Towards an integrated neonatal brain and cardiac examination capability at 7 T: electromagnetic field simulations and early phantom experiments using an 8-channel dipole array

Objective

Neonatal brain and cardiac imaging would benefit from the increased signal-to-noise ratio levels at 7 T compared to lower field. Optimal performance might be achieved using purpose designed RF coil arrays. In this study, we introduce an 8-channel dipole array and investigate, using simulations, its RF performances for neonatal applications at 7 T.

Methods

The 8-channel dipole array was designed and evaluated for neonatal brain/cardiac configurations in terms of SAR efficiency (ratio between transmit-field and maximum specific-absorption-rate level) using adjusted dielectric properties for neonate. A birdcage coil operating in circularly polarized mode was simulated for comparison. Validation of the simulation model was performed on phantom for the coil array.

Results

The 8-channel dipole array demonstrated up to 46% higher SAR efficiency levels compared to the birdcage coil in neonatal configurations, as the specific-absorption-rate levels were alleviated. An averaged normalized root-mean-square-error of 6.7% was found between measured and simulated transmit field maps on phantom.

Conclusion

The 8-channel dipole array design integrated for neonatal brain and cardiac MR was successfully demonstrated, in simulation with coverage of the baby and increased SAR efficiency levels compared to the birdcage. We conclude that the 8Tx-dipole array promises safe operating procedures for MR imaging of neonatal brain and heart at 7 T.

     

Enhancing the Yield Stress in Liquid Polydimethylsiloxane to Allow Its 3D Printing: Hydrogels as Removable Fillers

For manufacturing parts of very soft materials by liquid deposition modeling (e.g., to mimic living soft tissues), formulations of 3D-printable polydimethylsiloxane have been developed, with the aim of increasing the yield stress of the liquid and reducing the final mechanical modulus. In the present work, suspensions of solid-like hydrogel particles, which are easily 3D-printable, are prepared in order to generate yield stress, and the suspended phase is removed after manufacturing by taking advantage of the thermo-reversibility of the hydrogel behavior, resulting in porosity, which reduces the final rigidity. The reported approach is even more efficient than a previous approach based on emulsion formulations.     

‘Land for infrastructure’ in Ho Chi Minh City: land-based financing of transportation improvement

This paper explores how land-based financing mechanisms are currently used in Ho Chi Minh City as a public-private funding strategy. The Land-for-Infrastructure (LFI) mechanism appears as a solution to produce infrastructures. We found that the implementation of the LFI mechanism remains difficult, but eventually can lead to success. By ‘trial-error-transcend,’ the City managed to build two essential roads while the developers received attractive investment opportunities in urban development. This mechanism cannot, however, be seen as a panacea for the local authorities due to constraints to replicate it and potential undesired ‘side effects.’     

Experiencing visual impairment in a lifetime home: an interpretative phenomenological inquiry

Lifetime home standards (LTHS) are a set of standards aimed at making homes more accessible. Previous research, however, indicates that LTHS do not adequately meet the needs of those with sensory impairments. Now, with visual impairment set to increase globally and acknowledging the recognised link between quality of dwelling and wellbeing, this article aims to examine the experiences of visually impaired people living in lifetime homes. The objectives are to investigate existing lifetime homes and to identify whether LTHS meet occupants’ needs. Qualitative semi-structured interviews were carried out with six visually impaired people living in homes designed to LTHS in Northern Ireland. Collected data was analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis identifying three super-ordinate themes: (1) living with visual impairment; (2) design considerations and (3) coping strategies. A core theme of balance between psychological and physical needs emerged through interconnection of super-ordinate themes. Although there are benefits to living in lifetime homes, negative aspects are also apparent with occupants employing several coping strategies to overcome difficulties. Whilst residents experience negative emotions following visual impairment diagnoses, results suggest that occupants still regard their homes as key places of security and comfort in addition to then highlighting the need for greater consideration of specific individual needs within general guidelines.     

Automated formal analysis of temporal properties of Ladder programs

International Journal on Software Tools for Technology Transfer - Programmable Logic Controllers are industrial digital computers used as automation controllers in manufacturing processes. The...     

Encapsulation of protein hydrolysates by spray drying: feasibility of using buffalo whey proteins

This work aimed to produce and encapsulate protein hydrolysates of buffalo origin using spray drying with gum arabic and maltodextrin as encapsulating agents. The following core ratios were applied: encapsulating agent in the ratios of 1:10 and 1:15, with 50% gum arabic and 50% maltodextrin (50:50), and 70% gum arabic and 30% maltodextrin (70:30). The encapsulated particles were between 2.0 and 20.0 μm. The encapsulation efficiency of the samples was above 95% at the initial time. After 45 days of storage, encapsulation efficiency decreased to values below 60%. The 70:30 samples showed a significant decrease (P < 0.05) in hygroscopicity, moisture and water activity compared with free hydrolysates. The encapsulation process increased the values of oil retention, emulsifying activity and solubility of whey protein hydrolysates for all proportions evaluated, both at the initial time and after 45 days of storage. The branched-chain amino acid concentration was higher in samples encapsulated at the 1:10 ratio. The spray drying encapsulation of buffalo protein hydrolysates with suitable encapsulating agents improves the techno-functional characteristics of these hydrolysates, hence expanding their use in different food matrices and enabling the use of buffalo cheese whey.     

Les dépôts morainiques holocènes de la zone axiale pyrénéenne: approche déterministe de leur instabilitéà Verdun sur Ariège, (Pyrénées centrales, France)

This paper reports a study of the historic instability of the till deposits in an area of the central Pyrenees between France and Spain upslope of the town of Verdun. The object of the work was to create a model based on the geomorphological and geological mapping of landslides and a geotechnical survey of the instability of the whole of the mountainous slopes of the Domanial Verdun area. The detailed mapping allows the historic landslides to be distinguished from the more recent/active movements which involve volumes of 100,000 to 400,000?m³ of material. In addition, it was possible to assess the areal percentage of the actively slipping zones (5%) compared to the historic slide zones (12%) and the stable areas (78%). Following the European classification, two types of slides were identified in the Verdun study area: (1) historic rotational slides and (2) active translational slides located in the Verdun area at between 1000 and 1250?m altitude. The stability was calculated using the classic "method of slices", subdividing the slipped zone into vertical slices along a suitable cross section. The so-called factor of safety (F) was determined by dividing the moments of resisting forces (M_R) by the moments of driving forces (M_D). The state of limiting equilibrium has a "factor of safety" of 1. The physical parameters of the till deposits of Verdun were established as: unit weight γ=24.9?kN/m³ (calculated using the percentage of gneissic blocks contained in the tills) and porosity n=0.24. The results of 15 triaxial tests in a gravelly sand matrix were plotted in a Lambe diagram following a linear regression model [x=(σ₁+σ₃)/2 and y=(σ₁–σ₃)/2 with sin?φ′ =tan?θ]. From this the friction angle φ′=33°±3 and c′=45±5?kPa were established. The factor of safety calculated for the moraine deposits in the historic slides was 1.44 without water (Hw=0). With a height of water of 7?m, representing 85% of the till thickness, this was reduced to F=1. To achieve a factor of safety of 1.3, the maximum water level within the till should not exceed 2.5?m, representing 65% of the till thickness. Similarly, the factor of safety was calculated for the active slides of another area (shown as section 4 in Fig.?3 in the paper). Using slice number 9 from the middle of the slide, the factor of safety was 1.08 when the height of the water was taken as 90% of the till thickness. This high calculated factor of safety for the height of water is consistent with the slow movement of the actual slides. However, a lower internal cohesion of the till deposits or the presence of a weathered zone would decrease the factor of safety from 1 to 0.8. It is also possible that other parameters, such as the regional seismic activity, could have been sufficient to initiate movement (F<1) during the last 50?years. It is of note that the map of seismic activity shows that more than a 100 earthquakes with magnitudes greater than 3 have occurred in the central Pyrenees since 1660. The paper emphasises the importance of high-quality mapping which identifies and classifies areas of historic and recent instability. From this, a single geotechnical model to calculate the stability can be established. The level of the water is shown to be the critical parameter and of more significance than the variations in the effective friction angle, which itself is more important than variations in the effective cohesion. With this information it is possible to determine those areas where some form of stabilisation and/or drainage of the till deposits is necessary.     

Modelling and traceability for computationally-intensive precision engineering and metrology

In contrast to measurements of the dimensions of machined parts realized by machine tools and characterized by CMMs, software results are not fully traceable and certified. Indeed, a computer is not a perfect machine and binary encoding of real numbers leads to rounding of successive intermediate calculations that may lead to globally false results. This is the case for poor implementations and poorly conditioned algorithms. Therefore, accurate geometric modelling and implementations will be detailed. Based on the works of National Metrology Institutes, the problem of software traceability will also be discussed. Some prospects for this complex task will finally be suggested.