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At least 181 records · Page 10

Diffusion-Weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Monitoring Rectal Cancer Response to Neoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy

Purpose: To prospectively monitor the response in patients with locally advanced nonmucinous rectal cancer after chemoradiotherapy (CRT) using diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging. The histopathologic finding was the reference standard. Methods and Materials: The institutional review board approved the present study. A total of 62 patients (43 men and 19 women; mean age, 64 years; range, 28-83) provided informed consent. T{sub 2}- and diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging scans (b value, 0 and 1,000 mm{sup 2}/s) were acquired before, during (mean 12 days), and 6-8 weeks after CRT. We compared the median apparent diffusion coefficients (ADCs) between responders and nonresponders and examined the associations with the Mandard tumor regression grade (TRG). The postoperative nodal status (ypN) was evaluated. The Mann-Whitney/Wilcoxon two-sample test was used to evaluate the relationships among the pretherapy ADCs, extramural vascular invasion, early percentage of increases in ADCs, and preoperative ADCs. Results: Low pretreatment ADCs (<1.0 Multiplication-Sign 10{sup -3}mm{sup 2}/s) were correlated with TRG 4 scores (p = .0011) and associated to extramural vascular invasion with ypN+ (85.7% positive predictive value for ypN+). During treatment, the mean percentage of increase in tumor ADC was significantly greater in the responders than in the nonresponders (p < .0001) and a >23% ADC increase had a 96.3% negative predictive value for TRG 4. In 9 of 16 complete responders, CRT-related tumor downsizing prevented ADC evaluations. The preoperative ADCs were significantly different (p = .0012) between the patients with and without downstaging (preoperative ADC {>=}1.4 Multiplication-Sign 10{sup -3}mm{sup 2}/s showed a positive and negative predictive value of 78.9% and 61.8%, respectively, for response assessment). The TRG 1 and TRG 2-4 groups were not significantly different. Conclusion: Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging seems to be a promising tool for monitoring the response to CRT.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗

Tailoring resonant magnetic perturbation to optimize fast-ion confinement during ELM control in KSTAR

Abstract 3D resonant magnetic perturbation (RMP) is one promising way to control edge localized modes that can cause excessive material erosion of tokamak first walls. However, RMP can lead to undesired degradation of plasma confinement, including fast-particle losses, which can impact the performance and safety of the reactor. This work investigates the optimization of the poloidal spectrum of the 3D field to optimize fast ion confinement during edge localized mode (ELM) suppression. In the initial step, the validity of the modeling framework is tested against experimental data. Simulations successfully replicate an increase in poloidal limiter temperature with different poloidal spectra. Then, the simulation shows improvement of fast ion confinement with a reduction of core resonant response, while edge resonant magnetic fields are maintained above the threshold to sustain the ELM suppression. Reduction of the core resonant fields keeps the Kolmogorov–Arnold–Moser surface and reduces the fast particle losses due to the stochastic magnetic field lines. The results highlight the potential of edge localization of the resonant fields to enhance the performance of fusion reactors, but further investigation is needed to improve the validation of this approach.

3D field↗

Properties of K,Rb-intercalated C{sub 60} encapsulated inside carbon nanotubes called peapods derived from nuclear magnetic resonance

We present a detailed experimental study on how magnetic and electronic properties of Rb,K-intercalated C{sub 60} encapsulated inside carbon nanotubes called peapods can be derived from {sup 13}C nuclear magnetic resonance investigations. Ring currents do play a basic role in those systems; in particular, the inner cavities of nanotubes offer an ideal environment to investigate the magnetism at the nanoscale. We report the largest diamagnetic shifts down to −68.3 ppm ever observed in carbon allotropes, which is connected to the enhancement of the aromaticity of the nanotube envelope upon intercalation. The metallization of intercalated peapods is evidenced from the chemical shift anisotropy and spin-lattice relaxation (T{sub 1}) measurements. The observed relaxation curves signal a three-component model with two slow and one fast relaxing components. We assigned the fast component to the unpaired electrons charged C{sub 60} that show a phase transition near 100 K. The two slow components can be rationalized by the two types of charged C{sub 60} at two different positions with a linear regime following Korringa behavior, which is typical for metallic system and allow us to estimate the density of sate at Fermi level n(E{sub F})

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Development of Laser-Polarized Noble Gas Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Technology

We are developing technology for laser-polarized noble gas nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), with the aim of enabling it as a novel biomedical imaging tool for ground-based and eventually space-based application. This emerging multidisciplinary technology enables high-resolution gas-space magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-e.g., of lung ventilation, perfusion, and gas-exchange. In addition, laser-polarized noble gases (3He and 1BXe) do not require a large magnetic field for sensitive NMR detection, opening the door to practical MRI with novel, open-access magnet designs at very low magnetic fields (and hence in confined spaces). We are pursuing two specific aims in this technology development program. The first aim is to develop an open-access, low-field (less than 0.01 T) instrument for MRI studies of human gas inhalation as a function of subject orientation, and the second aim is to develop functional imaging of the lung using laser-polarized He-3 and Xe-129.

Walsworth, Ronald L.↗

Understanding generalized inversions of nuclear magnetic resonance transverse relaxation time in porous media

The nuclear magnetic resonance transverse relaxation time T{sub 2}, measured using the Carr-Purcell-Meiboom-Gill (CPMG) experiment, is a powerful method for obtaining unique information on liquids confined in porous media. Furthermore, T{sub 2} provides structural information on the porous material itself and has many applications in petrophysics, biophysics, and chemical engineering. Robust interpretation of T{sub 2} distributions demands appropriate processing of the measured data since T{sub 2} is influenced by diffusion through magnetic field inhomogeneities occurring at the pore scale, caused by the liquid/solid susceptibility contrast. Previously, we introduced a generic model for the diffusion exponent of the form −ant{sub e}{sup k} (where n is the number and t{sub e} the temporal separation of spin echoes, and a is a composite diffusion parameter) in order to distinguish the influence of relaxation and diffusion in CPMG data. Here, we improve the analysis by introducing an automatic search for the optimum power k that best describes the diffusion behavior. This automated method is more efficient than the manual trial-and-error grid search adopted previously, and avoids variability through subjective judgments of experimentalists. Although our method does not avoid the inherent assumption that the diffusion exponent depends on a single k value, we show through simulation and experiment that it is robust in measurements of heterogeneous systems that violate this assumption. In this way, we obtain quantitative T{sub 2} distributions from complicated porous structures and demonstrate the analysis with examples of ceramics used for filtration and catalysis, and limestone of relevance to the construction and petroleum industries.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Effect of resonant magnetic perturbations on microturbulence in DIII-D pedestal

Vacuum resonant magnetic perturbations (RMP) applied to otherwise axisymmetric tokamak plasmas produce in general a combination of non-resonant effects that preserve closed flux surfaces (kink response) and resonant effects that introduce magnetic islands and/or stochasticity (tearing response). The effect of the plasma kink response on the linear stability and nonlinear transport of edge turbulence is studied using the gyrokinetic toroidal code GTC for a DIII-D plasma with applied n = 2 vacuum RMP. GTC simulations use the 3D equilibrium of DIII-D discharge 158103 (Nazikian et al 2015 Phys. Rev. Lett. 114 105002), which is provided by nonlinear ideal MHD VMEC equilibrium solver in order to include the effect of the plasma kink response to the external field but to exclude island formation at rational surfaces. Analysis using the GTC simulation results reveal no increase of growth rates for the electrostatic drift wave instability and for the electromagnetic kinetic-ballooning mode in the presence of the plasma kink response to the RMP. Moreover, nonlinear electrostatic simulations show that the effect of the 3D equilibrium on zonal flow damping is very weak and found to be insufficient to modify turbulent transport in the electrostatic turbulence.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Miniature Magnetic Resonance Spectrometers

For the purpose of in-situ planeatry exploration, such as chemical characterization of Martian surface materials by miniature instruments, we have developed miniature Magnetic Resonance Spectrometers (MRS) namely, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) and Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) spectrometers at JPL.

Proton-NMR↗

Coaxial probe for nuclear magnetic resonance diffusion and relaxation correlation experiments

A coaxial nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) probe is built to measure diffusion and relaxation properties of liquid samples. In particular, we demonstrate the acquisition of two-dimensional (2D) distribution functions (T{sub 1}-T{sub 2} and diffusion–T{sub 2}), essential for fluids characterization. The compact design holds promise for miniaturization, thus enabling the measurement of molecular diffusion that is inaccessible to conventional micro-NMR setups. Potential applications range from crude oil characterization to biomolecular screening and detections.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

In situ nuclear magnetic resonance microimaging of live biofilms in a microchannel

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) microimaging and spectroscopy was used to interrogate fluids of biological importance (e.g., water, buffer, medium solution) and live biofilms in a microchannel compatible for analyses at ambient pressure and under vacuum. Studies using buffer, growth medium, and actively growing Shewanella oneidensis biofilms were used to demonstrate in situ NMR microimaging measurement capabilities including velocity mapping, diffusion coefficient mapping, relaxometry, localized spectroscopy, and 2D and 3D imaging within a microchannel suitable for different analytical platforms. This technique is promising for diverse applications of correlative imaging using a portable microfluidic platform.

biofilm↗

On the Possibility of Express Recording of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectra of Liquid Media in Weak Fields

The necessity of recording nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra in weak magnetic fields during the express control of liquid media has been substantiated, and the conditions in which such recording is possible have been determined. A new scheme of a compact NMR spectrometer intended for such measurements has been proposed. The results of experimental investigation of some substances based on the developed technologies are reported.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Pathologic Validation of a Model Based on Diffusion-Weighted Imaging and Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Tumor Delineation in the Prostate Peripheral Zone

Purpose: For focal boost strategies in the prostate, the robustness of magnetic resonance imaging-based tumor delineations needs to be improved. To this end we developed a statistical model that predicts tumor presence on a voxel level (2.5 Multiplication-Sign 2.5 Multiplication-Sign 2.5 mm3) inside the peripheral zone. Furthermore, we show how this model can be used to derive a valuable input for radiotherapy treatment planning. Methods and Materials: The model was created on 87 radiotherapy patients. For the validation of the voxelwise performance of the model, an independent group of 12 prostatectomy patients was used. After model validation, the model was stratified to create three different risk levels for tumor presence: gross tumor volume (GTV), high-risk clinical target volume (CTV), and low-risk CTV. Results: The model gave an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.70 for the prediction of tumor presence in the prostatectomy group. When the registration error between magnetic resonance images and pathologic delineation was taken into account, the area under the curve further improved to 0.89. We propose that model outcome values with a high positive predictive value can be used to define the GTV. Model outcome values with a high negative predictive value can be used to define low-risk CTV regions. The intermediate outcome values can be used to define a high-risk CTV. Conclusions: We developed a logistic regression with a high diagnostic performance for voxelwise prediction of tumor presence. The model output can be used to define different risk levels for tumor presence, which in turn could serve as an input for dose planning. In this way the robustness of tumor delineations for focal boost therapy can be greatly improved.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗

Hydration kinetics of cements by Time-Domain Nuclear Magnetic Resonance: Application to Portland-cement-derived endodontic pastes

Time-Domain Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (TD-NMR) of {sup 1}H nuclei is used to monitor the maturation up to 30 days of three different endodontic cement pastes. The 'Solid-liquid' separation of the NMR signals and quasi-continuous distributions of relaxation times allow one to follow the formation of chemical compounds and the build-up of the nano- and subnano-structured C-S-H gel. {sup 1}H populations, distinguished by their different mobilities, can be identified and assigned to water confined within the pores of the C-S-H gel, to crystallization water and Portlandite, and to hydroxyl groups. Changes of the TD-NMR parameters during hydration are in agreement with the expected effects of the different additives, which, as it is known, can substantially modify the rate of reactions and the properties of cementitious pastes. Endodontic cements are suitable systems to check the ability of this non-destructive technique to give insight into the complex hydration process of real cement pastes.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

The effect of magnetic susceptibility and magnetic field strength on porosity estimates determined from low-field nuclear magnetic resonance

The presence of materials with high magnetic susceptibility are known to have an impact on 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements and in laboratory data this often results in poor estimates of porosity from NMR data. To quantify and understand the cause of the poor NMR porosity estimations, in this laboratory study, we examine the effect of magnetic susceptibility, NMR measurement parameters, and NMR instrument design on NMR measurements. Data were collected with two instruments, each with a different Larmor frequency (2 MHz and 485 kHz), on water-saturated unconsolidated sediments with magnetic susceptibility values ranging from 3.6 × 10 -6 to 7020 × 10 -6 SI. The results show that for materials with low magnetic susceptibility (<378 × 10 -6 SI), the gravimetric porosity is accurately predicted from the NMR measurements. For the samples with high magnetic susceptibility (>987 × 10 -6 SI) the gravimetric porosity is poorly predicted from the 2 MHz NMR measurements made at all echo times (from 0.2 to 3.0 ms). In contrast, the gravimetric porosity is more accurately predicted at an echo time of 0.2 ms for measurements made using the 485 kHz instrument, although at larger echo times (>1.0 ms), the porosity estimate becomes poor. The 485 kHz NMR instrument has non-zero internal magnetic field gradients, similar to those found in borehole instruments, in contrast to the 2 MHz NMR instrument, which has a homogeneous applied magnetic field. Finally, we conclude that differences is the magnetic field strength and higher magnetic field inhomogeneities in the 485 kHz NMR instrument contribute to a reduction of the impact of inhomogeneities in the magnetic field caused by materials with high magnetic susceptibility, allowing for improved porosity estimation. These results indicate that NMR measurements collected at short echo times in low, inhomogeneous static fields, e.g., borehole instruments, may provide accurate estimates of porosity in water saturated sediments, even in the presence of magnetic minerals.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

Evaluation of the Prostate Bed for Local Recurrence After Radical Prostatectomy Using Endorectal Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Purpose: To summarize the results of a 4-year period in which endorectal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was considered for all men referred for salvage radiation therapy (RT) at a single academic center; to describe the incidence and location of locally recurrent disease in a contemporary cohort of men with biochemical failure after radical prostatectomy (RP), and to identify prognostic variables associated with MRI findings in order to define which patients may have the highest yield of the study. Methods and Materials: Between 2007 and 2011, 88 men without clinically palpable disease underwent eMRI for detectable prostate-specific antigen (PSA) after RP. The median interval between RP and eMRI was 32 months (interquartile range, 14-57 months), and the median PSA level was 0.30 ng/mL (interquartile range, 0.19-0.72 ng/mL). Magnetic resonance imaging scans consisting of T2-weighted, diffusion-weighted, and dynamic contrast-enhanced imaging were evaluated for features consistent with local recurrence. The prostate bed was scored from 0-4, whereby 0 was definitely normal, 1 probably normal, 2 indeterminate, 3 probably abnormal, and 4 definitely abnormal. Local recurrence was defined as having a score of 3-4. Results: Local recurrence was identified in 21 men (24%). Abnormalities were best appreciated on T2-weighted axial images (90%) as focal hypointense lesions. Recurrence locations were perianastomotic (67%) or retrovesical (33%). The only risk factor associated with local recurrence was PSA; recurrence was seen in 37% of men with PSA >0.3 ng/mL vs 13% if PSA {<=}0.3 ng/mL (P<.01). The median volume of recurrence was 0.26 cm{sup 3} and was directly associated with PSA (r=0.5, P=.02). The correlation between MRI-based tumor volume and PSA was even stronger in men with positive margins (r=0.8, P<.01). Conclusions: Endorectal MRI can define areas of local recurrence after RP in a minority of men without clinical evidence of disease, with yield related to PSA. Further study is necessary to determine whether eMRI can improve patient selection and success of salvage RT.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗

Magnetic resonance imaging and electromyography as indexes of muscle function

A hypothesis is tested that exercise-induced magnetic resonance (MR) contrast shifts would relate to electromyography (EMG) amplitude if both measures reflect muscle use during exercise. Both magnetic resonance images (MRI) and EMG data were obtained for separate eccentric (ECC) and cocentric (CON) exercise of increasing intensity for seven subjects 30-32 yr old. CON and ECC actions caused increased integrated EMG (IEMG) and T2 values which were strongly related with relative resistance. The rate of increase and absolute value of both T2 and IEMG were found to be greater for CON than for ECC actions. For both actions IEMG and T2 were correlated. Data obtained suggest that surface IEMG accurately reflects the contractile behavior of muscle and exercise-induced increases in MRI T2 values reflect certain processes that scale with muscle use.

Adams, Gregory R.↗

Localizing resonant magnetic perturbations for edge localized mode control in KSTAR

An external 3D magnetic perturbation typically drives a resonant response at the rational surfaces from the core to the edge of tokamak plasmas, due to strong mode coupling and amplification. In this paper, we present a method to isolate the edge from core resonant fields using the ideal perturbed equilibrium code and to design an edge-localized resonant magnetic perturbation (RMP) for effective edge localized mode (ELM) control. A robust feature of the edge-localized RMP is the curtailed response to the field at the low-field-side (LFS) midplane, as opposed to typical RMPs which strongly resonate with the LFS fields. This emphasizes the importance of off-midplane coils to improve ELM control without provoking a large core response that could lead to devastating instabilities. The conceptual design of new ELM control coils based on the edge-localized RMP in KSTAR shows how this new insight can be utilized to enhance the efficiency of our ELM suppression capabilities. Simple window-pane coils matching the edge-localized resonant mode structure substantially expand in the ELM suppression window beyond the existing coil. Further optimization using the flexible optimized coils using space-curves code leads to additional enhancement in the edge-localized control.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Observation of stationary filaments with resonant magnetic perturbations in NSTX

The application of resonant magnetic perturbations (RMPs) induces striated heat fluxes on the divertor plate in tokamaks. These striated heat fluxes were previously considered strike point splitting by the intersection between the divertor and predicted magnetic lobe structures. Recently, the existence of stationary 3D filaments has been observed for the first time in National Spherical Torus Experiment (NSTX) plasmas with toroidal mode number n = 3 RMPs. Magnetic field line tracing of these filaments from the midplane to the divertor is consistent with the quantity and the radial and toroidal location of striated heat fluxes observed on the divertor. This study suggests that divertor striated heat flux patterns are linked to these stationary filaments rather than to strike point splitting or magnetic lobe structures for NSTX. This finding will help guide future efforts to understand the heat flux striations in NSTX with RMPs in order to control and reduce the divertor peak heat flux.

RMPs↗

Potential Antiferromagnetic Fluctuations in Hole-Doped Iron-Pnictide Superconductor Ba1-xKxFe2As2 Studied by 75As Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Measurement0.1143/JPSJ.81.054704

We have performed 75As nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and nuclear quadrupole resonance (NQR) measurements on single-crystalline Ba1-xKxFe2As2 for x = 0.27–1. 75As nuclear quadruple resonance frequency (νQ) increases linearly with increasing x. The Knight shift K in the normal state shows Pauli paramagnetic behavior with a weak temperature T dependence. K increases gradually with increasing x. By contrast, the nuclear spin–lattice relaxation rate 1/T1 in the normal state has a strong T dependence, which indicates the existence of large antiferomagnetic (AF) spin fluctuations for all x&#x27;s. The T dependence of 1/T1 shows a gaplike behavior below approximately 100 K for 0.6 < x < 0.9. This behaviors is well explained by the change in the band structure with the expansion of hole Fermi surfaces and the shrinkage and disappearance of electron Fermi surfaces at the Brillouin zone (BZ) with increasing x. The anisotropy of 1/T1, represented by the ratio of 1/T1ab to 1/T1c, is always larger than 1 for all x&#x27;s, which indicates that stripe-type AF fluctuations are dominant in this system. The K in the superconducting (SC) state decreases, which corresponds to the appearance of spin-singlet superconductivity. The T dependence of 1/T1 in the SC state indicates a multiple-SC-gap feature. A simple two-gap model analysis shows that the larger superconducting gap gradually decreases with increasing x from 0.27 to 1 and a smaller gap decreases rapidly and nearly vanishes for x > 0.6 where electron pockets in BZ disappear.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗