary between O and Ph, and no value is imposed as to their sum. Invariably for all cases, a value referred to as the `first overlap guess` is computed and is equal to (dg1 +dg2)%Ph. The value of the actual overlap O.sub.(z-1,z)h is computed or verified by means of correlation and edge detection, discussed in the sections `Overlap region image correlation` and `Overlap region edge detection`. For the non-overlapping case, no strong correlation value is obtained, and a negative overlap is computed by subtracting an integral number of periods.
TABLE I__________________________________________________________________________                 initialFIG. 5    configuration       grid line inclusion                 condition(s)                        overlap 0h.sub.(z-1,z)__________________________________________________________________________a   overlapping       one grid line, same                 none   dg1 + dg2b   overlapping       more grid lines, same                 none   dg1 + dg2 + rPh, r > 0c   overlapping       no common grid line                 dg1 + dg2 > Ph                        (dg1 + dg2) % Phd   touching       no grid line involved                 dg1 + dg2 = Ph                        0e   touching       touching with grid line                 dg1 = dg2 = Ph                        0f   non-overlapping       no grid lines missing                 dg1 + dg2 < Ph                        dg1 + dg2 - Phg   non-overlapping       one/more grid lines                 none   dg1 + dg2 - rPh, r > 1       missing__________________________________________________________________________
Shift Computation
The shift between two successive images Sz-1 and Sz can be derived from the matrices gv by computing the average difference in the vertical grid line column coordinates m as follows ##EQU7## Alternative embodiments such as line fitting and Hough transform grid line modelling are possible.
The sequences G naturally lend themselves to a Hough transform, commonly known in the prior art such as e.g. W. K. Pratt, Digital Image Processing, Wiley, 1991, p. 613-622, Hough Transform Edge Linking.
It is a basic property of the Hough Transform that each point in the image plane lying on a parameterizable curve, will transform into Hough space such that the Hough array point with coordinates equal to the parameters of the curve searched for will accumulate to a high value. The problem of extracting the grid lines is therefore reduced to a peak or maximum detection problem in Hough space, each peak representing a grid line. The peaks furthermore show the property that they will line up and will be spaced with an integral number of periods from one another, both properties being due to the fact that the corresponding lines are parallel and periodically arranged. The coordinates of each peak correspond to offset and slope (or angle) model parameters of the line.
A second embodiment consists of subjecting each row resp. column of grid coordinates of the grid matrices gh and gv to a linear regression, commonly known in the prior art such as T. Pavlidis, Algorithms for Graphics and Image processing, Computer Science Press, 1982, pp. 281-292, Polygonal Approximations. Each linear regression results in the offset and slope of the fit line corresponding to a grid line.
Sub-image Rotation
Each sub-image Sz of which the grid shows an angle αz h with the horizontal axis can be brought into alignment with the image borders by rotation over an angel -αz h. Prior art is used to rotate a digita image artefact-free over a given angle, such as described in "G. Wolberg, Digital Imaging Warpint, IEEE Computer Society Press Monograph, 1990, Chapter 7.3. Rotation" and extended in "M. Unser, P. Thevenaz, L. Yaroslavsky, Convolution-Baser Interpolation for Fast, High-Quality Rotation of Images, IEEE. Trans. on Image Processing, Vol. 4, No. 10, October 1995, pp. 1371-1381". Since the rotation angle is very small (e.g. 4 pixels per 1024, representing an angle of 0.2 degrees), the rotation is restricted in an alternative embodiment to a one-dimensional deskew or translation operation only, leading to a time-effective implementation. The offset parameters (Oz h, Oz v) are adjusted accordingly after rotation.
Overlap Region Image Correlation
According to table I, the appropriate overlap formula depends on the overlap configuration and hence cannot be determined unambiguously on the basis of the quantities dg1 and dg2 alone. The overlap formula in each of the cases enumerated are completed and verified by a correlation computation. Therefore, the algorithm is refined as follows:
compute the quantities
O.sub.(z-1,z)0h =(dg1 +dg2)%Ph associated mean values μ.sub.(z-1)0h, μ.sub.(z)0h and correlation value C.sub.(z-1,z)0h for the sub-regions of Sz-1 and Sz defined by the overlap zone. These values are referred to as the intial overlap value, initial mean values and initial correlation value respectively, since they correspond to the minimum possible overlap situation (ignoring the zero overlap situation), smaller than the grid period Ph.
augment the value O.sub.(z-1,z)0h with an integral number of periods Ph O.sub.(z-1,z)0h =O.sub.(z-1,z)0h +rPh r=1, . . . R
and compute the sequence of corresponding mean values μ.sub.(z-1)rh, μ.sub.(z)rh and correlation values C.sub.(z-1,z)rh between the overlapping sub-regions of images Sz-1 and Sz.
the final amount of overlap is determined as the value O.sub.(z-1,z)rh for which the corresponding correlation measure C.sub.(z-1,z)rh is maximal and above some threshold and for which the mean value μ.sub.(z-1)rh of the overlap sub-region of image Sz-1 corresponds to the less exposed situation with respect to the mean value μ.sub.(z)rh of the overlap sub-region of image Sz, in the assumption that screen z is laid on top of screen (z-1) and hence screen z is attenuating the x-rays impinging on screen (z-1).
when none of the correlation measure C.sub.(z-1,z)rh,r=0, . . . R exceeds the threshold, it is concluded that no overlap is present and the images Sz-1 and Sz are separated by a negative overlap (a gap) of at least -(dg1 +dg2 -Ph).
The correlation measure used is based on prior art and is modified as follows to accommodate the situation of attenuation created by overlapping imaging plates ##EQU8## The second term represents the sub-image correlation in the form of the average sum of absolute differences between Ar (z-1,z) denoting the area of the hypothesized overlap region between sub-images Sz-1 and Sz at iteration r and with the domain of the indices i, j in the sums confined to said overlap region. Alternatives can be substituted for the correlation term by formulas commonly known in the prior art such as "W. K. Pratt, Digital Imaging Processing, 2nd ed., Wiley Interscience, 1991, pp. 662-671, Image Registration", "L. G. Brown, A Survey of Image Registration Techniques, ACM Computing Surveys, Vol. 24, No. 4, December 1992, pp. 325-376. In an alternative embodiment, a mutual information measure is computed such as disclosed in the prior art in e.g. "P. A. Viola, Alignment by Maximization of Mutual Information, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, A.I. Technical Report No. 1548, June 1995". Obviously, the measure C.sub.(z-1,z)r is maximal for overlapping image parts in register with one another.
Overlap Region Edge Detection
The overlap region is further characterized by the property that since the mean value μ.sub.(z-1)rh of the image Sz-1 is less exposed with respect to the mean value μ.sub.(z)rh of the image Sz, the screen corresponding to image Sz will cause a gray value gradient to exist in image Sz-1. Said gray value gradient will extend over the full image width of image Sz-1 and is slightly displaced in the upper direction with respect to the overlap value Oz-1,z)rh due to a non-scanned portion of the overlaying screen corresponding to image Sz. The detection of the presence of the boundary of the overlap zone is therefore used as a verification means of the overlap determination. Prior art is used to calculate the edge gradient and perform the edge thresholding such as "W. K. Pratt, Digital Image Processing, 2nd ed., Wiley Interscience, 1991, Chapter 16, Edge Detection", "A. K. Jain, Fundamentals of Digital Image Processing, Prentice Hall, 1989, Chapter 9.4, Edge Detection", "J. S. Lim, Two-Dimensional Signal and Image Processing, Prentice Hall, 1990, Chapter 8.3, Edge Detection". In the context of the present invention, a threshold of 40 gray value increments on a 12 bit scale is used on the gradient magnitude between gray values of the attenuated overlap sub-region and the unattenuated sub-region of image Sz-1 respectively, and a persistence of at least 95% of the image width is required in order to attribute the edge to the overlap border.
Knowledge of the sequences of overlap values O.sub.(z-1,z)rh and shift values O.sub.(z-1,z)rv between successive sub-images Sz, Z=1 . . . Z enables to stitch the sequence of images into one composed image.
a positive overlap value O.sub.(z-1)rh determines the number of rows to drop from the bottom part of image Sz-1,
a negative overlap value O.sub.(z-1, z)rh determines the number of rows to add in at the bottom part of image Sz-1,
a positive shift value O.sub.(z-1,z)rv determines the number of columns the image Sz-1 has to be moved to the left with respect to image Sz,
a negative shift value O.sub.(z-1,z)rv determines the number of columns the image Sz-1 has to be moved to the right with respect to image Sz in the composed image.
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compositionWO2004094977A2 *Apr 14, 2004Nov 4, 2004David D ClarkDetection, resolution, and identification of arrayed elements* Cited by examinerClassifications U.S. Classification250/582, 250/363.08, 250/363.01, 250/363.07, 250/363.02, 378/98.12International ClassificationG01T1/29Cooperative ClassificationG01T1/2012European ClassificationG01T1/29D9Legal EventsDateCodeEventDescriptionMar 5, 1998ASAssignmentOwner name: AGFA-GEVAERT, BELGIUMFree format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:DEWAELE, PIET;REEL/FRAME:009033/0025Effective date: 19980216Apr 25, 2003FPAYFee paymentYear of fee payment: 4Apr 25, 2007FPAYFee paymentYear of fee payment: 8Dec 17, 2007ASAssignmentOwner name: AGFA HEALTHCARE N.V., BELGIUMFree format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:AGFA-GEVAERT N.V.;REEL/FRAME:020254/0713Effective date: 20071108Apr 12, 2011FPAYFee paymentYear of fee payment: 12RotateOriginal ImageGoogle Home - Sitemap - USPTO Bulk Downloads - Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - 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Virginia Lee Burton | GoodMorningGloucester
The Best Christmas Decoration EVER! (Not to Overstate it)	Posted on December 20, 2013	by S.D. Kelly This year I was lucky enough to acquire one of the limited-run wall hangings created in printer Julia Garrison’s studio & shop, The Sarah Elizabeth Shop, in Rockport. The piece hangs near our dinner table and I stare at it … Continue reading →
Posted in Art, Rockport	|
Tagged Block Printing, Christmas, decor, Delores Rapp, Folly Cove Designers, Handmade, holiday, Julia Garrison, mid-century design, Virginia Lee Burton	|
Massachusetts Municipal Association HarborWalk Award Mentions Part 4- Virginia Lee Burton HarborWalk Story Moment #30	Posted on February 7, 2013	by Joey C I’m going to break this down to one a day. It is in reference to the Massachusetts Municipal Association has awarded the Gloucester HarborWalk with the Kenneth E. Pickard Municipal Innovation Award in which Gloucester competed against 351 other communities … Continue reading →
Tagged Catherine Ryan, Gloucester Ma, HarborWalk, Kenneth E. Pickard, Massachusetts Municipal Association, Municipal Innovation Award, Virginia Lee Burton	|
Virginia Lee Burton Event Sept. 25	Posted on September 16, 2010	by Joey C On Saturday, September 25 from noon to 3p.m. Cape Ann TV is having a unique fundraiser event at the Gloucester home of Virginia Lee Burton, a Folly Cove artist and beloved children’s book author. The events will include a sing-a-long … Continue reading →
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“Honoring Virginia Lee Burton: A Family Arts Celebration” on September 25	Posted on August 26, 2010	by Joey C Special family event scheduled: “Honoring Virginia Lee Burton: A Family Arts Celebration” on September 25 Cape Ann families and visitors are invited to join in an exciting special event, “Honoring Virginia Lee Burton: A Family Arts Celebration,” on Saturday, September … Continue reading →
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Bend Over (Bend Over Series Book 1) - Kindle edition by Brina Brady, Tina Adamski. Literature & Fiction Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.
Book 1 of 3 in Bend Over Series (3 Book Series)
Publisher: Brina Brady (October 30, 2014)
#2290 in Books > Gay & Lesbian > Literature & Fiction > Erotica > Gay
#4421 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Gay Fiction
#5026 in Books > Literature & Fiction > Erotica > LGBT
4.0 out of 5 starsThis has the makings of a really good series
ByWendyon December 19, 2015
5.0 out of 5 starsFrom Hate to Love...An Amazing Story
Bypamkaymmbloggerson April 2, 2015
5.0 out of 5 stars5 Glowing Stars for this sensuous, entertaining, engaging but also refreshingly different story
ByLilyon August 12, 2015
5.0 out of 5 starsi dont even know what to say...
ByCustomeron April 2, 2016
5.0 out of 5 starsLove the characters in this book and they continue to ...
ByJAVon August 25, 2015
Byfantasybooksgaloreon December 11, 2015
Love this book!! Great start to a new series!
5.0 out of 5 starsNot your usual DOM/SUB book. Very good romance. Think you will like this - can't get it out of my head.
ByBrent Davison December 23, 2014
So real. Many of us can identify with some of these situations. The interplay between the two main characters is really good. The love between the two is very clear. This is not your usual DOM/SUB book. Definitely worth a read. The story line was intriguing and several times left me saying, oh not don't let that happen. You'll like this book.
3.0 out of 5 starsI am conflicted
ByChrissy A.on November 25, 2014
I have read plenty of books in the genre and I am really conflicted about the relationship between these two. Julien wanted complete honesty from Shane but I don't think that he ever gave the same in return. From the moment they met he was playing mind games and I don't understand how that behavior can inspire trust. Shane was not experienced, not his sub, and in a complete state of confusion; Julian still felt the need to send him to "humiliation" when I don't think he property explained to Shane what he would face there. Maybe I am naive in believing that Dom/sub relationships are based in open communication and clear expectations. How could he do that to an inexperienced kid regardless of the behavior? I guess my biggest issue with is that he was lying to Shane the entire time; he was testing him as a sub from the start when poor Shane had no freaking clue and clear understanding of Julien's intentions. And yes he signed a paper with rules to follow and agreed to take the punishment... But how as a "Master Dom" can he allow Shane to sign his name and abide by his rules not having complete understanding of expectations?
It was some untalked about topics. And Shane is really messed up. But it's all for the good if it ends well.Read more
I love Shane at the beach bad boy
5.0 out of 5 starsSnap out of it Shane!
I really enjoyed this book. It shows the struggles of a messed up teen who lies, steals and enjoys drugs.Read more
Published 1 year ago by Dale Federico
This was a fabulous book by a wonderful author. My heart went out to Shane because he was running away from a past that he couldn't put together what was real and what was...Read more
Published on September 10, 2015 by Lori Ferry
Bend Over starts out with the eighteen-year-old, Shane, who has run away from home to escape his intolerant reverend father.Read more
Published on August 4, 2015 by Jenna
5.0 out of 5 starsDark past...we all need to face it
A sweet young boy, who was a thief and a drug addict, had a dark past. Keeping secrets about your past from your Dom is unacceptable.Read more
Published on May 14, 2015 by lifegirl83
Fantastic read I thoughly enjoyed this book
Published on May 1, 2015 by gary stephenson
This item: Bend Over (Bend Over Series Book 1)
Tag Team (Guards of Folsom Book 2) Kindle Edition
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Health care, I.T and Human rights: Medical Apologies in healthcare reforms.
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1435 Reynolds Drive, Auburn, Lee County, AL - Home for Sale - NYTimes.com
20 Photos 1435 Reynolds Drive
6 Beds 3 Baths Single Family House Open House: 1/22/2017 2:00 PM-4:00 PM
This 6 BR 3.5 BA like new home has space galore with main floor very open. The 3 4 oak naildown hardwoods are nothing short of gorgeous. Kitchen has granite countertops with beautiful cabinetry and stainless appliances. At only 4 years old, the home is like brand new-high ceilings, recessed lighting, crown molding, and more. Bedrooms are very large and conveniently located. Two decks exist, Read More
This 6 BR 3.5 BA like new home has space galore with main floor very open. The 3 4 oak naildown hardwoods are nothing short of gorgeous. Kitchen has granite countertops with beautiful cabinetry and stainless appliances. At only 4 years old, the home is like brand new-high ceilings, recessed lighting, crown molding, and more. Bedrooms are very large and conveniently located. Two decks exist, 1435 Reynolds Drive Features
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Adesis, Inc., a leading contract research organization (CRO) supporting the pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical industries and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Universal Display Corporation (Nasdaq:OLED), today announced that Helen Stimson has been appointed Chief Operating Officer. Stimson brings to the position a wealth of knowledge in the biotech and life science sectors, advising on business development and transformation, strategic planning and marketing on a state, national and global level. She will join Adesis on June 1, 2020 and lead the operational, sales and marketing aspects of the CRO business.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200528005702/en/
Helen Stimson, COO of Adesis, Inc. (Photo: Business Wire)
"It is with great pleasure to announce that Helen Stimson is joining Adesis," said Andrew Cottone, Ph.D., President of Adesis, Inc. "Adesis has built a strong reputation as a strategic scientific partner with more than 20 years of chemistry and technical prowess. As a seasoned executive with a robust business and science background, I believe Helen will be an excellent addition to our team to help spearhead Adesis to its next phase of growth."
Prior to joining Adesis, Stimson was CEO of Delaware Bioscience Association. She also held an Executive leadership post at Agilent Technologies, a laboratory instrument maker, running its global consumables division.
"I look forward to contributing to the amazing growth and enabling core competencies of Adesis," said Stimson. "Adesis is well-known and respected as a leader in chemical research for transforming ideas on a whiteboard into developmental and commercial compounds. I have admired Adesis’ talented people and brilliant work for some time, and am excited to help build upon the company’s solid foundation and positive momentum alongside its employees, partners and customers."
Universal Display Corporation (Nasdaq: OLED) is a leader in the research, development and commercialization of organic light emitting diode (OLED) technologies and materials for use in display and solid-state lighting applications. To learn more about Universal Display Corporation, please visit https://oled.com.
All statements in this document that are not historical, such as those relating to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company and otherwise, Universal Display Corporation’s technologies and potential applications of those technologies, the Company’s expected results and future declaration of dividends as well as the growth of the OLED and CRO market and the Company’s opportunities in that market, are forward-looking financial statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements in this document, as they reflect Universal Display Corporation’s current views with respect to future events and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated. These risks and uncertainties are discussed in greater detail in Universal Display Corporation’s periodic reports on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including, in particular, the section entitled "Risk Factors" in Universal Display Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 and its subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Universal Display Corporation disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statement contained in this document.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200528005702/en/

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Highly Reasonable: October 2017
I noticed there were lots of L words in my weekend.
Loads of shoppers at Costco
The appearance of lure (doe-in-rut buck lure, I'll spare you any more details) in my refrigerator
A little, adorable great-nephew
And luckily for me, a laugh-filled, and lovely visit from Justin!
Hope your weekend was similarly filled with lots of love and luminous moments!
I'll share my Loopy treasures as soon as I catch up on laundry, grocery shopping, bill-paying, and work, but for today I want to share some joy from Fort Collins. Ryan and I have lots of favorite places to eat in Fort Collins, and The Welsh Rabbit is among the top ones on our list. They have a cheese shop on one side, and next door is a cheese bistro where you order, taste, and enjoy a variety of cheeses, meats, small bites, beer, and wine. As a meat and potatoes kind of guy, John finds it a little pretentious and unsatisfying, but Ryan and I love it and always make sure we go when I'm visiting by myself.
My photos can't convey how delicious our choices were or what a wonderful time we had, and I so wish I could share these incredible flavors with you. Their Honey Chèvre is the best I've ever had, Powerful Welsh is an amazing cheddar, and Sottocenere (truffle-infused and aged in a coat of nutmeg, coriander, cinnamon, licorice, cloves, and fennel) and Moliterno al Vino (an Italian sheep's milk cheese aged in wine) have the most delicious rinds.
Ryan and I both had cherry cider and it was the perfect accompaniment, complete with beautiful reflections from the sun streaming through the window.
We don't have anything like this nearby in NJ, but I am so grateful that such a place exists in Fort Collins and I was able to enjoy a long afternoon there, full of new and delicious cheese and the stellar company of my oldest son.
Labels: FoCo, food, Ryan
1. I really, really love The Loopy Ewe.
2. I may have visited twice in three days and gotten some wonderful things.
3. I especially appreciate that they happily and quickly shipped my purchases and they arrived here at home before I did!
1. As you read this, I am winging my way to Denver to visit Ryan in Fort Collins.
2. We have big plans for things to do, hikes to take, places to eat, beer to drink, and maybe even a distillery to visit.
3. And yes, a visit to The Loopy Ewe is definitely on the list!
I'll be back here sometime next week.
The population in my tiny little town recently grew by several temporary residents. They've just been hanging around quietly, not bothering anyone. I decided to take a look, up close and personal.
I think I showed you "disgruntled shopper" before (Her real title is "Holding Out"). She is located across from the post office, and I stopped on my way to mail Ryan's birthday present. If possible, she looked even unhappier when I added my Priority box to her packages. I may ask her to model my Hitchhiker in progress if I can get it done before she leaves.
These two look like Biff and Buddy to me, but their title is "Yuck, Go Fetch". I'm not sure why Biff doesn't like Buddy licking his face, but if Buddy was my dog, I'd go in to Barkley's Gourmet Marketplace and get him a treat or two.
I found Mary Jane with her hula hoop ("Attic Trophy") in the garden at the library, a perfect location for her fun. I was fascinated by how real her denim jumper looks, but it's painted bronze.
I tried to tell these two that the train station where they were waiting is really a bank now, but it was almost like their ears were painted on. Don and Pete look like Mad Men, but the sculptor has called them "Frequent Flyers".
Poor "Weekend Painter" seems to have forgotten what he was painting. He has paint on his glasses, pants, and shoe, but no sign of the fence or porch that he might have been working on. I invited him to come to my house and paint, but he just ignored me.
Our visitors are all the work of J. Seward Johnson, a sculptor and New Jersey native. His work is exhibited all over the world, but he's probably best known for his permanent collection at Grounds for Sculpture. I know several of you have visited and can attest to what an interesting, fun, and beautiful place it is.
These pieces by Johnson were brought here as a short-term exhibit "to create maximum enjoyment of the sculptures and to drive foot traffic to our businesses.” The sculptures are enjoyable, but for me there is also the issue of what this is costing the town -- $20,000 for two and a half months. That seems like a fairly steep price to pay in a town that has some of the highest property taxes in NJ, and also has trouble finding money for a new fire truck, library books, and has to somehow fund a new $4.5 million water tower. There is much to be said for bringing art to where people live and work; I just wish it was at a more reasonable price.
Some random scenes from my weekend:
I ate what is probably my last homegrown tomato and mayonnaise sandwich of the season. Sad, but delicious.
I went to the farm stand for apples and was treated to some beauty in the form of zinnia bouquets and a field still full of zinnias. It's fall, with fresh-pressed cider and pumpkins, but it was also a very summer-like 80 degrees.
I made a prime rib roast on Sunday. I've been making a concerted effort to use what's in the freezer and I found this forgotten at the bottom. I think I intended to make it as a special welcome home meal when Justin came back from Texas. His girlfriend (at the time) was going to join us, but she decided that she didn't really want an in-person relationship and dumped him a few days after he got back, so the celebratory dinner didn't happen. I decided that John and I should eat it before it got any more freezer-burned, and it was delicious.
And look at my crazy Christmas cactus, blooming in mid-October! I do have others, so I hope some of them save their blossoms until it's a bit closer to Christmas.
Even though not a lot of leaves have changed here (really just one maple in our yard), leaves are falling because it's dry, so leaf-sucking season has begun for me.
3. And a (slightly disgusting but honest) leaf-sucking selfie:


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Congress�s Path Unclear Amid Distractions
Friday, January 30, 1998; Page A18
During President Clinton�s State of the Union address, Sen. Bob Kerrey (D-Neb.) was on his feet, clapping and cheering. "Then I went home and I felt awful" because of the president�s personal problems. "This is the political equivalent of a black hole and it is sucking all the energy" from Congress.
While other lawmakers may not have experienced the intensity of Kerrey�s mood swings, many agree that the questions hanging over Clinton�s head, unless resolved swiftly, are likely to become a drag on his agenda and spill over onto a broad array of bipartisan initiatives on subjects from tobacco to trade.
"It could get to be a distraction, to say the least, and an impediment at the worst," said Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott (R-Miss.).
According to some key lawmakers, the scandal could do the most damage in the areas of trade and foreign policy, where the stakes are especially high and where consensus is difficult even in normal times.
"These issues are tough . . . and the president has to convince the American people that it�s in the best interest of the country," said House Appropriations Committee Chairman Bob Livingston (R-La.). On these issues, "the president needs to get involved," said Rep. Charles B. Rangel (N.Y.), ranking Democrat on the Ways and Means Committee.
But some believe that the scandal is making Clinton "as engaged as he has ever been on public policy," as Rep. James P. Moran Jr. (D-Va.) put it. "He revels in it anyway, and this is the way that he blocks out all this other stuff. That�s how he keeps his wits about him."
Some lawmakers also believe that Clinton�s problems might  ironically  spur both parties to demonstrate they can govern in the face of adversity.
Democrats, buoyed at least for the moment by the response to Clinton�s speech Tuesday night and to his first foray into the country Wednesday, will want to dispel any notion of paralysis or meltdown. Republicans, who have grown used to dealing with Clinton from positions of both strength and weakness, will use any opportunity to push their own smaller-government alternatives to Clinton�s proposals for greater governmental activism.
And, to the extent that Clinton articulated compelling issues of bipartisan concern in his State of the Union address, such as education, child care and consumer rights for managed health care plans, they will probably have momentum of their own, although fights are assured over the proposed solutions.
"In a curious way, I almost get the sense that we could get more done, not less, because they [members of Congress] will want to show they�re tending to business," said Sen. Kent Conrad (D-N.D.).
"The fact is that people from both parties want to get things done," said Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.). "The metaphysics count for less than people think."
Although Republicans have gone out of their way to avoid an appearance of trying to profit at Clinton�s expense, they clearly sensed an opening.
"The good news is we can achieve many of the same goals and do it better with Republican initiatives," said Sen. Phil Gramm (Tex.). "I think quite frankly we have an opportunity to come forward with our agenda . . . to see that this Congress is not wasted."
It also gives Republicans "more time to shape legislation and do things the way we want. . . . We have a bit more leverage, and we don�t have to panic anymore," said Rep. Mark Edward Souder (Ind.).
In any case, lawmakers say, the direction of the second session of the 105th Congress, including its balance of political power and the outlook for major accomplishments, is not likely to become clear until more is known about allegations that Clinton had sexual relations with a White House intern and lied about it.
"It�s directly related to how soon the situation is resolved," said Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.). "If it drags out, it will be a huge distraction."
"If it gets to the point where people decide he�s a congenital liar, then it�s going to hurt," said Sen. Robert F. Bennett (R-Utah). "If he can show Monica Lewinsky made it all up and he did not have any kind of sexual relations, then he�ll be all right."
For the time being, however, Congress is going about its business in an almost surreal atmosphere of normalcy. The Senate voted to confirm three federal judges and plunged into a typical partisan squabble over naming National Airport for President Ronald Reagan, while the House held the latest in a series of inconclusive votes on a contested California election. Hearings proceeded in both houses on everything from the economy to campaign finance abuses.
With what Lott described as greater-than-normal urgency, leaders of both parties proposed a resolution aimed at showing a united front for tough action against Iraq, including extraordinarily broad language urging Clinton to take "all necessary and appropriate action" to force unimpeded inspections of weapons facilities. Both houses are scheduled to act on the resolution next week.
Many of the domestic issues that will present Clinton with the most difficulty would have been troublesome anyway, such as expanding access to Medicare, increasing the minimum wage and passing new campaign finance legislation.
But, while polls showed wide public support for Clinton�s proposal to devote any budget surpluses to shoring up Social Security resources, he may need all the political capital he can muster to keep Democrats from dipping into it for spending programs and Republicans from trying to tap it for tax cuts.
Strong presidential leadership may also be required to forge a consensus on the proposed tobacco deal and steer it toward enactment, many lawmakers have said. "Someone has to crack the whip," said a Republican senator, asking not to be quoted by name.
Most foreign policy and trade initiatives fall in the category of already difficult issues that will require increasing presidential involvement  including funding for continued U.S. military engagement in Bosnia, for the International Monetary Fund and for payment of back dues to the United Nations. Even more controversial is Clinton�s announced effort to win approval of "fast track" trade negotiating authority, which died for lack of Democratic support in the House last year.
Despite these problems, however, Clinton could be "slightly stronger" on national security matters to the extent that hostile foreign countries seek to take advantage of his troubles, Souder said.

value: The Washington Post (also known as the Post and, informally, WaPo) is an American daily newspaper published in Washington, D.C. It is the most-widely circulated newspaper within the Washington metropolitan area, and has a large national audience. Daily broadsheet editions are printed for D.C., Maryland, and Virginia.


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Checkmating Obama | PA Pundits - International
Checkmating Obama Posted on Tue 11/01/2016
Tagged: Anti Israel Sentiment, FSM (Caroline Glick), Obama Administration Agenda, Obama Israel Policy, Obama Middle East Policy, Palestine Israel Tensions, United Nations Security Council
Posted in: Anti-Jewish, Anti-Semitism, Conniving-Lying-Sneaky Politicians, Democrats, Israel, Leftists (In the USA aka as Liberals-Progressives), Middle East, Politics, Power Hungry, President Barack Obama, Propaganda, Public Opinion, Security, U.N. - United Nations
← Haiti Needs Electricity: Hillary Gives Them A Sweatshop
Trump Against The Machine →
2 Responses “Checkmating Obama” → Looking Back Woman-Suzanne Dupree
I lobby for World Heritage Site recognition for Turtle Mountain in Manitoba 2002 UNESCO in Ottawa, and, I know this article on Obama’s hatred for Israel is real, his godfather-mentor on Israel & Middle East Policies is Syrian Sioux, Treasonist, James Abourezk!
HakiktaWin LikeLiked by 1 person


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value: Walmart Inc. ( ; formerly Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.) is an American multinational retail corporation that operates a chain of hypermarkets (also called supercenters), discount department stores, and grocery stores from the United States, headquartered in Bentonville, Arkansas.


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Cotton Blend Stretch, Bodycon Little Black Dresses | eBay
Cotton Blend Stretch, Bodycon Little Black Dresses
Long Sleeve Office Ladies Party Vintage Plunge Cocktail Dress AU Sz 6-18 Red 14
Womens Ladies Glam Cut out Celeb Pencil Midi Bodycon Print Party Dress L White
AU Womens Strapless Bodycon Solid Leather Dress Party Evening Mini Dress MAD
AU $15.56 to AU $15.86
AU Women Elegant Lace Slim Dress Formal White Evening Party Cocktail Dress S-XXL
Review Size 8 Gold Fitted Dress
Stunning muted gold fitted dress ideal for work, cocktail parties, or even guest wedding wear.
Ending 29 May at 21:34 AEST3d 18h
AU $12.99 to AU $16.35
Women's Bodycon Solid Leather Dress Lady Party Evening Mini Dress Black Skirt ET
Bardot Black Bodycon Dress With Scalloped Neckline, Size 6
A hot black bodycon dress from Bardot, with pockets and scalloped neckline. Pre loved with no defects, Size 6.
Women Sequin Slim Fit Bodycon Party Ball Long Sleeve Mini Dress V-Neck Dresses
ISLA Indigo Blues Animal Spots Print Bodycon Cross Over Back Dress IS-0986
Ending 3 Jun at 12:05 AEST8d 8h
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Kookai sizing 2 (the biggest size available).
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Kookai Viper Dress Khaki Green Long Sleeve Bodycon Short Dress NEW Size 2 (10)
Short Dress. Long Sleeve. 92% Cotton 8% Elastane.
New listingEVENTS WHITE SZ 14 HALTER NECK COTTON DRESS, FULLY LINED
EXCELLENT CONDITION, HAS HAD MINIMAL WEAR.
Ending 30 May at 11:10 AEST4d 7h
NEW WITHOUT TAG DESIGNER SALT ASH BROWN SWEATER BODYCON OSTRICH FEATHER DRESS
NEW WITHOUT TAGS SALT ASH DRESS Size 8 Stunning brown stretchy sweater dress with feather trim Please pay within three days of winning Checkout my other items, I am happy to combine postage. Happy Bidding!
Black Lovisa short party dress, mesh cutout detail with sequins sz 8 10
Gorgeous black party dress by Lovisa, size 8-10, fits a snug 10 or 8 with larger bust. Only worn once with tag cut out (tag was itchy). Has tiny tiny tear defect on lower left thigh of dress near the size, barely noticeable and has been repaired. Beautiful soft sheer mesh cut outs on chest and back for a low cut sequin detail look, like ballerina style. Fantastic for town outing or cocktail dinner. Originally bought for $95.
"ALICE" BEAUTIFUL BLACK & WHITE SIZE 8-10 STRETCH DRESS, WORK, COCKTAIL, EVENING
"ALICE" BEAUTIFUL LADIES ELEGANT BLACK & WHITE STRETCH DRESS SIZE 8-10 WORK, COCKTAIL OR EVENING. "ALICE". GORGEOUS SOFT STRETCH COTTON FITTED PENCIL DRESS. BEAUTIFUL NEW LADIES BLACK & WHITE STRETCH DRESS.
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"ALEXIS" LADIES SIZE 12 BLUE RICH STRETCH WAFFLE COTTON OFF THE SHOULDER DRESS
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Supre Ladies little Black purple Dress size S New With Tags

value: eBay Inc. ( EE-bay) is an American multinational e-commerce corporation based in San Jose, California, that facilitates consumer-to-consumer and business-to-consumer sales through its website.


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GeoCarta: Faulty Map Leads to Blame Game in Scotland
A mistake in an Ordnance Survey map has been blamed for a three-story housing development being built in the wrong place the Edinburgh News reported.
Residents Blame Local Planning Officials
Angry residents claim their views have been ruined because the new building has been built 3 meters out of place. They blame local planning officials. "We've been on at planning about this for a long time now. As soon as this became apparent building control should have been out here and telling them to stop." nieghbor Caroline Gerard, told the News.
Local Officials Blame the Developer
Not so says planning leader Trevor Davies. He blames the developer telling the News, "A responsible developer would have come back to the committee with this. They are within their legal rights but it is not socially responsible to do what they did."
Developer Blames Local Officials
Developer Gregor Properties says it was simply following map references on plans approved by the council. a spokesman said, "What we did was build exactly the building in exactly the place we had planning permission for."
Local Officials Blame Ordinance Survey Maps
A spokeswoman for the council says it relied on Ordinance Survey maps saying such maps, "...represents the gold standard of mapping within the UK was a reasonable way for the council to proceed in the circumstances."
Ordinance Survey Says They Should have had it Surveyed.
A spokesman for Ordnance Survey said: "Ordnance Survey has the capability to capture detail to a very high accuracy using state of the art surveying technology. However, over the years data has been captured using less accurate methods. Ordnance Survey would not expect a customer to use our data in such a context in lieu of a localised engineering survey."
posted by Roger Hart @ 3/04/2007 |


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Biblical Prophecy | Jesus Shall Reign...
The Day of the Lord and the Response of God’s People
Posted in Biblical Prophecy, NT Studies, OT Studies on December 7, 2007| 1 Comment »
In light of this Advent season, as we are anticipating the second Advent of our Lord, it is important to note our role in His coming. As mentioned in the last post linking to 2 Peter 3, we are told that we can hasten the day of His coming. This is shocking to many Calvinists due to the fact that we have focused so heavily on the eternal counsel and decree of the Lord, that we have neglected to see the vast array of texts that seem to say we have a role in all of this. It is because of this undue weight on the predestinating character of God that Calvinists often get a little nervous with passages like when Abraham prays for Sodom and Gomorrah, or when Moses prays for Israel in Exodus 32, and the Lord seems to “change His mind,” or relent, from what was first proposed. (more…)
A Short Post on 1st Century Fulfillment
Posted in Biblical Prophecy, NT Studies, Preterism on August 16, 2007| Leave a Comment »
Last Sunday, as noted in the post on the Antichrist, I discussed the destruction of the Temple in Matthew 24:1-34 and the 1st Century fulfillment of many passages in the New Testament. Here is another short post saying close to the same thing, but in a slightly different manner: click here.
Posted in Biblical Prophecy, NT Studies, OT Studies on December 11, 2006| 1 Comment »