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At least 577 records · Page 32

Magnetic resonance induced pseudoelectric field and giant current response in axion insulators

Here, a quantized version of the magnetoelectric effect, known as the topological magnetoelectric effect, can exist in a time-reversal invariant topological insulator with all its surface states gapped out by magnetism. This topological phase, called the axion insulator phase, has been theoretically proposed but still lacks conclusive experimental evidence due to the small signal of topological magnetoelectric effect. In this work, we propose that the dynamical in-plane magnetization in an axion insulator can generate a pseudoelectric field, which acts on the surface state of topological insulator films and leads to the nonzero response current. Strikingly, we find that the current at magnetic resonance (either ferromagnetic or antiferromagnetic) is larger than that of topological magnetoelectric effect by several orders of magnitude and thereby serves as evidence to confirm the axion insulator phase in the candidate materials.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Comparing the Detectability of Hepatocellular Carcinoma by C-Arm Dual-Phase Cone-Beam Computed Tomography During Hepatic Arteriography With Conventional Contrast-Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Purpose: To evaluate the sensitivity of dual-phase cone-beam computed tomography during hepatic arteriography (CBCTHA) for the detection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by comparing it with the diagnostic imaging 'gold standard': contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (CE-MRI) of the liver. Materials and Methods: Eighty-eight HCC lesions (mean diameter 3.9 {+-} 3.3 cm) in 20 patients (13 men, mean age 61.4 years [range 50 to 80]), who sequentially underwent baseline diagnostic liver CE-MRI and then underwent early arterial- and delayed portal venous-phase CBCTHA during drug eluting-bead transarterial chemoembolization, were evaluated. Dual-phase CBCTHA findings of each tumor in terms of conspicuity were compared with standard CE-MR images and classified into three grades: optimal, suboptimal, and nondiagnostic. Results: Seventy-seven (mean diameter 4.2 {+-} 3.4 cm [range 0.9 to 15.9]) (93.9%) of 82 tumors were detected. Sensitivity of arterial-phase (71.9%) was lower than that of venous-phase CBCTHA (86.6%) for the detection of HCC lesions. Of the 82 tumors, 33 (40.2%) and 52 (63.4%), 26 (31.7%) and 19 (23.2%), and 23 (28%) and 11 (13.4%) nodules were classed as optimal, suboptimal, and nondiagnostic on arterial- and venous-phase CBCTHA images, respectively. Seventeen (73.9%) of the 23 tumors that were not visible on arterial phase were detected on venous phase. Six (54.5%) of the 11 tumors that were not visible on venous phase were detected on arterial phase. Conclusions: Dual-phase CBCTHA has sufficient image quality to detect the majority of HCC lesions compared with the imaging 'gold standard': CE-MRI of the liver. Moreover, dual-phase CBCTHA is more useful and reliable than single-phasic imaging to depict HCC nodules.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗

High-Grade Glioma Radiation Therapy Target Volumes and Patterns of Failure Obtained From Magnetic Resonance Imaging and {sup 18}F-FDOPA Positron Emission Tomography Delineations From Multiple Observers

Purpose: The objective of this study was to compare recurrent tumor locations after radiation therapy with pretreatment delineations of high-grade gliomas from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and 3,4-dihydroxy-6-[{sup 18}F]fluoro-L-phenylalanine ({sup 18}F-FDOPA) positron emission tomography (PET) using contours delineated by multiple observers. Methods and Materials: Nineteen patients with newly diagnosed high-grade gliomas underwent computed tomography (CT), gadolinium contrast-enhanced MRI, and {sup 18}F-FDOPA PET/CT. The image sets (CT, MRI, and PET/CT) were registered, and 5 observers contoured gross tumor volumes (GTVs) using MRI and PET. Consensus contours were obtained by simultaneous truth and performance level estimation (STAPLE). Interobserver variability was quantified by the percentage of volume overlap. Recurrent tumor locations after radiation therapy were contoured by each observer using CT or MRI. Consensus recurrence contours were obtained with STAPLE. Results: The mean interobserver volume overlap for PET GTVs (42% ± 22%) and MRI GTVs (41% ± 22%) was not significantly different (P=.67). The mean consensus volume was significantly larger for PET GTVs (58.6 ± 52.4 cm{sup 3}) than for MRI GTVs (30.8 ± 26.0 cm{sup 3}, P=.003). More than 95% of the consensus recurrence volume was within the 95% isodose surface for 11 of 12 (92%) cases with recurrent tumor imaging. Ten (91%) of these cases extended beyond the PET GTV, and 9 (82%) were contained within a 2-cm margin on the MRI GTV. One recurrence (8%) was located outside the 95% isodose surface. Conclusions: High-grade glioma contours obtained with {sup 18}F-FDOPA PET had similar interobserver agreement to volumes obtained with MRI. Although PET-based consensus target volumes were larger than MRI-based volumes, treatment planning using PET-based volumes may not have yielded better treatment outcomes, given that all but 1 recurrence extended beyond the PET GTV and most were contained by a 2-cm margin on the MRI GTV.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗

Patterns of Primary Tumor Invasion and Regional Lymph Node Spread Based on Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Early-Stage Nasal NK/T-cell Lymphoma: Implications for Clinical Target Volume Definition and Prognostic Significance

Purpose: This study aimed to determine the pathways of primary tumor invasion (PTI) and regional lymph node (LN) spread based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in early-stage nasal NK/T-cell lymphoma (NKTCL), to improve clinical target volume (CTV) delineation and evaluate the prognostic value of locoregional extension patterns. Methods and Materials: A total of 105 patients with newly diagnosed early-stage nasal NKTCL who underwent pretreatment MRI were retrospectively reviewed. All patients received radiation therapy with or without chemotherapy. Results: The incidences of PTI and regional LN involvement were 64.7% and 25.7%, respectively. Based on the incidence of PTI, involved sites surrounding the nasal cavity were classified into 3 risk subgroups: high-risk (>20%), intermediate-risk (5%-20%), and low-risk (<5%). The most frequently involved site was the nasopharynx (35.2%), followed by the maxillary (21.9%) and ethmoid (21.9%) sinuses. Local disease and regional LN spread followed an orderly pattern without LN skipping. The retropharyngeal nodes (RPNs) were most frequently involved (19.0%), followed by level II (11.4%). The 5-year overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and locoregional control (LRC) rates for all patients were 72.8%, 65.2%, and 90.0%, respectively. The presence of PTI and regional LN involvement based on MRI significantly and negatively affected PFS and OS. Conclusions: Early-stage nasal NKTCL presents with a high incidence of PTI but a relatively low incidence of regional LN spread. Locoregional spread followed an orderly pattern, and PTI and regional LN spread are powerful prognostic factors for poorer survival outcomes. CTV reduction may be feasible for selected patients.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗

Solution-state structure and affinities of cyclodextrin: Fentanyl complexes by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and molecular dynamics simulation

Cyclodextrins (CDs) are investigated for their ability to form inclusion complexes with the analgesic fentanyl and three similar molecules: acetylfentanyl, thiofentanyl, and acetylthiofentanyl. Stoichiometry, binding strength, and complex structure are revealed through nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) techniques and discussed in terms of molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. It was found that β-cyclodextrin is generally capable of forming the strongest complexes with the fentanyl panel. Two-dimensional NMR data and computational chemical calculations are used to derive solution-state structures of the complexes. Binding of the fentanyls to the CDs occurs at the amide phenyl ring, leaving the majority of the molecule solvated by water, an observation common to all four fentanyls. This finding suggests a universal binding behavior, as the vast majority of previously synthesized fentanyl analogues contain this structural moiety. Furthermore, this baseline study serves as the most complete work on CD:fentanyl complexes to date and provides the insights into strategies for producing future generations of designer cyclodextrins capable of stronger and more selective complexation of fentanyl and its analogues.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Nucleon polarizabilities and {Delta}-resonance magnetic moment in chiral EFT

Recent chiral EFT calculations of nucleon polarizabilities reveal a problem in the current empirical determination of proton's electromagnetic polarizabilities. We also report on the progress in the empirical determination of the {Delta}(1232)-resonance magnetic moment in the process of {gamma}p{yields}p{pi}{sup 0}{gamma}' measured at MAMI.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Selective One-Dimensional 13 C– 13 C Spin-Diffusion Solid-State Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Methods to Probe Spatial Arrangements in Biopolymers Including Plant Cell Walls, Peptides, and Spider Silk

Two-dimensional (2D) and 3D through-space 13 C– 13 C homonuclear spin-diffusion techniques are powerful solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) tools for extracting structural information from 13 C-enriched biomolecules, but necessarily long acquisition times restrict their applications. In this work, we explore the broad utility and underutilized power of a chemical shift-selective one-dimensional (1D) version of a 2D 13 C– 13 C spin-diffusion solid-state NMR technique. The method, which is called 1D dipolar-assisted rotational resonance (DARR) difference, is applied to a variety of biomaterials including lignocellulosic plant cell walls, microcrystalline peptide fMLF, and black widow dragline spider silk. 1D 13 C– 13 C spin-diffusion methods described here apply in select cases in which the 1D 13 C solid-state NMR spectrum displays chemical shift-resolved moieties. Furthermore, this is analogous to the selective 1D nuclear Overhauser effect spectroscopy (NOESY) experiment utilized in liquid-state NMR as a faster (1D instead of 2D) and often less ambiguous (direct sampling of the time domain data, coupled with increased signal averaging) alternative to 2D NOESY. Selective 1D 13 C– 13 C spin-diffusion methods are more time-efficient than their 2D counterparts such as proton-driven spin diffusion (PDSD) and dipolar-assisted rotational resonance. The additional time gained enables measurements of 13 C– 13 C spin-diffusion buildup curves and extraction of spin-diffusion time constants TSD, yielding detailed structural information. Specifically, selective 1D DARR difference buildup curves applied to 13 C-enriched hybrid poplar woody stems confirm strong spatial interaction between lignin and acetylated xylan polymers within poplar plant secondary cell walls, and an interpolymer distance of ~0.45–0.5 nm was estimated. Additionally, Tyr/Gly long-range correlations were observed on isotopically enriched black widow spider dragline silks.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Magnetic Resonance, Vendor-independent, Intensity Histogram Analysis Predicting Pathologic Complete Response After Radiochemotherapy of Rectal Cancer

The objective of this study is finding an intensity based histogram (IBH) signature to predict pathologic complete response (pCR) probability using only pre-treatment magnetic resonance (MR) and validate it externally in order to create a workflow for the external validation of an MR IBH signature and to apply the model out of the environment where it has been tuned. The impact of pCR and the final predictors on the survival outcome were also evaluated.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗

Potential Impact of Preoperative Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Breast on Patient Selection for Accelerated Partial Breast Irradiation

Purpose: Accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI) after breast-conserving therapy is currently under investigation in prospective randomized studies. Multifocality and multicentricity are exclusion criteria for APBI. Preoperative breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can detect ipsilateral and contralateral invasive tumor foci or ductal carcinoma in situ in addition to conventional diagnostic methods (clinical examination, mammography, and ultrasonography). The objective of this retrospective study was to evaluate the impact of preoperative MRI on patient selection for APBI. Methods and Materials: From 2002 to 2007, a total of 579 consecutive, nonselected patients with newly diagnosed early-stage breast cancer received preoperative breast MRI in addition to conventional imaging studies at the Bonn University Breast Cancer Center. In retrospect, 113 patients would have met the criteria for APBI using conventional imaging workup (clinical tumor size {<=}3 cm; negative axillary lymph node status; unifocal disease; no evidence of distant metastases; no invasive lobular carcinoma, ductal and lobular carcinoma in situ, or Paget's disease). We analyzed the amount of additional ipsilateral and contralateral tumor foci detected by MRI. Results: MRI detected additional tumor foci in 8.8% of patients eligible for APBI (11 tumor foci in 10 of 113 patients), either ipsilateral (n = 7, 6.2%) or contralateral (n = 4, 3.5%). In 1 patient, MRI helped detect additional tumor focus both ipsilaterally and contralaterally. Conclusions: Preoperative breast MRI is able to identify additional tumor foci in a clinically relevant number of cases in this highly selected group of patients with low-risk disease and may be useful in selecting patients for APBI.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗

T2-weighted four dimensional magnetic resonance imaging with result-driven phase sorting

Purpose: T2-weighted MRI provides excellent tumor-to-tissue contrast for target volume delineation in radiation therapy treatment planning. This study aims at developing a novel T2-weighted retrospective four dimensional magnetic resonance imaging (4D-MRI) phase sorting technique for imaging organ/tumor respiratory motion. Methods: A 2D fast T2-weighted half-Fourier acquisition single-shot turbo spin-echo MR sequence was used for image acquisition of 4D-MRI, with a frame rate of 2–3 frames/s. Respiratory motion was measured using an external breathing monitoring device. A phase sorting method was developed to sort the images by their corresponding respiratory phases. Besides, a result-driven strategy was applied to effectively utilize redundant images in the case when multiple images were allocated to a bin. This strategy, selecting the image with minimal amplitude error, will generate the most representative 4D-MRI. Since we are using a different image acquisition mode for 4D imaging (the sequential image acquisition scheme) with the conventionally used cine or helical image acquisition scheme, the 4D dataset sufficient condition was not obviously and directly predictable. An important challenge of the proposed technique was to determine the number of repeated scans (N{sub R}) required to obtain sufficient phase information at each slice position. To tackle this challenge, the authors first conducted computer simulations using real-time position management respiratory signals of the 29 cancer patients under an IRB-approved retrospective study to derive the relationships between N{sub R} and the following factors: number of slices (N{sub S}), number of 4D-MRI respiratory bins (N{sub B}), and starting phase at image acquisition (P{sub 0}). To validate the authors’ technique, 4D-MRI acquisition and reconstruction were simulated on a 4D digital extended cardiac-torso (XCAT) human phantom using simulation derived parameters. Twelve healthy volunteers were involved in an IRB-approved study to investigate the feasibility of this technique. Results: 4D data acquisition completeness (C{sub p}) increases as NR increases in an inverse-exponential fashion (C{sub p} = 100 − 99 × exp(−0.18 × N{sub R}), when N{sub B} = 6, fitted using 29 patients’ data). The N{sub R} required for 4D-MRI reconstruction (defined as achieving 95% completeness, C{sub p} = 95%, N{sub R} = N{sub R,95}) is proportional to N{sub B} (N{sub R,95} ∼ 2.86 × N{sub B}, r = 1.0), but independent of N{sub S} and P{sub 0}. Simulated XCAT 4D-MRI showed a clear pattern of respiratory motion. Tumor motion trajectories measured on 4D-MRI were comparable to the average input signal, with a mean relative amplitude error of 2.7% ± 2.9%. Reconstructed 4D-MRI for healthy volunteers illustrated clear respiratory motion on three orthogonal planes, with minimal image artifacts. The artifacts were presumably caused by breathing irregularity and incompleteness of data acquisition (95% acquired only). The mean relative amplitude error between critical structure trajectory and average breathing curve for 12 healthy volunteers is 2.5 ± 0.3 mm in superior–inferior direction. Conclusions: A novel T2-weighted retrospective phase sorting 4D-MRI technique has been developed and successfully applied on digital phantom and healthy volunteers.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

High fidelity simulations of contaminant dispersion in an urban environment with comparison to magnetic resonance imaging measurements

The dispersion of a contaminant in an urban environment has the potential to impact a large population of people. In this work, a complex urban canopy flow based on the Oklahoma City downtown business district circa 2003 is studied using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and high-fidelity Large Eddy Simulations (LES). MRI is a novel experimental technique that can provide high-resolution measurements in four dimensions (three spatial and temporal) for lab scale models. The experiments and simulations use the same geometry and boundary conditions providing a one-to-one comparison of the two methods. Results are presented on the time-averaged velocity and concentration fields, the temporal dynamics of the concentration plumes for a transient release, and a novel Cloud Identification Algorithm that can separate plumes produced by periodic contaminant releases used for ensemble averaging over many releases. The MRI and LES datasets both include millions of measurement voxels and the comparisons highlight the complex 3D nature of the flow including strong vertical velocities in spanwise street canyons and flow acceleration in streamwise street canyons. The concentration fields are qualitatively similar albeit the LES shows larger dispersion. A quantitative analysis with performance measures compares the datasets pointwise and demonstrates that the two 3D datasets are similar with respect to many measures including a fractional bias of 0.02 (ideal=0.0), correlation coefficient of 0.87 (ideal = 1.0), and the fraction points within a factor of 2 is 0.98 (ideal = 1.0). Plume analysis compares the arrival and residence time of contaminant and is found to vary significantly with location within the urban environment with arrival times between 0 and 1.25 and differences within the contaminant cloud less than 10% at most locations.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Evaluation of left ventricular mass on cadmium-zinc-telluride imaging: Validation against cardiac magnetic resonance

Background: Single-photon emission computed tomography has shown relevant limitations in the quantification of left ventricular (LV) mass. We sought to compare the estimates of LV mass on Cadmium-Zinc-Telluride (CZT) myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) as compared to cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR). Methods and results: Twenty-five patients underwent MPI on a CZT camera and CMR on a 1.5 T scanner within 12 ± 3 weeks. LV mass was quantified on CZT images using two softwares: 4D-MSPECT (4DM) and Emory Cardiac Toolbox (ECTb). LV mass by CMR was quantified using MASS software (Medis, Leiden, The Netherlands). LV mass values obtained with 4DM and ECTb were highly reproducible [intraclass correlation coefficients .98 (95% CI .97-.99), and .98 (95% CI 0.97-.99), respectively]. The mean LVM mass values were 151 ± 44 g on CMR, 151 ± 43 g with 4DM (P = NS vs CMR), and 157 ± 42 g with ECTb (P < .001 vs CMR; P = .007 vs 4DM) CZT images. There was an excellent correlation between LV mass values between CMR and both 4DM (R{sup 2} = .95; P < .001) and ECTb (R{sup 2} = .98; P < .001) with narrow limits of agreement (− 13.6% to + 13.4% for 4DM, and − 5.6% to + 14.1% for ECTb). Conclusions: The evaluation of LV mass is feasible on CZT images, showing excellent agreement with CMR.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗

Comparison of [{sup 11}C]choline Positron Emission Tomography With T2- and Diffusion-Weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Delineating Malignant Intraprostatic Lesions

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the accuracy of [{sup 11}C]choline positron emission tomography (CHOL-PET) with that of the combination of T2-weighted and diffusion-weighted (T2W/DW) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for delineating malignant intraprostatic lesions (IPLs) for guiding focal therapies and to investigate factors predicting the accuracy of CHOL-PET. Methods and Materials: This study included 21 patients who underwent CHOL-PET and T2W/DW MRI prior to radical prostatectomy. Two observers manually delineated IPL contours for each scan, and automatic IPL contours were generated on CHOL-PET based on varying proportions of the maximum standardized uptake value (SUV). IPLs identified on prostatectomy specimens defined reference standard contours. The imaging-based contours were compared with the reference standard contours using Dice similarity coefficient (DSC), and sensitivity and specificity values. Factors that could potentially predict the DSC of the best contouring method were analyzed using linear models. Results: The best automatic contouring method, 60% of the maximum SUV (SUV{sub 60}) , had similar correlations (DSC: 0.59) with the manual PET contours (DSC: 0.52, P=.127) and significantly better correlations than the manual MRI contours (DSC: 0.37, P<.001). The sensitivity and specificity values were 72% and 71% for SUV{sub 60}; 53% and 86% for PET manual contouring; and 28% and 92% for MRI manual contouring. The tumor volume and transition zone pattern could independently predict the accuracy of CHOL-PET. Conclusions: CHOL-PET is superior to the combination of T2W/DW MRI for delineating IPLs. The accuracy of CHOL-PET is insufficient for gland-sparing focal therapies but may be accurate enough for focal boost therapies. The transition zone pattern is a new classification that may predict how well CHOL-PET delineates IPLs.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗

Dynamics of fluorinated imide-based ionic liquids using nuclear magnetic resonance techniques

There is increasing interest in studying molecular motions in ionic liquids to gain better insights into their transport properties and to expand their applications. Here, in this study, we have employed the fast field cycling relaxometry and pulsed field gradient nuclear magnetic resonance techniques to investigate the rotational and translational dynamics of fluorinated imide-based ionic liquids (ILs) at different temperatures. We have studied a total of six ILs composed of the 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium cation ([BMIM] + ) combined with chemically modified analogs of the bis((trifluoromethyl)sulfonyl)imide anion ([NTf 2 ] − or [TFSI] − ). The primary objective of this paper is to broaden the understanding of how the anion's conformational flexibility, fluorination, and mass affect the molecular dynamics of cations and anions. Our results indicate that flexibility has the most significant impact on the rotational and translational motions of ions. Meanwhile, the effect of fluorination and mass is only relevant when conformational flexibility does not change significantly between the ILs being compared.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Background-free dual-mode optical and 13 C magnetic resonance imaging in diamond particles

Multimodal imaging—the ability to acquire images of an object through more than one imaging mode simultaneously—has opened additional perspectives in areas ranging from astronomy to medicine. In this paper, we report progress toward combining optical and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in such a “dual” imaging mode. They are attractive in combination because they offer complementary advantages of resolution and speed, especially in the context of imaging in scattering environments. Our approach relies on a specific material platform, microdiamond particles hosting nitrogen vacancy (NV) defect centers that fluoresce brightly under optical excitation and simultaneously “hyperpolarize” lattice C 13 nuclei, making them bright under MR imaging. We highlight advantages of dual-mode optical and MR imaging in allowing background-free particle imaging and describe regimes in which either mode can enhance the other. Leveraging the fact that the two imaging modes proceed in Fourier-reciprocal domains (real and k-space), we propose a sampling protocol that accelerates image reconstruction in sparse-imaging scenarios. Our work suggests interesting possibilities for the simultaneous optical and low-field MR imaging of targeted diamond nanoparticles.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Plasma response to rotating resonant magnetic perturbations with a locked mode in the J-TEXT tokamak

Disruption affected by locked modes (LMs) is one of the most critical issues to be solved for tokamak fusion reactors. This paper aimed to understand the plasma response to external rotating resonant magnetic perturbations (RMPs), which are applied at a few kilohertz for controlling the pre-existing LMs. In the J-TEXT tokamak, the plasma response to a rotating RMP showed a feature of travelling wave, if no tearing mode (TM) existed. With a LM, the application of a rotating RMP led to unique features of plasma responses, which could be roughly described by the formula δb θ (θ, t)=2Asin(mθ–mθ O )cos(2πf RRMP t), where δb θ , A, m, θ O and f RRMP are the perturbed poloidal magnetic field, the amplitude, the poloidal mode number, the poloidal location of the TM's O-point and the frequency of the rotating RMP. These features are analogous to that of a standing wave in the TM rest frame, with the nodes locating at the O-/X- points. The perturbations of electron temperature, T e , due to plasma responses were zero or minimal inside the magnetic island or outside the magnetic island but at the same poloidal positions as the O-/X- points. Both δb θ and the T e perturbations increased linearly with the rotating RMP. A phenomenological model is presented that the rotating RMP drives the phase oscillation of the TM by applying a periodical electromagnetic torque. Then the phase oscillation of TM, combined with the poloidal gradient of the plasma parameters, induces the plasma response measured experimentally. The nonlinear numerical modelling confirmed the forced phase oscillation of the TM, and qualitatively verified the amplitude and phase dependences among the plasma response, the phase oscillation of the TM and the rotating RMP, which have been predicted by the model.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Disruption prevention using rotating resonant magnetic perturbation on J-TEXT

Major plasma disruption is one of the most critical issues to be solved for tokamak fusion reactors. Experiments to prevent mode locking and subsequent disruptions have been carried out on the J-TEXT tokamak using rotating resonant magnetic perturbations (RMPs). The tearing modes, which are locked and lead to disruptions without the application of RMPs, can be accelerated by rotating RMPs to the RMP frequency. As a result, mode locking and subsequent disruptions are delayed or prevented. The effects of RMP amplitude and frequency on disruption prevention have been investigated.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Single institutional experience with initial ultrasound followed by computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging for acute appendicitis in adults

Purpose: The objectives of this study was to assess the performance of ultrasound (US) for suspected appendicitis in adult patients and to evaluated the additive value of short-interval (within 1 week) computed tomography (CT) or Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) after performing an initial US. Methods: In this IRB-approved, HIPAA-compliant, retrospective study, electronic medical records (EMRs) were queried for “US appendicitis” performed over a 2-year interval. EMR was reviewed for CT or MRI performed within 1 week of this exam, and if any new or additional information was available at subsequent exam. White count, patient disposition, and pathology, if surgery was performed, were also recorded. Results: 682 patients underwent US for appendicitis over a 2-year duration, age range from 18 to 92 years (average: 30.1 years, M:F = 141:541). Findings showed 126/682 patients with normal appendix, 75/682 uncomplicated appendicitis, and 4/682 with complicated appendicitis. When performed, no additional findings were seen in these groups on short-interval CT or MRI. 2/682 patients had equivocal findings on US but eventually had normal appendix identified on CT. Four hundred and seventy-three patients had non-visualized appendix, of which only 14/473 (3.1%) eventually had appendicitis. Conclusions: Ultrasound is an effective initial modality for evaluating appendicitis even in adult patients. Once a normal appendix, uncomplicated or complicated appendicitis is identified on US, no further imaging is necessary. Very few patients with non-visualization of the appendix eventually have appendicitis. Hence, these patients can be managed with active clinical follow-up rather than immediate CT or MRI. Symptoms and clinical scoring systems can be used for triage of these patients.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗