Electron subband dispersions in ultra-thin silicon films from a two-band k⋅p theory

The electron subband structure in a thin (100) silicon film is analyzed based on a two-band k⋅p theory. For unprimed subbands the dependence of the nonparabolicity parameter on film thickness is obtained. The two-band k⋅p theory gives a thickness dependence of the effective masses for primed subbands. Limitations of the model are discussed. The importance of the nonparabolicity parameter dependence on the film thickness for transport is demonstrated.     

Commissioning of the Iseult CEA 11.7 T whole-body MRI: current status,gradient–magnet interaction tests and first imaging experience

Objectives

The Iseult MRI is an actively shielded whole-body magnet providing a homogeneous and stable magnetic field of 11.7 T. After nearly 20 years of research and development, the magnet successfully reached its target field strength for the first time in 2019. This article reviews its commissioning status, the gradient–magnet interaction test results and first imaging experience.

Materials and methods

Vibration, acoustics, power deposition in the He bath, and field monitoring measurements were carried out. Magnet safety system was tested against outer magnetic perturbations, and calibrated to define a safe operation of the gradient coil. First measurements using parallel transmission were also performed on an ex-vivo brain to mitigate the RF field inhomogeneity effect.

Results

Acoustics measurements show promising results with sound pressure levels slightly above the enforced limits only at certain frequency intervals. Vibrations of the gradient coil revealed a linear trend with the B₀ field only in the worst case. Field monitoring revealed some resonances at some frequencies that are still under investigation.

Discussion

Gradient-magnet interaction tests at up to 11.7 T are concluded. The scanner is now kept permanently at field and the final calibrations are on-going to pave the road towards the first acquisitions on volunteers.

     

EnergyDispersion Relations for Holes in Silicon Quantum Wells and Quantum Wires

We calculate the energy dispersion relations in Si quantum wells (QW), E(k _2D), and quantum wires (QWR), E(k _1D), focusing on the regions with negative effective mass (NEM) in the valence band. The existence of such NEM regions is a necessary condition for the current oscillations in ballistic quasineutral plasma in semiconductor structures. The frequency range of such oscillations can be extended to the terahertz region by scaling down the length of structures. Our analysis shows that silicon is a promising material for prospective NEM-based terahertz wave generators. We also found that comparing to Si QWRs, Si QWs are preferable structures for NEM-based generation in the terahertz range.     

Development and evaluation of a numerical simulation approach to predict metal artifacts from passive implants in MRI

Objective

This study presents the development and evaluation of a numerical approach to simulate artifacts of metallic implants in an MR environment that can be applied to improve the testing procedure for MR image artifacts in medical implants according to ASTM F2119.

Methods

The numerical approach is validated by comparing simulations and measurements of two metallic test objects made of titanium and stainless steel at three different field strengths (1.5T, 3T and 7T). The difference in artifact size and shape between the simulated and measured artifacts were evaluated. A trend analysis of the artifact sizes in relation to the field strength was performed.

Results

The numerical simulation approach shows high similarity (between 75% and 84%) of simulated and measured artifact sizes of metallic implants. Simulated and measured artifact sizes in relation to the field strength resulted in a calculation guideline to determine and predict the artifact size at one field strength (e.g., 3T or 7T) based on a measurement that was obtained at another field strength only (e.g. 1.5T).

Conclusion

This work presents a novel tool to improve the MR image artifact testing procedure of passive medical implants. With the help of this tool detailed artifact investigations can be performed, which would otherwise only be possible with substantial measurement effort on different MRI systems and field strengths.

     

Synthesis of magnetic fields by optimization of the shape of areas and source distributions

Contents The paper deals with a practical method for the synthesis of two-dimensional magnetic fields. The proposed algorithm makes it possible to determine the optimal structure of areas and optimal source distribution which generate the required magnetic fields. The main idea of this algorithm is based on the application of a modified gradient method for solving the overdetermined, nonlinear system of algebraic equations obtained by the finite element method. Numerical calculations performed in 5 examples demonstrate possible applications of the proposed method.

---

Synthese von Magnetfeldern durch Optimierung der Gebietsformen und Quellenverteilungen

Übersicht Die Arbeit behandelt eine praktische Methode zur Synthese von zweidimensionalen Magnetfeldern. Das vorgeschlagene Verfahren ermöglicht die Berechnung der optimalen Form von Gebieten und optimalen Quellenverteilungen zur Erzeugung vorgegebener Magnetfelder. Die Grundidee des Berechnungsverfahrens basiert auf der Anwendung einer modifizierten Gradientenmethode zur Lösung von nichtlinearen, überbestimmten Gleichungssystemen, die mit der Methode der finiten Elemente entwickelt wurden. Numerische Berechnungen von 5 Beispielen illustrieren die Anwendungsbreite der vorgeschlagenen Methode.

---

List of main symbols A,A vector potential - J, J current density - M,M _x ,M _y magnetic polarization - _x , _y reluctivity - _r permeability - e _x ,e _y ,e _z unit vectors - B,B _x ,B _y flux density - B _o ,B _ox ,B _oy flux density in the synthesis region - G region under investigation - G ₀ synthesis region - F functional - Q quality criterion - r ^k direction vector - r ₀ minimal least squares solution - e error vector - z solution vector - _min step-length factor - D Jacobi matrix - R Moore-Penrose pseudoinverse - ₁, ₂, ₃ error criterion - N number of points - m number of equations - n number of unknowns     

CDP-choline accumulation in breast and colorectal cancer cells treated with a GSK-3-targeting inhibitor

Purpose

Glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3) is a key controlling element of many cellular processes including cell-cycle progression and recent studies suggest that GSK3 is a potential anticancer target. Changes in glucose metabolism associated with GSK3 inhibition may impact on lipid synthesis, whilst lipid metabolites can act as molecular response markers.

Methods

Here, SKBr3 breast and HCT8 colorectal cancer cells were treated with the GSK3 inhibitor SB216763, and [¹⁴C (U)] glucose and [³H] choline incorporation into lipids was determined. Cell extracts from treated cells were subject to ³¹P NMR spectroscopy.

Results

SB216763 treatment decreased choline incorporation into lipids and caused an accumulation of CDP-choline which was accompanied by decreased conversion of glucose into lipid components.

Conclusion

SB216763 profoundly inhibits phospholipid synthesis in cancer cells which demonstrate accumulation of CDP-choline detectable by ³¹P NMR spectroscopy. Metabolic changes in lipid metabolism present potential response markers to drugs targeting GSK3.

     

White and grey matter development in utero assessed using motion-corrected diffusion tensor imaging and its comparison to ex utero measures

Objective

Fetal brain diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) offers quantitative analysis of the developing brain. The objective was to 1) quantify DTI measures across gestation in a cohort of fetuses without brain abnormalities using full retrospective correction for fetal head motion 2) compare results obtained in utero to those in preterm infants.

Materials and methods

Motion-corrected DTI analysis was performed on data sets obtained at 1.5T from 32 fetuses scanned between 21.29 and 37.57 (median 31.86) weeks. Results were compared to 32 preterm infants scanned at 3T between 27.43 and 37.14 (median 33.07) weeks. Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and fractional anisotropy (FA) were quantified by region of interest measurements and tractography was performed.

Results

Fetal DTI was successful in 84% of fetuses for whom there was sufficient data for DTI estimation, and at least one tract could be obtained in 25 cases. Fetal FA values increased and ADC values decreased with age at scan (PLIC FA: p = 0.001; R² = 0.469; slope = 0.011; splenium FA: p < 0.001; R² = 0.597; slope = 0.019; thalamus ADC: p = 0.001; R² = 0.420; slope = − 0.023); similar trends were found in preterm infants.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates that stable DTI is feasible on fetuses and provides evidence for normative values of diffusion properties that are consistent with aged matched preterm infants.

     

The NMR sensitivity achievable with a slotted-tube resonator

The signal-to-noise ratio achievable with the slotted-tube resonator (STR), a fundamental type of high radiofrequency coil for nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) experiments, was formulated in an equation. This equation is based on formulae presented by Hoult and Richards [J Magn Reson 24, 71 (1976)] and Hoult and Lauterbur [J Magn Reson 34, 425 (1979)]. The equation assumes that the sample is positioned within the homogeneous region of magnetic fluxB ₁ generated by the STR, and involves no unknown factors. The NMR sensitivity of an experiment with an STR can therefore be predicted, and the equation is applicable to any nuclear species, static field strength, and dimensions of the sample and STR.     

Deep learning for automatic segmentation of thigh and leg muscles

Objective

In this study we address the automatic segmentation of selected muscles of the thigh and leg through a supervised deep learning approach.

Material and methods

The application of quantitative imaging in neuromuscular diseases requires the availability of regions of interest (ROI) drawn on muscles to extract quantitative parameters. Up to now, manual drawing of ROIs has been considered the gold standard in clinical studies, with no clear and universally accepted standardized procedure for segmentation. Several automatic methods, based mainly on machine learning and deep learning algorithms, have recently been proposed to discriminate between skeletal muscle, bone, subcutaneous and intermuscular adipose tissue. We develop a supervised deep learning approach based on a unified framework for ROI segmentation.

Results

The proposed network generates segmentation maps with high accuracy, consisting in Dice Scores ranging from 0.89 to 0.95, with respect to “ground truth” manually segmented labelled images, also showing high average performance in both mild and severe cases of disease involvement (i.e. entity of fatty replacement).

Discussion

The presented results are promising and potentially translatable to different skeletal muscle groups and other MRI sequences with different contrast and resolution.

     

Simulation-based evaluation of SAR and flip angle homogeneity for five transmit head arrays at 14 T

Introduction

Various research sites are pursuing 14 T MRI systems. However, both local SAR and RF transmit field inhomogeneity will increase. The aim of this simulation study is to investigate the trade-offs between peak local SAR and flip angle uniformity for five transmit coil array designs at 14 T in comparison to 7 T.

Methods

Investigated coil array designs are: 8 dipole antennas (8D), 16 dipole antennas (16D), 8 loop coils (8D), 16 loop coils (16L), 8 dipoles/8 loop coils (8D8L) and for reference 8 dipoles at 7 T. Both RF shimming and k_T-points were investigated by plotting L-curves of peak SAR levels vs flip angle homogeneity.

Results

For RF shimming, the 16L array performs best. For k_T-points, superior flip angle homogeneity is achieved at the expense of more power deposition, and the dipole arrays outperform the loop coil arrays.

Discussion and conclusion

For most arrays and regular imaging, the constraint on head SAR is reached before constraints on peak local SAR are violated. Furthermore, the different drive vectors in k_T-points alleviate strong peaks in local SAR. Flip angle inhomogeneity can be alleviated by k_T-points at the expense of larger power deposition. For k_T-points, the dipole arrays seem to outperform loop coil arrays.

     

Towards an integrated neonatal brain and cardiac examination capability at 7 T: electromagnetic field simulations and early phantom experiments using an 8-channel dipole array

Objective

Neonatal brain and cardiac imaging would benefit from the increased signal-to-noise ratio levels at 7 T compared to lower field. Optimal performance might be achieved using purpose designed RF coil arrays. In this study, we introduce an 8-channel dipole array and investigate, using simulations, its RF performances for neonatal applications at 7 T.

Methods

The 8-channel dipole array was designed and evaluated for neonatal brain/cardiac configurations in terms of SAR efficiency (ratio between transmit-field and maximum specific-absorption-rate level) using adjusted dielectric properties for neonate. A birdcage coil operating in circularly polarized mode was simulated for comparison. Validation of the simulation model was performed on phantom for the coil array.

Results

The 8-channel dipole array demonstrated up to 46% higher SAR efficiency levels compared to the birdcage coil in neonatal configurations, as the specific-absorption-rate levels were alleviated. An averaged normalized root-mean-square-error of 6.7% was found between measured and simulated transmit field maps on phantom.

Conclusion

The 8-channel dipole array design integrated for neonatal brain and cardiac MR was successfully demonstrated, in simulation with coverage of the baby and increased SAR efficiency levels compared to the birdcage. We conclude that the 8Tx-dipole array promises safe operating procedures for MR imaging of neonatal brain and heart at 7 T.

     

Diversity analysis of space-time-frequency coded broadband MIMO-OFDM system with correlation across space time and frequency

For the frequency selective and time variant multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) channel model taking into account transmitting and receiving antenna correlation, the diversity of space-time-frequency coded broadband orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (MIMO-OFDM) system is analyzed. Based on the average pairwise error probability (PEP), the design criterion of space-time-frequency code (STFC) is expanded. For a given STFC, it is found that the achievable diversity order is related to the transmitter and the receiver correlation matrix as well as the time correlation and frequency correlation matrix. The maximum available diversity of STFC over the correlation channel is Lrank(P)rank(Q)rank(R _T). The space-time code and space-frequency code are special cases in our approach. Simulation results validate the findings. __________ Translated from Journal of Southeast University (Natural Science Edition), 2007, 37(4): 549–553 [译自: 东南大学学报(自然科学版)]     

Post mortem brain temperature and its influence on quantitative MRI of the brain

Objective

MRI temperature sensitivity presents a major issue in in situ post mortem MRI (PMMRI), as the tissue temperatures differ from living persons due to passive cooling of the deceased. This study aims at computing brain temperature effects on the MRI parameters to correct for temperature in PMMRI, laying the foundation for future projects on post mortem validation of in vivo MRI techniques.

Materials and methods

Brain MRI parameters were assessed in vivo and in situ post mortem using a 3 T MRI scanner. Post mortem brain temperature was measured in situ transethmoidally. The temperature effect was computed by fitting a linear model to the MRI parameters and the corresponding brain temperature.

Results

Linear positive temperature correlations were observed for T₁, T₂* and mean diffusivity in all tissue types. A significant negative correlation was observed for T₂ in white matter. Fractional anisotropy revealed significant correlations in all gray matter regions except for the thalamus.

Discussion

The linear models will allow to correct for temperature in post mortem MRI. Comparing in vivo to post mortem conditions, the mean diffusivity, in contrast to T₁ and T₂, revealed additional effects besides temperature, such as cessation of perfusion and active diffusion.

     

Development of anisotropic phantoms using wood and fiber materials for diffusion tensor imaging and diffusion kurtosis imaging

Objective

Several studies have demonstrated that anisotropic phantoms can be utilized for diffusion magnetic resonance imaging. The purpose of our study was to examine whether wood is suitable as an anisotropic phantom material from the viewpoints of affordability and availability. In the current study, wood was used for restricted diffusion, and fibers were used for hindered diffusion.

Materials and methods

Wood and fiber phantoms were made. Diffusion kurtosis images were acquired with three magnetic resonance scanners. Fractional anisotropy, radial diffusivity, axial diffusivity, radial kurtosis and axial kurtosis values were measured. The wood phantom was imaged, and its durability was confirmed. The phantoms were imaged in varying orientations within the magnetic field. The wood was observed using an optical microscope.

Results

Ten kinds of wood and the fiber had a diffusion metrics. The wood diffusion metrics suggested low variation over a period of 9 months. Changing the orientation of the phantoms within the magnetic field resulted in changes in diffusion metrics. Observation of wood vessels and fibers was conducted.

Discussion

Wood and fibers have anisotropy and are promising as phantom materials. The development of anisotropic phantoms that anyone can use is useful for diffusion magnetic resonance imaging research and clinical applications.

     

Short-acquisition-time JPRESS and its application to paediatric brain tumours

Objective

To develop and assess a short-duration JPRESS protocol for detection of overlapping metabolite biomarkers and its application to paediatric brain tumours at 3 Tesla.

Materials and methods

The short-duration protocol (6 min) was optimised and compared for spectral quality to a high-resolution (38 min) JPRESS protocol in a phantom and five healthy volunteers. The 6-min JPRESS was acquired from four paediatric brain tumours and compared with short-TE PRESS.

Results

Metabolite identification between the 6- and 38-min protocols was comparable in phantom and volunteer data. For metabolites with Cramer–Rao lower bounds > 50%, interpretation of JPRESS increased confidence in assignment of lactate, myo-Inositol and scyllo-Inositol. JPRESS also showed promise for the detection of glycine and taurine in paediatric brain tumours when compared to short-TE MRS.

Conclusion

A 6-min JPRESS protocol is well tolerated in paediatric brain tumour patients. Visual inspection of a 6-min JPRESS spectrum enables identification of a range of metabolite biomarkers of clinical interest.

     

White-Light-Emitting Single Component Metal-Organic Frameworks Based on 2,3-Pyridinedicarboxylic Acid

Abstract

Two white-light-emitting MOFs, [Dy(pydc)·(H₂O)₂]·DMF_0.66 (1) and [Gd_1.9Dy_0.1(pydc)_1.5(H₂O)₃]·DMF_1.5?C460 (2), were synthesized by the reaction of a rigid ligands H₂pydc (H₂pydc = 2,3-pyridinedicarboxylic acid) and Dy(III) ions under solvothermal conditions. The emission color of compound 1 is tunable by variation of excitation light to get yellow-to-white photoluminescence. When proportion of Dy³⁺ and H₂pydc is 1:3 could obtain the single component compound 1 with CIE coordinates of (0.2935, 0.3335), which is close to (0.3333, 0.3333) of the pure white light. To investigate the matrixes effect and luminescent dye C460@MOF, Gd(III) ions and C460 were introduced to form MOFs 2 with the mixed metal centers. When concentration of C460 is 10^?3 mol/L, MOFs 2 shows CIE coordinates of (0.3255, 0.3452). This work provides a practical strategy for the development of white-light emitting phosphor based on single component MOFs, which opens a new region for WLEDs.     

Titanium Dioxide Wrapped MOFs-Derived Cobalt-Doped Porous Carbon Polyhedrons as Sulfur Hosts for Advanced Lithium–Sulfur Batteries

Abstract

To overcome the shortcomings (low-activity materials and the poor cycle stability) of lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries, rational design of cathode host materials is critical. Herein, we developed core-shell Co@NPC@TiO₂ nanostructures, coating titanium dioxide (TiO₂) on cobalt-doped nanoporous carbon (Co@NPC) derived from the thermal decomposition of zeolitic imidazolate framework-67 (ZIF-67) for sulfur electrodes. The synthesized Co@NPC@TiO₂ has excellent electrical conductivity and strong restrictions on polysulfides, the sulfur cathodes with core-shell structure demonstrate a high initial discharge capacity of 1400 mAh g^?1 at 0.1 C, compared with porous carbon, the electrical conductivity and cyclic stability are improved obviously.     

Optimal integration of DGs into radialdistribution network in the presence ofplug-in electric vehicles to minimize dailyactive power losses and to improve thevoltage profile of the system using bioinspiredoptimization algorithms

Purpose: The increase in plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) is likely to see a noteworthy impact on the distribution system due to high electric power consumption during charging and uncertainty in charging behavior. To address this problem, the present work mainly focuses on optimal integration of distributed generators (DG) into radial distribution systems in the presence of PEV loads with their charging behavior under daily load pattern including load models by considering the daily (24 h) power loss and voltage improvement of the system as objectives for better system performance. Design/methodology/approach: To achieve the desired outcomes, an efficient weighted factor multi-objective function is modeled. Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) and Butterfly Optimization (BO) algorithms are selected and implemented to minimize the objectives of the system. A repetitive backward-forward sweep-based load flow has been introduced to calculate the daily power loss and bus voltages of the radial distribution system. The simulations are carried out using MATLAB software. Findings: The simulation outcomes reveal that the proposed approach definitely improved the system performance in all aspects. Among PSO and BO, BO is comparatively successful in achieving the desired objectives. Originality/value: The main contribution of this paper is the formulation of the multi-objective function that can address daily active power loss and voltage deviation under 24-h load pattern including grouping of residential, industrial and commercial loads. Introduction of repetitive backward-forward sweep-based load flow and the modeling of PEV load with two different charging scenarios.     

OPERA: a novel method to reduce ghost and aliasing artifacts

Objective

A method for Orthogonal Phase Encoding Reduction of Artifact (OPERA) was developed and tested.

Materials and methods

Because the position of ghosts and aliasing artifacts is predictable along columns or rows, OPERA combines the intensity values of two images acquired using the same parameters, but with swapped phase-encoding directions, to correct the artifacts. Simulations and phantom experiments were conducted to define the efficacy, robustness, and reproducibility. Clinical validation was performed on a total of 1003 images by comparing the OPERA-corrected images and the corresponding image standard in terms of Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) and Contrast-to-Noise Ratio (CNR). The method efficacy was also rated using a Likert-type scale response by two experienced independent radiologists using a single-blinded procedure.

Results

Simulations and phantom experiments demonstrated the robustness and effectiveness of OPERA in reducing artifacts strength. OPERA application did not significantly change the SNR [+?4.16%; inter-quartile range (IQR): 2.72–5.01%] and CNR (+?4.30%; IQR: 2.86–6.04%) values. The two radiologists observed a total of 893 original images with artifacts (89.03% of the total images), a reduction in the perceived artifacts of 82.0% and 83.9% (p?<?0.0001), and an improvement in the perceived SNR (82.8% and 88.5%; K?=?0.714) and perceived CNR (86.9–88.9%; K?=?0.722).

Discussion

The study demonstrated that OPERA reduces MR artifacts and improves the perceived image quality.

     

Research on fault diagnosis for MMC-HVDCSystems

Introduction: With the development of flexible HVDC technology, the fault diagnosis of MMC-HVDC becomes a new research direction. Based on the fault diagnosis theory, this paper proposes a robust fault diagnosis method to study the fault diagnosis problem of MMC-HVDC systems. Methods: By optimizing the gain matrix in the fault observer, fault detection with good sensitivity and robustness to disturbance is achieved. In the MMC-HVDC system, because of the inherently uncertain system and the presence of various random disturbances, the study of robust fault diagnosis method is particularly important. Results: Simulation studies during various AC faults have been carried out based on a 61-level MMC-HVDC mathematical model. The results validate the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed fault diagnosis method. Conclusions: So this fault diagnosis method can be further applied to the actual project, to quickly achieve system fault diagnosis and accurately complete fault identification.