Single echo acquisition magnetic resonance imaging

The dramatic improvement in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan time over the past fifteen years through gradient-based methods that sample k-space more efficiently and quickly cannot be sustained, as thresholds regarding hardware and safety limitations are already being approached. Parallel imaging methods (using multiple receiver coils to partially encode k-space) have offered some relief in the efforts and are rapidly becoming the focus of current endeavors to decrease scan time. Ideally, for some applications, phase encoding would be eliminated completely, replaced with array coil encoding instead, and the entire image formed in a single echo. The primary objective of this work was to explore that acceleration limit  to implement and investigate the methodology of single echo acquisition magnetic resonance imaging (SEA MRI). The initial evaluation of promising array coil designs is described, based on parameters determined by the ability to enable the imaging method. The analyses of field patterns, decoupling, and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) that led to the final 64-channel array coil design are presented, and the fabrication and testing of coils designed for 4.7T and 1.5T are described. A detailed description of the obtainment of the first SEA images  64xNreadout images, acquired in a single echo  is provided with an evaluation of those images and highly accelerated images (through parallel imaging techniques) based on SNR and artifact power. Finally, the development of methodologies for various MR applications is described: applications that would particularly benefit from the speed of the imaging method, or those to which the method or the tool (array coil) lends itself. These applications include, but are not limited to, 3D imaging (phase encode in the slice select direction), resolution-enhanced imaging, large-scale (field-of-view) microscopy, and conformal surface imaging. Finally, using the primary enablement of the method  the ability to obtain complete MR images at speeds limited only by the time it takes to acquire a single echo  is presented with a discussion of extremely high frame rate imaging. The contribution to the field of medical imaging is the first implementation, characterization, and demonstration of applications for the acquisition of MR images in a single echo

Properties of virion transactivator proteins encoded by primate cytomegaloviruses

Background: Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a betaherpesvirus that causes severe disease in situations where the immune system is immature or compromised. HCMV immediate early (IE) gene expression is stimulated by the virion phosphoprotein pp71, encoded by open reading frame (ORF) UL82, and this transactivation activity is important for the efficient initiation of viral replication. It is currently recognized that pp71 acts to overcome cellular intrinsic defences that otherwise block viral IE gene expression, and that interactions of pp71 with the cell proteins Daxx and ATRX are important for this function. A further property of pp71 is the ability to enable prolonged gene expression from quiescent herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) genomes. Non-human primate cytomegaloviruses encode homologs of pp71, but there is currently no published information that addresses their effects on gene expression and modes of action. Results: The UL82 homolog encoded by simian cytomegalovirus (SCMV), strain Colburn, was identified and cloned. This ORF, named S82, was cloned into an HSV-1 vector, as were those from baboon, rhesus monkey and chimpanzee cytomegaloviruses. The use of an HSV-1 vector enabled expression of the UL82 homologs in a range of cell types, and permitted investigation of their abilities to direct prolonged gene expression from quiescent genomes. The results show that all UL82 homologs activate gene expression, and that neither host cell type nor promoter target sequence has major effects on these activities. Surprisingly, the UL82 proteins specified by non-human primate cytomegaloviruses, unlike pp71, did not direct long term expression from quiescent HSV-1 genomes. In addition, significant differences were observed in the intranuclear localization of the UL82 homologs, and in their effects on Daxx. Strikingly, S82 mediated the release of Daxx from nuclear domain 10 substructures much more rapidly than pp71 or the other proteins tested. All UL82 homologs stimulated the early release of ATRX from nuclear domain 10. Conclusion: All of the UL82 homolog proteins analysed activated gene expression, but surprising differences in other aspects of their properties were revealed. The results provide new information on early events in infection with cytomegaloviruse

Prospectus, November 18, 2004

https://spark.parkland.edu/prospectus_2004/1028/thumbnail.jp

Adaptation and Formative Evaluation of Online Decision Support to Implement Evidence-Based Strategies to Increase HPV Vaccination Rates in Pediatric Clinics

Human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccination rates remain below national goals in the United States despite the availability of evidence-based strategies to increase rates. The Adolescent Vaccination Program (AVP) is a multi-component intervention demonstrated to increase HPV vaccination rates in pediatric clinics through the implementation of six evidence-based strategies. The purpose of this study, conducted in Houston, Texas, from 2019-2021, was to adapt the AVP into an online decision support implementation tool for standalone use and to evaluate its feasibility for use in community clinics. Phase 1 (Adaptation) comprised clinic interviews

Diversity among Equals: Educational Opportunity and the State of Affirmative Admissions in New England

This report reviews the practice of Affirmative Admissions as a strategy for achieving diversity within New England colleges and universities. It shows how educational leaders perceive Affirmative Admissions, the nature of regional Affirmative Admissions policies, and the numbers of student affected by current enrollment strategies. This report is part of a larger series on educational access and opportunity in New England. Research was organized into five components: (1) analysis of pertinent legal issues related to postsecondary access and equity; (2) interviews with postsecondary campus and state leaders (n=104); (3) interviews with K-12 leaders and educators at state, district, and school levels (n=45); (4) a survey of 221 postsecondary education institutions in New England; and (5) econometric analyses of student data. The focus was on groups of institutions, 18 groups clustered by admissions policies and restrictions. The most compelling conclusion is that there is no significant evidence that colleges have reduced standards to admit greater numbers of minority students. By increasing educational access to a broader segment of the population, the regions higher education institutions have taken crucial steps toward assuring the vitality and vibrancy of New Englands future economy and civic life. The study also indicates that the pool of qualified minority students is much too small, highlighting the need to improve the preparation of minority students. Three appendixes contain details about survey methodology, participating institutions, and regression coefficients. Prepared by the Center for Education Policy (CEP) and Massachusetts Institute for Social and Economic Research (MISER), University of Massachusetts at Amherst. Sponsored by the Nellie Mae Education Foundation

Parents\u27 Stigmatizing Beliefs About the HPV Vaccine and Their Association With Information Seeking Behavior and Vaccination Communication Behaviors

Parents\u27 stigmatizing beliefs about the HPV vaccine, such as beliefs that it promotes adolescent sexual activity, constitute a notable barrier to vaccine uptake. The purpose of this study is to describe the associations between parents\u27 stigmatizing beliefs about the HPV vaccine, psychosocial antecedents to vaccination, and parents\u27 intentions to vaccinate their children. Parents of vaccine-eligible children

Plasma and Fecal Metabolite Profiles in Autism Spectrum Disorder

Background: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition with hallmark behavioral manifestations including impaired social communication and restricted repetitive behavior. In addition, many affected individuals display metabolic imbalances, immune dysregulation, gastrointestinal (GI) dysfunction, and altered gut microbiome compositions. Methods: We sought to better understand non-behavioral features of ASD by determining molecular signatures in peripheral tissues through mass spectrometry methods (LC/MS and DMS-MS) with broad panels of identified metabolites. Herein, we present the global metabolome of 231 plasma and 97 fecal samples from a large cohort of children with ASD and typically developing (TD) controls. Results: Differences in amino acid, lipid, and xenobiotic metabolism discriminate ASD and TD samples. Our results implicate oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction, hormone level elevations, lipid profile changes, and altered levels of phenolic microbial metabolites. We also reveal correlations between specific metabolite profiles and clinical behavior scores. Furthermore, a summary of metabolites modestly associated with GI dysfunction in ASD are provided, and a pilot study of metabolites that can be transferred via fecal microbial transplant into mice were identified. Conclusions: These findings support a connection between metabolism, GI physiology, and complex behavioral traits, and may advance discovery and development of molecular biomarkers for ASD

Developing a weighted measure of speech sound accuracy

Purpose: To develop a system for numerically quantifying a speaker's phonetic accuracy through transcription-based measures. With a focus on normal and disordered speech in children, the authors describe a system for differentially weighting speech sound errors on the basis of various levels of phonetic accuracy using a Weighted Speech Sound Accuracy ( WSSA) score. The authors then evaluate the reliability and validity of this measure. Method: Phonetic transcriptions were analyzed from several samples of child speech, including preschoolers and young adolescents with and without speech sound disorders and typically developing toddlers. The new measure of phonetic accuracy was validated against existing measures, was used to discriminate typical and disordered speech production, and was evaluated to examine sensitivity to changes in phonetic accuracy over time. Reliability between transcribers and consistency of scores among different word sets and testing points are compared. Results: Initial psychometric data indicate that WSSA scores correlate with other measures of phonetic accuracy as well as listeners' judgments of the severity of a child's speech disorder. The measure separates children with and without speech sound disorders and captures growth in phonetic accuracy in toddlers' speech over time. The measure correlates highly across transcribers, word lists, and testing points. Conclusion: Results provide preliminary support for the WSSA as a valid and reliable measure of phonetic accuracy in children's speech. O ne of the continuing needs in the fields of developmental phonology and speech-language pathology is for accurate, sensitive, and viable measures of speech production for research and clinical practice Measurement issues are not trivial. A recent study of "independent measures" used to describe the productive phonology of toddlers withou