Turbo spin-echo sequences in magnetic resonance imaging of the brain: Physics and applications

Fast SE imaging provides considerable measure time reduction, high signal-to-noise ratios as well as similar contrast behavior compared to conventional SE sequences. Besides TR and TE_eff, echo train length (ETL), interecho time , and-space trajectory determine image contrast and image quality in fast SE sequences. True proton density contrast (CSF hypointense) and not too strong T2 contrast are essential requirements in routine brain MRI. A Turbo SE sequence with very short echo train length (ETL=3), short TE_eff and short interecho time (17 ms), and TR=2000 ms was selected for proton density contrast; a Turbo SE sequence with ETL=7, TE_eff=90 ms, =22 ms, and TR=3250 ms was selected for T₂-weighted images. Using both single-echo Turbo SE sequences yielded 50% measure time reduction compared to the conventional SE technique. Conventional SE and optimized Turbo SE sequences were compared in 150 patients resulting in very similar signal and contrast behavior. Furthermore, reduced flow artifacts in proton density—and especially in T₂-weighted Turbo SE images—and better contrast of high-intensity lesions in proton density-weighted Turbo SE images were found. Slightly reduced edge sharpness—mainly in T₂-weighted Turbo SE images—did not reduce diagnostic reliability. Differences between conventional and Turbo SE images concerning image contrast and quality are explained regarding special features of fast SE technique.Address for correspondence: Institut für Röntgendiagnostik, Klinikum der Universität Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauß-Allee 11, 93042 Regensburg, Germany. Additional reprints of this chapter may be obtained from the Reprints Department, Chapman & Hall, One Venn Plaza, New York, NY 10119.     

Quasi three-dimensional, n-bit optical memory based on the ellipsometric principle: model calculations

Model calculations on the ellipsometric memory are presented. The ellipsometric memory is an n-bit optical memory whose information is extracted by use of the ellipsometric principle. The memory cells of the device consist of thin-film multilayer structures, and the information of each memory cell is contained in the optical properties of the thin films. Several thin-film multilayer structures were examined in order to find out how different choices of layer materials and other system parameters such as layer thicknesses and wavelength affect resolutions and limitations of the ellipsometric memory. Such calculations are also useful for optimizing the readout resolution. It was found that it is possible to use memory cells having up to at least eight layers, which would permit 8-bit words to be stored at each location. It was also found that, in principle, several types of materials can be used as layer materials, and various aspects of different choices of materials are discussed.     

Experimental tests of a novel Raman cell for vacuum ultraviolet generation to below Lyman-α

A novel-type Raman cell especially suitable for the generation of tunable vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) radiation with pump radiation from a frequency-doubled dye laser is described. This hydrogen-filled Raman cell permits the generation of narrow-bandwidth radiation to below 114 nm. Absolute VUV energies in the various anti-Stokes orders and measurements of pulse durations and pressure dependences are given.     

Determination of absolute emission cross sections for electron-impact-induced line radiation in the vacuum ultraviolet

A method and an experimental setup have been developed for measuring absolute photoemission cross sections for electron-impact-induced line radiation in the vacuum ultraviolet (VUV). Unparalleled low uncertainties for the cross sections were achieved mainly from the use of the Berlin electron storage ring as a primary standard source in the VUV for the determination of the responsivity of the spectrometer-detector system used and from the use of a spinning rotor gauge as a secondary standard for the determination of the target gas density. As the first result we present a photoemission cross section for the Ar II 3s3p(6)(2)S(?)-3s(2)3p(5)(2)p?(3/2) transition at 91.98 nm for 2-keV electron-impact energy of 1.167 × 10(-18) cm(2) with a relative uncertainty of 4.4% (√3σ value). This low uncertainty demonstrates the suitability of the setup for further cross-section measurements.     

Composites of hydroxyapatite and bisphosphonate: properties and alveolar bone response

A composite was made by adsorption of the bisphosphonate [(3-dimethylamino-1-hydroxypropylidene)-1,1-bisphosphonate; dimethyl-APD] into an hydroxyapatite (HA) tube. Adsorbed dimethyl-APD did not change the bulk properties of the HA tube but the surface properties were altered. The amount of 0.1 mmol/L dimethyl-APD adsorbed into the HA tube was 0.78 ( ± 0.20) g after 4 weeks. The composite tube of HA and dimethyl-APD placed after extraction of teeth in the premolar regions of dogs were biocompatible, stable and bonded strongly and intimately to the alveolar bone. Although there was no bone resorption around the composite tubes, no conclusion can be drawn yet from this study as far as local inhibition of alveolar bone resorption is concerned.     

Optimization of correlated multi-response quality engineering by the upside-down normal loss function

Most of the published literature on robust design is basically concerned with a single response. However, the reality is that common industrial problems usually involve several quality characteristics, which are often correlated. Traditional approaches to multidimensional quality do not offer much information on how much better or worse a process is when finding optimal settings. Köksoy and Fan [Engineering Optimization 44 (8): 935–945] pointed out that the upside-down normal loss function provides a more reasonable risk assessment to the losses of being off-target in product engineering research. However, they only consider the single-response case. This article generalizes their idea to more than one response under possible correlations and co-movement effects of responses on the process loss. The response surface methodology has been adapted, estimating the expected multivariate upside-down normal loss function of a multidimensional system to find the optimal control factor settings of a given problem. The procedure and its merits are illustrated through an example.     

Mid-IR real-time monitoring of the carbocationic polymerization of isobutylene and styrene

The in-situ monitoring of the living carbocationic polymerization of isobutylene (IB) and styrene (St) with a fiber optic Attenuated Total Reflection (ATR) probe in the mid-IR "fingerprint" range is reported here for the first time. Monomer consumption was followed by the disappearance of the C=C stretching for both IB and St, and the C−H bending of the CH₃-group in IB. The formation of polyisobutylene (PIB) was also monitored by tracing the asymmetrical doublet characteristic of C−H bending of the t-butyl groups of the PIB. Conversion measurements by conventional off-line gravimetry correlated well with the new technique. Received: 27 August 1997/Revised version: 2 November 1997/Accepted: 20 November 1997     

Optical acceptance function of modified compound parabolic concentrators with linear corrugated reflectors

For reflective cylindrical concentrators the acceptance function, as determined in the meridian plane, remains constant for more oblique planes of incidence. However, if the reflective surface has a linear corrugated structure, it is possible to increase the acceptance in the meridian plane at the expense of reduced acceptance at a more oblique incidence. A ray-tracing study has been performed on the optical properties of troughlike compound parabolic concentrators (CPC's) with linear corrugated reflectors. Calculations of angular acceptance for a modified CPC with concentration C = x is presented. A possible application of this new concentrator is as a secondary concentrator for tracking parabolic troughs.     

New aspects of transversal1H-NMR relaxation in natural rubber vulcanizates

Summary Structure and dynamics of unfilled and carbon black filled natural rubber vulcanizates were investigated by means of transversal¹H-NMR-relaxation. A simple theoretical model including different motions in polymer network was extended by the discussion of an anisotropy parameter of segmental motion not only for the intercrosslink chains but also for the dangling ends. It makes characterization of the filling state of the network possible to approximate. The effect of increasing correlation times _f of the fast anisotropic local motion with reduction of the molecular mass of intercrosslink chains which was observed, but not cleared up in previous investigation is evidently smaller by using this modified model in accordance with the expectation of a local motion. The determined values of M_c are in good agreement with the results of fits by using the unmodified relaxation function.¹³C-NMR-spectra and stress-strain-experiments are leading in most cases to similar results, especially for M_c.     

Russian doll type cryogenic traps: improved design and isotope separation effects

An improved cryogenic trap for removing micromole quantities of condensables from gas mixtures is described. It is based on the so-called Russian doll design, with which extraordinary trapping efficiencies at flow rates of up to 10 L/min are obtained. The active element consists of one or more nested glass fiber thimbles. Despite the large fiber area, quantitative retrieval of condensed CO(2) is obtained. The new design is demountable and incorporates a heat exchange section; trapping efficiency depends little on the level of coolant, as has been tested for CO(2). When fractionation is induced by incomplete trapping, a small isotopic enrichment in (13)C occurs. It also has been discovered that when He is used as carrier gas, a gas chromatographic effect for CO occurs in Russian doll traps, accompanied by a large isotope separation, in which the elution sequence corresponds to the vapor pressure ratios of the isotopomers.