Gastric motility by tagged EPI

The high speed echo-planar NMR imaging technique is particularly suitable for visualizing human gut motility and transit. To enable a quantitative study of the rheology of the stomach contents, the magnetization can be prepared using a SPAMM (SPAtial Modulation of Magnetization) tagging sequence prior to imaging. Movement of stomach contents has been measured and analyzed temporally and in the Fourier domain and correlated with stomach motility. Increased stomach activity combined with retropulsive motion were observed at about 25 min following a porridge meal, indicating mixing of the meal and inhibition of gastric emptying.     

Measurement of GI water content using EPI at 0.5 tesla

Recent work has shown that echo-planar magnetic resonance imaging has the potential to become a useful tool in the assessment of gastrointestinal (GI) tract motility, gastric emptying, and food rheology. This work extends this role to the measurement of water absorption in the GI tract, an important clinical measure. Currently, this involves intestinal intubation and considerable discomfort. By using multislice echo-planar magnetic resonance imaging, we can acquire a set of images covering the whole abdominal cavity in under 30 s. By suitable scaling of the pixel intensities in the small bowel and by planimetry of the areas of water in the stomach it is possible to estimate the total volume of water in the GI tract. By comparing the amount of water lost by the stomach and the amount gained by the small bowel following a test meal it is then possible to create water absorption curves. Using this method, we have shown a difference in water absorption for various solutions (water, mannitol solution, and normal saline). In addition, by assuming very slow water absorption from saline we have been able to asses the errors in this technique to be approximately 8–30%. This work, which describes the first noninvasive measure of gastrointestinal water absorption, will give important insights into clinical malabsorption states and help in the development of more effective oral rehydration therapies.     

Technical note—Approach to myocardial perfusion with echo planar imaging

Purpose: To evaluate the feasibility of MRI-based myocardial first-pass contrast perfusion imaging with a multi-shot echo planar imaging (EPI) technique. Subjects and methods: A non-sequential (ECG-triggered) gradient echo two-shot EPI acquisition strategy capable of covering the entire heart in contiguous 10-mm sections every two cardiac cycles with an in-plane resolution of 1.56 × 1.56 mm was implemented on a 1.5-T Signa Advantage Scanner equipped with prototype hardware for non-resonant EPI in the transverse plane. The heart of a single volunteer was studied prior to and following the intravenous bolus application of a paramagnetic contrast agent (Gd-DOTA, 0.2 mmol/kg). Results: Twelve contiguous transaxial 10-mm EPI images were obtained every two RR intervals for a total of 40 s. The myocardial contrast perfusion study was technically adequate. Contrast caused a signal loss of 87% in the right and 67% in the left ventricle and 59% in the myocardium. Conclusion: First-pass myocardial perfusion imaging with a gradient echo, two-shot echo planar imaging strategy is feasible.This work has been supported in part by SNF grant 32-2549.88 and KWF grant 2194.1.     

Online motion correction for diffusion-weighted segmented-EPI and FLASH imaging

This paper explores the application of online motion correction using navigator echoes to the segmented-EPI and FLASH techniques. In segmented EPI this has the advantage over post-acquisition correction that the position in k-space of each segment is no longer subject to arbitrary shifts caused by rotation. In diffusion-weighted FLASH it has the advantage that the full magnetisation can be utilised in comparison to other methods of eliminating the sensitivity to bulk motion, in which the sensitivity is halved. Healthy subjects were investigated on a 3 T whole-body system in which the hardware has been modified so that navigator echoes can be recorded on a personal computer which generates the necessary magnetic field gradient correction pulses and shifts in the Larmor frequency within 800 s. ECG triggering was used to avoid the period of non-rigid-body brain motion. Two orthogonal navigator echoes were employed. For segmented EPI it was found essential to minimise the T2* weighting of the navigator echoes to about 10 ms to obtain reliable results. High quality images were obtained for both methods examined. Online motion correction brings direct benefits to both the diffusion-weighted segmented-EPI and FLASH techniques.     

High-resolution echo-planar imaging at 3.0 T

Echo-planar imaging (EPI) is a snapshot technique, which is useful in a wide range of clinical applications, including the study of physiological function. Over recent years, EPI has found a major new use in functional imaging of the brain. Many EPI experiments can benefit from the increased signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) which results from imaging at high magnetic field. Recently, we have built a 3.0-T EPI scanner at Nottingham University. The low-level radiofrequency and control electronics have been constructed in-house. This, coupled with software written specifically for the system, results in a performance and flexibility exceeding that of a commercial system. A quiet head gradient set produces gradients of up to 30 mT m^–1. It is driven using a series multiresonant filter circuit, which allows the production of high-strength, trapezoidal- or sinusoidal-switched gradients.Using this scanner it has been possible to obtain images comprising 256×256 pixels, with a 2.5-mm slice and 0.75 mm in-plane resolution, in 140 ms. Multislicing allows a volume set of 16,128×128 images to be obtained in 1.6 s. A comparison of tests performed at fields of 0.5 T and 3.0 T on the same phantom indicates a better than linear increase in S/N with field strength. EPI images obtained at 3.0 T have been used in studies of brain activation during visual stimulation and execution of a simple motor task.     

The impact of susceptibility gradients on cartesian and spiral EPI for BOLD fMRI

High sensitivity to magnetic susceptibility changes and accurate localization of functional activations are key requisites for pulse sequences used for BOLD fMRI. This paper seeks to develop a framework for analysing the performance of various k-space sampling techniques in this respect, with special emphasis on spiral EPI (spiral) and cartesian EPI (EPI) and their performance under influence of induced field gradients (SFGs) and stochastic noise. A numerical method for calculating synthetic MR images is developed and used to simulate BOLD fMRI experiments using EPI and spirals. The data is then examined for activation using a pixel-wise t test. Nine subjects are scanned with both techniques while performing a motor task. SPM99 is used for analysing the experimental data. The simulated spirals provide generally higher t scores at low SFGs but lose more strength than EPI at higher SFGs, where EPI activation is offset from the true position. In the primary motor area spirals provide significantly higher t scores (P < 0.0002). In-plane variation of EPI is higher in phase-encoding direction than in frequency-encoding direction (P < 0.003). In the low SFG areas spirals provide stronger activation than EPI and less spatial variability. Thus, spirals are recommended for fMRI in motor area and language areas.     

Parallel streamer discharges between wire and plane electrodes in water

Streamer discharges in tap water and distilled water have been generated by applying a voltage pulse from 120 to 175 kV and 500 ns duration to a wire-to-electrode configuration. Electrical and optical diagnostics were used to explore the temporal development of the streamers in tap and distilled water, at various applied voltages and both polarities. With the wire serving as anode, multiple, parallel streamer discharges were generated. The number density of these streamers along the wire decreases with decreasing electric field on the surface of the wire. The dependence of the streamer density on electric field indicates the role of field enhancement at inhomogeneous microstructures along the wire as streamer initiation mechanism. The appearance of the discharge was different for tap and distilled water. However, the measured average streamer propagation velocity from the positive wire to the grounded plane electrode, of 32 mm//spl mu/s, was independent of the water conductivity and the applied voltage. This suggests the existence of a self-sustained electric field at the streamer head. With the wire serving as cathode, only a weak light emission from the area close to the wire was observed, and streamers did not appear for the same voltage amplitude as with the positive polarity. This suggests that an ionic current flowing in the water is not dominant in the streamer propagation process.     

Clinical applications and techniques of echo-planar imaging

The ultrafast magnetic resonance imaging technique known as echo-planar imaging has undergone considerable technical improvements in recent years. It is currently being evaluated at only a few institutions worldwide. Although EPI, invented by P. Mansfield in 1977, is the oldest fast MRI technique, it is still not widely available on clinical scanners. Only 20–30 EPI scanners exist worldwide, compared to about 7000 conventional MRI scanners. The main reason why EPI has not emerged from the scientific prototype niche is its high demands on hardware and software. However, the time is now coming when EPI is entering the clinical stage. We describe the common EPI sequence types, show clinical results, and describe the contrast in the measured images.     

500kV变压器调压挡位设置的指标和方法研究

对500kV变压器调压挡位的合理设置,将直接影响相关上下层电网的无功电压分布和电压水平。首先建立了变压器调挡的数学模型,分析变压器调压挡位变动时对电网无功电压的影响机理,进而提出了电压合格覆盖率指标、变压器挡位设置原则和调压挡位确定方法,最后通过对广东梅州电网的仿真计算,验证该方法进行调压挡位设置可满足各种运行方式,效果明显。     

500kV主变压器有载调压的效应指标及相关调控策略研究

变压器有载调压是维持电力系统静态电压稳定的控制手段之一,但500 kV主变压器有载调压对下层电网的影响可能造成系统电压失稳。研究有载调压时变压器档位调节对于电网无功电压和潮流分布的影响,提出变压器一档调节电压和无功效应指标以便定量衡量电网电压和无功变化。结果表明,对于分布式电源较多的地区,不宜单独进行500 kV主变压器有载调压;对于纯负荷片区或多数上网电厂为定无功运行方式的,可以考虑有载调压。     

In vivo mouse spinal cord imaging using echo-planar imaging at 11.75 T

Object To evaluate the feasibility of mouse spinal cord MR imaging using echo-planar imaging (EPI). Materials and methods Optimized multi-shot spin-echo-EPI sequences were compared to conventional spin-echo (c-SE) at 11.75 T and used for high-spatially resolved acquisitions and relaxation-time measurements. Results Good quality images were obtained, with clear delineation of gray and white matter. Acquisition-time gain factor was up to 6 (vs. c-SE) and resolution up to 74 × 94 μm² was achieved. T ₁ and T ₂ relaxation times were reliably measured. Conclusion High-temporally and spatially resolved mouse spinal cord EPI imaging is feasible. This technique should greatly benefit to long acquisition-time experiments (diffusion imaging) and imaging of rapidly-evolving pathologies. V. Callot and G. Duhamel equally contributed to this work.     

Contrast-enhanced abdominal echo planar imaging: Dynamic signal-intensity changes following intravenous injection of gadolinium-DOTA

Objectives: After I.V. administration of gadolinium-DOTA, the early contrast enhancement pattern and related signal-intensity (SI) changes in normal abdominal organs (kidney, spleen, liver) are evaluated over the first 4 min by using ultrafast spin-echo echo planar imaging (SE-EPI). Methods: On a 1.5-T magnetic resonance unit ultrafast EPI of the upper abdomen was performed in 12 patients in order to show the contrast enhancement pattern and related measurable SI changes onT ₁ andT ₂-weighted (w) images over the first 4 min after I.V. bolus injection of 0.1 mmol kg^–1 gadolinium (Gd)-DOTA in the spleen, liver, renal cortex, and renal medulla. A TR/TE of 500/44 or 45 ms inT ₁w SE-EPI and a TR/TE of 2000/80 or 100 ms inT ₂-w SE-EPI were used. Results: Typical time-dependent SI changes were noticed onT ₁w images: Subsequent to a SI increase in the renal cortex (starting 7 s after the I.V. injection of Gd-DOTA) SI increased first in the outer renal medulla (6 s later) and then in the inner renal medulla (21 s later). A SI increase was observed in the spleen (starting after 15 s) and in the liver (starting 7 s later). OnT ₂-w images, a SI decrease in the renal cortex (starting after 14 s) was followed by migration of a dark band from the outer (after 46 s) to the inner medulla (after 70 s). Only minimal changes were noticed in the spleen and liver. Conclusions: Ultrafast SE-EPI following I.V. bolus injection of Gd-DOTA enables the observation of the very early contrast agent kinetics in various abdominal organs. The associated SI changes onT ₁- andT ₂- SE EPI are related to organ perfusion and contrast agent tissue concentration and biodistribution.Additional reprints of this chapter may be obtained from the Reprints Department, Chapman & Hall, One Penn Plaza, New York, NY 10119.     

The influence of the water on water absorption and density of XLPEcable insulation

This paper presents the results of a continuing investigation into effect of water on water absorption and density of crosslinked polyethylene (XLPE). The experimental set up was made for the following XLPE cable insulations: steam and dry cured with water tree retardant crosslinked polyethylene (TR-XLPE) and without water tree retardant crosslinked polyethylene (natural XLPE). During tests, the tap water was injected (1) into the cable conductor with cable ends closed, (2) into the cable conductor with cable ends opened, and (3) into the metallic screen with cable ends opened. The XLPE cable insulation together with the water present in the cable was subjected to electrical stress and heating. The results were analyzed theoretically and experimentally. The aim of this paper is to present the results of the influence of the water on water absorption and density of various kinds of XLPE cable insulation in different service conditions     

Highly accelerated PSF-mapping for EPI distortion correction with improved fidelity

Objective

This study presents an improved point-spread-function (PSF) mapping-based distortion correction method and accelerated PSF acquisition for distortion correction in EPI without loss of quality or reliability compared to full encoding.

Materials and methods

To correct geometric distortions accurately, the PSF in the EPI phase-encoding coordinates (EPI-PSF) was measured and used as a kernel for distortion correction. FOV reduction was applied in the PSF mapping dimension for highly accelerated PSF acquisition. A novel approach for fold-over artifact correction in this reduced dimension is introduced. Conventional gradient-echo EPI and corresponding full PSF reference data were acquired in phantoms and in human brain at 7 T. The distortion corrected EPI data with the proposed acceleration were compared to result with full encoding. Previously published interpolation methods based on shift maps, non-uniform Fourier transformation and a b-spline interpolation were compared with the proposed method.

Results

The results demonstrate that the proposed method corrects geometric distortions in EPI with high accuracy and quality despite the high acceleration. In contrast to partial parallel imaging acceleration, no noise enhancement is introduced.

Conclusion

The proposed EPI-PSF-based distortion correction improves correction of EPI and accelerates PSF reference data acquisition and computation.     

500kV息烽变过电压在线监测装置的研究与应用

介绍了一种利用变压器电容式套管,安装特制的电压传感器组成套管分压系统,从电容式套管的末屏抽头处获取电压信号的方法,实现对电网过电压信号的实时采集。介绍了装置的总体组成结构及各部分的工作原理,详细论述了套管末屏电压传感器的结构设计。     

7 Tesla compatible in-bore display for functional magnetic resonance imaging

Background and methods

A liquid crystal display was modified for use inside a 7 T MR magnet. SNR measurements were performed using different imaging sequences with the monitor absent, present, or activated. fMRI with a volunteer was conducted using a visual stimulus.

Results and discussion

SNR was reduced by 3.7 %/7.9 % in echo planar/fast-spin echo images when the monitor was on which can be explained by the limited shielding of the coated front window (40 dB). In the fMRI experiments, activated regions in the visual cortex were clearly visible. The monitor provided excellent resolution at minor SNR reduction in EPI images, and is thus suitable for fMRI at ultra-high field.     

3D MRI and angiography of human extremities using a local gradient coil

The limits of the spatial resolution achievable on a standard GE Signa 1.5-T imaging machine have been explored by interfacing a 12-cm-diameter local gradient set to such a system. Using a range of purpose-built radio-frequency (RF) coils, 3D gradient echo images with a spatial resolution of 100×100×500 µ have been routinely obtained on the finger. Also produced were 100×200×500 µ, resolution angiograms of the finger detailing submillimeter vessels, with a velocity encoding of 6 cm s^–1. High-resolution fat/water suppressed images and isotropic data sets with a resolution of 170 µ are also demonstrated. With regard to the investigation of the mechanics of the human finger, isotropic data sets are desirable if accurate segmentation is to be implemented. A preliminary study illustrating the potential for producing a magnetic-resonance-based computer simulation of the mechanics of the human finger shows the distal interphalangeal joint extended and then in flexion.     

山西电网500kV三相共体变压器的选型研究

针对500 kV变电站单相和三相共体变压器,分别从绝缘水平、冷却方式、主分接阻抗和损耗等几个方面进行了分析对比。对三相共体变压器的运输方案、现场组装技术和场地布置情况进行了研究。通过对500 kV变电站主变压器的选型研究,证明采用三相共体变压器,既可以节约整个工程的占地面积,又降低了投资造价。     

Fast MR-imaging of porous media

The study of fluid displacements in porous media is of considerable interest for the oil industry as it provides a better understanding of the oil-recovery process. Consequently, fast MR imaging techniques for routine applications of sequencial analysis of large samples would be valuable. The performances of a variant of the Fast Low Angle Shot (FLASH) imaging technique called SNAP with a very short acquisition time of 144 ms per slice were evaluated on water and/or oil-filled core samples such as chalk and limestone whose linewidths were smaller than 800 Hz. The SNAP signal intensity was theoretically reviewed and inversion-recovery preweighted SNAP was used for fastT ₁ measurements in porous media. The images so acquired were processed using a pixel clusterization technique to segment images and roughly estimate oil and water content. This imaging method opens a new field of investigation such as the study of rapid fluid ingress or displacements.Address for correspondence: Catholic University of Louvain, Bâtiment Lavoisier (Bte 3A), Place Louis Pasteur 1, B-1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium. Additional reprints of this chapter may be obtained from the Reprints Department, Chapman & Hall, One Penn Plaza, New York, NY10119.     

Effect of water on aging of XLPE cable insulation

Cables as elements of power distribution system have great influence on its reliable service and overall planning requirements. During last years, crosslinked polyethylene (XLPE) cables have been more and more used in power systems. This paper presents the results of an investigation of changing of (XLPE) cables insulation breakdown stress (AC BDS) due to water absorption. The paper deals with AC BDS of the following kinds of XLPE cable insulations: steam and dry cured with water tree retardant crosslinked polyethylene (TR-XLPE) and non-tree retardant crosslinked polyethylene (XLPE). During tests, the tap water was injected into, (1) conductor with cable ends closed; (2) into cable conductor with ends opened; and (3) into metallic screen with cable ends opened. The presence of water in XLPE cables was subjected to electrical stress and heating. AC BDS tests were performed as a function of aging time and water content in the cable insulation at different aging temperatures. Also, in this investigation, tests with the changing of AC BDS in the radial direction of unaged and aged XLPE cable insulations were carried out.