11 research outputs found
Microwave heating-induced DC magnetic flux penetration in YBaCuO superconducting thin films
The magneto-optical imaging technique is used to visualize the penetration of
the magnetic induction in YBaCuO thin films during
surface resistance measurements. The in-situ surface resistance measurements
were performed at 7 GHz using the dielectric resonator method. When only the
microwave magnetic field is applied to the superconductor, no
-induced vortex penetration is observed, even at high rf power. In
contrast, in the presence of a constant magnetic field superimposed on
we observe a progression of the flux front as is increased. A local
thermometry method based on the measurement of the resonant frequency of the
dielectric resonator placed on the YBaCuO thin film
shows that the --induced flux penetration is due to the increase of the
film temperature.Comment: 6 pages, Journal of Applied Physic
Heating and high frequency nonlinearities in the surface impedance of high Tc superconductors
Using the dielectric resonator method, we have investigated nonlinearities in surface impedance Zs = Rs + jXs of YBa2Cu3O7-delta thin films at 10 GHz as a function of the incident microwave power level and temperature. The use of a rutile dielectric resonator allows us to measure the precise temperature of the films. We conclusively show that the usually observed increase of the surface resistance of YBa2Cu3O7-delta thin film as function of microwave power is due to local heating
Joule heating and high frequency nonlinear effects in the surface impedance of high Tc superconductors
Using the dielectric resonator method, we have investigated nonlinearities in
the surface impedance Zs = Rs + jXs of YBa2Cu3O7 thin films at 10 GHz as
function of the incident microwave power level and temperature. The use of a
rutile dielectric resonator allows us to measure the precise temperature of the
films. We conclusively show that the usually observed increase of the surface
resistance of YBa2Cu3O7 thin film as function of microwave power is due to
local heating
Frequency converter based on nanoscale MgO magnetic tunnel junctions
We observe both dc voltage rectification and frequency conversion that occur
when a reference microwave current is injected to a MgO based magnetic tunnel
junction (MTJ). The rectification that is spin-transfer torque dependent is
observed when the frequency of the input microwave current coincides with the
resonance frequency of the magnetization of the active layer. In addition, we
demonstrate that frequency conversion is the result of amplitude modulation
between the reference signal and the resistance of the MTJ that is fluctuating
at the resonance frequency of the magnetization of the active layer.Comment: 9 pages, 2 figure
Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging During Childbirth to Demonstrate Fetal Head Moldability and Brain Compression: Prospective Cohort Study
BackgroundChildbirth is a physiological process with significant medical risk, given that neurological impairment due to the birthing process can occur at any time. Improvements in risk assessment and anticipatory interventions are constantly needed; however, the birthing process is difficult to assess using simple imaging technology because the maternal bony pelvis and fetal skeleton interfere with visualizing the soft tissues. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a noninvasive technique with no ionizing radiation that can monitor the biomechanics of the birthing process. However, the effective use of this modality requires teamwork and the implementation of the appropriate safeguards to achieve appropriate safety levels.
ObjectiveThis study describes a clinically effective and safe method to perform real-time MRI during the birthing process. We reported the experience of our team as part of the IMAGINAITRE study protocol (France), which aimed to better understand the biomechanics of childbirth.
MethodsA total of 27 pregnant women were examined with 3D MRI sequences before going into labor using a 1-Tesla open-field MRI. Of these 27 patients, 7 (26%) subsequently had another set of 3D MRI sequences during the second stage of labor. Volumes of 2D images were transformed into finite element 3D reconstructions. Polygonal meshes for each part of the fetal body were used to study fetal head moldability and brain compression.
ResultsAll 7 observed babies showed a sugarloaf skull deformity and brain compression at the middle strait. The fetus showing the greatest degree of molding and brain shape deformation weighed 4525 g and was born spontaneously but also presented with a low Apgar score. In this case, observable brain shape deformation demonstrated that brain compression had occurred, and it was not necessarily well tolerated by the fetus. Depending on fetal head moldability, these observations suggest that cephalopelvic disproportion can result in either obstructed labor or major fetal head molding with brain compression.
ConclusionsThis study suggests the presence of skull moldability as a confounding factor explaining why MRI, even with the best precision to measure radiological landmarks, fails to accurately predict the modality of childbirth. This introduces the fetal head compliance criterion as a way to better understand cephalopelvic disproportion mechanisms in obstetrics. MRI might be the best imaging technology by which to explore all combined aspects of cephalopelvic disproportion and achieve a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms of fetal head molding and moldability
Three-dimensional magnetic resonance imaging of fetal head molding and brain shape changes during the second stage of labor.
To demonstrate and describe fetal head molding and brain shape changes during delivery, we used three-dimensional (3D) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and 3D finite element mesh reconstructions to compare the fetal head between prelabor and the second stage of labor. A total of 27 pregnant women were examined with 3D MRI sequences before going into labor using a 1 Tesla open field MRI. Seven of these patients subsequently had another set of 3D MRI sequences during the second stage of labor. Volumes of 2D images were transformed into finite element 3D reconstructions. Polygonal meshes for each part of the fetal body were used to study fetal head molding and brain shape changes. Varying degrees of fetal head molding were present in the infants of all seven patients studied during the second phase of labor compared with the images acquired before birth. The cranial deformation, however, was no longer observed after birth in five out of the seven newborns, whose post-natal cranial parameters were identical to those measured before delivery. The changing shape of the fetal brain following the molding process and constraints on the brain tissue were observed in all the fetuses. Of the three fetuses presenting the greatest molding of the skull bones and brain shape deformation, two were delivered by cesarean-section (one after a forceps failure and one for engagement default), while the fetus presenting with the greatest skull molding and brain shape deformation was born physiologically. This study demonstrates the value of 3D MRI study with 3D finite element mesh reconstruction during the second stage of labor to reveal how the fetal brain is impacted by the molding of the cranial bones. Fetal head molding was systematically observed when the fetal head was engaged between the superior pelvic strait and the middle brim
Bilateral periventricular heterotopias in an X-linked dominant transmission in a family with two affected males
International audienceWe report on the case of dizygotic twin boys, born prematurely to an asymptomatic mother. Bilateral periventricular heterotopias with enlarged ventricles were discovered at birth in both twins. One of the twins died prematurely of bronchopulmonary complications, and was shown to have several neuropathological anomalies (microgyria, thin corpus callosum, and reduced white matter). The surviving twin had mental retardation, without epilepsy. MRI of the mother showed asymptomatic periventricular heterotopias without ventricular enlargement. She had two affected daughters also with asymptomatic periventricular heterotopias. A point mutation in the last coding exon 48 of the Filamin A (FLNA) gene (7922c > t) was discovered on sequencing and segregated with the affected individuals. This family has a classical X-linked dominant BPNH pathology, with greater severity in males than females. The location of the FLNA mutation is discussed in light of the neuropathological anomalies and mental retardation in male patients