Wavefront decomposition and propagation through complex models with analytical ray theory and signal processing

We present a novel method which can perform the fast computation of the times of arrival of seismic waves which propagate between a source and an array of receivers in a stratified medium. This method combines signal processing concepts for the approximation of interfaces and wavefronts, and ray theory for the propagation of wavefronts. This new approach leads to the redefinition and simplification of the model through which waves propagate. The modifications are governed by the spectral characteristics of the source signal. All rays are computed without any omission at a much lower cost in computing time than classical method

Some reflections on reflectors and wave amplitudes

International audienceThe paper describes the refl ector from a seismic viewpoint, and investigates the imprint of such a description on the wave reflection process. More specifically, the spatial region in the vicinity of the interface which actually aff ects the refl ected wavefield is determined using the Fresnel volume and the Interface Fresnel zone (IFZ) concepts. This region is represented by a volume of integration of properties above and below the interface whose maximum lateral extent corresponds to the lateral extent of the IFZ, and whose maximum vertical extent corresponds to a thickness we evaluate accurately and which can be greater than the seismic wavelengths. Considering this description of a reflector, we then calculate the amplitude of the P-wave emanating from a point source and recorded at a receiver after its specular reflection on a smooth homogeneous interface between two elastic media. As the problem under consideration can be viewed as a problem of diff raction by the IFZ which is the physically relevant part of the interface which actually aff ects the refl ected wavefi eld in this simple case, we then apply the Angular Spectrum Approach (ASA) combined with the IFZ concept to get the 3D analytical solution. The variation in the refl ected P-wave amplitude evaluated with the ASA, as a function of the incidence angle, is fi nally compared with the plane-wave refl ection coeffi cient, and with the exact solution obtained with the 3D code OASES. Below but close to the critical angle, the prediction of our approximation better fi ts the exact solution than the plane-wave refl ection coefficient, which emphasizes the importance of accounting for the IFZ in amplitude calculations even for a very simple elastic model

Influence of the Interface Fresnel zone on the reflected P-wave amplitude modelling

International audienceThe aim of the paper is to emphasize the importance of accounting for the Fresnel volume and for the Interface Fresnel zone (IFZ) for calculating the amplitude of the P wave emanating from a point source and recorded at a receiver after its specular reflection on a smooth homogeneous interface between elastic media. For this purpose, by considering the problem of interest as a problem of diffraction by the IFZ, that is, the physically relevant part of the interface which actually affects the reflected wavefield, we have developed a method which combines the Angular Spectrum Approach (ASA) with the IFZ concept to get the 3-D analytical solution. The variation in the reflected P-wave amplitude evaluated with the ASA, as a function of the incidence angle, is compared with the plane wave (PW) reflection coefficient and with the exact solution provided by the 3-D code OASES, for one solid/solid configuration and two dominant frequencies of the source. For subcritical incidence angles the geometrical spreading compensation is mostly quite sufficient to reduce the point-source amplitudes to the PW amplitudes. On the contrary, for specific regions of incidence angles for which the geometrical spreading compensation is not sufficient anymore, that is, near the critical region and in the post-critical domain, the ASA combined with the IFZ concept yields better results than the PW theory whatever the dominant frequency of the source, which suggests that the additional application of the IFZ concept is necessary to obtain the reflected P-wave amplitude. Nevertheless, as the ASA combined with the IFZ has been used only for evaluating the contribution of the reflected wavefield at the receiver, its predictions fail when the interference between the reflected wave and the head wave becomes predominant

The Interface Fresnel Zone revisited

We determine the part of reflectors which actually affects the reflected wavefield, which is of particular interest for the characterization of the interfaces from physical and seismic viewpoints, and for seismic resolution. We reformulate the concepts of Fresnel volumes (FV) and Interface Fresnel zones (IFZ), by accounting for all possible rays defining the isochrone for the source-receiver pair and the specular reflected wave. In the case of a plane homogeneous interface, the results obtained with our reformulation (in particular, the size of the IFZ) are identical to previous published works. Nevertheless, with the help of the lens formula of geometrical optics, we propose a correction to the classical expression for the depth penetration of the FV across the interface in the transmission medium, which can result in a depth penetration 50% greater than the classical one. Additionally, we determine a region above the interface in the incidence medium, which is also involved in the wave reflection. Finally, we propose a new definition for the minimal volume of integration and homogenization of properties above and beyond the interface, which is necessary to the evaluation of an effective reflectivity of interfaces with lateral change in physical and geometrical properties

Usefulness of the Interface Fresnel zone for simulating the seismic reflected amplitudes

The aim of the paper is to emphasize the importance of accounting for the Fresnel volume (FV) and for the Interface Fresnel zone (IFZ) for simulating the amplitudes of the spherical waves reflected from an interface between elastic media and recorded at the receiver. For this purpose, by considering the problem of interest as a problem of diffraction by the IFZ, we have developed a method wich combines the Angular Spectrum Approach (ASA) with the IFZ concept to get the 3D analytical solution. The comparison between the amplitude-versusangle curve predicted by our approximation with that predicted by the classical plane-wave theory, and also with the exact solution, clearly enlightens three points. First, for specific regions of incidence angles, for which the geometrical-spreading compensation is not sufficient anymore to reduce the point-source amplitudes to the plane-wave amplitudes, the additional application of the FV and of IFZ concept is necessary. Second, as our approximation is concerned only with the reflected wave, its predictions fit well the exact solution, provided there is no interference between the reflected wave and the head wave. Third, they exhibit oscillations in the postcritical region which result from the interference of the IFZ with the sharp edge of the reflection coefficient

Correction of arterial input function in dynamic contrast‐enhanced MRI of the liver

Purpose: To develop a postprocessing method to correct saturation of arterial input function (AIF) in T1‐weighted dynamic contrast‐enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE‐MRI) for quantification of hepatic perfusion. Materials and Methods: The saturated AIF is corrected by parameterizing the first pass of the AIF as a smooth function with a single peak and minimizing a least‐squares error in fitting the liver DCE‐MRI data to a dual‐input single‐compartment model. Sensitivities of the method to the degree of saturation in the AIF first‐pass peak and the image contrast‐to‐noise ratio were assessed. The method was also evaluated by correlating portal venous perfusion with an independent overall liver function measurement. Results: The proposed method corrects the distorted AIF with a saturation ratio up to 0.45. The corrected AIF improved hepatic arterial perfusion by −23.4% and portal venous perfusion by 26.9% in a study of 12 patients with liver cancers. The correlation between the mean voxelwise portal venous perfusion and overall liver function measurement was improved by using the corrected AIFs (R 2 = 0.67) compared with the saturated AIFs (R 2 = 0.39). Conclusion: The method is robust for correcting AIF distortion and has the potential to improve quantification of hepatic perfusion for assessment of liver tissue response to treatment in patients with hepatic cancers. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2012;36:411–421. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/92374/1/23636_ftp.pd

Multiparametric renal magnetic resonance imaging: validation, interventions, and alterations in chronic kidney disease

Background: This paper outlines a multiparametric renal MRI acquisition and analysis protocol to allow non-invasive assessment of hemodynamics (renal artery blood flow and perfusion), oxygenation (BOLD T2*), and microstructure (diffusion, T1 mapping). Methods: We use our multiparametric renal MRI protocol to provide (1) a comprehensive set of MRI parameters [renal artery and vein blood flow, perfusion, T1, T2*, diffusion (ADC, D, D*, fp), and total kidney volume] in a large cohort of healthy participants (127 participants with mean age of 41 ± 19 years) and show the MR field strength (1.5 T vs. 3 T) dependence of T1 and T2* relaxation times; (2) the repeatability of multiparametric MRI measures in 11 healthy participants; (3) changes in MRI measures in response to hypercapnic and hyperoxic modulations in six healthy participants; and (4) pilot data showing the application of the multiparametric protocol in 11 patients with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). Results: Baseline measures were in-line with literature values, and as expected, T1-values were longer at 3 T compared with 1.5 T, with increased T1 corticomedullary differentiation at 3 T. Conversely, T2* was longer at 1.5 T. Inter-scan coefficients of variation (CoVs) of T1 mapping and ADC were very good at <2.9%. Intra class correlations (ICCs) were high for cortex perfusion (0.801), cortex and medulla T1 (0.848 and 0.997 using SE-EPI), and renal artery flow (0.844). In response to hypercapnia, a decrease in cortex T2* was observed, whilst no significant effect of hyperoxia on T2* was found. In CKD patients, renal artery and vein blood flow, and renal perfusion was lower than for healthy participants. Renal cortex and medulla T1 was significantly higher in CKD patients compared to healthy participants, with corticomedullary T1 differentiation reduced in CKD patients compared to healthy participants. No significant difference was found in renal T2*. Conclusions: Multiparametric MRI is a powerful technique for the assessment of changes in structure, hemodynamics, and oxygenation in a single scan session. This protocol provides the potential to assess the pathophysiological mechanisms in various etiologies of renal disease, and to assess the efficacy of drug treatments

Hepatic steatosis does not cause insulin resistance in people with familial hypobetalipoproteinaemia

Item does not contain fulltextAIMS/HYPOTHESIS: Hepatic steatosis is strongly associated with hepatic and whole-body insulin resistance. It has proved difficult to determine whether hepatic steatosis itself is a direct cause of insulin resistance. In patients with familial hypobetalipoproteinaemia (FHBL), hepatic steatosis is a direct consequence of impaired hepatic VLDL excretion, independently of metabolic derangements. Thus, patients with FHBL provide a unique opportunity to investigate the relation between increased liver fat and insulin sensitivity. METHODS: We included seven male participants with FHBL and seven healthy matched controls. Intrahepatic triacylglycerol content and intramyocellular lipid content were measured using localised proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy ((1)H-MRS). A two-step hyperinsulinaemic-euglycaemic clamp, using stable isotopes, was assessed to determine hepatic and peripheral insulin sensitivity. RESULTS: (1)H-MRS showed moderate to severe hepatic steatosis in patients with FHBL. Basal endogenous glucose production (EGP) and glucose levels did not differ between the two groups, whereas insulin levels tended to be higher in patients compared with controls. Insulin-mediated suppression of EGP during lower dose insulin infusion and insulin-mediated peripheral glucose uptake during higher dose insulin infusion were comparable between FHBL participants and controls. Baseline fatty acids and lipolysis (glycerol turnover) at baseline and during the clamp did not differ between groups. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: In spite of moderate to severe hepatic steatosis, people with FHBL do not display a reduction in hepatic or peripheral insulin sensitivity compared with healthy matched controls. These results indicate that hepatic steatosis per se is not a causal factor leading to insulin resistance. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN35161775