Comparison between MRI, microbiology and histology in evaluation of antibiotics in a murine model of thigh infection

Although in vivo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is rapidly becoming a recognised tool in experimental pharmacological research, at the best of our knowledge, scarce application in the field of antibacterial drug research has been reported so far. In this last field, animal models of bacterial infections are used to test the efficacy of novel compounds. In this paper we have explored the potential usefulness of MRI in monitoring the chronological evolution of experimental bacterial infections and the effect of different therapeutic treatments. A murine model of thigh infection induced byStaphylococcus aureus has been used and the efficacy of vancomycin and imipenem/cilastatin has been tested. Three groups of infected animals were studied by microbiology, histology and MRI methods. The results obtained show that in vivo MRI data are highly consistent with microbiological and histological data, allowing, similarly to these commonly used techniques, the efficacy of different antibacterial treatments to be quantified. Our findings suggest that MRI could be used to assess the efficacy of new chemical entities in antibacterial pharmacological research. The advantages of MRI, as a non invasive technique, in comparison with commonly used microbiological and histological methods are discussed.     

31P MR spectroscopy and in vitro markers of oxidative capacity in type 2 diabetes patients

Background: Skeletal muscle mitochondrial function in type 2 diabetes (T2D) is currently being studied intensively. In vivo ³¹P magnetic resonance spectroscopy (³¹P MRS) is a noninvasive tool used to measure mitochondrial respiratory function (MIFU) in skeletal muscle tissue. However, microvascular co-morbidity in long-standing T2D can interfere with the ³¹P MRS methodology. Aim: To compare ³¹P MRS-derived parameters describing in vivo MIFU with an in vitro assessment of muscle respiratory capacity and muscle fiber-type composition in T2D patients. Methods: ³¹P MRS was applied in long-standing, insulin-treated T2D patients. ³¹P MRS markers of MIFU were measured in the M. vastus lateralis. Muscle biopsy samples were collected from the same muscle and analyzed for succinate dehydrogenase activity (SDH) and fiber-type distribution. Results: Several ³¹P MRS parameters of MIFU showed moderate to good correlations with the percentage of type I fibers and type I fiber-specific SDH activity (Pearson’s R between 0.70 and 0.75). In vivo and in vitro parameters of local mitochondrial respiration also correlated well with whole-body fitness levels (VO _2peak) in these patients (Pearson’s R between 0.62 and 0.90). Conclusion: Good correlations exist between in vivo and in vitro measurements of MIFU in long-standing insulin-treated T2D subjects, which are qualitatively and quantitatively consistent with previous results measured in healthy subjects. This justifies the use of ³¹P MRS to measure MIFU in relation to T2D.     

Versatile coil design and positioning of transverse-field RF surface coils for clinical 1.5-T MRI applications

Clinical MRI/MRS applications require radio frequency (RF) surface coils positioned at an arbitrary angle with respect to B₀. In these experimental conditions the standard circular loop (CL) coil, producing an axial RF field, shows a large signal loss in the central region of interest (ROI). We demonstrate that transverse-field figure-of-eight (FO8) RF surface coils design are not subject to the same amount of signal loss in the central ROI as loop coils when their orientations are changed. The 1.5-T CL and FO8 prototypes (diameter = 10 cm) were built on Plexiglas using copper strips (width = 4 mm, thickness = 100 m). The two linear elements of the FO8 coil were 1 cm apart. Axial spoiled gradient echo (SPGR) images of a phantom containing doped water were acquired with the coil plane at =0°, 45°, and 90°. As increases, the CL images show, in the central ROI, a signal that decreases from a maximum value to zero. Whereas the FO8 images show, in the same ROI, a signal that varies little from the maximum value (20%). Optimized FO8 coils can be oriented with the coil plane positioned along any direction with respect to B₀ without significant signal loss. Transverse RF coil design should be useful for clinical MRS studies and also for parallel imaging techniques where versatile RF coils disposed along arbitrary directions are required.     

Quantitative T 2 measurement of a single voxel with arbitrary shape using pinwheel excitation and CPMG acquisition

Objective The aim of this study is to present a new approach for making quantitative single-voxel T ₂ measurements from an arbitrarily shaped region of interest (ROI), where the advantage of the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) per unit time of the single-voxel approach over conventional imaging approach can be achieved. Materials and methods Two-dimensional (2D) spatially selective radiofrequency (RF) pulses are proposed in this work for T ₂ measurements based on using interleaved spiral trajectories in excitation k-space (pinwheel excitation pulses), combined with a summed Carr–Purcell Meiboom–Gill (CPMG) echo acquisition. The technique is described and compared to standard multi-echo imaging methods, on a two-compartment water phantom and an excised brain tissue. Results The studies show good agreement between imaging and our method. The measured improvement factors of SNR per unit time of our single-voxel approach over imaging approach are close to the predicted values. Conclusion Measuring T ₂ relaxation times from a selected ROI of arbitrary shape using a single-voxel rather than an imaging approach can increase the SNR per unit time, which is critical for dynamic T ₂ or multi-component T ₂ measurements.     

Investigation on the design and synthesis of new systems of BNT-based lead-free piezoelectric ceramics

Three primary differences between BNT- and PZT-based ceramics were analyzed from the composition and the active component of the materials. Based on the analysis the authors’ group developed the new idea of the design of the multiple complex in the A-site ions of BNT compounds. (Bi_0.5Na_0.5)²⁺, Bi³⁺ and Na⁺ in the ABO₃ structure are defined as A-site, A₁-site and A₂-site ions, respectively, and A, A₁ and A₂-site ions can be simultaneously or singly substituted partially by alkaline-earth metal ions, metal ions with +3 valence and metal ions with +1 valence, respectively. Under this consideration, Several new systems of Bi_0.5Na_0.5TiO₃ (abbreviated as BNT)-based lead-free piezoelectric ceramics were proposed. These ceramics can be prepared by conventional ceramic techniques and have excellent piezoelectric performance. Among these materials, Bi_0.5(Na_1−x−y K _x Li _y )_0.5TiO₃ possesses higher piezoelectric constant (d ₃₃ = 230 pC/N), higher electromechanical couple factor (k _p = 0.40), larger remanent polarization (P _r = 38.9 μC/cm²) and a better P-E hysteresis loop until about 200^∘C. This work was supported by the projects of NSFC (50410179), (50572066), and (59972020), and NAMMC (2001-AA325060).     

Sintering and compositional effects on the microwave dielectric characteristics of Mg(Ta1−x Nb x )2O6 ceramics with 0.25 ≦ x ≦ 0.35

1,500 °C−sintered MgTa₂O₆ ceramic exhibits microwave dielectric characteristics of ɛ _r = 30.5, Q × f = 56,900 GHz, and τ _f = 28.3 ppm/°C, whereas 1,400 °C-sintered MgNb₂O₆ ceramic exhibits microwave dielectric characteristics of ɛ _r = 21.7, Q × f = 89,900 GHz, and τ _f = −68.5 ppm/°C. In order to find the dielectric resonators with τ _f value close to 0 ppm/°C, the effects of sintering condition and composition on the microwave dielectric characteristics of Mg(Ta_1−x Nb _x )₂O₆ ceramics (0.25 ≦ x ≦ 0.35) prepared under sintering temperature of 1,300–1,450 °C are investigated. The results show that as the sintering temperature increases from 1,300 to 1,450 °C, the ɛ _r, Q × f and τ _f values of Mg(Ta_1−x Nb _x )₂O₆ ceramics all increase and saturate at 1,450 °C. On the other hand, as the Nb₂O₅ content decreases, the τ _f values of Mg(Ta_1−x Nb _x )₂O₆ ceramics will shift to near 0 ppm/°C. The optimized sintering conditions and composition to obtain the Mg(Ta_1−x Nb _x )₂O₆ dielectrics with τ _f close to 0 ppm/°C are sintering temperature of 1,450 °C, sintering duration of 4 h, and composition of x = 0.25, which exhibits the microwave dielectric characteristics of ɛ _r = 27.9, Q × f = 33,100 GHz, and τ _f = −0.7 ppm/°C.     

Effect of Cr2O3 addition on the microstructure and electrical properties of Mn-Ni-Co oxides NTC thermistors

The as-sintered Mn_1.1Ni_1.4Co_0.5O₄ crystallized in the solid solution of cubic spinel Mn-Ni-Co oxides, along with a small amount of the cubic spinel Ni-rich oxide phase. On the other hand, the Cr-substituted Mn_1.1Ni_1.4 Co_{0.5− x} Cr _x O₄ (0.07 ≤x ≤q 0.35) showed a single phase of cubic spinel Mn-Ni-Co-Cr oxides. This indicates that the substituted Cr suppressed the decomposition in the oxides. In addition, the Cr hindered the grain growth during sintering and increased the porosity. The electrical resistivity, the B _25/85 constant, and the activation energy of the Mn_1.1Ni_1.4Co_{0.5− x} Cr _x O₄ NTC thermistors increased with increasing Cr content. It is demonstrated that the Cr-substituted Mn_1.1Ni_1.4Co_{0.5− x} Cr _x O₄ NTC thermistors provided a variety of electrical properties, depending on the composition.     

基于电压和功率数据的低压用户相别识别优化建模与应用

低压用户相别识别是低压配电网计量拓扑识别的内容之一.首先,描述原问题并对已有研究进行回顾,阐述文中研究特点;按照线路分叉点数量将用户降维到虚拟用户空间;再对虚拟用户空间电压波形采用t分布的随机近邻嵌入(t-SNE)算法,形成进一步降维的特征空间;对于特征空间的电压波形以及聚合功率,提出同时考虑功率平衡和电压时序波形分类...     

基于电池模型的电动汽车充电故障监测与预警方法

随着我国电动汽车的规模化发展,电动汽车充电过程中的故障监测与预警得到业内人士的重视.针对这些问题,提出了一种基于电池模型的电动汽车充电故障监测与预警方法.通过动力电池模型荷电状态和电池电动势在线估计,实时调节电池荷电状态和电压以及温度等参数以模拟动力电池充电响应,可以模拟不同类型、规格以及参数的动力电池.在充电过程中,...     

基于多主体博弈与强化学习的并网型综合能源微网协调调度

针对传统集中式优化调度方法难以全面反映综合能源微网内不同智能体的利益诉求,以及人工智能技术在综合能源调度方面的应用亟待进一步挖掘等问题,提出了基于多主体博弈与强化学习的并网型综合能源微网协调调度模型和方法。首先,针对并网型综合能源微网中横向电气热冷各子系统及纵向源网荷储等各环节的不同投资与运营主体,开展了多智能体划分;其次,针对可再生能源服务商、微网系统能源服务商、电动汽车用户等智能体,分别构建了各自的决策模型,并建立了以多智能体间利益均衡为目标的联合博弈决策模型;再次,针对多主体博弈这一高维决策难题,引入人工智能求解方法,提出了基于Nash博弈和强化学习算法的综合能源微网协调调度方法;最后,通过实例验证了所提模型和方法的有效性与实用性。     

Characterization of Ba0.55Sr0.45TiO3 films as light and temperature sensors and its implementation on automatic drying system model

The growth of Ba_0.55Sr_0.45TiO₃ films on p-type silicon substrate with depletion and enhancement treatments have been conducted in this research. The aims were to examine film sensitivity as light sensor and value range, resolution, acuracy level, and their hysteresis as temperature sensor. The films were annealed at 800, 850, and 900 °C for 15 hours. In this work, enhancement BST of 850 °C was the best quality film and utilized as light and temperature sensors. Its implementation has been successfully conducted on ATMega8535 microcontroller-based automatic drying system model by exploiting the working principle of the BST films as automatic switch.     

基于云模型和k-means聚类的风电场储能容量优化配置方法

合理确定风电场侧储能系统容量配置方案是实现风电输出功率波动有效平抑的关键问题。针对传统k-means聚类算法难以给定聚类数目且算法稳定性较差的问题,在采用自适应小波包分解法处理风电输出得到储能运行曲线的基础上,基于云模型理论将储能充放电功率的概率分布分解成若干个正态云模型的叠加,根据数据特性自动确定聚类数目和初始聚类中心,然后应用k-means聚类算法从储能运行曲线中聚合出具有代表性的充放电曲线集合作为储能容量优化模型的输入,从而最终确定储能系统的配置方案。仿真结果验证了所提算法的合理性和稳定性。