Cancer has become the leading cause of mortality in the urban area of China. Whole body diffusion weigntea imaging （WB-DWI）, also known as virtual positron emission tomography, has gradually become accepted as an im...Cancer has become the leading cause of mortality in the urban area of China. Whole body diffusion weigntea imaging （WB-DWI）, also known as virtual positron emission tomography, has gradually become accepted as an image tool in tumor localization, characterization, staging and monitoring response to therapy or tumor recurrence. Our article aimed to summarize the limited initial clinical use of WB-DWI in the referred area, and to analyze the most potential advantage of WB-DWI in therapeutic monitoring and tumor staging. WB-DWI as a highly sensitive, completely non-invasive, well-tolerated and low price technique has a promising furture in tumor assessment. Profound clinical study is necessary for its further application improvement.展开更多
Objective To evaluate the values of whole body diffusion weighted imaging （DWI） in screenmg pnmary unknown tumor in patients with metastases. Methods Totally, 34 patients with metastases of primary unknown tumors w...Objective To evaluate the values of whole body diffusion weighted imaging （DWI） in screenmg pnmary unknown tumor in patients with metastases. Methods Totally, 34 patients with metastases of primary unknown tumors were scanned with whole body DWI, and conventional magnetic resonance （MR） imaging was performed if suspected lesions were detected. All the metastases including 27 cases of osseous metastases, 2 brain metastases, 2 liver metastases, 1 pulmonary multiple metastasis, 1 neck metastasis and 1 malignant ascites, were diagnosed by computed tomography, single photon emission computed tomography, or MR imaging. For the proven primary tumors diagnosed by biopsy or pathology of surgical specimens, apparent diffusion coefficient （ADC） values of the primary and metastatic lesions were measured respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of this technique for screening primary tumors were cvaluated. Results We found 24 cases with suspected primary lesions, in which 23 lesions were proved to be primary tumors, and 1 was proved to be benign lesion. And no definite primary lesion was found in 10 cases on whole body DWI, but in which 1 case was diagnosed with primary tumor by biopsy later, and the other 9 cases remained unknown within follow-up of over halfa year. The difference was not significant in ADC values between primary and metastatic lesions （P〉0.05）. The sensitivity and specificity of whole body DWI for searching primary tumors was 95.8% and 90.0%, respectively. Conclusion Combined with conventional MR scanning, whole body DWI can help to search primary lesions of patients with metastases.展开更多
Objective To evaluate the feasibility of whole body diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) in bone metastasis detection using bone scintigraphy as comparison. Methods Forty-five patients with malignancy history were enrolle...Objective To evaluate the feasibility of whole body diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) in bone metastasis detection using bone scintigraphy as comparison. Methods Forty-five patients with malignancy history were enrolled in our study. All the patients received the whole body DWI and bone scintigraphy scan within 1 week. The magnetic resonance (MR) examination was performed on 3.0T MR scanner using embedded body coil. The images were reviewed separately by two radiologists and two nuclear medicine physicians, who were blinded to the results of the other imaging modality. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of the two techniques for detecting bone metastasis were analyzed. Results A total of 181 metastatic lesions in 77 regions of 34 patients were detected by whole body DWI, and 167 metastatic lesions in 76 regions of 31 patients were identified by bone scintigraphy. The patient-based sensitivity and PPV of whole body DWI and bone scintigraphy were similar (89.5% vs. 81.6%, 97.1% vs. 91.2%), whereas, the patient-based specificity and NPV of whole body DWI were obviously higher than those of bone scintigraphy (85.7% vs. 57.1%, 60.0% vs. 36.4%). Ten regions negative in scintigraphy but positive in whole body DWI, mainly located in spine, pelvis, and femur; nine regions only detected by scintigraphy, mainly located in skull, sternum, clavicle, and scapula. The region-based sensitivity and specificity of whole body DWI were slightly higher than those of bone scintigraphy (89.5% vs. 88.4%, 95.6% vs. 87.6%). Conclusion Whole body DWI reveals excellent concordance with bone scintigraphy regarding detection of bone metastasis, and the two techniques are complementary for each other.展开更多
Objective To evaluate the clinical impact of whole body diffusion weighted imaging （WB-DWI） on diagnosis and staging of malignant lymphoma. Methods Thirty-one patients with suspected lymphadenopathy were enrolled. ...Objective To evaluate the clinical impact of whole body diffusion weighted imaging （WB-DWI） on diagnosis and staging of malignant lymphoma. Methods Thirty-one patients with suspected lymphadenopathy were enrolled. WB-DWI was performed by using short TI inversion recovery echo-planar imaging sequence with free breathing and built-in body coil. Axial T2- weighted imaging images of the same location were used as reference. The results of WB-DWI were compared with pathological results and other imaging modalities. The mean apparent diffusion coefficient （ADC） values of different kinds of lymph nodes were compared. Results WB-DWI was positive in all 18 cases with lymphoma, 5 cases with metastatic lymph nodes and 4 of 8 eases with benign lymphadenopathy. The mean ADC value of lymphomatous, metastatic and benign lymph nodes was （0.87 ± 0.17） × 10^3, （0.98± 0.09） × 10^3 and （1.20 ± 0.10） × 10^3 mm^2/s. There was significant difference in ADC value between benign lymph nodes and other two groups （P 〈 0.01）. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of WB-DWI in diagnosis of lymphoma were 100% （18/18）, 30.8% （4/13） and 71.0% （22/31）. When an ADC value of 1.08 × 10^-3 mm^2/s was used as the threshold value for differentiating malignant from benign lymph nodes, the best results were obtained with sensitivity of 87.8% and specificity of 91.3%. Sixteen of eighteen cases （88.9%） of lymphoma were accurately staged in accordance with clinical staging. Conclusions WB-DWI is a sensitive, but less specific technique for diagnosis of lymphoma. It is difficult to differentiate lymphnmatous from metastatic lymph nodes using WB-DWI. However, it is a valuable imaging modality for staging of patients with malignant lymphoma.展开更多
Objective To evaluate the clinical impact of body diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) on the diagnosis and preoperative N staging of cervical cancer. Methods Twenty-four patients (mean age 37.9 years old) with proved cer...Objective To evaluate the clinical impact of body diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) on the diagnosis and preoperative N staging of cervical cancer. Methods Twenty-four patients (mean age 37.9 years old) with proved cervical cancer by cervical biopsy and 24 female patients with other suspected pelvic abnormalities received preoperative body DWI scan. Results of body DWI were compared with pathological findings. The apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values of normal cervix and different pathological types of cervical cancer were compared. ADC value of normal or inflammatory lymph nodes was also compared with that of metastatic ones. Student's t test was used for statistical analysis. Results There were 5 adenocarcinomas and 19 epitheliomas showed with biopsy results, and DWI showed 21 cervical lesions out of them (87.5%). ADC values of the normal cervix (n = 24), epithelioma (n = 19), and adenocar- cinoma (n = 5) were (1.73 ± 0.31) ×10-3, (0.88 ± 0.22) ×10-3, and (1.08 ± 0.12) ×10-3 mm2/s, respectively. Statistical analysis showed significant difference in ADC value between normal cervical tissue and either tumor tissues (both P < 0.01). In patients had lymphadenectomy (n = 24), totally 67 lymph nodes including 16 metastatic lymph nodes were pathologically analyzed, and DWI showed 66 (98.5%) out of them. ADC values of normal/inflammatory and metastatic lymph nodes were (1.07 ± 0.16) ×10-3 and (0.77 ± 0.13) ×10-3 mm2/s (P < 0.01). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of ADC value of metastatic lymph node showed that area under curve was 0.961. Conclusions ADC value in cervical carcinoma is lower than that in normal cervix, and ADC may have predictive value in subtype discrimination. ADC value may improve the preoperative characterization of lymph node metastasis. And at least abdominal and pelvic DWI scan is suggested for N staging evaluation in such patients.展开更多
Objective To evaluate the value of whole-body diffusion weighted imaging （WB-DWI） on detection of malignant metastasis. Methods Forty-six patients with malignant tumors underwent WB-DWI examinations between April 20...Objective To evaluate the value of whole-body diffusion weighted imaging （WB-DWI） on detection of malignant metastasis. Methods Forty-six patients with malignant tumors underwent WB-DWI examinations between April 2007 and August 2007 in our hospital. Before WB-DWI examination, the primary cancers of all the patients were confirmed by pathology, and the TNM-stage was assessed with conventional magnetic resonance imaging （MRI） or computed tomography （CT）. WB-DWI was performed using short TI inversion recovery echo-planar imaging （STIR-EPI） sequence. Abnormal high signal intensities on WB-DWI were considered as metastases. The results of WB-DWI were compared with other imaging modalities. For the assessment of the diagnostic capability of WB-DWI, WB-DWI were compared with CT for demonstrating mediastinal lymph node metastases and lung metastases, and with conventional MRI for demonstrating metastases in other locations. Results WB-DWI demonstrated 143 focuses, 14 routine imaging. The number of bone metastases depicted of which were diagnosed to be benign lesions in on WB-DWI and routine imaging was 85 and 86; lymph node metastases was 17 and 18; liver metastases was 14 and 14; lung metastases was 4 and 8; and brain metastases was 6 and 8, respectively. WB-DWI failed to detect 12 metastatic lesions including 3 osteoplastic bone metastases, 4 lung metastases, 3 mediastinal lymph node metastases, and 2 brain metastases Four metastatic lesions including 2 deltopectoral lymph nodes and 2 rib metastases were detected with WB-DWI alone, all of which evolved greatly during clinical follow-up for more than 6 months. WB-DWI had higher detection rates for metastatic lesions in liver, bone, and lymph nodes than those in lung and brain （ X^2=30, P〈0.001）. Conclusions WB-DWI could detect most of metastatic lesions that were diagnosed with conventional MRI and CT. The limitations of WB-DWI might be had high false-positive rate and low efficiency in detecting mecliastinal lymph node, brain, and lung metastases.展开更多
Objective To investigate the feasibility of magnetic resonance （MR） diffusion weighted imaging （DWI） for evaluation of radiotherapeutic effects on rabbit VX2 tumor model. Methods Sixteen New Zealand white rabbits...Objective To investigate the feasibility of magnetic resonance （MR） diffusion weighted imaging （DWI） for evaluation of radiotherapeutic effects on rabbit VX2 tumor model. Methods Sixteen New Zealand white rabbits received a subcutaneous implantation of VX2 tumor cell suspension 0.5 mL （4× 10^7 ceUs/mL） in their right thighs to set up tumor model. And 2 weeks later they were randomly divided into therapy group （Group T, n = 10） and control group （Group C, n = 6）. Group T received radiotherapy at a single dose of 10 Gy. MR imaging （MRI） scan including short TI inversion recovery echo-planar imaging DWI, T1-weighted imaging （T1WI） and T2-weighted imaging （T2WI） sequences were performed 1 day prior to as well as 1 day, 2 days, 3 days and 7 days after radiotherapy. Group C received only MRI scan at the same time points without any treatment. MRI appearance on T2WI, TlWI, and DWI images was compared and tumor volume was calculated. Apparent diffusion coefficient （ADC） values of the tumor were evaluated in all cases. HE staining was used for pathological study. Results Necrosis （n = 8） and hemorrhage （n = 2） were seen gradually on T2WI and T1WI images of Group T after time point of day 2 after irradiation. In Group C, no obvious necrosis was found until day 7. There was no significant difference in tumor volume between the two groups before radiotherapy. After radiotherapy, tumors in Group T showed a gradual growth but not as obvious as Group C. There was a significant difference in tumor volume between the two groups from day 2 on （P 〈 0.05）. ADC value changed dramatically fight from the 1st day after radiotherapy in Group T [（0.99 ± 0.15） ×10^-3 mm^2/s for 1 day before radiotherapy, （1.23 ± 0.08） ×10^-3 , （1.45 ± 0.07） ×10^-3 , （1.63 ± 0.06） ×10^-3 , and （2.02 ± 0.18） ×10^-3 mm^2 for day 1, 2, 3, and 7]; and ADC value had no significant changes after radiotherapy in Group C except day 7 [（1.07±0.08） ×10^-3 mm^2 for 1 day before radiotherapy, （1.03 ± 0.04）×10^-3 , （1.05 ± 0.02）×10^-3 , （1.05 ± 0.05） ×10^-3 , and （0.95 ± 0.07） ×10^-3 mm^2 for day 1, 2, 3, and 7]. There was significant difference in ADC value between the two groups for each time point after radiotherapy （P 〈 0.01）. Pathological study showed that the number of viable tumor cells in Group T decreased 1 day after radiotherapy, and the inflammatory cell infiltration was marked and almost all viable tumor cells disappeared by day 7 after radiotherapy. Conclusions DWI is a new promising technique for monitoring radiotherapy outcomes. ADC value may give a prior clue on physiological changes of radiotherapy before routine MRI could tell.展开更多
BACKGROUND The biological behavior of carcinoma of the esophagogastric junction(CEGJ)is different from that of gastric or esophageal cancer.Differentiating squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagogastric junction(SCCEG...BACKGROUND The biological behavior of carcinoma of the esophagogastric junction(CEGJ)is different from that of gastric or esophageal cancer.Differentiating squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagogastric junction(SCCEG)from adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction(AEG)can indicate Siewert stage and whether the surgical route for patients with CEGJ is transthoracic or transabdominal,as well as aid in determining the extent of lymph node dissection.With the development of neoadjuvant therapy,preoperative determination of pathological type can help in the selection of neoadjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy regimens.AIM To establish and evaluate computed tomography(CT)-based multiscale and multiphase radiomics models to distinguish SCCEG and AEG preoperatively.METHODS We retrospectively analyzed the preoperative contrasted-enhanced CT imaging data of single-center patients with pathologically confirmed SCCEG(n=130)and AEG(n=130).The data were divided into either a training(n=182)or a test group(n=78)at a ratio of 7:3.A total of 1409 radiomics features were separately extracted from two dimensional(2D)or three dimensional(3D)regions of interest in arterial and venous phases.Intra-/inter-observer consistency analysis,correlation analysis,univariate analysis,least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression,and backward stepwise logical regression were applied for feature selection.Totally,six logistic regression models were established based on 2D and 3D multi-phase features.The receiver operating characteristic curve analysis,the continuous net reclassification improvement(NRI),and the integrated discrimination improvement(IDI)were used for assessing model discrimination performance.Calibration and decision curves were used to assess the calibration and clinical usefulness of the model,respectively.RESULTS The 2D-venous model(5 features,AUC:0.849)performed better than 2D-arterial(5 features,AUC:0.808).The 2D-arterial-venous combined model could further enhance the performance(AUC:0.869).The 3D-venous model(7 features,AUC:0.877)performed better than 3D-arterial(10 features,AUC:0.876).And the 3D-arterial-venous combined model(AUC:0.904)outperformed other single-phase-based models.The venous model showed a positive improvement compared with the arterial model(NRI>0,IDI>0),and the 3D-venous and combined models showed a significant positive improvement compared with the 2D-venous and combined models(P<0.05).Decision curve analysis showed that combined 3D-arterial-venous model and 3D-venous model had a higher net clinical benefit within the same threshold probability range in the test group.CONCLUSION The combined arterial-venous CT radiomics model based on 3D segmentation can improve the performance in differentiating EGJ squamous cell carcinoma from adenocarcinoma.展开更多
In-situ refractory metal intermetallic composites(RMICs) based either on (Nb, Si) or (Mo, Si, B) are candidate materials for ultra-high temperature applications (>1400 ℃). To provide a balance of mechanical and en...In-situ refractory metal intermetallic composites(RMICs) based either on (Nb, Si) or (Mo, Si, B) are candidate materials for ultra-high temperature applications (>1400 ℃). To provide a balance of mechanical and environmental properties, Nb-Si composites are typically alloyed with Ti and Cr, and Mo-Si-B composites are alloyed with Ti. Phase diagrams of Nb-Cr-Ti-Si and Mo-Si-B-Ti, as prerequisite knowledge for advanced materials design and processing development, are critically needed. The phase diagrams in the metal-rich regions of multicomponent Nb-Cr-Ti-Si and Mo-Si-B-Ti were rapidly established using the Calphad (Calculation of phase diagram) approach coupled with key experiments. The calculated isotherms, isopleths, and solidification paths were validated by experimental work. The important heterogeneous multiphase equilibria in both quaternary systems identified will offer engineers the opportunity to develop materials with a balance of properties for high-temperature applications.展开更多
Objective To evaluate metabolic abnormalities in patients with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy （MTLE） with proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy （MRS） using a 3.0T MR scanner. Methods Sixty-three patients （32 wom...Objective To evaluate metabolic abnormalities in patients with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy （MTLE） with proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy （MRS） using a 3.0T MR scanner. Methods Sixty-three patients （32 women and 31 men） with diagnosed MTLE underwent diagnostic MR imaging （MRI） and proton MRS using a 3.0T MR scanner. The clinical history and interictal epileptiform discharges （IEDs） were recorded. Sixteen healthy volunteers served as control. The results of proton MRS were compared with the findings of electroencephalogram and structural MRI findings. Results Twenty-seven of the 63 patients with MTLE showed unilateral hippocampal sclerosis, and 9 showed bilateral hippocampal sclerosis. The concentration ratio of N-acytelaspartate （NAA） / [ creatine （ Cr ） ＋ choline （Cho） ] in the hippocampal region of MTLE patients （0. 64±0. 07） was significantly lower than control （0. 80±0. 05, P = 0.023）. In the patients with unilateral hippocampal sclerosis, NAA/（Cr ＋ Cho） in the hippocampal region ipsilateral to the sclerotic hippocampus （0.56±0.06） was significantly lower than the ratio in the contralateral hippocampal region （0.69±0.07, P 〈 0. 001 ）. There was significant difference in hippocampal NAA/（ Cr ＋ Cho） between the refractory patients and the non-refractory patients （0. 64±0. 05 vs.0.71±0. 07, P =0. 04）. Forty-five patients were lateralized by IEDs, while 49 patients were lateralized by metabolite ratio. And lateralization determined by proton MRS and IEDs was concordant in 33 patients. Conclusions MRS as a noninvasive tool adds helpful metabolite information to routine MRI in evaluation of MTLE. The method is well established and should be a routine clinical application in the investigation of epilepsy.展开更多
Objective To investigate the feasibility of magnetic resonance （MR） diffusion weighted imaging （DWI） in discriminating inflammatory from VX2 carcinoma metastatic lymph nodes in rabbit model. Methods Twenty New Ze...Objective To investigate the feasibility of magnetic resonance （MR） diffusion weighted imaging （DWI） in discriminating inflammatory from VX2 carcinoma metastatic lymph nodes in rabbit model. Methods Twenty New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into 2 groups. Complete Freund＇s adjuvant was injected into the bilateral dorsal footpads to set up ipsilateral lymphadenitis model （n = 10）, and the other 10 rabbits received a subcutaneous implantation of VX2 tumor cell suspension （1.5×10^7 cells/mL） in both thighs to set up metastatic lymph node model. MR imaging scan covering the popliteal fossa and lilac fossa including short time inversion recovery echo-planar imaging DWI （STIR-EPI-DWI）, Tl-weighted imaging （T1WI） and T2-weighted imaging （T2WI） was performed 2 weeks after injection. T2WI signal intensity （SI）, DWI SI, long/short axial ratio （LSR） and apparent diffusion coefficient （ADC） values of the lymph nodes were evaluated in all cases. Right after MR imaging scan, popliteal and iliac fossa lymph nodes were collected for hematoxylin-eosin staining. Results Totally 33 lymph nodes larger than 5 turn, including 22 inflammatory and 11 metastatic ones, were successfully isolated and taken into pathological analysis. LSR showed no significant difference between the inflammatory and malignant lymph nodes （P 〉 0.05）. Both benign and malignant lymph nodes appeared iso-intense on TlWI and hyperintense on both T2WI and DWI images with an even lower TlWI and higher T2WI SI core at the hilum. Both T2WI and DWI SI showed no significant difference between two pathological groups （P 〉 0.01） in popliteal fossa. The mean ADC value of inflammatory nodes [（1.199±0.281） ×10^-3 mm^2/s] was significantly higher than that of metastatic nodes [（0.858 ± 0.090） ×10^-3 mm^2/s, P 〈 0.01]. On ADC map, a high ADC value central area could be seen in most of the lymph nodes no matter benign or malignant. ADC value gave out the largest area under curve （AUCADC = 0.955） compared with other three indexes （AUCLsR = 0.488; AUCT2WI SI = 0.727; AUCDDWISI = 0.822） and gave the best sensitivity and specificity in lymph node differential diagnosis compared with the other three indexes. Conclusions High quality DWI image can be obtained using STIR-EPI-DWI sequence in rabbit model. DWI is a new promising technique for differentiating inflammatory from metastatic lymph nodes. Compared with routine MR sequence, DWI could provide more useful physiological and functional information for diagnosis.展开更多
BACKGROUND Macrotrabecular-massive hepatocellular carcinoma(MTM-HCC)is closely related to aggressive phenotype,gene mutation,carcinogenic pathway,and immunohistochemical markers and is a strong independent predictor o...BACKGROUND Macrotrabecular-massive hepatocellular carcinoma(MTM-HCC)is closely related to aggressive phenotype,gene mutation,carcinogenic pathway,and immunohistochemical markers and is a strong independent predictor of early recurrence and poor prognosis.With the development of imaging technology,successful applications of contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)have been reported in identifying the MTM-HCC subtype.Radiomics,as an objective and beneficial method for tumour evaluation,is used to convert medical images into high-throughput quantification features that greatly push the development of precision medicine.AIM To establish and verify a nomogram for preoperatively identifying MTM-HCC by comparing different machine learning algorithms.METHODS This retrospective study enrolled 232(training set,162;test set,70)hepatocellular carcinoma patients from April 2018 to September 2021.A total of 3111 radiomics features were extracted from dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI,followed by dimension reduction of these features.Logistic regression(LR),K-nearest neighbour(KNN),Bayes,Tree,and support vector machine(SVM)algorithms were used to select the best radiomics signature.We used the relative standard deviation(RSD)and bootstrap methods to quantify the stability of these five algorithms.The algorithm with the lowest RSD represented the best stability,and it was used to construct the best radiomics model.Multivariable logistic analysis was used to select the useful clinical and radiological features,and different predictive models were established.Finally,the predictive performances of the different models were assessed by evaluating the area under the curve(AUC).RESULTS The RSD values based on LR,KNN,Bayes,Tree,and SVM were 3.8%,8.6%,4.3%,17.7%,and 17.4%,respectively.Therefore,the LR machine learning algorithm was selected to construct the best radiomics signature,which performed well with AUCs of 0.766 and 0.739 in the training and test sets,respectively.In the multivariable analysis,age[odds ratio(OR)=0.956,P=0.034],alphafetoprotein(OR=10.066,P<0.001),tumour size(OR=3.316,P=0.002),tumour-to-liver apparent diffusion coefficient(ADC)ratio(OR=0.156,P=0.037),and radiomics score(OR=2.923,P<0.001)were independent predictors of MTM-HCC.Among the different models,the predictive performances of the clinical-radiomics model and radiological-radiomics model were significantly improved compared to those of the clinical model(AUCs:0.888 vs 0.836,P=0.046)and radiological model(AUCs:0.796 vs 0.688,P=0.012),respectively,in the training set,highlighting the improved predictive performance of radiomics.The nomogram performed best,with AUCs of 0.896 and 0.805 in the training and test sets,respectively.CONCLUSION The nomogram containing radiomics,age,alpha-fetoprotein,tumour size,and tumour-to-liver ADC ratio revealed excellent predictive ability in preoperatively identifying the MTM-HCC subtype.展开更多
Objective To assess the reproducibility of whole-body diffusion weighted imaging(WB-DWI) technique in healthy volunteers under normal breathing with background body signal suppression.Methods WB-DWI was performed on 3...Objective To assess the reproducibility of whole-body diffusion weighted imaging(WB-DWI) technique in healthy volunteers under normal breathing with background body signal suppression.Methods WB-DWI was performed on 32 healthy volunteers twice within two-week period using short TI inversion-recovery diffusion-weighted echo-planar imaging sequence and built-in body coil.The volunteers were scanned across six stations continuously covering the entire body from the head to the feet under normal breathing.The bone apparent diffusion coefficient(ADC) and exponential ADC(eADC) of regions of interest(ROIs) were measured.We analyzed correlation of the results using paired-t-test to assess the reproducibility of the WB-DWI technique.Results We were successful in collecting and analyzing data of 64 WB-DWI images.There was no significant difference in bone ADC and eADC of 824 ROIs between the paired observers and paired scans(P>0.05).Most of the images from all stations were of diagnostic quality.Conclusion The measurements of bone ADC and eADC have good reproducibility.WB-DWI technique under normal breathing with background body signal suppression is adequate.展开更多
This study investigates the steam generating potential of a solar steam generation system and the potential for utility scale implementation in Libya oil for steam demanding enhanced oil recovery (EOR) methods. The pr...This study investigates the steam generating potential of a solar steam generation system and the potential for utility scale implementation in Libya oil for steam demanding enhanced oil recovery (EOR) methods. The proposed system uses parabolic troughs as solar collectors. The technology is proved to be technically feasible. Solar EOR should be seen as an add-on to existing plants due to the abundance of solar energy in Libya. The System Advisor Model (SAM) model system, developed by the National Office of Renewable Energy (NRE), was used to assess the plant’s active and economic performance.展开更多
Environmental pressures and economic requirements have led to a drive to ever increasing steam parameters to further increase steam turbine cycle efficiencies. This poses a number of challenges: plant architecture,ste...Environmental pressures and economic requirements have led to a drive to ever increasing steam parameters to further increase steam turbine cycle efficiencies. This poses a number of challenges: plant architecture,steam turbine design and turbine material requirements. GE has been developing USC technology for more than 18 years and has many reference plants. The limits on inlet pressure and temperatures have been challenged as the technology and product development has proceeded. This paper discusses some of the options on how plant efficiency can be increased and some of the related challenges. The performance difference between a single reheat and double reheat is quantified based on a simplified thermodynamic model.展开更多
This paper solves the three-dimensional Navier-Stokes equation by a fractional-step method with the Reynolds number Reτ=194 and the rotation number Nτ=0-0.12. When Nτ is less than 0.06, the turbulence statistics re...This paper solves the three-dimensional Navier-Stokes equation by a fractional-step method with the Reynolds number Reτ=194 and the rotation number Nτ=0-0.12. When Nτ is less than 0.06, the turbulence statistics relevant to the spanwise velocity fluctuation are enhanced, but other statistics are suppressed. When Nτ is larger than 0.06, all the turbulence statistics decrease significantly. Reynolds stress budgets elucidate that turbulence kinetic energy in the vertical direction is transferred into the streamwise and spanwise directions. The flow structures exhibit that the bursting processes near the bottom wall are ejected toward the free surface. Evident change of near-surface streak structures of the velocity fluctuations are revealed.展开更多
Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine how the slice thickness reconstruction influences quantitative perfusion CT parameters. Materials and Methods: Eighteen patients with cancer (15 non-small-cell lun...Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine how the slice thickness reconstruction influences quantitative perfusion CT parameters. Materials and Methods: Eighteen patients with cancer (15 non-small-cell lung cancer, 2 rectal cancer and 1 renal cancer) were examined prospectively with multidetector row CT. A 90-second perfusion study was performed after intravenous bolus injection of contrast material. Blood flow, blood volume, mean transit time and permeability-surface area product were determined at three different slice thickness reconstruction (1.25, 2.5 and 5 mms) both in tumors and in paraspinal muscle. Mean values, limits of agreement between measurements and within-subject coefficient of correlation were obtained for these thicknesses. Results: Mean ± standard deviation BF, BV, MTT and PS in lesions were 118.7 ± 117.9 mL/min/100g tissue, 8.2 ± 8.2 mL/100g tissue, 7.5 ± 5.4 seconds and 10.3 ± 7.2 mL/min/100g tissue respectively at1.25 mmslice thickness;116.1 ± 115.7 mL/min/100g tissue, 7.8 ± 8.7 mL/100g tissue, 7 ± 4.5 seconds and 10.4 ± 7.5 mL/min/100g tissue at 2.5 mms;and 119.6 ± 115.7 mL/min/100g tissue, 7.8 ± 8.8 mL/100g tissue, 5.4 ± 3.4 seconds and 9.6 ± 7.5 mL/min/100g tissue at 5 mms. Differences between means for different slice thickness where relatively small in all parameters (<15%) except in MTT where difference was up to 37%. 95% limits of agreement were worse when comparing more different slice thicknesses (e.g. 1.25 vs 5 mms) than when comparing more close slice thicknesses (1.25 vs 2.5 mms or 2.5 vs 5 mms). Conclusions: There is a significant variability in perfusion parameter measurements at different slice thickness reconstruction, particularly in MTT. The more close together the slice thicknesses were, the smaller was the variability.展开更多
Hungary＇s accession to the European Union in 2004 marked the start of a new era. The completion of legal harmonization brought in new emission standards and thresholds, and this was followed by EU-assisted projects t...Hungary＇s accession to the European Union in 2004 marked the start of a new era. The completion of legal harmonization brought in new emission standards and thresholds, and this was followed by EU-assisted projects to build and reconstruct wastewater treatment plants. The utilization of sludge after it leaves the wastewater treatment plant is now a solely private-sector operation. There are new political priorities： increasing state involvement, buying out of major--formerly privatized--service providers, reintegration of isolated service providers, legally-imposed reduction of public utility charges. As a result, a demand has arisen for a greater central, i.e. government role in sludge utilization.展开更多
This paper presents a new design of a probe adjusting device intended to position pressure and temperature probes in a flow field. 5-hole, 3-hole and temperature probes can be moved in radial direction and freely rota...This paper presents a new design of a probe adjusting device intended to position pressure and temperature probes in a flow field. 5-hole, 3-hole and temperature probes can be moved in radial direction and freely rotated about their axis. The high actuation accuracy of 3.9 ktm in radial direction and 0.09~ in angular position is validated in a 2-stage-turbine test rig which is installed at the Institute of Power Plant Technology, Steam and Gas Turbines, RWTH Aachen University. To meet the challenge to calculate the efficiency of a turbo machine which is mainly influenced by the temperature, all probe adjusting devices are positioned simultaneously and controlled by the MAS （measuring acquisition system） so that the same radial position in each stage is measured at the same time. For this purpose a new program has been developed to synchronize actuation and measurement. The slim design of 60 mm width allows measurement between the stages of turbo machines with small axial distances between vane and blade. In addition a CFD/FEA shows how the design and combination of materials compensate the thermal expansion of the engine during operation. This allows a minimal safety distance of 0.2 mm between rotor and probe to enable measurement as close to the physical boundary as possible. The actuation accuracy is demonstrated with pressure, temperature and angle distribution plots. It is also shown that the resolution of the measuring points, and therefore the actuation distances, has a large impact on the flow field analysis and should be set as high as possible. However the measuring time has to be taken into account.展开更多
DC–DC converters have achieved great popularity in recent decades due to their immense penetration in various applications.With this motivation,the authors have conducted a thorough review of recent advancements in v...DC–DC converters have achieved great popularity in recent decades due to their immense penetration in various applications.With this motivation,the authors have conducted a thorough review of recent advancements in various topologies of DC–DC converters.The need for DC power has raised further for certain applications like grid integration of distributed generation(DG),solar photovoltaic(PV),wind power generation(WPG),fuel cells(FC),etc.The investigation of converter topology is performed to achieve the desired objective of a specific application.Like in a PV system,to obtain the inherent capability of a DC–DC converter for operating at the maximum power point(MPP)and thereby electronically extracting the maximum power from the source.Hence,a detailed review of topological advancements on the low to medium-voltage and medium-to-high-power DC–DC converters has been carried out.Moreover,a thorough investigation has been carried out on profuse closed-loop strategies and compared with each other for obtaining the optimum or maximum output performance and thereby obtaining the utmost source utilization.The modern control techniques though have relatively more calculation time but,they tend to reduce the steady-state error that leads to the stabilization of the converter.Lastly,certain applications of the DC–DC converters have been explained to get an overall idea of the usefulness of such power converters.展开更多
文摘Cancer has become the leading cause of mortality in the urban area of China. Whole body diffusion weigntea imaging （WB-DWI）, also known as virtual positron emission tomography, has gradually become accepted as an image tool in tumor localization, characterization, staging and monitoring response to therapy or tumor recurrence. Our article aimed to summarize the limited initial clinical use of WB-DWI in the referred area, and to analyze the most potential advantage of WB-DWI in therapeutic monitoring and tumor staging. WB-DWI as a highly sensitive, completely non-invasive, well-tolerated and low price technique has a promising furture in tumor assessment. Profound clinical study is necessary for its further application improvement.
文摘Objective To evaluate the values of whole body diffusion weighted imaging （DWI） in screenmg pnmary unknown tumor in patients with metastases. Methods Totally, 34 patients with metastases of primary unknown tumors were scanned with whole body DWI, and conventional magnetic resonance （MR） imaging was performed if suspected lesions were detected. All the metastases including 27 cases of osseous metastases, 2 brain metastases, 2 liver metastases, 1 pulmonary multiple metastasis, 1 neck metastasis and 1 malignant ascites, were diagnosed by computed tomography, single photon emission computed tomography, or MR imaging. For the proven primary tumors diagnosed by biopsy or pathology of surgical specimens, apparent diffusion coefficient （ADC） values of the primary and metastatic lesions were measured respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of this technique for screening primary tumors were cvaluated. Results We found 24 cases with suspected primary lesions, in which 23 lesions were proved to be primary tumors, and 1 was proved to be benign lesion. And no definite primary lesion was found in 10 cases on whole body DWI, but in which 1 case was diagnosed with primary tumor by biopsy later, and the other 9 cases remained unknown within follow-up of over halfa year. The difference was not significant in ADC values between primary and metastatic lesions （P〉0.05）. The sensitivity and specificity of whole body DWI for searching primary tumors was 95.8% and 90.0%, respectively. Conclusion Combined with conventional MR scanning, whole body DWI can help to search primary lesions of patients with metastases.
文摘Objective To evaluate the feasibility of whole body diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) in bone metastasis detection using bone scintigraphy as comparison. Methods Forty-five patients with malignancy history were enrolled in our study. All the patients received the whole body DWI and bone scintigraphy scan within 1 week. The magnetic resonance (MR) examination was performed on 3.0T MR scanner using embedded body coil. The images were reviewed separately by two radiologists and two nuclear medicine physicians, who were blinded to the results of the other imaging modality. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of the two techniques for detecting bone metastasis were analyzed. Results A total of 181 metastatic lesions in 77 regions of 34 patients were detected by whole body DWI, and 167 metastatic lesions in 76 regions of 31 patients were identified by bone scintigraphy. The patient-based sensitivity and PPV of whole body DWI and bone scintigraphy were similar (89.5% vs. 81.6%, 97.1% vs. 91.2%), whereas, the patient-based specificity and NPV of whole body DWI were obviously higher than those of bone scintigraphy (85.7% vs. 57.1%, 60.0% vs. 36.4%). Ten regions negative in scintigraphy but positive in whole body DWI, mainly located in spine, pelvis, and femur; nine regions only detected by scintigraphy, mainly located in skull, sternum, clavicle, and scapula. The region-based sensitivity and specificity of whole body DWI were slightly higher than those of bone scintigraphy (89.5% vs. 88.4%, 95.6% vs. 87.6%). Conclusion Whole body DWI reveals excellent concordance with bone scintigraphy regarding detection of bone metastasis, and the two techniques are complementary for each other.
文摘Objective To evaluate the clinical impact of whole body diffusion weighted imaging （WB-DWI） on diagnosis and staging of malignant lymphoma. Methods Thirty-one patients with suspected lymphadenopathy were enrolled. WB-DWI was performed by using short TI inversion recovery echo-planar imaging sequence with free breathing and built-in body coil. Axial T2- weighted imaging images of the same location were used as reference. The results of WB-DWI were compared with pathological results and other imaging modalities. The mean apparent diffusion coefficient （ADC） values of different kinds of lymph nodes were compared. Results WB-DWI was positive in all 18 cases with lymphoma, 5 cases with metastatic lymph nodes and 4 of 8 eases with benign lymphadenopathy. The mean ADC value of lymphomatous, metastatic and benign lymph nodes was （0.87 ± 0.17） × 10^3, （0.98± 0.09） × 10^3 and （1.20 ± 0.10） × 10^3 mm^2/s. There was significant difference in ADC value between benign lymph nodes and other two groups （P 〈 0.01）. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of WB-DWI in diagnosis of lymphoma were 100% （18/18）, 30.8% （4/13） and 71.0% （22/31）. When an ADC value of 1.08 × 10^-3 mm^2/s was used as the threshold value for differentiating malignant from benign lymph nodes, the best results were obtained with sensitivity of 87.8% and specificity of 91.3%. Sixteen of eighteen cases （88.9%） of lymphoma were accurately staged in accordance with clinical staging. Conclusions WB-DWI is a sensitive, but less specific technique for diagnosis of lymphoma. It is difficult to differentiate lymphnmatous from metastatic lymph nodes using WB-DWI. However, it is a valuable imaging modality for staging of patients with malignant lymphoma.
文摘Objective To evaluate the clinical impact of body diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) on the diagnosis and preoperative N staging of cervical cancer. Methods Twenty-four patients (mean age 37.9 years old) with proved cervical cancer by cervical biopsy and 24 female patients with other suspected pelvic abnormalities received preoperative body DWI scan. Results of body DWI were compared with pathological findings. The apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values of normal cervix and different pathological types of cervical cancer were compared. ADC value of normal or inflammatory lymph nodes was also compared with that of metastatic ones. Student's t test was used for statistical analysis. Results There were 5 adenocarcinomas and 19 epitheliomas showed with biopsy results, and DWI showed 21 cervical lesions out of them (87.5%). ADC values of the normal cervix (n = 24), epithelioma (n = 19), and adenocar- cinoma (n = 5) were (1.73 ± 0.31) ×10-3, (0.88 ± 0.22) ×10-3, and (1.08 ± 0.12) ×10-3 mm2/s, respectively. Statistical analysis showed significant difference in ADC value between normal cervical tissue and either tumor tissues (both P < 0.01). In patients had lymphadenectomy (n = 24), totally 67 lymph nodes including 16 metastatic lymph nodes were pathologically analyzed, and DWI showed 66 (98.5%) out of them. ADC values of normal/inflammatory and metastatic lymph nodes were (1.07 ± 0.16) ×10-3 and (0.77 ± 0.13) ×10-3 mm2/s (P < 0.01). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of ADC value of metastatic lymph node showed that area under curve was 0.961. Conclusions ADC value in cervical carcinoma is lower than that in normal cervix, and ADC may have predictive value in subtype discrimination. ADC value may improve the preoperative characterization of lymph node metastasis. And at least abdominal and pelvic DWI scan is suggested for N staging evaluation in such patients.
文摘Objective To evaluate the value of whole-body diffusion weighted imaging （WB-DWI） on detection of malignant metastasis. Methods Forty-six patients with malignant tumors underwent WB-DWI examinations between April 2007 and August 2007 in our hospital. Before WB-DWI examination, the primary cancers of all the patients were confirmed by pathology, and the TNM-stage was assessed with conventional magnetic resonance imaging （MRI） or computed tomography （CT）. WB-DWI was performed using short TI inversion recovery echo-planar imaging （STIR-EPI） sequence. Abnormal high signal intensities on WB-DWI were considered as metastases. The results of WB-DWI were compared with other imaging modalities. For the assessment of the diagnostic capability of WB-DWI, WB-DWI were compared with CT for demonstrating mediastinal lymph node metastases and lung metastases, and with conventional MRI for demonstrating metastases in other locations. Results WB-DWI demonstrated 143 focuses, 14 routine imaging. The number of bone metastases depicted of which were diagnosed to be benign lesions in on WB-DWI and routine imaging was 85 and 86; lymph node metastases was 17 and 18; liver metastases was 14 and 14; lung metastases was 4 and 8; and brain metastases was 6 and 8, respectively. WB-DWI failed to detect 12 metastatic lesions including 3 osteoplastic bone metastases, 4 lung metastases, 3 mediastinal lymph node metastases, and 2 brain metastases Four metastatic lesions including 2 deltopectoral lymph nodes and 2 rib metastases were detected with WB-DWI alone, all of which evolved greatly during clinical follow-up for more than 6 months. WB-DWI had higher detection rates for metastatic lesions in liver, bone, and lymph nodes than those in lung and brain （ X^2=30, P〈0.001）. Conclusions WB-DWI could detect most of metastatic lesions that were diagnosed with conventional MRI and CT. The limitations of WB-DWI might be had high false-positive rate and low efficiency in detecting mecliastinal lymph node, brain, and lung metastases.
文摘Objective To investigate the feasibility of magnetic resonance （MR） diffusion weighted imaging （DWI） for evaluation of radiotherapeutic effects on rabbit VX2 tumor model. Methods Sixteen New Zealand white rabbits received a subcutaneous implantation of VX2 tumor cell suspension 0.5 mL （4× 10^7 ceUs/mL） in their right thighs to set up tumor model. And 2 weeks later they were randomly divided into therapy group （Group T, n = 10） and control group （Group C, n = 6）. Group T received radiotherapy at a single dose of 10 Gy. MR imaging （MRI） scan including short TI inversion recovery echo-planar imaging DWI, T1-weighted imaging （T1WI） and T2-weighted imaging （T2WI） sequences were performed 1 day prior to as well as 1 day, 2 days, 3 days and 7 days after radiotherapy. Group C received only MRI scan at the same time points without any treatment. MRI appearance on T2WI, TlWI, and DWI images was compared and tumor volume was calculated. Apparent diffusion coefficient （ADC） values of the tumor were evaluated in all cases. HE staining was used for pathological study. Results Necrosis （n = 8） and hemorrhage （n = 2） were seen gradually on T2WI and T1WI images of Group T after time point of day 2 after irradiation. In Group C, no obvious necrosis was found until day 7. There was no significant difference in tumor volume between the two groups before radiotherapy. After radiotherapy, tumors in Group T showed a gradual growth but not as obvious as Group C. There was a significant difference in tumor volume between the two groups from day 2 on （P 〈 0.05）. ADC value changed dramatically fight from the 1st day after radiotherapy in Group T [（0.99 ± 0.15） ×10^-3 mm^2/s for 1 day before radiotherapy, （1.23 ± 0.08） ×10^-3 , （1.45 ± 0.07） ×10^-3 , （1.63 ± 0.06） ×10^-3 , and （2.02 ± 0.18） ×10^-3 mm^2 for day 1, 2, 3, and 7]; and ADC value had no significant changes after radiotherapy in Group C except day 7 [（1.07±0.08） ×10^-3 mm^2 for 1 day before radiotherapy, （1.03 ± 0.04）×10^-3 , （1.05 ± 0.02）×10^-3 , （1.05 ± 0.05） ×10^-3 , and （0.95 ± 0.07） ×10^-3 mm^2 for day 1, 2, 3, and 7]. There was significant difference in ADC value between the two groups for each time point after radiotherapy （P 〈 0.01）. Pathological study showed that the number of viable tumor cells in Group T decreased 1 day after radiotherapy, and the inflammatory cell infiltration was marked and almost all viable tumor cells disappeared by day 7 after radiotherapy. Conclusions DWI is a new promising technique for monitoring radiotherapy outcomes. ADC value may give a prior clue on physiological changes of radiotherapy before routine MRI could tell.
文摘BACKGROUND The biological behavior of carcinoma of the esophagogastric junction(CEGJ)is different from that of gastric or esophageal cancer.Differentiating squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagogastric junction(SCCEG)from adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction(AEG)can indicate Siewert stage and whether the surgical route for patients with CEGJ is transthoracic or transabdominal,as well as aid in determining the extent of lymph node dissection.With the development of neoadjuvant therapy,preoperative determination of pathological type can help in the selection of neoadjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy regimens.AIM To establish and evaluate computed tomography(CT)-based multiscale and multiphase radiomics models to distinguish SCCEG and AEG preoperatively.METHODS We retrospectively analyzed the preoperative contrasted-enhanced CT imaging data of single-center patients with pathologically confirmed SCCEG(n=130)and AEG(n=130).The data were divided into either a training(n=182)or a test group(n=78)at a ratio of 7:3.A total of 1409 radiomics features were separately extracted from two dimensional(2D)or three dimensional(3D)regions of interest in arterial and venous phases.Intra-/inter-observer consistency analysis,correlation analysis,univariate analysis,least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression,and backward stepwise logical regression were applied for feature selection.Totally,six logistic regression models were established based on 2D and 3D multi-phase features.The receiver operating characteristic curve analysis,the continuous net reclassification improvement(NRI),and the integrated discrimination improvement(IDI)were used for assessing model discrimination performance.Calibration and decision curves were used to assess the calibration and clinical usefulness of the model,respectively.RESULTS The 2D-venous model(5 features,AUC:0.849)performed better than 2D-arterial(5 features,AUC:0.808).The 2D-arterial-venous combined model could further enhance the performance(AUC:0.869).The 3D-venous model(7 features,AUC:0.877)performed better than 3D-arterial(10 features,AUC:0.876).And the 3D-arterial-venous combined model(AUC:0.904)outperformed other single-phase-based models.The venous model showed a positive improvement compared with the arterial model(NRI>0,IDI>0),and the 3D-venous and combined models showed a significant positive improvement compared with the 2D-venous and combined models(P<0.05).Decision curve analysis showed that combined 3D-arterial-venous model and 3D-venous model had a higher net clinical benefit within the same threshold probability range in the test group.CONCLUSION The combined arterial-venous CT radiomics model based on 3D segmentation can improve the performance in differentiating EGJ squamous cell carcinoma from adenocarcinoma.
文摘In-situ refractory metal intermetallic composites(RMICs) based either on (Nb, Si) or (Mo, Si, B) are candidate materials for ultra-high temperature applications (>1400 ℃). To provide a balance of mechanical and environmental properties, Nb-Si composites are typically alloyed with Ti and Cr, and Mo-Si-B composites are alloyed with Ti. Phase diagrams of Nb-Cr-Ti-Si and Mo-Si-B-Ti, as prerequisite knowledge for advanced materials design and processing development, are critically needed. The phase diagrams in the metal-rich regions of multicomponent Nb-Cr-Ti-Si and Mo-Si-B-Ti were rapidly established using the Calphad (Calculation of phase diagram) approach coupled with key experiments. The calculated isotherms, isopleths, and solidification paths were validated by experimental work. The important heterogeneous multiphase equilibria in both quaternary systems identified will offer engineers the opportunity to develop materials with a balance of properties for high-temperature applications.
文摘Objective To evaluate metabolic abnormalities in patients with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy （MTLE） with proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy （MRS） using a 3.0T MR scanner. Methods Sixty-three patients （32 women and 31 men） with diagnosed MTLE underwent diagnostic MR imaging （MRI） and proton MRS using a 3.0T MR scanner. The clinical history and interictal epileptiform discharges （IEDs） were recorded. Sixteen healthy volunteers served as control. The results of proton MRS were compared with the findings of electroencephalogram and structural MRI findings. Results Twenty-seven of the 63 patients with MTLE showed unilateral hippocampal sclerosis, and 9 showed bilateral hippocampal sclerosis. The concentration ratio of N-acytelaspartate （NAA） / [ creatine （ Cr ） ＋ choline （Cho） ] in the hippocampal region of MTLE patients （0. 64±0. 07） was significantly lower than control （0. 80±0. 05, P = 0.023）. In the patients with unilateral hippocampal sclerosis, NAA/（Cr ＋ Cho） in the hippocampal region ipsilateral to the sclerotic hippocampus （0.56±0.06） was significantly lower than the ratio in the contralateral hippocampal region （0.69±0.07, P 〈 0. 001 ）. There was significant difference in hippocampal NAA/（ Cr ＋ Cho） between the refractory patients and the non-refractory patients （0. 64±0. 05 vs.0.71±0. 07, P =0. 04）. Forty-five patients were lateralized by IEDs, while 49 patients were lateralized by metabolite ratio. And lateralization determined by proton MRS and IEDs was concordant in 33 patients. Conclusions MRS as a noninvasive tool adds helpful metabolite information to routine MRI in evaluation of MTLE. The method is well established and should be a routine clinical application in the investigation of epilepsy.
文摘Objective To investigate the feasibility of magnetic resonance （MR） diffusion weighted imaging （DWI） in discriminating inflammatory from VX2 carcinoma metastatic lymph nodes in rabbit model. Methods Twenty New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into 2 groups. Complete Freund＇s adjuvant was injected into the bilateral dorsal footpads to set up ipsilateral lymphadenitis model （n = 10）, and the other 10 rabbits received a subcutaneous implantation of VX2 tumor cell suspension （1.5×10^7 cells/mL） in both thighs to set up metastatic lymph node model. MR imaging scan covering the popliteal fossa and lilac fossa including short time inversion recovery echo-planar imaging DWI （STIR-EPI-DWI）, Tl-weighted imaging （T1WI） and T2-weighted imaging （T2WI） was performed 2 weeks after injection. T2WI signal intensity （SI）, DWI SI, long/short axial ratio （LSR） and apparent diffusion coefficient （ADC） values of the lymph nodes were evaluated in all cases. Right after MR imaging scan, popliteal and iliac fossa lymph nodes were collected for hematoxylin-eosin staining. Results Totally 33 lymph nodes larger than 5 turn, including 22 inflammatory and 11 metastatic ones, were successfully isolated and taken into pathological analysis. LSR showed no significant difference between the inflammatory and malignant lymph nodes （P 〉 0.05）. Both benign and malignant lymph nodes appeared iso-intense on TlWI and hyperintense on both T2WI and DWI images with an even lower TlWI and higher T2WI SI core at the hilum. Both T2WI and DWI SI showed no significant difference between two pathological groups （P 〉 0.01） in popliteal fossa. The mean ADC value of inflammatory nodes [（1.199±0.281） ×10^-3 mm^2/s] was significantly higher than that of metastatic nodes [（0.858 ± 0.090） ×10^-3 mm^2/s, P 〈 0.01]. On ADC map, a high ADC value central area could be seen in most of the lymph nodes no matter benign or malignant. ADC value gave out the largest area under curve （AUCADC = 0.955） compared with other three indexes （AUCLsR = 0.488; AUCT2WI SI = 0.727; AUCDDWISI = 0.822） and gave the best sensitivity and specificity in lymph node differential diagnosis compared with the other three indexes. Conclusions High quality DWI image can be obtained using STIR-EPI-DWI sequence in rabbit model. DWI is a new promising technique for differentiating inflammatory from metastatic lymph nodes. Compared with routine MR sequence, DWI could provide more useful physiological and functional information for diagnosis.
基金Supported by Zhejiang Provincial Natural Science Foundation of China,No.LTGY23H180017Medical Science and Technology Project of Zhejiang Province,No.2023KY503.
文摘BACKGROUND Macrotrabecular-massive hepatocellular carcinoma(MTM-HCC)is closely related to aggressive phenotype,gene mutation,carcinogenic pathway,and immunohistochemical markers and is a strong independent predictor of early recurrence and poor prognosis.With the development of imaging technology,successful applications of contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)have been reported in identifying the MTM-HCC subtype.Radiomics,as an objective and beneficial method for tumour evaluation,is used to convert medical images into high-throughput quantification features that greatly push the development of precision medicine.AIM To establish and verify a nomogram for preoperatively identifying MTM-HCC by comparing different machine learning algorithms.METHODS This retrospective study enrolled 232(training set,162;test set,70)hepatocellular carcinoma patients from April 2018 to September 2021.A total of 3111 radiomics features were extracted from dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI,followed by dimension reduction of these features.Logistic regression(LR),K-nearest neighbour(KNN),Bayes,Tree,and support vector machine(SVM)algorithms were used to select the best radiomics signature.We used the relative standard deviation(RSD)and bootstrap methods to quantify the stability of these five algorithms.The algorithm with the lowest RSD represented the best stability,and it was used to construct the best radiomics model.Multivariable logistic analysis was used to select the useful clinical and radiological features,and different predictive models were established.Finally,the predictive performances of the different models were assessed by evaluating the area under the curve(AUC).RESULTS The RSD values based on LR,KNN,Bayes,Tree,and SVM were 3.8%,8.6%,4.3%,17.7%,and 17.4%,respectively.Therefore,the LR machine learning algorithm was selected to construct the best radiomics signature,which performed well with AUCs of 0.766 and 0.739 in the training and test sets,respectively.In the multivariable analysis,age[odds ratio(OR)=0.956,P=0.034],alphafetoprotein(OR=10.066,P<0.001),tumour size(OR=3.316,P=0.002),tumour-to-liver apparent diffusion coefficient(ADC)ratio(OR=0.156,P=0.037),and radiomics score(OR=2.923,P<0.001)were independent predictors of MTM-HCC.Among the different models,the predictive performances of the clinical-radiomics model and radiological-radiomics model were significantly improved compared to those of the clinical model(AUCs:0.888 vs 0.836,P=0.046)and radiological model(AUCs:0.796 vs 0.688,P=0.012),respectively,in the training set,highlighting the improved predictive performance of radiomics.The nomogram performed best,with AUCs of 0.896 and 0.805 in the training and test sets,respectively.CONCLUSION The nomogram containing radiomics,age,alpha-fetoprotein,tumour size,and tumour-to-liver ADC ratio revealed excellent predictive ability in preoperatively identifying the MTM-HCC subtype.
文摘Objective To assess the reproducibility of whole-body diffusion weighted imaging(WB-DWI) technique in healthy volunteers under normal breathing with background body signal suppression.Methods WB-DWI was performed on 32 healthy volunteers twice within two-week period using short TI inversion-recovery diffusion-weighted echo-planar imaging sequence and built-in body coil.The volunteers were scanned across six stations continuously covering the entire body from the head to the feet under normal breathing.The bone apparent diffusion coefficient(ADC) and exponential ADC(eADC) of regions of interest(ROIs) were measured.We analyzed correlation of the results using paired-t-test to assess the reproducibility of the WB-DWI technique.Results We were successful in collecting and analyzing data of 64 WB-DWI images.There was no significant difference in bone ADC and eADC of 824 ROIs between the paired observers and paired scans(P>0.05).Most of the images from all stations were of diagnostic quality.Conclusion The measurements of bone ADC and eADC have good reproducibility.WB-DWI technique under normal breathing with background body signal suppression is adequate.
文摘This study investigates the steam generating potential of a solar steam generation system and the potential for utility scale implementation in Libya oil for steam demanding enhanced oil recovery (EOR) methods. The proposed system uses parabolic troughs as solar collectors. The technology is proved to be technically feasible. Solar EOR should be seen as an add-on to existing plants due to the abundance of solar energy in Libya. The System Advisor Model (SAM) model system, developed by the National Office of Renewable Energy (NRE), was used to assess the plant’s active and economic performance.
文摘Environmental pressures and economic requirements have led to a drive to ever increasing steam parameters to further increase steam turbine cycle efficiencies. This poses a number of challenges: plant architecture,steam turbine design and turbine material requirements. GE has been developing USC technology for more than 18 years and has many reference plants. The limits on inlet pressure and temperatures have been challenged as the technology and product development has proceeded. This paper discusses some of the options on how plant efficiency can be increased and some of the related challenges. The performance difference between a single reheat and double reheat is quantified based on a simplified thermodynamic model.
基金Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos10772166and10672151)the Foundation of China Academy of Engineering Physics(Grant No20050104)
文摘This paper solves the three-dimensional Navier-Stokes equation by a fractional-step method with the Reynolds number Reτ=194 and the rotation number Nτ=0-0.12. When Nτ is less than 0.06, the turbulence statistics relevant to the spanwise velocity fluctuation are enhanced, but other statistics are suppressed. When Nτ is larger than 0.06, all the turbulence statistics decrease significantly. Reynolds stress budgets elucidate that turbulence kinetic energy in the vertical direction is transferred into the streamwise and spanwise directions. The flow structures exhibit that the bursting processes near the bottom wall are ejected toward the free surface. Evident change of near-surface streak structures of the velocity fluctuations are revealed.
文摘Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine how the slice thickness reconstruction influences quantitative perfusion CT parameters. Materials and Methods: Eighteen patients with cancer (15 non-small-cell lung cancer, 2 rectal cancer and 1 renal cancer) were examined prospectively with multidetector row CT. A 90-second perfusion study was performed after intravenous bolus injection of contrast material. Blood flow, blood volume, mean transit time and permeability-surface area product were determined at three different slice thickness reconstruction (1.25, 2.5 and 5 mms) both in tumors and in paraspinal muscle. Mean values, limits of agreement between measurements and within-subject coefficient of correlation were obtained for these thicknesses. Results: Mean ± standard deviation BF, BV, MTT and PS in lesions were 118.7 ± 117.9 mL/min/100g tissue, 8.2 ± 8.2 mL/100g tissue, 7.5 ± 5.4 seconds and 10.3 ± 7.2 mL/min/100g tissue respectively at1.25 mmslice thickness;116.1 ± 115.7 mL/min/100g tissue, 7.8 ± 8.7 mL/100g tissue, 7 ± 4.5 seconds and 10.4 ± 7.5 mL/min/100g tissue at 2.5 mms;and 119.6 ± 115.7 mL/min/100g tissue, 7.8 ± 8.8 mL/100g tissue, 5.4 ± 3.4 seconds and 9.6 ± 7.5 mL/min/100g tissue at 5 mms. Differences between means for different slice thickness where relatively small in all parameters (<15%) except in MTT where difference was up to 37%. 95% limits of agreement were worse when comparing more different slice thicknesses (e.g. 1.25 vs 5 mms) than when comparing more close slice thicknesses (1.25 vs 2.5 mms or 2.5 vs 5 mms). Conclusions: There is a significant variability in perfusion parameter measurements at different slice thickness reconstruction, particularly in MTT. The more close together the slice thicknesses were, the smaller was the variability.
文摘Hungary＇s accession to the European Union in 2004 marked the start of a new era. The completion of legal harmonization brought in new emission standards and thresholds, and this was followed by EU-assisted projects to build and reconstruct wastewater treatment plants. The utilization of sludge after it leaves the wastewater treatment plant is now a solely private-sector operation. There are new political priorities： increasing state involvement, buying out of major--formerly privatized--service providers, reintegration of isolated service providers, legally-imposed reduction of public utility charges. As a result, a demand has arisen for a greater central, i.e. government role in sludge utilization.
文摘This paper presents a new design of a probe adjusting device intended to position pressure and temperature probes in a flow field. 5-hole, 3-hole and temperature probes can be moved in radial direction and freely rotated about their axis. The high actuation accuracy of 3.9 ktm in radial direction and 0.09~ in angular position is validated in a 2-stage-turbine test rig which is installed at the Institute of Power Plant Technology, Steam and Gas Turbines, RWTH Aachen University. To meet the challenge to calculate the efficiency of a turbo machine which is mainly influenced by the temperature, all probe adjusting devices are positioned simultaneously and controlled by the MAS （measuring acquisition system） so that the same radial position in each stage is measured at the same time. For this purpose a new program has been developed to synchronize actuation and measurement. The slim design of 60 mm width allows measurement between the stages of turbo machines with small axial distances between vane and blade. In addition a CFD/FEA shows how the design and combination of materials compensate the thermal expansion of the engine during operation. This allows a minimal safety distance of 0.2 mm between rotor and probe to enable measurement as close to the physical boundary as possible. The actuation accuracy is demonstrated with pressure, temperature and angle distribution plots. It is also shown that the resolution of the measuring points, and therefore the actuation distances, has a large impact on the flow field analysis and should be set as high as possible. However the measuring time has to be taken into account.
文摘DC–DC converters have achieved great popularity in recent decades due to their immense penetration in various applications.With this motivation,the authors have conducted a thorough review of recent advancements in various topologies of DC–DC converters.The need for DC power has raised further for certain applications like grid integration of distributed generation(DG),solar photovoltaic(PV),wind power generation(WPG),fuel cells(FC),etc.The investigation of converter topology is performed to achieve the desired objective of a specific application.Like in a PV system,to obtain the inherent capability of a DC–DC converter for operating at the maximum power point(MPP)and thereby electronically extracting the maximum power from the source.Hence,a detailed review of topological advancements on the low to medium-voltage and medium-to-high-power DC–DC converters has been carried out.Moreover,a thorough investigation has been carried out on profuse closed-loop strategies and compared with each other for obtaining the optimum or maximum output performance and thereby obtaining the utmost source utilization.The modern control techniques though have relatively more calculation time but,they tend to reduce the steady-state error that leads to the stabilization of the converter.Lastly,certain applications of the DC–DC converters have been explained to get an overall idea of the usefulness of such power converters.
