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.

     

防黑客设计技术

随着嵌入设备渗透进社会,并承担起更加重要的角色,安全失效会带来潜在的灾难性的后果。嵌入设备以无人干预方式运行在很多领域的数千种关键任务或安全相关系统中,如制造、健康保健、运输、金融和军事等。虽然我们不假思索地依赖于这些嵌入系统,但任何一种嵌入系统都可能成为临时黑客、犯罪团伙、恐怖分子,甚至敌对政府分子的潜在目标。阻止这些攻击的重任就落在了系统设计者的肩上,他不仅要保证通过或保存在嵌入设备中的数据的安全,而且还要保护产品本身的知识产权。     

The effects of FG7142 on two types of forgetting in 18-day-old rats.

The authors studied the role of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in 2 types of forgetting of fear in the developing rat. One type of forgetting studied was that observed after an intermediate retention interval (the "Kamin effect"); the other type studied was that observed after a longer interval (infantile amnesia). Rats were given pairings of an auditory conditioned stimulus with shock, and learned fear was assessed by freezing. Forgetting at an intermediate retention interval (1 hr) was not alleviated by the GABAA receptor partial inverse agonist FG7142 (0, 1, 5, or 10 mg/kg), whereas forgetting at a longer retention interval (48 hr) was alleviated. These results suggest that in the developing rat, forgetting observed at different retention intervals is mediated by different physiological mechanisms. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The development and application of a multiple wavelength illumination technique for the vision-based process monitoring of aero-structure riveting

Airframe riveting is a critical process that requires high levels of process monitoring and quality assurance due to the very high risk associated with the failure of such joints. This paper describes the development of the enabling technology developed for a machine vision-based process monitoring system. One of the key factors affecting the performance of a machine vision system is the quality of the lighting. In the application described in this paper the available lighting was severely limited by the confined space in which the system had to operate. The problem was also compounded by the reflective nature of the objects to be examined. The initial images obtained were not suitable for further processing due to the presence of significant shadows and specular reflections. A novel solution to this problem based on multiple wavelength illumination and signal processing is presented along with results from experimental trials of the approach.     

生物除臭滤池在污水厂污泥处理段的除臭效能

对采用天然有机滤料和合成无机滤料的生物除臭滤池在加拿大多伦多市Ash-bridge’s Bay污水厂污泥处理站的干化和转运段的应用效果进行了分析。详细介绍了污泥脱水工艺、臭气的产生及其组分，进而对软木树皮滤料和矿物合成永久性滤料的除臭效果进行了比较。还讨论了一些具体的运行经验，并采用动态模型对不同条件下的运行数据进行了分析。     

It takes two to mimic: Behavioral consequences of self-construals.

The present studies demonstrated the moderation of self-construal orientation on mimicry. Recent research has indicated that an interdependent self-construal is associated with assimilation of the other to the self whereas an independent self-construal is associated with minimizing the influence of others on the self (H. R. Markus & S. Kitayama, 1991; D. Stapel & W. Koomen, 2001). Therefore, the authors hypothesized that an interdependent self-construal would be associated with more mimicry than an independent self-construal. When self-construal orientations were experimentally primed. as in Studies 1 and 2, independent self-construals produced less nonconscious mimicry than interdependent self-construals. When self-construals were examined as cultural differences with either a chronically dominant independent (Americans) or interdependent (Japanese) construal of the self, these results were replicated. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Investigating antecedents of technology acceptance of initial eCRM users beyond generation X and the role of self-construal

eCRM (electronic Customer Relationship Management) systems focus on using the web-site as the main interaction channel for businesses to simulate an old fashioned one-to-one direct relationship—high touch—with customers. In this research two distinct but related concepts, media richness from the Human Computer Interaction and Computer Mediated Communication fields and perceived interactivity from the Marketing and MIS fields, are disentangled and their unique impacts on technology acceptance variables are examined in the eCRM Acceptance Model. The present study contributes in extending the Technology Acceptance Model for the eCRM context and in establishing media richness and perceived interactivity as antecedents to perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use. Our research model integrates system perception (e.g., perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use) and subjective outcome measures (e.g., decision satisfaction) in a single model to fully understand the impact of eCRM “touch” design perceived by e-customers on their intention to return after the initial visit. An experimental survey of two culture groups (independent vs. interdependent self-construal) of technology savvy, young college students reveals that culture value-orientation (e.g., self-construal) moderates the effect of decision satisfaction on behavior intention to return in our eCRM Acceptance model. Findings of this research thus have significant theoretical and managerial implications.     

Preparation of autologous bone marrow grafts for cryopreservation using the AS104 cell separator

The heterocomplex of glycoproteins E and NS1 of tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) virus was isolated from culture fluid of continuous SPEV (porcine embryo kidney) cells by affinity chromatography on CL4B sepharose with immobilized monoclonal antibodies to TBE virus protein NS1. Comparison of the TBE E-NS1 heterocomplex from culture fluid and cells showed the predominance of secreted extracellular form. A similar TBE virus heterocomplex E-NS1 was revealed in the blood sera of patients with TBE but not in their lymphocytes. Extracellular localization of the E-NS1 complex at the late stage of infection rules out its hypothesized participation in the replication of TBE virus. Virtual absence of the heterocomplex and presence of proteins E and NS1 in high concentrations in the cells makes the nonspecific aggregation of these proteins impossible. Evidently, the extracellular heterocomplex E-NS1 may react with virusspecific antibodies or with cytotoxic T lymphocytes.     

Investigating the Social Dimensions of Transport Disadvantage II: From Concepts to Methods through an Empirical Case Study

This article is the second of two papers that review the field of spatially sensitive social scientific research into the links between social status and transport disadvantage. The first paper undertook a comprehensive review of the social scientific and transport planning literature to mark the level of development in the field and identify conceptual and methodological issues and constraints in this field of inquiry. The present article supports the advancement of socially and geographically sensitive transport research by opportunities for the development of more sophisticated spatial analytical methodologies. The approach we present is able to account for factors not previously addressed in either social or transport planning research, in particular the temporal dimensions of transport service accessibility. The article articulates the methodology through an empirical case study of socio-spatial transport disadvantage within the Gold Coast City. The article demonstrates that there are important theoretical and practical lessons to be gained for researchers and policy makers in addressing the social dimensions of transport and infrastructure provision. Further, the article argues that an attentiveness to new ways of combining and representing social and transport data-sets can promote policy relevant empirical social inquiry. The article also contributes in a productive way to the empirical knowledge of Australia's sixth-largest metropolitan area, which is often overlooked by urban scholars.