As NMR research progresses, each advance in pulse sequences results in new, unique acronyms to describe the components of the sequence (e.g. RARE, GRASS, FLAIR, HASTE, etc.) Adding to the confusion, different manufacturers of MR equipment use different acronyms for essentially the same pulse sequences. This has led to confusion for many MRI users, and the rapid advances in MR techniques predict no quick end to this "Tower of Babel". A centralized acronym registration service would be useful in order to track, translate and explain the growing multitude of MR acronyms.
Research and design of new NMR pulse sequences is a world-wide process in constant evolution. A centralized registry must also be available to a world-wide audience, be easily accessible, and be dynamic in nature. The Internet and, specifically, the World-Wide-Web (WWW), lends itself to this task well. We have designed and maintained a MARS web page which allows visitors to study existing algorithms, register new pulse sequences and their associated acronyms, and review explanations of the pulse sequence itself. The detail page for each acronym contains the acronym, author, first reference, purpose, synonyms, similar techniques, and sources for further information. When new sequences are registered, their information will be verified by an NMR physicist (MN). The source for these pages is primarily HTML (Hypertext Markup Language), with the judicious use of electronic forms to allow easy entry of data which is then transferred via electronic mail to the MARS Webmaster. Additionally, links to other NMR physics sites of interest on the Internet will be provided as well as hyperlinks to specific information on each of the pulse sequences, where available.
The MARS site serves two important purposes: providing a central repository for the currently scattered information about various MR acronyms including their meaning, synonyms, and purpose, as well as providing a central resource for the initial registration of new acronyms. It is our hope that in addition to serving as a central resource, the site is also the starting-off point for new research, discussion and education for NMR research.
Given the increasing complexity and rapid progression of NMR research involving new pulse sequences and techniques, the number of acronyms in use is increasing exponentially. The MR Acronym Registration Service (MARS) should help to ease the resultant confusion by serving as a reference to existing acronyms and as a registration source for new techniques.