Improvement in microwave dielectric properties of Sr<Subscript>2</Subscript>TiO<Subscript>4</Subscript> ceramics through post-annealing treatment

Sr₂TiO₄ ceramics were synthesized via the conventional solid-state reaction process, and the effects of post-annealing treatment in air on the microwave dielectric properties and defect behavior of title compound were investigated systematically. The Q?×?f values could be effectively improved from 107,000 GHz to 120,300 GHz for the specimens treated at 1450 °C for 16 h. The thermally stimulated depolarization currents (TSDC) revealed two kinds of defect dipoles [\( \left({\mathrm{Ti}}_{\mathrm{Ti}}^{\hbox{'}}-{V}_{\mathrm{O}}^{\bullet \bullet}\right) \) and \( \left({V}_{\mathrm{Sr}}^{"}-{V}_{\mathrm{O}}^{\bullet \bullet}\right) \)] and oxygen vacancies \( \left({V}_{\mathrm{O}}^{\bullet \bullet}\right) \) were considered the main defects in Sr₂TiO₄. Under a post-annealing treatment in air, the concentrations of such defects in the ceramics decreased. Meanwhile, the impedance spectrum revealed the activation energy of the grain boundaries increased. These evidences could account for the improvement of Q?×?f values. Accompanied with a high ε_r of 40.4 and a large τ_f of 126 ppm/°C, the enhanced high-Q Sr₂TiO₄ ceramics can be good candidates for applications in wireless passive temperature sensing.     

Investigation of trigate JLT with dual-<Emphasis Type="Italic">k</Emphasis> sidewall spacers for enhanced analog/RF FOMs

This paper shows the potential benefits of using the trigate junctionless transistor (JLT) with dual-k sidewall spacers to enhance analog/radio-frequency (RF) performance at 20-nm gate length. Simulation study shows that the source-side-only dual-k spacer (dual-kS) JLT can improve all analog/RF figures of merit (FOMs) compared with the conventional JLT structure. The dual-kS JLT shows improvement in intrinsic voltage gain (\(A_{V0}\)) by \(\sim \)44.58 %, unity-gain cutoff frequency (\(f_\mathrm{T}\)) by \(\sim \)7.67 %, and maximum oscillation frequency (\(f_\mathrm{MAX}\)) by \(\sim \)6.4 % at drain current \((I_\mathrm{ds}) = 10\,\upmu \hbox {A}/\upmu \hbox {m}\) compared with the conventional JLT structure. To justify the improvement in all analog/RF FOMs, it is also found that the dual-kS structure shows high electron velocity near the source region because of the presence of an additional electric field peak near the source region, resulting in increased electron transport efficiency and hence improved transconductance (\(g_\mathrm{m}\)). Furthermore, the dual-kS JLT shows a reduction in the electric field value near the drain end, thereby improving short-channel effects.     

Quantitative effects of acquisition duration and temporal resolution on the measurement accuracy of prostate dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI data: a phantom study

Objectives

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the temporal resolution (T _res) and acquisition duration (AD) on the measurement accuracy of contrast concentration–time curves (CTCs), and derived phenomenological and pharmacokinetic parameter values, in a dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI experiment using a novel phantom test device.

Materials and methods

‘Ground truth’ CTCs were established using a highly precise optical imaging system. These precisely known CTCs were produced in an anthropomorphic environment, which mimicked the male pelvic region, and presented to the MRI scanner for measurement. The T _res was varied in the range [2–24.4 s] and the AD in the range [30–600 s], and the effects on the measurement accuracy were quantified.

Results

For wash-in parameter measurements, large underestimation errors (up to 40%) were found using T _res values ≥16.3 s; however, the measured wash-out rate did not vary greatly across all T _res values tested. Errors in derived K ^trans and v _e values were below 14 and 12% for acquisitions with {T _res ≤ 8.1 s, AD ≥ 360 s} and {T _res ≤ 16.3 s, AD ≥ 360 s}, respectively, but increased dramatically outside these ranges.

Conclusions

Errors in measured wash-in, wash-out, K ^trans, and v _e parameters were minimised using T _res ≤ 8.1 s and AD ≥ 360 s, with large errors recorded outside of this range.

     

Oxygen permeability, stability and electrochemical behavior of \Pr _{2} {\text{NiO}}_{{4 + \delta }} -based materials

The high-temperature electronic and ionic transport properties, thermal expansion and stability of dense $ \Pr _{2} {\text{NiO}}_{{4 + \delta }} ,\Pr _{2} {\text{Ni}}_{{0.9}} {\text{Fe}}_{{0.1}} {\text{O}}_{{4 + \delta }} $ and $ \Pr _{2} {\text{Ni}}_{{0.8}} {\text{Cu}}_{{0.2}} {\text{O}}_{{4 + \delta }} $ ceramics have been appraised in comparison with K₂NiF₄-type lanthanum nickelate. Under oxidizing conditions, the extensive oxygen uptake at temperatures below 1073–1223 K leads to reversible decomposition of Pr₂NiO₄-based solid solutions into Ruddlesden–Popper type Pr₄Ni₃O₁₀ and praseodymium oxide phases. The substitution of nickel with copper decreases the oxygen content and phase transition temperature, whilst the incorporation of iron cations has opposite effects. Both types of doping tend to decrease stability in reducing atmospheres as estimated from the oxygen partial pressure dependencies of total conductivity and Seebeck coefficient. The steady-state oxygen permeability of $ \Pr _{2} {\text{NiO}}_{{4 + \delta }} $ ceramics at 1173–1223 K, limited by both surface-exchange kinetics and bulk ionic conduction, is similar to that of $ {\text{La}}_{2} {\text{NiO}}_{{4 + \delta }} $ . The phase transformation on cooling results in considerably higher electronic conductivity and oxygen permeation, but is associated also with significant volume changes revealed by dilatometry. At 973–1073 K, porous $ \Pr _{2} {\text{Ni}}_{{0.8}} {\text{Cu}}_{{0.2}} {\text{O}}_{{4 + \delta }} $ electrodes deposited onto lanthanum gallate-based solid electrolyte exhibit lower anodic overpotentials compared to $ {\text{La}}_{2} {\text{Ni}}_{{0.8}} {\text{Cu}}_{{0.2}} {\text{O}}_{{4 + \delta }} $ , whilst cathodic reduction decreases their performance.     

Evaluation of material constants in NdCa4O(BO3)3 piezoelectric single crystal

A neodymium calcium oxoborate NdCa₄O(BO₃)₃ piezoelectric single crystal that belongs to the monoclinic system with point group m was grown by the Czochralski technique. A practical evaluation method was developed to determine the 27 independent material constants for acoustic wave device applications. A longitudinal effect face–shear vibration was analyzed and used in the resonance–antiresonance measurement. This method avoided measuring d ₁₁ and d ₃₃ directly by use of X-bar and Z-bar, in which leak of electric field would cause large errors because of the very small dielectric constants. At room temperature, dielectric constants were ${{\varepsilon _{11}^{\text{T}} } \mathord{\left/{\vphantom {{\varepsilon _{11}^{\text{T}} } {\varepsilon _0 }}} \right.\kern-0em} {\varepsilon _0 }} = 9.9$ , ${{\varepsilon _{22}^{\text{T}} } \mathord{\left/{\vphantom {{\varepsilon _{22}^{\text{T}} } {\varepsilon _0 }}} \right.\kern-0em} {\varepsilon _0 }} = 15$ , ${{\varepsilon _{33}^{\text{T}} } \mathord{\left/{\vphantom {{\varepsilon _{33}^{\text{T}} } {\varepsilon _0 }}} \right.\kern-0em} {\varepsilon _0 }} = 10$ and ${{\varepsilon _{13}^{\text{T}} } \mathord{\left/{\vphantom {{\varepsilon _{13}^{\text{T}} } {\varepsilon _0 }}} \right.\kern-0em} {\varepsilon _0 }} = - 0.8$ , respectively. All the independent dielectric and elastic constants were determined in this work. The simulation of surface acoustic wave velocity showed a good agreement with the measured value.     

Low temperature sintering of lead–free (Bi<Subscript>1/2</Subscript>Na<Subscript>1/2</Subscript>)TiO<Subscript>3</Subscript>-SrTiO<Subscript>3</Subscript>-BiFeO<Subscript>3</Subscript> piezoelectric ceramics by adding excess CuO

This study examined the microstructures, crystal structures, and electrical properties of 0.01 mol CuO–added (1–x)(Bi_1/2Na_1/2)TiO₃–xSrTiO₃–2BiFeO₃ (BNST100x–2BF, x?=?0.20 ~ 0.28) ceramics synthesized at two different sintering temperatures. The sintering temperature of the BNST100x–2BF ceramics could be decreased from 1175 °C to 1000 °C by adding a 0.01 mol CuO excess. Low–temperature sintering led to a decrease in average grain size. The dielectrics, polarization hysteresis (P–E), switching current, and electric–field induced strain (S–E) curves changed with increasing SrTiO₃ content and decreasing sintering temperature. Interestingly, the highest reduction ratio of d₃₃^* was calculated to be somewhere in between the high–temperature sintered and low–temperature sintered BNST26–2BF ceramics. These results were attributed to the difference in the stabilized relaxor state and closely related to the electric field–induced reversible phase transition from the relaxor and ferroelectrics.     

Synthesis and characterizations of SrTiO<Subscript>3</Subscript> modified BNT-KNN ceramics for energy storage applications

Lead-free (1-x) [0.934BNT-0.07KNN]-x SrTiO₃/BNT-KNN-ST ceramics with x = 0, 0.04, 0.08, 0.12 and 0.16 were synthesized in single perovskite phase by conventional solid state reaction route. Effect of SrTiO₃ modification on phase, microstructure, dielectric, electric field induced polarization, electric field induced strain and energy-storage properties were investigated and discussed in detail. Dielectric study confirmed relaxor nature with a drastic decrease of T _c with the increase of SrTiO₃ content in BNT-KNN-ST system. Saturation polarization, remnant polarization, coercive field (E _c ) and maximum induced strain decreased with the increase of SrTiO₃ content in BNT-KNN-ST system. High recoverable energy storage density of ~0.59 J/cm ³ with energy storage efficiency of ~64% were obtained in x = 0.16 ceramic samples, which suggested its usefulness for energy-storage capacitor applications.     

Microwave dielectric properties of (1-<Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis>) BiVO<Subscript>4</Subscript>–<Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis>Ln<Subscript>2/3</Subscript>MoO<Subscript>4</Subscript> (Ln=Er,Sm, Nd,la) ceramics with low sintering temperatures

A series of microwave dielectric ceramics of (1-x) BiVO₄ -xLn_2/3MoO₄ (Ln = Er, Sm, Nd and La; x = 0.06, 0.08, 0.10) sintered below 900 °C were prepared via solid-state reaction. As the x values increase, the monoclinic scheelite continuously changes to a tetragonal structure at x = 0.10. The incorporation of Ln_2/3MoO₄ into the BiVO₄ matrix increases the product (Q × f) of quality factor (Q) and resonance frequency (f), and temperature coefficient (τ _f ), but lowers the dielectric constant (ε _r). Microwave dielectric ceramics with low sintering temperatures (<900 °C) are obtained: ε _r of ~71.1, 81.6, 75.6 and ~75.3; Q × f values of ~8292, 5508, 8695 and 9043 GHz; τ _f of ~ ?51, 134, 149 and 158 ppm/°C, for 0.94BiVO₄–0.06Er_2/3MoO₄, 0.92BiVO₄–0.08Sm_2/3MoO₄, 0.9BiVO₄–0.1Nd_2/3MoO₄ and 0.9BiVO₄–0.1La_2/3MoO₄ ceramics, respectively. Moreover, (1-x) BiVO₄ -xLn_2/3MoO₄ (Ln = Er, Sm, Nd and La; x = 0.06, 0.08 and 0.10) ceramics are chemically compatible with both Ag and Cu powders at their sintering temperatures. The series of microwave dielectric ceramics might be potential candidates for low temperature co-fired ceramics (LTCC) technology applications.     

Intravoxel incoherent motion analysis of abdominal organs: computation of reference parameters in a large cohort of C57Bl/6 mice and correlation to microvessel density

Objective

Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI) combined with intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) analysis may be applied for assessment of organ lesions, diffuse parenchymal pathologies, and therapy monitoring. The aim of this study was to determine IVIM reference parameters of abdominal organs for translational research in a large cohort of C57Bl/6 laboratory mice.

Materials and methods

Anesthetized mice (n = 29) were measured in a 4.7 T small-animal MR scanner with a diffusion-weighted echo-planar imaging sequence at the \(b\)-values 0, 13, 24, 55, 107, 260, 514, 767, 1020 s/mm². IVIM analysis was conducted on the liver, spleen, renal medulla and cortex, pancreas, and small bowel with computation of the true tissue diffusion coefficient \(D_{\text{t}}\), the perfusion fraction \(f_{\text{p}}\), and the pseudodiffusion coefficient \(D_{\text{p}}\). Microvessel density (MVD) was assessed by immunohistochemistry (IHC) against panendothelial cell antigen CD31.

Results

Mean values of the different organs [\(D_{\text{t}}\) (10^?3 mm²/s); \(f_{\text{p}}\) (%); \(D_{\text{p}}\) (10^?3 mm²/s); MVD (MV/mm²)]: liver 1.15 ± 0.14; 14.77 ± 6.15; 50.28 ± 33.21, 2008.48 ± 419.43, spleen 0.55 ± 0.12; 9.89 ± 5.69; 24.46 ± 17.31; n.d., renal medulla 1.50 ± 0.20; 14.63 ± 4.07; 35.50 ± 18.01; 1231.88 ± 290.61, renal cortex 1.34 ± 0.18; 10.83 ± 3.70; 16.74 ± 6.74; 810.09 ± 193.50, pancreas 1.23 ± 0.22; 20.12 ± 7.46; 29.35 ± 17.82, 591.15 ± 86.25 and small bowel 1.06 ± 0.13; 16.48 ± 3.63; 15.31 ± 7.00; 420.50 ± 168.42. Unlike \(D_{\text{t}}\) and \(f_{\text{p}}\), \(D_{\text{p}}\) correlates significantly with MVD (r = 0.90, p = 0.037).

Conclusion

This systematic evaluation of murine abdominal organs with IVIM and MVD analysis allowed to establish reference parameters for future DW-MRI translational research studies on small-animal disease models.

     

Ambipolar leakage suppression in electron–hole bilayer TFET: investigation and analysis

In this paper, we propose and simulate two new structures of electron–hole bilayer tunnel field-effect transistors (EHBTFET). The proposed devices are n-heterogate with \(\hbox {M}_{1}\) as overlap gate, \(\hbox {M}_{2}\) as underlap gate and employs a high-k dielectric pocket in the drain underlap. Proposed structure 1 employs symmetric underlaps (Lgs = Lgd = Lu). The leakage analysis of this structure shows that the lateral ambipolar leakage between channel and drain is reduced by approximately three orders, the OFF-state leakage is reduced by one order, and the \(I_{\mathrm{ON}}/I_{\mathrm{OFF}}\) ratio is increased by more than one order at \(V_\mathrm{{GS}}=V_{\mathrm{DS}} =1.0\) V as compared to the conventional Si EHBTFET. The performance is improved further by employing asymmetric underlaps (\(\hbox {Lgs}\ne \hbox {Lgd}\)) with double dielectric pockets at source and drain, called as proposed structure 2. The pocket dimensions have been optimized, and an average subthreshold swing of 17.7 mV/dec (25.5% improved) over five decades of current is achieved with an ON current of \(0.23~\upmu \hbox {A}/\upmu \hbox {m}\) (11% improved) in proposed structure 2 in comparison with the conventional EHBTFET. Further, the parasitic leakage paths between overlap/underlap interfaces are blocked and the OFF-state leakage is reduced by more than two orders. A high \(I_{\mathrm{ON}}/I_{\mathrm{OFF}}\,\hbox {ratio}~>10^{9}\) (two orders higher) is achieved at \(V_{\mathrm{DS}} =V_{\mathrm{GS}} =1.0~\hbox {V}\) in the proposed structure 2 in comparison with the conventional one.     

Atomistic tight-binding simulations of quaternary-alloyed $$\hbox {Zn}_{x}\hbox {Cd}_{1-x}\hbox {S}_{y}\hbox {Se}_{1-y}$$ nanocrystals

Advancement of alloyed nanocrystals with attractive structural and optical properties for use in a wide range of physical, chemical, and biological applications represents a growing research field. Employing atomistic tight-binding theory combined with the virtual crystal approximation, the electronic structure and optical properties of quaternary-alloyed \(\hbox {Zn}_{{x}}\hbox {Cd}_{1-{x}} \hbox {S}_{{y}}\hbox {Se}_{1-{y}}\) nanocrystals with experimentally synthesized compositions (x and y) and sizes were investigated. Analysis of the results shows that the physical properties are mainly sensitive to the concentrations (x and y) and the diameter. With decreasing x and y contents, the optical bandgap is reduced because the contributions of the materials with narrower bulk bandgap (ZnSe and CdSe) is mostly promoted. The optical bandgap is reduced with increasing diameter due to the quantum confinement effect. The optical bandgap calculated based on tight-binding calculations shows discrepancy of less than 0.4 eV from experiment. Most importantly, the optical emission is continuously tunable across the entire visible spectrum. The conduction and valence bands are predominantly contributed by cation and anion atoms, respectively. The optical properties are obviously improved in Cd- and Se-rich quaternary \(\hbox {Zn}_{{x}}\hbox {Cd}_{1-{x}} \hbox {S}_{{y}}\hbox {Se}_{1-{y}}\) nanocrystals with large diameter. The atomistic electron–hole interactions can be hybrid-engineered by tuning either the contents (x and y) or diameter. The Stokes shift becomes more pronounced with decreasing alloy concentrations (x and y) and diameter, as described by the trend of the atomistic electron–hole exchange interaction. The present systematic study provides a new avenue to understand the unique size- and composition-dependent structural and optical properties of quaternary-alloyed \(\hbox {Zn}_{{x}}\hbox {Cd}_{1-{x}} \hbox {S}_{{y}}\hbox {Se}_{1-{y}}\) nanocrystals for broad use in multicolor bioimaging, biosensing, light-emitting diodes, solar cells, and other nanodevice applications.     

Multiferroic,magnetoelectric and magneto-impedance properties of NiFe<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript>/(Pb,Sr) TiO<Subscript>3</Subscript> bilayer films

We prepared NiFe₂O₄/(Pb, Sr)TiO₃ (NFO/PST) bilayer films by the chemical solution method and investigated their multiferroic, magnetoelectric and magneto-impedance properties. Multiferroic properties have been observed at room temperature. The bilayer films exhibit saturation polarization P _s ? 26.6 μC/cm² and saturation magnetization M _s ? 134 emu/cm³. With increasing Sr content, M _s. and P _s values of the NFO/PST bilayer films decrease. The variation may be ascribed to the influence of interfacial strain and decrease in tetragonality. High magnetoelectric coupling effect has been observed in the NFO/PST bilayer films with maximum value of α _E  = 6.35 Vcm^?1 Oe^?1 measured at H _DC  ~ 1 kOe and f ~ 10 kHz for Sr ~ 10% (NFO/PST10). The magneto-impedance measurements establish a strong dependence on magnetic field, further confirming magnetoelectric response in NFO/PST bilayer films. An alternative approach for impedance analysis of NFO/PST10 bilayer film provides direct evidence of strain mediated magnetoelectric coupling at room temperature. The results indicate that NFO/PST bilayer films can be considered as a potential multiferroic magnetoelectric material.     

A novel alternative to classify tissues from <Emphasis Type="Italic">T</Emphasis><Subscript>1</Subscript> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">T</Emphasis><Subscript>2</Subscript> relaxation times for prostate MRI

Objective

To segment and classify the different attenuation regions from MRI at the pelvis level using the T ₁ and T ₂ relaxation times and anatomical knowledge as a first step towards the creation of PET/MR attenuation maps.

Materials and methods

Relaxation times were calculated by fitting the pixel-wise intensities of acquired T ₁- and T ₂-weighted images from eight men with inversion-recovery and multi-echo multi-slice spin-echo sequences. A decision binary tree based on relaxation times was implemented to segment and classify fat, muscle, prostate, and air (within the body). Connected component analysis and an anatomical knowledge-based procedure were implemented to localize the background and bone.

Results

Relaxation times at 3 T are reported for fat (T ₁ = 385 ms, T ₂ = 121 ms), muscle (T ₁ = 1295 ms, T ₂ = 40 ms), and prostate (T ₁ = 1700 ms, T ₂ = 80 ms). The relaxation times allowed the segmentation–classification of fat, prostate, muscle, and air, and combined with anatomical knowledge, they allowed classification of bone. The good segmentation–classification of prostate [mean Dice similarity score (mDSC) = 0.70] suggests a viable implementation in oncology and that of fat (mDSC = 0.99), muscle (mDSC = 0.99), and bone (mDSCs = 0.78) advocates for its implementation in PET/MR attenuation correction.

Conclusion

Our method allows the segmentation and classification of the attenuation-relevant structures required for the generation of the attenuation map of PET/MR systems in prostate imaging: air, background, bone, fat, muscle, and prostate.

     

Structural and magnetic evolution of Fe-doped TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> nanoparticles synthesized by sol-gel method

Nanocrystalline Ti_1-x Fe _x O₂ particles were fabricated via sol-gel method and their structures, morphology and magnetic properties were investigated. The structure of the Ti_1-x Fe _x O₂ nanospheres evolved from mixed anatase and rutile phases to pure anatase phase with increasing iron content. Additionally, it is found the evolution of magnetism: sample x = 3% shows room temperature ferromagnetism while the rests exhibit paramagnetism. The hysteresis loop of sample x = 3% is attributable to paramagnetic and ferromagnetic phase and the paramagnetic and ferromagnetic components are separated. The susceptibility of Ti_1-x Fe _x O₂ increases and then decreases with the increase of Fe content. The magnetism is explained by the BMP theory.     

A single-mode Mn-doped 0.27PIN-0.46PMN-0.27PT single-crystal ultrasonic motor

Mn-modified rhombohedral phase yPb(In_1/2Nb_1/2)O₃-(1-x-y)Pb(Mg_1/3Nb_2/3)O₃-xPbTiO₃ (PIN-PMN-PT:Mn) single crystal has attracted considerable attention for its outstanding piezoelectric properties and high mechanical quality factor. Here, we report a device innovation using Mn doped 0.27PIN-0.46PMN-0.27PT single crystal in a single-mode piezoelectric ultrasonic motor. Based on the analyses of actuator characteristics with finite element method, the PIN-PMN-PT:Mn crystal actuator predicts lower excitation frequency, lower driving voltage, and less power loss comparing with the PZT ceramic actuator. A prototype motor (size: 12 × 6 × 1.5 mm³) was fabricated and tested. The typical output of this PIN-PMN-PT:Mn motor is a speed up to 42.3 cm/s, a driving torque of 0.42 N cm, and an output power density of 0.45 W/cm³, under the driving voltage of 21 V_0?P. This work presents that PIN-PMN-PT:Mn single crystal is quite advantageous in making miniaturized and high-power piezoelectric ultrasonic motors.     

Dielectric and piezoelectric properties of Bi<Subscript>1/2</Subscript>Na<Subscript>1/2</Subscript>TiO<Subscript>3</Subscript>–SrTiO<Subscript>3</Subscript> lead–free ceramics

This study investigated the microstructure, crystal structure, and electrical properties of (1???x)Bi_1/2Na_1/2TiO₃–xSrTiO₃ (BNST100x; x?=?0.20, 0.22, 0.24, 0.26, 0.28, and 0.30) lead?free piezoceramics. The average grain size of BNST100x ceramics decreased with increasing SrTiO₃ content. A phase transition from nonergodic relaxor (NER) to ergodic relaxor (ER) was observed at x?=?0.26, and the highest unipolar strain under 4 kV/mm electric field, of 0.25% (d₃₃^*?≈?620 pm/V), was obtained at x?=?0.28. We found that the BNST26 and BNST28 compositions yielded the competitive advantage of larger strain values under lower operating fields compared with other BNT–based lead–free piezoelectric ceramics. Therefore, we regard these ceramics as promising candidates for actuator applications.     

In vivo chlorine and sodium MRI of rat brain at 21.1 T

Object

MR imaging of low-gamma nuclei at the ultrahigh magnetic field of 21.1 T provides a new opportunity for understanding a variety of biological processes. Among these, chlorine and sodium are attracting attention for their involvement in brain function and cancer development.

Materials and methods

MRI of ³⁵Cl and ²³Na were performed and relaxation times were measured in vivo in normal rat (n = 3) and in rat with glioma (n = 3) at 21.1 T. The concentrations of both nuclei were evaluated using the center-out back-projection method.

Results

T ₁ relaxation curve of chlorine in normal rat head was fitted by bi-exponential function (T _1a = 4.8 ms (0.7) T _1b = 24.4 ± 7 ms (0.3) and compared with sodium (T ₁ = 41.4 ms). Free induction decays (FID) of chlorine and sodium in vivo were bi-exponential with similar rapidly decaying components of $ T_{{2{\text{a}}}}^{*} = 0.4 $  ms and $ T_{{2{\text{a}}}}^{*} = 0.53 $  ms, respectively. Effects of small acquisition matrix and bi-exponential FIDs were assessed for quantification of chlorine (33.2 mM) and sodium (44.4 mM) in rat brain.

Conclusion

The study modeled a dramatic effect of the bi-exponential decay on MRI results. The revealed increased chlorine concentration in glioma (~1.5 times) relative to a normal brain correlates with the hypothesis asserting the importance of chlorine for tumor progression.     

High piezoelectricity associated with crossover from nonergodicity to ergodicity in modified Bi<Subscript>0.5</Subscript>Na<Subscript>0.5</Subscript>TiO<Subscript>3</Subscript> relaxor ferroelectrics

The structural origin of high piezoelectricity in perovskite-type relaxor ferroelectrics is a fundamental issue that remains elusive for decades. In this study, high and unstable piezoelectricity for the poled ceramics, accompanied with a crossover from a nonergodic relaxor to an ergodic relaxor state at room temperature, has been observed for 0.95(Bi_0.5Na_0.5)_1-x (Li_0.5Sm_0.5) _x TiO₃–0.05BaTiO₃ ceramics with x = 0.06. The result suggests that the high piezoelectric activity origins from the electric field-induced-ordered nanodomains. The rapid loss of piezoelectricity stems from the reversibility of the ordered nanodomains after removing applied electric field.     

Relationship between carotid plaque surface morphology and perfusion: a 3D DCE-MRI study

Objective

This study aims to explore the relationship between plaque surface morphology and neovascularization using a high temporal and spatial resolution 4D contrast-enhanced MRI/MRA sequence.

Materials and methods

Twenty one patients with either recent symptoms or a carotid artery stenosis ≥40% were recruited in this study. Plaque surface morphology and luminal stenosis were determined from the arterial phase MRA images. Carotid neovascularization was evaluated by a previously validated pharmacokinetic (PK) modeling approach. K ^trans (transfer constant) and v _p (partial plasma volume) were calculated in both the adventitia and plaque.

Results

Image acquisition and analysis was successfully performed in 28 arteries. Mean luminal stenosis was 44% (range 11–82%). Both adventitial and plaque K ^trans in ulcerated/irregular plaques were significantly higher than smooth plaques (0.079 ± 0.018 vs. 0.064 ± 0.011 min^?1, p = 0.02; 0.065 ± 0.013 vs. 0.055 ± 0.010 min^?1, p = 0.03, respectively). Positive correlations between adventitial K ^trans and v _p against stenosis were observed (r = 0.44, p = 0.02; r = 0.55, p = 0.01, respectively).

Conclusion

This study demonstrates the feasibility of using a single sequence to acquire both high resolution 4D CE-MRA and DCE-MRI to evaluate both plaque surface morphology and function. The results demonstrate significant relationships between lumen surface morphology and neovascularization.

     

DCE-MRI of hepatocellular carcinoma: perfusion quantification with Tofts model versus shutter-speed model—initial experience

Objective

To quantify hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) perfusion and flow with the fast exchange regime-allowed Shutter-Speed model (SSM) compared to the Tofts model (TM).

Materials and methods

In this prospective study, 25 patients with HCC underwent DCE-MRI. ROIs were placed in liver parenchyma, portal vein, aorta and HCC lesions. Signal intensities were analyzed employing dual-input TM and SSM models. ART (arterial fraction), K ^trans (contrast agent transfer rate constant from plasma to extravascular extracellular space), v _e (extravascular extracellular volume fraction), k _ep (contrast agent intravasation rate constant), and τ _i (mean intracellular water molecule lifetime) were compared between liver parenchyma and HCC, and ART, K ^trans, v _e and k _ep were compared between models using Wilcoxon tests and limits of agreement. Test–retest reproducibility was assessed in 10 patients.

Results

ART and v _e obtained with TM; ART, v _e , k _e and τ _i obtained with SSM were significantly different between liver parenchyma and HCC (p < 0.04). Parameters showed variable reproducibility (CV range 14.7–66.5 % for both models). Liver K ^trans and v _e ; HCC v _e and k _ep were significantly different when estimated with the two models (p < 0.03).

Conclusion

Our results show differences when computed between the TM and the SSM. However, these differences are smaller than parameter reproducibilities and may be of limited clinical significance.