Abstract: The present invention provides a method, a system and a site for enhancing the efficiency of transactions involving a vendor of a good or service bidding on a contract to provide that good or service to a client desiring the good or service.

Abstract: A method of activating an ultrasound contrast agent such that an increased number of microbubbles are produced and subsequent ultrasound images using the activated agent is enhanced. Hypobaric methods are disclosed which provide significant increases in bubble population per unit volume over unactivated solutions. The method is particularly useful for the activation of the dispersed phase in a gas or liquid in liquid emulsion.

Abstract: Magnetic resonance imaging contrast media used to affect the relaxation times of atoms in body tissues undergoing NMR diagnosis are disclosed. Such media comprise (1) a paramagnetic, physiologically compatible complex of (a) a chelant consisting of a N-carboxy methylated tetraazacyclododecane, and (b) a paramagnetic ion of a lanthanide element of atomic numbers 59-70, or of a transition metal of atomic numbers 21-29, 42 or 44, or a physiologically compatible salt of such a complex, and (2) a toxicity-reducing amount of labile calcium ions. The labile calcium ions can be derived from a source other than a salt of said chelant, e.g. an inorganic or organic calcium salt. NMR image-enhancing compositions comprising NMR image-enhancing effective amounts of said contrast media and pharmaceutically acceptable diluents are also disclosed.

Abstract: In a method of imaging body tissue in a patient, comprising administering to the patient an effective amount of a pharmaceutical agent for effecting the relaxation times of atoms in body tissues undergoing NMR diagnosis, whereby image contrast is enhanced, said agent comprising an amount, effective to effect such relaxation times, of a paramagnetic, physiologically compatible salt of a physiologically compatible chelate complex of an ion of a lanthanide element of atomic numbers 57-70, or of a transition metal of atomic numbers 21-29, 42, or 44; and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, and subjecting the patient to NMR tomography, the improvement wherein said salt of said chelate complex is the calcium or magnesium salt. Such salts are new as are some of the complexing chelates.