Stent placement with real time MRI guidance: initial animal experiment experiences

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to test the feasibility of iliac artery stent placement under MR guidance with real-time MR radial scanning in an animal model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The experiments were performed on three pigs in a 1.5 T scanner. Radial scanning with a gradient echo technique (TR 8.4 ms, TE 3.6 ms, flip angle 10 degrees) was used. A dedicated backprojector performed the reconstruction of the raw data in real-time. The resulting MR-images were displayed on LCD screens beside the magnet. The sliding window reconstruction technique allowed image acquisition at a frame rate of 16 images per second. MR-compatible self-expanding stents with a diameter of 8 mm and a length of 3 cm were placed into the left iliac artery. Their positions were verified by digital subtraction angiography (DSA) and compared to MRI. RESULTS: All stents were successfully placed. Stent positions as monitored by real-time MR were identical to those seen on DSA images. The time needed for exact positioning of the scan plane ranged from 15 to 30 minutes. Stent placement itself took 8 minutes on average. CONCLUSION: Radial scanning applied together with the sliding window reconstruction technique allows placement of stents in iliac arteries under real-time MR control.     

Ultrasound biomicroscopy of the anterior segment

BACKGROUND: New imaging technologies are revolutionizing the understanding and treatment of a wide variety of ocular disorders. Confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy, ultrasound biomicroscopy, confocal scanning laser polarimetry, color doppler imaging of blood flow, and optical coherence tomography are providing important information regarding disease pathophysiology, diagnosis, progression, and treatment. METHODS: High frequency (50 MHz), high resolution ultrasound biomicroscopy of the anterior segment was obtained in a wide variety of disorders of the anterior segment. Tissue resolution is approximately 50 microns and the penetration depth is 5 mm. RESULTS: Ultrasound biomicroscopy is capable of imaging the comea, iris, anterior chamber, anterior chamber angle, posterior chamber, and ciliary body with great detail. The structures surrounding the posterior chamber, previously hidden from clinical observation, can be imaged and their normal anatomic relationships assessed. The various forms of angle closure glaucoma, such as pupillary block and plateau iris configuration, can be differentiated. The concave iris found in pigment dispersion and its response to treatment can be assessed. Visualization of anterior segment anatomy in eyes with opaque media is possible. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasound biomicroscopy assists in the management of eyes with disorders of the anterior segment. Future applications of this technology will yield important information regarding accommodation, normal ocular physiology and disease pathophysiology.     

Three-dimensional coronary MR angiography using zonal echo planar imaging

Using an adapted two-dimensional spatially selective RF excitation scheme, a novel yet practical three-dimensional (3D) zonal echo-planar imaging technique for MR coronary angiography has been developed. The robustness of the technique compared with the two-dimensional (2D) segmented fast low angle shot (FLASH) method was evaluated using the right coronary artery images of 16 asymptomatic volunteers with a 0.5-T mobile scanner. Each 3D acquisition required multiple breath-holds, and real-time navigator echoes were used to ensure consistent breath-holding. Advantages of the technique include an improved signal-to-noise ratio, clearer depiction of tortuous coronary vessels due to decreased partial volume effects, and reduced motion blurring by the use of a short echo-planar readout.     

Measurement of Lattice Distortion in NbTaTiV and NbTaTiVZr Using Electron Microscopy

High annular angle dark field-scanning transmission electron microscopy (HAADF-STEM) was used to directly measure the lattice distortion of NbTaTiV and NbTaTiVZr by fitting the images with a two-dimensional (2-D) Gauss function. The effect of the scanning direction and the accuracy of the HAADF-STEM method were discussed, and the lattice distortion factors in NbTaTiV and NbTaTiVZr were 0.113 and 0.155 Å, respectively.

     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">In Situ</Emphasis> Observation of Kinetic Processes of Lath Bainite Nucleation and Growth by Laser Scanning Confocal Microscope in Reheated Weld Metals

The kinetic processes of nucleation and growth of bainite laths in reheated weld metals are observed and analyzed by a combination of a laser confocal scanning microscope and an electron backscattering diffraction with a field emission scanning electron microscope. The results indicate that the surface relief induced by phase transformation is able to reveal the real microstructural morphologies of bainite laths when viewed from various angles. Five nucleation modes and six types of growth behaviors of bainite laths are revealed. The bainite lath growth rates are measured to vary over a wide range, from 2 μm/s to higher than 2000 μm/s. The orientations of the bainite laths within a prior austenite grain are examined and denoted as different variants. On the basis of variant identification, the reason is analyzed for various growth rates which are demonstrated to be affected by (1) the density of the high-angle misorientation in it, (2) the included angle between habit planes of different variants, and (3) the direction of lath growth with respect to the free (polished) surface.     

An experience in clinical application of real-time two-dimensional echocardiography

An experience with a real-time two-dimensional echocardiographic system was presented. In this report a sagittal plane section, i.e., the section which was parallel to the long axis of the left ventricle was used. The two-dimensional section of the normal heart, mitral stenosis, interventricular septal defect (preoperatively and postoperatively), mitral prosthetic valve, pericardial effusion, and acute myocardial infarction were studied. Easy applicability, quick recording, and non-invasive nature of the procedure, make the indications widened including acutely distressed patients. We conclude that real-time two-dimensional echocardiography is one of the most promising cardiac examinations.     

Influence of interfacial reaction rates on the wetting driving force in metal/ceramic systems

The wetting of copper-silicon alloys of various compositions on vitreous carbon substrates at 1423 K was studied by the sessile drop method. The morphology and chemistry of products of interfacial reactions between silicon and carbon were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), electron probe microanalysis, and high-resolution optical profilometry. In addition to measurements of contact angles and spreading kinetics in the reactive Cu-Si/Cv system, similar measurements were performed for the nonreactive Cu-Si/SiC system. It was found that the reaction rate has no effect on the final contact angle, which is nearly equal to the thermodynamic contact angle of the alloy on the reaction product. These findings appear to be valid for a wide range of interfacial reaction rates and for different types of interfacial reactions.     

基于双维度搜索的地下自主铲运机最优转弯轨迹规划

提出了一种基于双维度搜索的实时轨迹规划方法,用来解决自主地下铲运机转弯轨迹规划问题。该方法是一种结合采样思想和最优化算法的复合轨迹规划方法,包含三个主要步骤:基于双维度搜索策略的优化模型参数生成,基于二次规划的轨迹计算,以及基于约束检查的最优轨迹确定。该方法新颖之处在于提出的基于转弯区域行驶时间和里程的双维度搜索策略,以及基于平稳目标的轨迹最优化模型,可根据弯道区域入口速度和位置,快速生成纵横向都有最优性保证的最优轨迹。该方法结构简单、易于实施,可通过关键参数的调整满足控制器对轨迹生成速度的实时性要求。基于该轨迹规划方法的特点,使其不仅适用于实时轨迹规划,还可为未来智慧矿山的智能管控与优化调度提供底层约束。多组算例验证了该方法的有效性和优越性。      

小方坯连铸过程实时温度场预报模型的开发

基于凝固传热学基本理论和对小方坯连铸工况的分析,采用二维有限差分法建立了小方坯连铸过程实时温度场预报模型,并自主开发了计算程序。通过调试,验证了该模型的实用性和准确性,实现了生产过程中小方坯温度场的实时预报,为动态配水及动态轻压下技术的开发打下了基础。     

Three-dimensional ultrasound imaging of the vasculature

With conventional ultrasonography, the diagnostician must view a series of two-dimensional images in order to form a mental impression of the three-dimensional anatomy, an efficient and time consuming practice prone to operator variability, which may cause variable or even incorrect diagnoses. Also, a conventional two-dimensional ultrasound image represents a thin slice of the patients anatomy at a single location and orientation, which is difficult to reproduce at a later time. These factors make conventional ultrasonography non-optimal for prospective or follow-up studies. Our efforts have focused on overcoming these deficiencies by developing three-dimensional ultrasound imaging techniques that are capable of acquiring B-mode, colour Doppler and power Doppler images of the vasculature, by using a conventional ultrasound system to acquire a series of two-dimensional images and then mathematically reconstructing them into a single three-dimensional image, which may then be viewed interactively on an inexpensive desktop computer. We report here on two approaches: (1) free-hand scanning, in which a magnetic positioning device is attached to the ultrasound transducer to record the position and orientation of each two-dimensional image needed for the three-dimensional image reconstruction; and (2) mechanical scanning, in which a motor-driven assembly is used to translate the transducer linearly across the neck, yielding a set of uniformly-spaced parallel two-dimensional images.     

A fast spot segmentation algorithm for two-dimensional gel electrophoresis analysis

An important issue in the automation of two-dimensional gel electrophoresis image analysis is the detection and quantification of protein spots. A spot segmentation algorithm must detect, define the extent of, and measure the integrated density of spots under a wide variety of actual gel image conditions. Besides these functions, the algorithm must be memory efficient to be able to process very large gel images and do this in a reasonable amount of computation time on low-cost computers, such as workstations and personal computers. We have developed a fast spot segmentation algorithm, extending the GELLAB-II segmenter, which extracts spots in a single raster scanning pass through the gel image. The performance analysis of the algorithm will be given in the paper as well as a discussion of the algorithm.     

Numerical Modeling of Breach Erosion of River Embankments

The process of breach erosion of river embankments depends on the interaction among flow, sediment transport, and the corresponding morphological changes. Levees often consist of noncohesive material with a wide range of grain sizes. The dam material is mainly eroded due to the transport capacity of the overtopping water. Both bed load and suspended load are of importance. For breach formation, the lateral erosion due to slope instabilities has a significant impact. A depth averaged, two-dimensional numerical model was developed to account for these processes. The sensitivity of the discharge through the breach related to different processes and material parameters was investigated and compared to experimental and field data. The results show that the most sensitive parameter of an erosion-based dike-breach simulation is the breach side-slope angle which determines the lateral erosion. The application of the described Model 2dMb to different embankment failures at the Elbe River illustrates its capability in simulating overtopping breaching.     

浸入式水口倾角对宽幅连铸结晶器内流动行为的影响

浸入式水口出口角度影响射流的动能损失,进而影响结晶器内的流动行为.建立了比例为1 ∶ 4的水模型,在模型拉速为0.425 m/min、水口浸入深度为40 mm的条件下,借助粒子图像测速技术研究了浸入式水口出口倾角为0°和+5°对宽幅连铸结晶器内流动行为的影响.结果表明,0°和+5°水口条件下,射流在模型内的流动方式有很...     

Modeling superheat removal during continuous casting of steel slabs

To investigate superheat dissipation in a continuous slab casting machine, mathematical models have been developed to compute fluid flow velocities, temperature distribution within the liquid pool, heat transfer to the inside of the solidifying shell, and its effect on growth of the shell. Three-dimensional (3-D) velocity and heat-transfer predictions compare reasonably with pre-vious experimental measurements and two-dimensional (2-D) calculations. The results indicate that the maximum heat input to the shell occurs near the impingement point on the narrow face and confirm that most of the superheat is dissipated in or just below the mold. Superheat tem-perature and casting speed have the most important and direct influence on heat flux. The effects of other variables, including mold width, nozzle jet angle, and submergence depth, are also investigated. Calculated heat flux profiles are then input to a one-dimensional (1-D) solidifi-cation model to calculate growth of the shell. Shell thickness profiles down the wide and narrow faces are compared with the predictions of conventional heat conduction models and available measurements.     

Conjugate imagery in the automated reproduction of three dimensional coordinates from two dimensional coordinate data

The three-dimensional video analysis of human motion commonly utilises automated image processing and digitisation processes to produce real-time unidentified two-dimensional coordinate data of segmental markers. In what can be a time-consuming process the two-dimensional data are then identified and tracked to produce three-dimensional coordinates. This paper presents an approach to the automated reproduction of three-dimensional coordinates from two-dimensional coordinates data. Conjugate imaging techniques were utilised in the development of four criterion measures for determining the validity of conjugate (corresponding) image points. An algorithm based on the criterion measures was then developed for the automated reproduction of three dimensional coordinates from camera image coordinate data. The algorithm was tested with a 55 point marker system viewed in four video cameras (digitisation error approx. 0.2%, lab point separation > or = 6 cm). The success of the algorithm was dependent on the closeness of markers, the accuracy of the photogrammetric system, and the number of markers visible in two camera images. The present research has developed techniques based on conjugate imagery for the automated reproduction of three-dimensional coordinates from two-dimensional data, and provided a bases for further development of automated three-dimensional tracking.     

Results of Tracer Tests in Rock-Plant Filters

Most commonly used design procedures for rock-plant filters assume the hydraulic regime to be plug flow. However, an increasing number of investigators now believe this assumption to be an oversimplification. The purpose of this research was to examine the flow pattern through two sets of filters; one set with an L:W ratio equal to 5:1 and the other with a L:W ratio of 1:5. Tracer tests were used to determine mean detention time and dispersion number (D∕ul), a measure of departure from plug flow, for each cell. Results showed that the “long” cells (large L:W ratio) exhibited an intermediate amount of dispersion whereas the wide cells (low L:W ratio) exhibited a large amount of dispersion. The flow in the wide cells appeared substantially two-dimensional in nature. The effects of two-dimensional flow are manifested as dispersion when analyzed using one-dimensional equations. Thus, the value of a dispersion number computed from tracer data assuming one-dimensional flow is dependent, in part, on the L:W ratio of the cell. In this study the wide cells produced higher dispersion numbers than the long cells even when the detention times were approximately equal.     

Two-Dimensional Simulation of the Angle of Repose for a Particle System with Electrostatic Charge under Lunar and Earth Gravity

This paper presents a study of the angle of repose of a two-dimensional particle system under the Earth and Moon gravity fields. The particles interact with electrostatic forces in addition to friction. A two-dimensional discrete element method is used in this analysis with two particle shapes, circular and noncircular. The noncircular shape is constructed with overlapping pairs of disks. For the range of parameters studied, the angle of repose shows little sensitivity to gravity. The sensitivity to friction and electrostatic charges can be either significant or negligible, depending on the range of these values. For each contact friction, there is a threshold of electric charge on the particle such that the angle of repose suddenly drops to zero when the charge exceeds this threshold. The existence of this threshold, once validated in three-dimensional systems, may provide an opportunity to measure the electrostatic charges of the lunar dust in situ.     

基于图象处理的冷轧带钢表面缺陷在线检测技术

对光在不同钢板表面的反射性质进行了研究,在此基础上,提出了“明场方式”和“暗场方式”两种缺隐检测方式,“明场方式”可用于检测普碳钢表面的二维和三维缺陷,“暗场方式”可用于检测不锈钢表面的三维缺陷。对缺隐检测算法的流程进行了研究,提出了“实时处理”和“准时处理”两种数据处理方式,这两种方式应用于缺隐检测过程的不同步骤,以保证缺陷检测算法的实时性。     

Who cares for the mentally ill? Theory and practice hours with a ''mental illness'' focus in nursing curricula in Australian universities

A 72-year-old woman with inferior myocardial infarction presented with both a pseudoaneurysm and a ventricular septal rupture detected by two-dimensional and Doppler echocardiography. The pseudoaneurysm originated from the junctional area between the inferior portion of the ventricular septum and posterior left ventricular wall. The short-axis view of two-dimensional echocardiography revealed an abrupt discontinuity of the junctional area and an echo-free space behind the left ventricular cavity. The communication orifice was 5 mm wide. Color Doppler echocardiography showed a left-to-right shunt flow from the pseudoaneurysm to the right ventricle was visualized. Combined use of two-dimensional and color Doppler echocardiography was useful for detecting a pseudoaneurysm resulting in rupture of the ventricular septum.     

Three-dimensional echocardiography. Principles and applications

Three-dimensional echocardiography is based on two methods of retrospective reconstruction from two-dimensional echocardiographic images. The acquisition of the two-dimensional images may be free or imposed, the transducer either carrying an emission-reception system or fixed to an articulated support providing data about its position. In the first system, manual tracing of the contours of the region of interest performed on each frame are superimposed after time sequencing (using the ECG) and spatial repositioning, so enabling three-dimensional visualisation of the contours of the cardiac structures: this approach provides reliable quantitative information (volumes, mass and ejection fractions) and has led to the redefinition of the echocardiographic criteria of mitral valve prolapse. The second system is based on equidistant sections obtained by progressive, controlled two-dimensional scanning (parallel, arc of a circle and rotational) of the structure of interest: a value of grey scale is assigned to the space between two adjacent pixels, enabling the formation of voxels which, when superimposed, give the required effects of volume and surface for three-dimensional imaging. It is then possible to obtain any section of the volume and simulate surgical views of the beating heart. This approach may significantly improve diagnostic accuracy compared with two-dimensional echocardiography and provides access to new quantitative and qualitative parameters.