Correcting saturation effects of the arterial input function in dynamic susceptibility contrast-enhanced MRI: a Monte Carlo simulation

To prevent systematic errors in quantitative brain perfusion studies using dynamic susceptibility contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DSC-MRI), a reliable determination of the arterial input function (AIF) is essential. We propose a novel algorithm for correcting distortions of the AIF caused by saturation of the peak amplitude and discuss its relevance for longitudinal studies. The algorithm is based on the assumption that the AIF can be separated into a reliable part at low contrast agent concentrations and an unreliable part at high concentrations. This unreliable part is reconstructed, applying a theoretical framework based on a transport-diffusion theory and using the bolus-shape in the tissue. A validation of the correction scheme is tested by a Monte Carlo simulation. The input of the simulation was a wide range of perfusion, and the main aim was to compare this input to the determined perfusion parameters. Another input of the simulation was an AIF template derived from in vivo measurements. The distortions of this template was modeled via a Rician distribution for image intensities. As for a real DSC-MRI experiment, the simulation returned the AIF and the tracer concentration-dependent signal in the tissue. The novel correction scheme was tested by deriving perfusion parameters from the simulated data for the corrected and the uncorrected case. For this analysis, a common truncated singular value decomposition approach was applied. We find that the saturation effect caused by Rician-distributed noise leads to an overestimation of regional cerebral blood flow and regional cerebral blood volume, as compared to the input parameter. The aberration can be amplified by a decreasing signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) or an increasing tracer concentration. We also find that the overestimation can be successfully eliminated by the proposed saturation-correction scheme. In summary, the correction scheme will allow DSC-MRI to be expanded towards higher tracer concentrations and lower SNR and will help to increase the measurement to measurement reproducibility for longitudinal studies.     

Maschinelle Auswerterechnung bei der Flugabwehr

Résumé L'auteur montre dans les grandes lignes comment on procède à l'analyse des épreuves optiques d'appareils de commande de tir (appareils directeurs) pour la défense terrestre contre avions sur une calculatrice digitale électronique dirigée par programme. Il donne entre autre des méthodes de calcul pour l'aplanissement des valeurs d'entrée, la représentation de la ballistique, le calcul du point d'impact, etc.Le programme de calcul pour l'analyse complète comprend dans le cas présent 5 programmes principaux et 18 sous-programmes.     

Passively mode-locked Yb:KLu(WO4)2 thin-disk oscillator operated in the positive and negative dispersion regime

We demonstrate a passively mode-locked femtosecond Yb:KLu(WO(4))(2) thin-disk laser oscillator. Chirped-pulse operation in the positive dispersion regime as well as solitary operation have been realized, and the laser performance of both configurations are compared. In the solitary mode-locking regime the output power exceeds 25 W in a diffraction-limited beam, and pulse durations as short as 440 fs at a 34.7 MHz repetition rate have been generated. For the first time we present a chirped-pulse operation of a thin-disk oscillator that yields a maximum average output power of 9.5 W with a Fourier limit of 450 fs.     

Multifunctional Cationic PeptoStars as siRNA Carrier: Influence of Architecture and Histidine Modification on Knockdown Potential

RNA interference provides enormous potential for the treatment of several diseases, including cancer. Nevertheless, successful therapies based on siRNA require overcoming various challenges, such as poor pharmacokinetic characteristics of the small RNA molecule and inefficient cytosolic accumulation. In this respect, the development of functional siRNA carrier systems is a major task in biomedical research. To provide such a desired system, the synthesis of 3‐arm and 6‐arm PeptoStars is aimed for. The different branched polypept(o)idic architectures share a stealth‐like polysarcosine corona for efficient shielding and a multifunctional polylysine core, which can be independently varied in size and functionality for siRNA complexation‐, transport and intra cellular release. The special feature of star‐like polypept(o)ides is in their uniform small size (<20 nm) and a core–shell structure, which implies a high stability and stealth‐like properties and thus, they may combine long circulation times and a deep penetration of cancerous tissue. Initial toxicity and complement studies demonstrate well tolerated cationic PeptoStars with high complexation capability toward siRNA (N/P ratio up to 3:1), which can lead to potent RNAi for optimized systems. Here, the synthetic development of 3‐arm and 6‐arm polypept(o)idic star polymers, their modification with endosomolytic moieties, and first in vitro insights on RNA interference are reported on.     

Fracture Mechanics of Rubber Material

This contribution presents an approach based on the material force method which allows to evaluate the fracture sensitivity of rubber material. In order to account for the rate–independent dissipation of filled elastomers subjected to low rates, an endochronic plasticity formulation is introduced. It is shown how configurational forces under consideration of material body forces correspond with the elastic and dissipative energy and how they can be related to energy release rates measured in test configurations. (© 2008 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

A switchable palladium-complexed molecular shuttle and its metastable positional isomers

We report the design, synthesis, characterization, and operation of a [2]rotaxane in which a palladium-complexed macrocycle can be translocated between 4-dimethylaminopyridine and pyridine monodentate ligand sites via reversible protonation, the metal remaining coordinated to the macrocycle throughout. The substitution pattern of the ligands and the kinetic stability of the Pd-N bond means that changing the chemical state of the thread does not automatically cause a change in the macrocycle's position in the absence of an additional input (heat and/or coordinating solvent/anion). Accordingly, under ambient conditions any of the four sets of protonated and neutral, stable, and metastable co-conformers of the [2]rotaxane can be selected, manipulated, isolated, and characterized.     

Effect of nitrogen adsorption on the mid-infrared spectrum of water clusters

Experimental Fourier-transform infrared spectra and DFT calculated infrared spectra are compared to investigate the effect of adsorbed nitrogen on the OH-stretch band complex of water clusters. Using a collisional cooling experiment, pure as well as partially and completely N(2)-covered water clusters consisting of 20-200 water molecules have been generated in thermal equilibrium in the aerosol phase within the temperature range of 5-80 K. Computational IR-spectra simulations have been performed for discrete pure and N(2)-covered water clusters including 10, 15, 20, and 30 water molecules. The adsorbed N(2) molecules especially affect the three-coordinated water molecules at the cluster surface which could be observed as a blue shift of the companion O-H band at 2900 cm(-1) and a red shift of the dangling O-H band at 3700 cm(-1) by about 20 cm(-1) in both cases. The most striking effect of the N(2) adsorbate is an intensity increase of the dangling O-H band by a factor of 3-5. Furthermore, the onset temperature of nitrogen adsorption at the water cluster surface was experimentally found to be roughly 30 K for cluster sizes of about 100 water molecules. Experimental and computational results are in good agreement. The presented results are based on and support the work of V. Buch, J. P. Devlin, and co-workers (e.g., J. Phys. Chem. B, 1997; J. Phys. Chem. A, 2003; Int. Rev. Phys. Chem., 2004).