Semi-quantitative approach to estimating GFR by magnetic resonance imaging

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare a semi-quantitative approach to estimating glomerular filtration rate (GFR) by magnetic resonance imaging with radionuclide calculation of GFR, and to investigate whether spin echo or gradient echo is more suitable for estimating GFR.Methods and patients: Fourteen kidneys of seven patients (GFR ranging from 26 to 57 ml/min) were studied. Spin echo and gradient echo sequences interleaving each other at every excitation were used. After intravenous injection of gadopentetate dimeglumine, serial scans were performed. The signal intensities measured in the regions of interest were converted to time-transverse relaxation rate changes for both spin echo (ΔR2) and gradient echo (ΔR2^*). The areas under the time-ΔR2 and time-ΔR2^* curves were calculated as a semi-quantitative index of GFR for both spin echo and gradient echo images, and the results were compared by GFR measured by radionuclide imaging.Results: The semi-quantitative index of the GFR calculated from spin echo images showed a significant correlation with the GFR measured by radionuclide imaging (r=0.85,P<0.001). On the other hand, the semi-quantitative index of the GFR calculated from gradient echo images showed no such correlation (r=0.46,P=0.10).Conclusion: Spin echo sequences may be more suitable than gradient echo sequences for the evaluation of GFR.     

High proton relaxivity for gadolinium oxide nanoparticles

Objective: Nanosized materials of gadolinium oxide can provide high-contrast enhancement in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The objective of the present study was to investigate proton relaxation enhancement by ultrasmall (5 to 10 nm) Gd₂O₃ nanocrystals. Materials and methods: Gd₂O₃ nanocrystals were synthesized by a colloidal method and capped with diethylene glycol (DEG). The oxidation state of Gd₂O₃ was confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Proton relaxation times were measured with a 1.5-T MRI scanner. The measurements were performed in aqueous solutions and cell culture medium (RPMI). Results: Results showed a considerable relaxivity increase for the Gd₂O₃–DEG particles compared to Gd-DTPA. Both T ₁ and T ₂ relaxivities in the presence of Gd₂O₃–DEG particles were approximately twice the corresponding values for Gd–DTPA in aqueous solution and even larger in RPMI. Higher signal intensity at low concentrations was predicted for the nanoparticle solutions, using experimental data to simulate a T₁-weighted spin echo sequence. Conclusion: The study indicates the possibility of obtaining at least doubled relaxivity compared to Gd–DTPA using Gd₂O₃–DEG nanocrystals as contrast agent. The high T ₁ relaxation rate at low concentrations of Gd₂O₃ nanoparticles is very promising for future studies of contrast agents based on gadolinium-containing nanocrystals.     

Computational aspects of the three-dimensional feature-scale simulation of silicon-nanowire field-effect sensors for DNA detection

In recent years dna-sensors, and generally biosensors, with semiconducting transducers were fabricated and characterized. Although the concept of so-called Biofets was proposed already two decades ago, its realization has become feasible only recently due to advances in process technology. In this paper a comprehensive and rigorous approach to the simulation of silicon-nanowire dnafets at the feature-scale is presented. It allows to investigate the feasibility of single-molecule detectors and is used to elucidate the performance that can be expected from sensors with nanowire diameters in the deca-nanometer range. Finally the computational challenges for the simulation of silicon-nanowire dna-sensors are discussed.     

Optimising the design of paramagnetic MRI contrast agents: influence of backbone substitution on the water exchange rate of Gd-DTPA derivatives

Among other factors influencing the residence time of the coordinated water (τ _M ) of paramagnetic contrast agents, the steric hindrance around the gadolinium ion seems to play a beneficial role. Such a crowding can be achieved by substituting the Gd-DTPA backbone on the C4 position. Several Gd-DTPA complexes carrying diverse groups at this position have thus been synthesised and characterised: Gd(S)-C₄-Me-DTPA, Gd(S)-C₄-n-Bu-DTPA, Gd(S)-C₄-iBu-DTPA, Gd(S)-C₄-iPr-DTPA, and Gd-C₄-diMe-DTPA. τ _M has been measured through the evolution of the water oxygen-17 transverse relaxation rate as a function of the temperature. The data show a reduction of τ _M of Gd(S)-C₄-Me-DTPA, Gd(S)-C₄-n-Bu-DTPA, Gd(S)-C₄-iBu-DTPA, Gd(S)-C₄-iPr-DTPA, and Gd-C₄-diMe-DTPA (τ _M ³¹⁰=91,82, 108,98, and 57 ns respectively, as compared to Gd-DTPA (τ _M ³¹⁰=143 ns)). At 310 K, the nuclear magnetic dispersion relaxation profiles of water protons are very similar for the five complexes which present longitudinal relaxivities slightly higher than those of Gd-DTPA. Regarding zinc transmetallation, C4-monosubstituted derivatives are more stable than Gd-DTPA. These results confirm that a judicious substitution of the DTPA skeleton allows for an acceleration of the coordinated water exchange rate. This observation can be useful for the design of vectorised contrast agents for molecular imaging.     

Measurement of arterial input function of <Superscript>17</Superscript>O water tracer in rat carotid artery by using a region-defined (REDE) implanted vascular RF coil

A method of determining arterial input function (AIF) by continuously detecting the ¹⁷O MR signal changes of ¹⁷O-labeled water tracer in the rat carotid artery using a region-defined (REDE) implanted vascular RF coil at 9.4 Tesla is reported. This coil has a compact physical size of 1 mm inner diameter, 3 mm outer diameter and 11 mm in length. It can be readily implanted into the rat neck and wrapped around the rat carotid artery for achieving adequate MR detection sensitivity for determining AIF with minimal surgical trauma. Water phantom and in vivo MR experiments were conducted for validating the coil's performance. A signal-to-noise ratio of ~20:1 was achieved for the ¹⁷O signal acquired from naturally abundant H₂ ¹⁷O in a small amount of blood (~7 μl) inside the rat carotid artery with an acquisition time of 11 s. The REDE RF coil design electromagnetically isolates the rat carotid artery from surrounding tissues and ensures that the MR signal detected by the RF coil is only attributable to the artery blood. It also minimizes the electromagnetic coupling between the implanted RF coil and a head surface coil tuned at the same operating frequency (two-coil configuration). This configuration allowed simultaneous measurements of dynamic changes of ¹⁷O MR signal of the H₂ ¹⁷O tracer in both rat carotid artery and brain. Compared to most contemporary MR approaches, the REDE implanted RF provides a simple, accurate, and promising solution for determination of AIF in small experimental animals.     

Gadolinium-containing copolymeric chelates—a new potential MR contrast agent

Rationale and objectives: To develop and partially characterize a new class of potential blood pool magnetic resonance (MR) contrast agents.Methods: Various copolymeric chelates of gadolinium-diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (Gd-DTPA) were prepared with differing molecular weights of polyethylene glycol (PEG) or polypropylene glycol (PPG) as linkers between the monomeric chelate units. Gadolinium content of the polymeric chelates was determined by atomic absorption spectra. Relaxivity of the polymeric chelates was measured at 1.5 Tesla and compared with Gadolinium-DTPA. MR angiography (MRA) was performed in rabbits comparing Gd-DTPA with Gd-copolymers.Results: The gadolinium content of the copolymeric chelates ranged from 2.95 to 22.2% on weight basis. The molecular weight of the PEG linkers in the copolymers ranged from about 150 to about 3400. Ther ₁ (1/T1, mM⁻¹ s⁻¹) for Gd-DTPA=4.1. Ther ₁ values for the different Gd-containing polymers ranged from 3.8 to 5.8, with the lowestr ₁ for the polymer prepared with the lowest-molecular-weight complex. The higher-molecular-weight complexes resulted in moderately higher relaxivity. MRA with Gd-copolymers, in rabbits, showed markedly greater vascular enhancement relative to an equivalent dose of Gd-DTPA. Vascular enhancement was much more sustained with the copolymeric agent and confined to vascular space; i.e. no appreciable background tissue enhancement—a reflection of distribution into extravascular fluid space—was observed.Conclusions: Relative to Gd-DTPA monomers, PEG-containing Gd-DTPA polymeric complexes provided moderate increases in relaxivity but markedly greater efficacy during in vivo MRA. In vitro relaxivity studies of Gd-copolymers showed only an approximately 50% increase inr ₁ relaxivity compared with Gd-DTPA. The PEG-containing complex's lack of rigidity may have diminished the effect of spin diffusion on relaxation, thereby accounting for this modest increase. The greater efficacy of Gd-copolymers during in vivo MRA may reflect compartmentalization within the vascular space and possibly enhanced relaxation of the macromolecular copolymers in the blood. Gd-copolymers are promising agents that merit additional study.     

Temperature-Stable High-ε Dielectrics Ceramics Based on (1 − x) Ba5NdTi3Ta7O30/xBi4Ti3O12

Modification of Ba₅NdTi₃Ta₇O₃₀ dielectric ceramics was investigated through introducing Bi₄Ti₃O₁₂. With increasing of Bi₄Ti₃O₁₂ content, the dielectric constant increased, and the temperature coefficient of the dielectric constant changed from negative to positive. The small temperature coefficient ( < 50 ppm/°C) combined with high dielectric constant ( = 178) and low dielectric loss (tan = 0.007 at 1 MHz) was achieved in the composition x = 0.6.     

Crystal Growth and High Temperature Piezoelectricity of La3Ta0.5Ga5.5 − x Al x O14 Crystals

For the application of high temperature piezoelectric devices, Al^{3 +} substituted La₃Ta_0.5Ga_5.5O₁₄ (LTG) crystals with chemical formula of La₃Ta_0.5Ga_{5.5 – x}Al_xO₁₄ (LTGA) were synthesized and grown by -PD (Micro-pulling-down) and Czochralski technique. LTGA compound has been shown to exhibit congruent melting in a wide compositional range without destabilization of the melt during growth, while distribution coefficient of the substituted Al^{3 +} ion was close to unity. LTGA crystals have shown preferable effects for temperature stability on piezoelectric properties in the range from R.T (room temperature) to 500_C.     

Changes in proton transverse relaxation times of rat myocardium that has suffered a previous oxidative insult

An oxidative insult can induce severe damage, as in the phenomenon of myocardial ischemia and reperfusion. However, there are situations in which the damage is not so obvious (e.g., silent ischemia or aging), and the negative effects will be seen only in time. Our aim was to reveal these small changes in the myofilaments by using the nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) technique. We used Wistar rat hearts in a constant-pressure Langendorff system, perfused with oxygenated Krebs-Henseleit buffer at 37°C. After 15 minutes of stabilization, the hearts were perfused with buffer supplemented with H₂O₂ at 50, 75, or 100 μmol/L for 15 or 30 minutes. Fifteen-minute and 45-minute perfusion controls and unperfused hearts were also collected. Heart rate (HR) and left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP) were determined with the help of a latex balloon, inserted in the left ventricle and connected with a pressure transducer. Proton transverse relaxation times (T ₂) were determined at the end of the experiment.T ₂ values were measured again in the same tissue fragments after they had been glycerinated and incubated in relaxation and rigor media. The functional parameters (HR, LVDP, coronary flow) were not significantly changed in control and 50 μmol/L H₂O₂ groups but were increased in the 75 μmol/L H₂O₂ group and significantly decreased in the 100 μmol/L H₂O₂ group.T ₂ is significantly decreased in rigor media starting with 50 μmol/L H₂O₂ administrated for 30 minutes and does not correlate with dose and duration of the oxidative insult.T ₂ in rigor is shorter than in relaxation media within the groups, and this difference is increased in the treated hearts.     

Dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI using macromolecular contrast media for monitoring the response to isolated limb perfusion in experimental soft-tissue sarcomas

The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential of dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI for quantitative characterization of tumor microvessels and to assess the microvascular changes in response to isolated limb perfusion with TNF- and melphalan. Dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI was performed in an experimental cancer model, using a macromolecular contrast medium, albumin-(Gd-DTPA)₄₅. Small fragments of BN 175, a soft-tissue sarcoma, were implanted in 11 brown Norway (BN) rats. Animals were assigned randomly to a control (Haemaccel) or drug-treated group (TNF-/melphalan). MRI was performed at baseline and 24 h after ILP. The transendothelial permeability (K^PS) and the fractional plasma volume (fPV) were estimated from the kinetic analysis of MR data using a two-compartment bi-directional model. K^PS and fPV decreased significantly in the drug-treated group compared to baseline (p<0.05). In addition, K^PS post therapy was significantly lower (p<0.05) in the drug-treated group than in the control group. There was no significant difference in fPV between the drug-treated and the control group after therapy. Tumor microvascular changes in response to isolated limb perfusion can be determined after 24 h by dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI. The data obtained in this experimental model suggest possible applications in the clinical setting, using the appropriate MR contrast agents.     

On the Electrostatics of Double-Gate and Cylindrical Nanowire MOSFETs

In this work we investigate and compare the electrostatics of fully-depleted double-gate (dg) and cylindrical nanowire (cnw) mosfets accounting for quantum effects and, in doing so, we propose a new approach for the self-consistent solution of the Schrödinger-Poisson equations based on a rigorous time-independent perturbation method. This study leads to the conclusion that the cylindrical geometry is superior to the equivalent double-gate structure both in terms of the current ratio I_on/I_off and the available voltage gain g_m/g_o, indicating that both the subthreshold slope and the drain-induced barrier lowering (dibl) are better controlled by the cnw-mosfet.     

Determination of in vivo rat muscle Gd-DTPA relaxivity at 6.3 T

For the in vivo relaxivity of Gd-DTPA at 6.3 T in rat muscle a value of 2.7±0.5 (mM s)⁻¹ was found, and for the in vitro value in water 3.00±0.56 (mM s)⁻¹ at 37°C. The temperature dependence of the in vitro relaxivity was −0.087 (mM s °C)⁻¹. The relation between1/T ₁ and the tissue Gd-DTPA concentration is linear for the normally used in vivo Gd-DTPA concentration range     

计及需求响应的海岛微电网群优化运行研究

在海岛可再生能源替代与电动汽车技术大规模应用的背景下,为解决偏远海岛居民的用电需求,提出了计及需求响应的电动汽车接入海岛微电网群的优化方法。首先,根据实际监测数据集对电动汽车充电行为建模,对比多种分布形式的联合评价和指标,得到拟合较好的概率分布函数。其次,选取多个海岛构成低碳化海岛能源系统,在考虑可再生能源渗透率和用户满意度的前提下,建立了以海岛微电网群的经济性和环保效益最优为目标的微电网群优化模型,利用蜘蛛蜂优化(spider wasp optimization, SWO)算法求解。最后,以浙江某海岛群为例进行验证,算例结果表明,所提海岛微电网群优化模型能够在满足可再生能源高渗透率的场景下,有效降低系统成本,更具经济性。     

Vessel size imaging using low intravascular contrast agent concentrations

Vessel size index (VSI) measurements have been validated on rats bearing a glioma with high doses of contrast agent. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of using a reduced dose of contrast agent, necessary for clinical trials. Experiments were performed on rats at three doses of AMI-227 and clearly show higher VSI values at lower doses, whatever the region of interest (contralateral, peritumoral and intratumoral tissue). These results are in good correlation with Monte-Carlo simulations on healthy brain and suggest that only relative values can be obtained at clinical contrast agent doses and magnetic fields.     

MRI characterisation of a novel rat model of focal astrocyte loss

Blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity is lost in several neurological conditions in which astrocytes are damaged. We studied 3-chloropropanediol-induced focal lesions, a toxicant that induces early astrocytic (but not neuronal) death followed by BBB leakage. T2-weighted images illustrate regional selectivity of the lesions, affected areas including the inferior colliculi and red nuclei. Gd-DTPA intensity quantified the degree of vascular leakage in the lesioned areas. MRI intensity in lesioned areas peaked at 2 days, correlating with BBB breakdown, and diminished thereafter, returning to pre-injection levels by 30 days in parallel with the return of astrocytes. T2 measurements were unchanged at 6 h, a time when astrocyte swelling is marked but the vasculature is intact, but increased at 2 days, consistent with cellular damage and BBB leakage. Gd-DTPA enhancement was also greatest at 2 days then decreased over the next 28 days, indicating a tracer-size-dependent rate of BBB repair. A simple model based on experimentally acquired data indicated that the vascular breakdown was the result of leakage of only a small percentage of blood vessels in the affected areas. Loss of astrocytes contributes to barrier loss, and restoration of astrocytes is needed for full barrier recovery.     

P-Type Partial Conductivity of Donor(La)-Doped BaTiO3

P-type partial conductivity has been determined on donor (La _Ba )-doped BaTiO₃ in full thermodynamic equilibrium state at a fixed temperature of 1200°C: For the nominal compositions of Ba_0.99La_0.01Ti_0.9975O₃, Ba_0.99La_0.01TiO₃ and Ba_0.985La_0.01TiO₃, the p-type conductivity is found to vary with oxygen activity as _p = (_m/2)(a _{O 2}/a _{O 2}*)^+1/4 with _m 0.01 S cm^–1 and a _{O 2}* 32, 120, 310, respectively, in the a _{O 2} region where conventionally the electronic conductivity varies as a_{O 2} ^–1/4 and hence, the doped donors are believed to be compensated by cation vacancies (say, [La_Ba ] 4[VPrime;_Ti]). This experimental fact supports that in the vicinity of the stoichiometric composition of the system which falls approximately at a _{O 2} = a _{O 2}*, while cation vacancy concentration is fixed by the donor concentration, oxygen vacancy concentration in the minority is also essentially fixed, thus, keeping the activity of TiO₂ (or BaO) fixed. It is consequently suggested that donor-doped BaTiO₃ contains a second phase even in its stoichiometric regime.     

Electron-Ion Transport in ZrO2-Y2O3-CeO2 Ceramics

Simultaneous conduction of oxide ions and electrons in solid ceramic systems provides the capability for oxygen transport under a concentration gradient without the need for an externally applied electric field. In the present study, ionic transference numbers have been measured in the ZrO₂-5.8%Y₂O₃-10%CeO₂ system by open circuit Emf measurements involving different metal/metal oxide electrodes. In order to correlate the ionic transference number with grain size, high-density ceramic discs of different grain sizes (50 nm–5 m) were prepared by sintering pressed powders at various temperatures and times. Hydrothermal synthesis was used to prepare nanocrystalline powders of the above material with uniform crystallite size (10 nm) and chemistry. Emf measurements on the samples suggested both ionic and electronic transport, the ionic transference number decreasing with increase in the grain size. This observation was attributed to an increase in the amount of continuous crystalline grain boundary phase in the ceramics as the grain size increased. The presence of crystalline silicate and zirconate phases in the grain boundary region was confirmed by electron microscopic imaging combined with microanalysis. In the large grain (5 m) ceramics, the ionic transference number decreased linearly with temperature. As the grain size decreased, a maximum occurred in the ionic transference number vs. temperature curve. This maximum became more pronounced at smaller grain sizes. Better grain-grain contact and the doping effect of trivalent Ce in the grain boundary core are proposed to explain this observation.     

基于Python的汽车运行油耗预测模型的构建

运用python语言对OBD采集的车辆运行数据搭建油耗预测模型。以车速v,发动机转速n,进气管绝对压力P,节气门位置TP,冷却液温度CT,负荷率L,怠速时间IT及加速度a等作为自变量,百公里油耗作为因变量,用SelectKbest函数将参数与因变量相关性强度进行排序并做简要分析,用基于tensorflow的多层感知机（MLP）神经网络模型以及支持向量机(SVM)多元线性回归模型同时对油耗进行预测。支持向量机模型RMSE为0.088,MAE为0.56;tensorflow神经网络模型RMSE为0.132,MAE为0.70。结论说明模型比较可靠,可为进一步分析汽车油耗与车辆运行状态参数之间的关系提供理论依据。     

Ferroelectric Properties of (Bi, Sm)4Ti3O12 (BST) Thin Films Fabricated by a Metalorganic Solution Deposition Method

Ferroelectric properties of samarium substituted Bi₄Ti₃O₁₂ films, Bi_3.15Sm_0.85Ti₃O₁₂ (BST), were evaluated for use as lead-free thin film ferroelectrics for FeRAM applications. The BST films were fabricated on the Pt/Ti/SiO₂/Si(100) substrates by a metalorganic solution deposition method. The measured XRD patterns revealed that the BST films showed only a Bi₄Ti₃O₁₂-type phase with a random orientation. The BST film capacitors showed excellent ferroelectric properties. For the film capacitor annealed at 700C, 2P_r of 64.2 C/cm² and 2E_c of 101.7 kV/cm at applied electric field of 150 kV/cm were observed. The capacitor did not show any significant fatigue up to 1.5 × 10⁸ read/write switching cycles at a frequency of 1 MHz, which suggests that the samarium should be considered for a promising lanthanide elements to make a good thin ferroelectric film for memory applications.