Use of superparamagnetic contrast media to suppress signal from flowing spins: Preliminary experience

The authors describe their preliminary experience with the use of superparamagnetic magnetic resonance (MR) imaging contrast media for suppression of signal from flowing blood. The goal of this work was to determine if a superparamagnetic contrast agent could successfully eliminate blood signal during cardiac-gated MR imaging, thereby eliminating or reducing flow artifacts associated with the complex and variable hemodynamics within the heart chambers. Imaging and data analysis were performed in 17 dogs subjected to experimental myocardial infarction as part of a parallel project. Six doses (0.2, 1, 2, 3.5, 4, 5, and 10 mg/kg) of AMI-25, an experimental contrast agent, were used in the study. Spin-echo imaging was performed immediately before and every 5 minutes (for an average of 25 minutes) after bolus injection of the contrast agent. Variations in the image signal-to-noise ratio relative to a baseline (before injection of contrast agent) image were assessed as a function of dose and time. Preliminary results suggest that a considerable reduction in blood flow artifacts and, hence, increases in image signal-tonoise ratio can be achieved at doses greater than or equal to 3.5 mg/kg, for approximately 20 minutes after injection. Doses equal to or less than 2 mg/kg and images obtained more than 20 minutes after injection (regardless of dose) did not reliably show hemodynamic artifact suppression.     

Analysis of magnetization transfer effects on T1-weighted spin-echo scans using a simple tissue phantom simulating gadolinium-enhanced brain lesions

The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of several magnetization transfer (MT) pulse and T1-weighted spin-echo (SE) sequence parameters on lesion-to-background contrast, using a simple tissue phantom emulating the T1 relaxation and MT properties of gadolinium-enhanced brain lesions. Eggbeaters (Nabisco Inc., East Hanover, NJ) liquid egg product was doped with gadolinium in six concentrations from .0 to 1.0 mmol and cooked. The gadolinium-doped egg phantom and normal volunteer brains were studied using an SE sequence with TE = 20 msec and high power, pulsed, off-resonance MT saturation. The effects of MT pulse frequency offset (1,000–6,000 Hz), sequence repetition time (TR = 500–1,000 msec, with MT power held constant), and slice-select flip angle (60–120 degrees) on the magnetization transfer ratio (MTR) and the simulated lesion-to-background contrast were determined at the different “Intralesion” gadolinium concentrations. The MTR and lesion-to-background contrast of all materials were greatest at narrow MT pulse frequency offsets. There was an inverse relationship between gadolinium concentration and MTR and a positive correlation between the gadolinium concentration and lesion-to-background (L/B) contrast, a weak negative correlation between slice-select flip angle and L/B, and a negative correlation between TR and L/B. The relaxation properties and MT behavior of the egg phantom are close to that expected for enhancing brain lesions, allowing a rigorous analysis of several variables affecting lesion-to-background contrast for high MT power, T1-weighted SE sequences.     

提取青蒿素实验条件的研究

对从青蒿叶中提取青蒿素的各种方法及实验条件进行实验比较，结果表明，采用索氏提取法及以Ｂ号油为溶剂，具有提取率较高，时间短、操作方便、耗油少等特点。     

放射状角膜切开的实验病理与临床应用

以１４只兔及２只猴为动物模型，对放射状角膜切开术（ＲＫ）进行了２￣３个月观察，发现：ＲＫ切口内的上皮塞子持续２个月以上才逐渐消退。术后一个月内上皮下基底膜形成，后逐渐变薄，切口内的成纤维细胞分裂增殖较慢，开始走行与切口平行，１５天后可见横过切口，２月后实质表层成纤维细胞排列变得整齐，但深层仍较紊乱，胞核多深染。术中切穿角膜的实验兔，术后２个月病理切片可见：切口附近内皮细胞丢失，内弹力膜断裂，切口内     

Optimization of localized 19F magnetic resonance spectroscopy for the detection of fluorinated drugs in the human liver.

Fluorine MR spectroscopy ((19)F MRS) is an indispensable tool for assessing the pharmacokinetics of fluorinated drugs. Since the metabolism of 5-fluorouracil (5FU), a frequently used cytotoxic drug, is expected to be different in normal liver and in tumor tissue, spatial localization is required for detection by MRS. In this study, three independent signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) optimizations were combined to enable chemical shift imaging (CSI) as a localization method in the detection of 5FU and its metabolites in tumor tissue. First, the hardware was optimized by using circularly polarized coils together with integrated preamplifiers. Second, the optimal pulse angle (Ernst angle) was determined on the basis of T(1) relaxation time measurements of 5FU. Finally, averaging of CSI phase-encoding steps was optimized by using the applied Hamming filter as a weighting function. The combination of these three methods enables the in vivo detection of 5FU and alpha-fluoro-beta-alanine (FBAL) by (19)F MRS, localized in three dimensions in tumor and liver tissue at a time resolution of 4 min at 1.5 Tesla.     

On the synthesis of time‐varying LQG weights and noises along optimal control and state trajectories

A general approach to control non‐linear uncertain systems is to apply a pre‐computed nominal optimal control, and use a pre‐computed LQG compensator to generate control corrections from the on‐line measured data. If the non‐linear model, on which the optimal control and LQG compensator design is based, is of sufficient quality, and when the LQG compensator is designed appropriately, the closed‐loop control system is approximately optimal. This paper contributes to the selection and computation of the time‐varying LQG weighting and noise matrices, which determine the LQG compensator design. It is argued that the noise matrices may be taken time‐invariant and diagonal. Three very important considerations concerning the selection of the time‐varying LQG weighting matrices are turned into a concrete computational scheme. Thereby, the selection of the time‐varying LQG weighting matrices is reduced to selecting three scalar design parameters, each one weighting one consideration. Although the three considerations seem straightforward they may oppose one another. Furthermore, they usually result in time‐varying weighting matrices that are indefinite, rather than positive (semi) definite as required for the LQG design. The computational scheme presented in this paper addresses and resolves both problems. By two numerical examples the benefits of our optimal closed‐loop control system design are demonstrated and evaluated using Monte Carlo simulation. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

一种新的正交参数选优法及其在非线性回归分析中的应用

非线性回归分析是工程中经常采用的一种用来估计数学模型参数的方法，该方法能否顺利运用与参数初始值的选择有极大关系。本研究提出一种新的正交参数选优法——阻尼正交表法，它不仅可以保证非线性回归分析算法的顺利收敛，而且能够显著提高后者的收敛速度，进而极大改善非线性回归分析算法的应用性能。本研究的数值试验及心肌造影超声心动图定量分析应用实例表明，作为对传统正交参数选优法的一种改进，阻尼正交表法在科学与工程计算或信号与信息处理领域有着很好的应用前景。     

外语多媒体软件界面设计的认知策略模式

外语学习软件界面的设计除了应注意实现软件功能的技术因素、表现媒体的物理性状以及信息内容的学科把握 ,还应对软件界面的内容组织方略、交互通达方式、语用认知功能等方面提出要求。界面设计的出发点 ,应该是学生、学习任务及其相应的学习活动。应该根据需求分析、学习者分析、任务和内容分析来确定目标和步骤。外语教学应以语言能力、交际能力、学习策略能力为目标 ,界面设计应以此为据选择表现媒体、结构层次、交互方式和技术手段。     

The logical structure and validity of experimental designs in pharmacokinetics and clinical pharmacology

Much of the literature on research design in clinical pharmacology and pharmacokinetics emphasizes statistical concerns, thus suggesting that a primary ingredient of a valid research design is an appropriate plan for statistical analysis of data. However, statistical validity is only one of several ways to evaluate an experimental study. The present paper reviews the underlying logic and sources of invalidity of experimental drug research suggesting influences and factors which may deceive or lure an experimenter into erroneous conclusions.     

Polynomial matrix solution of H2 optimal control problem for state‐space systems

A polynomial matrix solution to the H₂ output feedback optimal control problems is obtained for systems represented in state‐equation form. The proof does not invoke the separation principle but is obtained in the z‐domain. The cost function includes weighted states, which allows the so‐called standard system model problem to be solved. This encompasses the class of inferential control problems. The results also enable the two‐degree‐of‐freedom optimal control solution properties to be explored. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.