Resampling Strategies to Estimate Mean Concentrations from Low SNR In Vivo MR Spectra

A resampling method for quantitative MRS is presented that retains absolute concentrations. Averaging the spectra from a subset improved the concentrationestimates via increased SNR. Using short-TE STEAM spectra from human thalamus, the influence of subset size was systematically studied and verifiedagainst conventional bootstrap re-sampling. Even small subsets provided considerably better signal-to-noise ratio and reliability. The standard deviation orconfidence intervals can be derived by correcting the variance over all subset estimates for the inherent redundancy. Subsets of about half the group size arerecommended, because of their large number and the almost normal distribution of mean concentration estimates

Identification of Signal Bias in the Variable Flip Angle Method by Linear Display of the Algebraic Ernst Equation

A novel linear parameterization for the variable flip angle method for longitudinal relaxation time T1 quantification from spoiled steady state MRI is derived from the half angle tangent transform, τ, of the flip angle. Plotting the signal S at coordinates x = Sτ and y = S/τ, respectively, establishes a line that renders signal amplitude and relaxation term separately as y-intercept and slope. This representation allows for estimation of the respective parameter from the experimental data. A comprehensive analysis of noise propagation is performed. Numerical results for efficient optimization of longitudinal relaxation time and proton density mapping experiments are derived. Appropriate scaling allows for a linear presentation of data that are acquired at different short pulse repetition times, TR << T1 thus increasing flexibility in the data acquisition by removing the limitation of a single pulse repetition time. Signal bias, like due to slice-selective excitation or imperfect spoiling, can be readily identified by systematic deviations from the linear plot. The method is illustrated and validated by 3T experiments on phantoms and human brain. Magn Reson Med, 2011. © 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc

Accelerated Growth Plate Mineralization and Foreshortened Proximal Limb Bones in Fetuin-A Knockout Mice

PMCID: PMC3473050This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited

Separating Fusion from Rivalry

Visual fusion is the process in which differing but compatible binocular information is transformed into a unified percept. Even though this is at the basis of binocular vision, the underlying neural processes are, as yet, poorly understood. In our study we therefore aimed to investigate neural correlates of visual fusion. To this end, we presented binocularly compatible, fusible (BF),and incompatible, rivaling (BR) stimuli, as well as an intermediate stimulus type containing both binocularly fusible and monocular, incompatible elements (BFR). Comparing BFR stimuli with BF and BR stimuli, respectively, we were able to disentangle brain responses associated with either visual fusion or rivalry. By means of functional magnetic resonance imaging, we measured brain responses to these stimulus classes in the visual cortex, and investigated them in detail at various retinal eccentricities. Compared with BF stimuli, the response to BFR stimuli was elevated in visual cortical areas V1 and V2, but not in V3 and V4 - implying that the response to monocular stimulus features decreased from V1 to V4. Compared to BR stimuli, the response to BFR stimuli decreased with increasing eccentricity, specifically within V3 and V4. Taken together, it seems that although the processing of exclusively monocular information decreases from V1 to V4, the processing of binocularly fused information increases from earlier to later visual areas. Our findings suggest the presence of an inhibitory neural mechanism which, depending on the presence of fusion, acts differently on the processing of monocular information

Determinación de un elemento de volumen representativo de probetas de tablero tensado

El objetivo de este estudio fue definir un elemento de volumen representativo para caracterizar las propiedades mecánicas de probetas de tableros tensados de Pinus radiata D. Don y de Eucalyptus nitens. La determinación del elemento de volumen representativo permitió identificar la sección más pequeña de las probetas que presenta las particularidades de este material compuesto y por consiguiente, representa a la probeta en su conjunto. Para esto, las propiedades nanomecánicas de las paredes celulares y lamela media fueron determinadas por nanoindentaciones. Este estudio se desarrolló en dos etapas. En la primera etapa, el anillo de crecimiento representativo de las piezas de madera bajo compresión perpendicular a la fibra, fue determinado. En la segunda etapa, el tablón representativo de la probeta de tablero tensado sometido a compresión a largo plazo, fue determinado. Los resultados de la primera etapa, mostraron que no existe una tendencia específica de las propiedades nanomecánicas a través de los anillos de crecimiento en la sección transversal de las piezas de Pinus radiata y Eucalyptus nitens bajo compresión perpendicular a la fibra. En la segunda etapa, se estableció que los esfuerzos de compresión a largo plazo en la probeta de tablero tensado principalmente afectaron las propiedades nanomecánicas de la estructura celular de los tablones exterior y central de la probeta. Lo anterior permitió establecer que el elemento de volumen representativo de una probeta de tablero tensado se localizó en la madera temprana del anillo de crecimiento más alejado a la médula en la sección transversal del tablón central. AbstractThe aim of this study was to define a representative volume element to characterize the mechanical properties of stress-laminated deck specimens of radiata pine and Eucalyptus nitens. The determination of the representative volume element allowed to identify the smallest representative section of the stress-laminated deck. For this, the nanomechanical properties of the cell walls and middle lamellas were determined by nanoindentations. This study was conducted in two phases. In the first phase, the growth ring representative of the pieces of wood under compression perpendicular to the grain was determined. In the second phase, the board representative of the stress-laminated deck specimens subjected to long-term compression loads and variable environmental conditions was determined. The results obtained in the first phase of the study showed that there was no specific tendency of the nanomechanical properties through growth rings in the cross-section of Pinus radiata and Eucalyptus nitens specimens subjected to compression loads perpendicular to the grain. In the second phase of the study, it was found that long-term compression loads in stress-laminated deck specimens mainly affect the mechanical properties of the cellular structure of exterior and central boards. Finally, the representative volume element in a stress-laminated deck specimen was found in the earlywood of the growth ring farthest to the pith in the cross section of the central board

Efecto del comportamiento termo-higromecánico a macroescala de madera bajo compresión perpendicular a la fibra en las propiedades nanomecánicas de su estructura celular

El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar y correlacionar el efecto termo-higromecánico a macroescala de las especies de Pinus radiata D. Don y de Eucalyptus nitens (Deane &amp; Maiden) con las propiedades nanomecánicas evaluadas en la estructura celular, con el fin de visualizar el comportamiento mecánico de la capa S2 de la pared celular y de la lamela media de probetas bajo compresión perpendicular a la fibra y bajo condiciones ambientales cíclicas, considerando como caso, los puentes de tableros tensados. A macroescala, se estudiaron 4 probetas sin tratamiento preservante para ambas especies y 4 probetas de Pinus radiata tratadas con creosota. Las propiedades nanomecánicas de la estructura celular de la madera fueron determinadas por medio de nanoindentaciones. Los resultados mostraron que el módulo de elasticidad y la dureza de la estructura celular de las maderas sometidas a variaciones termohigromecánicasen el tiempo y a condiciones de tensado, aumentaron significativamente en el verano del segundo ciclo que con respecto al invierno del primer ciclo. Por otro lado, se evidenció que el tensado de las probetas originó una reducción del módulo de elasticidad y de la dureza así como también un incremento del factor de relajación de la estructura celular de la madera con respecto la madera sin tensado, expuestas a deformación libre. AbstractThe objective of this study was to evaluate and correlate at macroscale the thermo-hygromechanical effect of on the nanomechanical properties of Pinus radiata D. Don and Eucalyptus nitens(Deane &amp; Maiden)evaluated in the S2 layer of the cell wall and in the middle lamella of specimens under compression perpendicular to grain and under cyclic environmental conditions. At macroscale, 4 stresslaminated deck specimens without preservative treatment were studied for both species and 4 deck specimens of radiata pine treated with creosote. The nanomechanical properties of the cellular structure were determined using nanoindentations. The results showed that the thermo-hygromechanical effect at macroscale induced a significant increase of elastic modulus and hardness of the cellular structure during the summer season and during the second environmental cycle, with respect to the winter season and the first cycle. On the other hand, it was shown that the application of long-term compressive loads lead to a significant decrease of the elastic modulus and hardness of the cellular structure of wood and an increase in the relaxation factor, compared to the pieces submitted to free deformation

Análisis del comportamiento reológico y termo-higromecánico en probetas de tableros tensados de madera para puentes a condiciones ambientales variables

La madera presenta un comportamiento termo-higromecánico cuando se somete a la acción conjunta de variaciones de temperatura, humedad relativa y carga mecánica. Los tableros tensados de madera presentan pérdidas de fuerza en la barra de tensado debido principalmente a la relajación de la tensión y a la contracción de la madera, aumentando con los cambios de humedad y temperatura de ésta. El objetivo de este estudio fue estudiar el comportamiento reológico de tableros tensados de madera de pino radiata (Pinus radiata D. Don) sometidos a cambios de temperatura y humedad relativa. Un total de 16 probetas fueron previamente tratadas con diferentes tratamientos de preservación, las cuales fueron sometidas a cuatro ciclos de temperatura y humedad relativa en una cámara de clima. La deformación de las probetas y la tensión de las barras de acero fueron medidas. Los resultados mostraron que la variación de la temperatura y de la humedad tiene una fuerte influencia en la variación de la tensión de las barras tensoras. Los retensados minimizaron la pérdida de tensión de las barras. Además, no se observaron evidencias de fluencia termo-higromecánica ni relajación de la tensión de las muestras de puentes tensados en este estudio. AbstractWood material has a thermo-hygromechanical behaviour because its deformation depends on the combined action of temperature, relative humidity and mechanical load variations. Stress-laminated timber bridge deck show a reduction of stress in the tension bars mainly due to the relaxation and shrinkage of wood, increasing with moisture content and temperature changes within the wood. The aim of this research was to study the rheological behavior of stress-laminated timber bridge deck samples under temperature and relative humidity variations. A total of 16 samples were previously treated with four types of preservative treatments, which were subjected to four cycles of temperature and relative humidity in a climate chamber. Wood samples deformation and stress in the steel bars were measured. The results showed a significant stress reduction in the steel bar during the summer season and a significant increase during the winter season. The results also showed significant differences between the deformations of control samples compared to the preservative treated samples for each cycle. However, for interlaminar stress, differences were significant only in the winter season. Moreover, for both deformation and interlaminar stress, no significant differences between cycles three and four were found. Therefore there is no evidence of thermo-hygromechanical creep or relaxation of wood in the conditions considered in this study

第985回千葉医学会例会・第二内科例会

Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) provides the unique ability to monitor several disease-related pathological processes via their characteristic metabolic markers in vivo. In the present study metabolic compositions were assessed every six months over the period of two years in 36 patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) including 21 relapsing-remitting (RR), 15 secondary progressive (SP) patients and 12 normal subjects. The concentrations of the main MRS-detectable metabolites N-acetylaspartate and N-acetylaspartylglutamate (tNAA), creatine and phosphocreatine (tCr), choline containing compounds (Cho), myo-Inositol (Ins), glutamine and glutamate (Glx) and their ratios were calculated in the normal appearing white matter (NAWM) and in selected non-enhancing white matter (WM) lesions. Association between metabolic concentrations in the NAWM and disability were investigated. Concentration of tNAA, a marker for neuroaxonal integrity, did not show any difference between the investigated groups. However, the patients with SPMS showed significant reduction of tNAA in the NAWM over the investigation period of two years indicating diffuse neuroaxonal loss during the disease course. Furthermore, we found a significant increase of Ins, Ins/tCr and Ins/tNAA in WM lesions independently from the course of the disease suggesting ongoing astrogliosis in silent-appearing WM lesions. Analyzing correlations between MRS metabolites in the NAWM and patients clinical status we found the positive correlation of Ins/tNAA with disability in patients with RRMS. In SPMS positive correlation of Cho with disability was found