Magnetic resonance imaging of acoustic streaming: absorption coefficient and acoustic field shape estimation

In this study, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is used to visualize acoustic streaming in liquids. A single-shot spin echo sequence (HASTE) with a saturation band perpendicular to the acoustic beam permits the acquisition of an instantaneous image of the flow due to the application of ultrasound. An average acoustic streaming velocity can be estimated from the MR images, from which the ultrasonic absorption coefficient and the bulk viscosity of different glycerol-water mixtures can be deduced. In the same way, this MRI method could be used to assess the acoustic field and time-average power of ultrasonic transducers in water (or other liquids with known physical properties), after calibration of a geometrical parameter that is dependent on the experimental setup.     

Calcifications in human osteoarthritic articular cartilage: ex vivo assessment of calcium compounds using XANES spectroscopy

Calcium (Ca²⁺)‐containing crystals (CCs), including basic Ca²⁺ phosphate (BCP) and Ca²⁺ pyrophosphate dihydrate (CPPD) crystals, are associated with severe forms of osteoarthritis (OA). Growing evidence supports a role for abnormal articular cartilage mineralization in the pathogenesis of OA. However, the role of Ca²⁺ compounds in this mineralization process remains poorly understood. Six patients, who underwent total knee joint replacement for primary OA, have been considered in this study. Cartilage from femoral condyles and tibial plateaus in the medial and lateral compartments was collected as 1 mm‐thick slices cut tangentially to the articular surface. First, CCs presence and biochemical composition were assessed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR). Next, Ca²⁺ compound biochemical form was further assessed using X‐ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) performed at the Ca²⁺K‐absorption edge. Overall, 12 cartilage samples were assessed. Using FT‐IR, BCP and CPPD crystals were detected in four and three out of 12 samples, respectively. Ca²⁺ compound biochemical forms differed between areas with versus without CCs, when compared using XAS. The complete set of data shows that XANES spectroscopy can be used to accurately characterize sparse CCs in human OA cartilage. It is found that Ca²⁺ compounds differ between calcified and non‐calcified cartilage areas. In calcified areas they appear to be mainly involved in calcifications, namely Ca²⁺ crystals.     

Single-coil surface imaging using a radiofrequency field gradient

A method for in-plane imaging of large objects as compared to the RF coil is proposed based on the use of a single specially designed surface coil, without using B(0) gradients. A constant B(1) gradient was generated along the main axis of a ladder-shaped coil, and RF-encoding along the direction of the gradient made it possible to obtain spin-density profiles. Successive acquisitions of profiles obtained by translation of the NMR coil resulted in distorted images-due to the presence of non-zero gradients perpendicular to the constant gradient-that were successfully processed using a mathematical treatment based on linear combinations of calculated altered images from single-pixel objects. Copyright 2000 Academic Press.     

An X-ray absorption spectroscopy investigation of the local atomic structure in Cu–Ni–Si alloy after severe plastic deformation and ageing

The local atomic structure of Cu–Ni–Si alloy after severe plastic deformation (SPD) processing and the decomposition of supersaturated solid solution upon annealing were investigated by means of X-ray absorption spectroscopy. The coordination number and interatomic distances were obtained by analyzing experimental extend X-ray absorption fine structure data collected at the Ni K-edge. Results indicate that the environment of Ni atoms in Cu–Ni–Si alloy is strongly influenced by the deformation process. Moreover, ageing at 973 K affects strongly the atomic structure around the Ni atoms in Cu–Ni–Si deformed by equal channel angular pressing and high pressure torsion. This influence is discussed in terms of changes and decomposition features of the Cu–Ni–Si solid solution.     

A theoretical approach to local attenuation measurements of shear waves by MRE. Preliminary experimental results

An essential highlight of the presented method is the employment of Magnetic Resonance Elastography (MRE) for local measurements of the attenuation of elastic shear waves introduced into a biological sample. Such a measurement can be accomplished by combining the MRE method with those methods, in which collective displacement of spins is induced by external physical factors, such as variable electric field, strong magnetic field gradient or longitudinal elastic wave. A theoretical basis of the method involving external factors and results of preliminary experiments have been presented in this paper.