Design and application of phase photon sieve

The imaging principle of Fresnel zone plate and photon sieve were analyzed in this paper. The design and fabrication of phase photon sieve were discussed. The feasibility of using phase photon sieve to realize nano-lithography was analyzed, a novel lithography experiment system based on phase photon sieve was presented, which not only has higher resolution and image contrast than the Fresnel zone plate lithography but also have higher diffractive efficiency than the amplitude photon sieve lithography.     

The analysis of spatial light to Bragg fiber coupling ratio

On the basis of the electromagnetic field mode matching theory, the coupling efficiency ratio from spatial light to Bragg fiber is analyzed, which shows that the coupling efficiency ratio is related to the radius of focused facular, the core radius of Bragg fiber and wave number of the core. By optimizing the value of such parameters appropriately, the Bragg fiber coupling efficiency ratio can be improved. It is also important for the analysis of the coupling efficiency of Bragg fiber, which can be applied to the free optical communication system and laser radar system.     

大气波导条件下雷达海杂波功率仿真

考虑近海面大气折射率垂直梯度的变化, 采用曲面波频谱估计方法(CWSE)计算掠射角, 并结合修正的GIT海表反射率模型和雷达距离方程对大气波导条件下雷达海杂波功率进行仿真, 最后通过数值实验及与实测数据比较, 验证了CWSE方法的可行性. 关键词： 大气波导 雷达海杂波 曲面波频谱估计     

0.14 THz高分辨力成像雷达信号处理

为适应0.14 THz超高分辨雷达实时成像的需求,开发了基于CPU+GPU+FPGA的硬件架构和成像处理算法,算法以距离-多普勒为原型,引入L类维格纳分布变换提高横向分辨力,用Keystone变换方法对越距离单元徙动进行校正,并开发了系统非线性补偿算法。在载频0.14 THz、带宽5 GHz雷达样机上进行了逆合成孔径雷达成像试验,获得了3 cm3 cm的成像分辨力和实时成像能力,验证了信号处理方法的有效性。     

不同表面结构特征圆柱导体的太赫兹散射特性

太赫兹频段下导体表面的细微结构、粗糙度等细节将对目标电磁散射行为产生影响。为衡量这一影响程度,以圆柱导体为例研究了太赫兹频段下目标表面不同结构特征的电磁散射现象及其在图像域的表现规律。利用高频电磁计算方法获得了表面分别为理想光滑、带刻痕和周期粗糙的三种圆柱多姿态角、多频点单站散射场;基于转台成像算法重建了小转角下目标的二维图像。从仿真结果可以看出:m量级的细节特征在太赫兹雷达图像上有着显著的表现,表明太赫兹雷达能够获取更加丰富和精细的目标信息,从而为目标探测识别提供新的特征和技术手段。     

Decoding neural events from fMRI BOLD signal: A comparison of existing approaches and development of a new algorithm

Neuroimaging methodology predominantly relies on the blood oxygenation level dependent (BOLD) signal. While the BOLD signal is a valid measure of neuronal activity, variances in fluctuations of the BOLD signal are not only due to fluctuations in neural activity. Thus, a remaining problem in neuroimaging analyses is developing methods that ensure specific inferences about neural activity that are not confounded by unrelated sources of noise in the BOLD signal. Here, we develop and test a new algorithm for performing semiblind (i.e., no knowledge of stimulus timings) deconvolution of the BOLD signal that treats the neural event as an observable, but intermediate, probabilistic representation of the system's state. We test and compare this new algorithm against three other recent deconvolution algorithms under varied levels of autocorrelated and Gaussian noise, hemodynamic response function (HRF) misspecification and observation sampling rate. Further, we compare the algorithms' performance using two models to simulate BOLD data: a convolution of neural events with a known (or misspecified) HRF versus a biophysically accurate balloon model of hemodynamics. We also examine the algorithms' performance on real task data. The results demonstrated good performance of all algorithms, though the new algorithm generally outperformed the others (3.0% improvement) under simulated resting-state experimental conditions exhibiting multiple, realistic confounding factors (as well as 10.3% improvement on a real Stroop task). The simulations also demonstrate that the greatest negative influence on deconvolution accuracy is observation sampling rate. Practical and theoretical implications of these results for improving inferences about neural activity from fMRI BOLD signal are discussed.     

7 T versus 3 T contrast-enhanced breast Magnetic Resonance Imaging of invasive ductulolobular carcinoma: First clinical experience

Purpose

Here we describe our first experience with contrast-enhanced (CE) MRI of breast cancer at 7 tesla (T), compared to 3 T and histopathology.

Materials and Methods

A 52 year old female patient with a mammographically suspicious breast mass (BI-RADS V) underwent 7 T CE-MRI. Results were described according to the BI-RADS-MRI criteria and compared to 3 T and histopathology.

Results

After contrast administration, a homogeneously enhancing, irregular spiculated mass was depicted at both 3 T and 7 T; sizes were identical. The most malignant kinetic curve was characterized by a rapid initial rise followed by a wash-out pattern in the delayed phase, i.e. a type 3 curve, at both field strengths. Even though T1-effects of contrast agents are suggested to be reduced at higher fields, quantification of contrast enhancement-to-noise ratio showed a ratio of 4.6 at 7 T and 2.8 at 3 T when comparing contrast-to-noise of the mass before and after contrast administration. Both examinations, using a single dose of gadolinium-based contrast agent, achieved good image quality. Final histopathological evaluation showed an invasive ductulolobular carcinoma with an intraductal component.

Conclusion

This initial experience suggests that clinical contrast-enhanced 7 T MRI of the breast is technically feasible and may allow BI-RADS-conform analysis.     

General implementation of the ERETIC method for pulsed field gradient probe heads

A capacitive coupling between a secondary radiofrequency (rf) channel and the gradient coil of a standard commercially available high resolution NMR spectrometer and probe head is described and used to introduce a low level exponentially damped rf signal near the frequency of the primary rf channel to serve as an external concentration standard, in analogy to the so-called ERETIC™ method. The stability of this inexpensive and simple to implement method, here referred to as the Pulse Into the Gradient (PIG) approach, is superb over a 14-h period and both gradient tailored water suppression and one-dimensional imaging applications are provided. Since the low level signal is introduced via the pulsed field gradient coil, the coupling is identical to that for a free induction signal and thus the method proves to be immune (within 5%) to sample ionic strength effects up to the 2 M NaCl solutions explored here.     

Near-infrared dyes,nanomaterials and proteins

Taking the advantage of reduced scattering and low autofluorescence background, the NIR fluorescence probes, such as fluorescence proteins, organic molecules and nanoparticles, not only hold the promise of in vivo imaging of biological processes in physiology and pathology with high signal-to-noise ratio, but also for clinical diagnosis. In this review, we provide an overview of the recent progress on NIR probes, focusing on fundamental mechanisms of NIR dyes and nanoparticles, and protein engineering strategies for NIR proteins.     

Nanodiamonds for advanced optical bioimaging and beyond

Nanodiamond (ND) has emerged as an intriguing material in recent years both industrially and in research. During the last decade, ND has furthered its way into the biomedical field, mainly due to its inherent photoluminescent properties. In parallel, the development of advanced biomedical imaging methods and techniques has faced a steep upswing, making these two a ‘perfect match’. The optical and physical properties of ND can be tuned, rendering them highly interesting as versatile biomedical imaging probes. In this short review, we will cover a few of the most recently emerged applications of NDs in biomedical imaging and contemplate on current challenges and future directions.