Faster acquisition of magnetic resonance imaging sequences of the knee via deep learning reconstruction: a volunteer study.

AIM: To evaluate whether deep learning reconstruction (DLR) can accelerate the acquisition of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequences of the knee for clinical use. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using a 1.5-T MRI scanner, sagittal fat-suppressed T2-weighted imaging (fs-T2WI), coronal proton density-weighted imaging (PDWI), and coronal T1-weighted imaging (T1WI) were performed. DLR was applied to images with a number of signal averages (NSA) of 1 to obtain 1DLR images. Then 1NSA, 1DLR, and 4NSA images were compared subjectively, and by noise (standard deviation of intra-articular water or medial meniscus) and contrast-to-noise ratio between two anatomical structures or between an anatomical structure and intra-articular water. RESULTS: Twenty-seven healthy volunteers (age: 40.6 ± 11.9 years) were enrolled. Three 1DLR image sequences were obtained within 200 s (approximately 12 minutes for 4NSA image). According to objective evaluations, PDWI 1DLR images showed the smallest noise and significantly higher contrast than 1NSA and 4NSA images. For fs-T2WI, smaller noise and higher contrast were observed in the order of 4NSA, 1DLR, and 1NSA images. According to the subjective analysis, structure visibility, image noise, and overall image quality were significantly better for PDWI 1DLR than 1NSA images; moreover, the visibility of the meniscus and bone, image noise, and overall image quality were significantly better for 1DLR than 4NSA images. Fs-T2WI and T1WI 1DLR images showed no difference between 1DLR and 4NSA images. CONCLUSION: Compared to PDWI 4NSA images, PDWI 1DLR images were of higher quality, while the quality of fs-T2WI and T1WI 1DLR images was similar to that of 4NSA images.

Usefulness of deep learning-based noise reduction for 1.5 T MRI brain images.

AIM: To evaluate 1.5 T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain images with denoising procedures using deep learning-based reconstruction (dDLR) relative to the original 1.5 and 3 T images. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eleven volunteers underwent MRI at 3 and 1.5 T. Two-dimensional fast spin-echo T2-weighted imaging (T2WI), fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) imaging and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) sequences were performed. The dDLR method was applied to the 1.5 T data (dDLR-1.5 T), then the image quality of the dDLR-1.5 T data relative to the original 1.5 T and 3 T data was qualitatively and quantitatively assessed based on the structure similarity (SSIM) index; the signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) of the grey matter (GM) and white matter (WM); and the contrast-to-noise ratios (CNRs) between the GM and WM (CNRgm-wm) and between the striatum (ST) and WM (CNRst-wm). RESULTS: The perceived image quality, and SNRs and CNRs were significantly higher for the dDLR-1.5 T images versus the 1.5 T images for all sequences and almost comparable or even superior to those of the 3 T images. For DWI, the SNRs and CNRst-wm were significantly higher for the dDLR-1.5 T images versus the 3 T images. CONCLUSION: The dDLR technique improved the image quality of 1.5 T brain MRI images. With respect to qualitative and quantitative measurements, the denoised 1.5 T brain images were almost equivalent or even superior to the 3 T brain images.

A new type of half-metallic fully compensated ferrimagnet.

Half-metallic fully compensated ferrimagnets (HM-FCFMs) constitute a special class of half-metals exhibiting zero magnetization at zero temperature. While there have been a number of theoretical studies predicting the existence of such materials over the last 25 years, very few of those have been synthesized and observed that they exhibit expected properties. Herein, we demonstrate that a NiAs-type hexagonal-structured (CrFe)S compound could serve as an HM-FCFM material. It has a half-metallic nature of 100% spin-polarised Fermi surfaces and yet zero magnetisation at the ground state. The magnetisation shows linear behaviour as a function of the magnetic field at temperatures below the compensation temperature (~ 190 K). In addition, it shows a high magnetic coercivity of 3.8 T at 300 K. These magnetic features contribute to a significant development in the application of HM-FCFMs for spintronics devices.

Magnetic Friedel Oscillation at the Fe(001) Surface: Direct Observation by Atomic-Layer-Resolved Synchrotron Radiation

The surface magnetism of Fe(001) was studied in an atomic layer-by-layer fashion by using the in situ iron-57 probe layer method with a synchrotron Mössbauer source. The observed internal hyperfine field H_{int} exhibits a marked decrease at the surface and an oscillatory behavior with increasing depth in the individual upper four layers below the surface. The calculated layer-depth dependencies of the effective hyperfine field |H_{eff}|, isomer shift δ, and quadrupole shift 2ϵ agree well with the observed experimental parameters. These results provide the first experimental evidence for the magnetic Friedel oscillations, which penetrate several layers from the Fe(001) surface.

Predicting prognosis of resected hepatocellular carcinoma by radiomics analysis with random survival forest.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: To investigate the impact of random survival forest (RSF) classifier trained by radiomics features over the prediction of the overall survival of patients with resectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The dynamic computed tomography data of 127 patients (97 men, 30 women; mean age, 68 years) newly diagnosed with resectable HCC were retrospectively analyzed. After manually setting the region of interest to include the tumor within the slice at its maximum diameter, texture analyses were performed with or without a Laplacian of Gaussian filter. Using the extracted 96 histogram based texture features, RSFs were trained using 5-fold cross-validation to predict the individual risk for each patient on disease free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS). The associations between individual risk and DFS or OS were evaluated using Kaplan-Meier analysis. The effects of the predicted individual risk and clinical variables upon OS were analyzed using a multivariate Cox proportional hazards model. RESULTS: Among the 96 histogram based texture features, RSF extracted 8 of high importance for DFS and 15 for OS. The RSF trained by these features distinguished two patient groups with high and low predicted individual risk (P=1.1×10-4 for DFS, 4.8×10-7 for OS). Based on the multivariate Cox proportional hazards model, high predicted individual risk (hazard ratio=1.06 per 1% increase, P=8.4×10-8) and vascular invasion (hazard ratio=1.74, P=0.039) were the only unfavorable prognostic factors. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of radiomics analysis and RSF might be useful in predicting the prognosis of patients with resectable HCC.

Element Selectivity in Second-Harmonic Generation of GaFeO_{3} by a Soft-X-Ray Free-Electron Laser.

Nonlinear optical frequency conversion has been challenged to move down to the extreme ultraviolet and x-ray region. However, the extremely low signals have allowed researchers to only perform transmission experiments of the gas phase or ultrathin films. Here, we report second harmonic generation (SHG) of the reflected beam of a soft x-ray free-electron laser from a solid, which is enhanced by the resonant effect. The observation revealed that the double resonance condition can be met by absorption edges for transition metal oxides in the soft x-ray range, and this suggests that the resonant SHG technique can be applicable to a wide range of materials. We discuss the possibility of element-selective SHG spectroscopy measurements in the soft x-ray range.

Near-field correction in the first-principles calculations by the exact two-center expansion for the inverse of the distance.

We propose a method to deal with the so-called near-field corrections to the solution of the Poisson equation for full-potential first-principles calculations using the exact two-center expansion for the inverse of the distance between two points. It is demonstrated that the method gives a very satisfying solution to the Poisson equation for plane-wave charge densities which can be solved analytically. The present method gives reasonable total energy for lattice distortions where the conventional multipole expansion gives large errors.

First-principles KKR-CPA calculation of the magnetic and transport properties of La1-xXxMnO3 (X = Ca, Sr).

Electrical transport properties of (La(1-x)X(x))MnO(3) (X = Ca, Sr), which exhibits the so-called colossal magnetoresistance (CMR) effect, are investigated in the framework of linear response theory combined with first-principles calculation. The calculation is performed by applying the coherent potential approximation and Kubo-Greenwood formula to the KKR Green's function method. In order to reveal the mechanism that underlies the CMR effects, the dc conductivities of the system in A (layered)-, C (stripe)-, and G (111)-type antiferromagnetic states as well as the local moment disordered state are calculated as a function of x. It is found that the conductivity of the system strongly depends on the magnetic structure and is highly anisotropic in the cases of A- and C-type antiferromagnetic structures. Also, it is concluded that a drastic change in the conductivity is expected when the system undergoes a magnetic transition, and that this might be closely related to the observed CMR effect. It is pointed out that, for such a drastic change in the conductivity to occur associated with the magnetic transition, the half-metallic nature of the Mn local electronic structure must be essential.

Parasellar T2 dark sign on MR imaging in patients with lymphocytic hypophysitis.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: MR imaging findings of LYH and pituitary adenomas are similar, but the therapeutic strategies are completely different. The purpose of this study was to evaluate sellar and parasellar MR imaging findings in patients with both diseases, as well as characteristic clinical findings. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Clinical findings, including endocrinologic study and MR images of 20 patients with LYH and 22 patients with pituitary adenoma, were retrospectively reviewed. We evaluated the MR images in relation to the following: 1) the PPHI on T1-weighted images, 2) thickened stalk (>3.5 mm), 3) pituitary symmetry, 4) pituitary enhancement pattern, 5) a dural tail, and 6) parasellar signal intensity on T2- and T1-weighted images. RESULTS: Between patients with LYH and those with pituitary adenoma, a significant difference was identified for the number of patients with loss of PPHI, thickened stalk, pituitary symmetry, homogeneous enhancement, and parasellar dark signal intensity on T2-weighted images by statistical analysis (Fisher exact probability test, P < .05). Among them, only parasellar dark signal intensity on T2-weighted images had no false-positive cases. CONCLUSIONS: The parasellar T2 dark sign can be a specific finding used to distinguish pituitary adenoma from LYH.

A new practical scheme for the optimized effective potential method.

Although the optimized effective potential (OEP) method is a powerful method for going beyond the local density approximation of the density functional theory, it has not been widely used for extended systems. One of the reasons for this is that the OEP schemes used thus far contain an indefinite constant for extended systems that has to be determined in an ad hoc manner. In this paper, we propose a new practical scheme which enables us to determine the OEP without any such ambiguity. The principle is to determine the indefinite constant by imposing the requirement that the total energy be minimized. We apply the present scheme, in an exchange-only version, to crystalline alkali metals (Li, Na, and K), ferromagnetic Fe, and antiferromagnetic MnO.

Relativistic optimized effective potential method-application to alkali metals.

We present a relativistic formulation of the optimized effective potential method (ROEP) and its implementation within the Korringa-Kohn-Rostoker multiple scattering formalism. The scheme is an all-electron approach, treating core and band states formally on the same footing. We use exact exchange (EXX) as an approximation to the exchange correlation functional. Numerical four-component wavefunctions for the description of core and valence electrons and the corresponding ingredients of the ROEP integral equation are employed. The exact exchange expression for the valence states is reformulated in terms of the electronic Green's function that in turn is evaluated by making use of multiple scattering formalism. We present and discuss the application of the formalism to non-magnetic alkali metals.

Monte Carlo simulations of diluted magnetic semiconductors using ab initio exchange parameters.

Co doped ZnO (Zn(1-x)Co(x)O) is studied as a prototype material for transition metal doped II-VI diluted magnetic semiconductors (DMSs) from first-principles and Monte Carlo simulations. The exchange interactions are calculated using the Korringa-Kohn-Rostoker (KKR) Green's function method. The exchange coupling constants thus obtained are treated in the classical Heisenberg model and the magnetic phase transitions are studied by the Monte Carlo technique. Our results show that the defect free substitutional DMSs of Zn(1-x)Co(x)O do not sustain magnetization at low concentration. At high concentration, we find layered magnetic structures. Ferromagnetism, with Curie temperature below room temperature, is stable at intermediate Co concentrations. First-principles studies with the generalized gradient approximation (GGA) and the GGA together with the Hubbard U are discussed with respect to structural and electronic properties of ZnO.

New type of half-metallic antiferromagnet: transition metal pnictides.

The electronic structures of transition metal pnictides ABX(2), where A and B are the transition metal elements and X = N, P, As, Sb, and Bi, with the total valence d-electron number of the transition metal ions being ten, are investigated in the framework of the first-principles KKR Green's function method. Some possible crystal structures such as NiAs-type, NaCl-type, chalcopyrite, zinc-blende, wurtzite, and MnP-type structures are assumed. Similarly to chalcogenides, a new type of spin-compensated half-metallic ferrimagnet is found for the case of nitrides. The stability and magnetic transition temperature of these nitrides indicate that they are good candidates for spintronics materials. For other cases of pnictides such as P, As, Sb, and Bi, the half-metallicity seems not to be realized.

Magnetic properties of 3d pyrite-type mixed crystals calculated by the full-potential KKR-CPA method.

The electronic and magnetic properties of pyrite-type mixed crystals M(1-x)M(x)(')S(2) (M, M(') = Fe,Co,Ni) were investigated by use of the full-potential Korringa-Kohn-Rostoker (KKR) method combined with the coherent potential approximation (CPA). The results well explain the systematic behaviour of these systems as long as they are in a metallic phase. It is also concluded that the full-potential treatment is necessary to describe these anisotropic systems.

Calculated electronic structures and Néel temperatures of half-metallic diluted antiferromagnetic semiconductors.

The possibility of half-metallic diluted antiferromagnetic semiconductors of II-VI compounds is investigated on the basis of first-principles electronic structure calculation. The electronic structures of ZnS, ZnSe, ZnO, CdS and CdSe doped with two kinds of 3d transition metal ions are calculated using the Korringa-Kohn-Rostoker (KKR) method and their magnetic transition temperatures are determined using a cluster-type approximation. It is predicted that II-VI compound semiconductors doped with two kinds of magnetic ions might be good candidates for half-metallic antiferromagnets.

First-principles KKR-CPA calculation of interactions between concentration fluctuations.

The aim of this work is to develop the method of calculating atomic interactions in metals and semiconductors on the basis of first-principles electronic structure calculation. A new method to calculate the atomic interactions in the framework of KKR-CPA is proposed. In this approach two specific atoms embedded in a CPA medium are considered and the effects of both electron-electron interactions and multiple scattering, which are neglected in the generalized perturbation method (GPM), are fully taken into account. The calculated atomic interactions show that these effects are important for alloys containing transition-metal alloys such as FeAl. On the other hand, in the case of AuCu, where the d states lie considerably below the Fermi level, the effects are less important.

First-principles calculation of the Curie temperature Slater-Pauling curve.

It is well known that the magnetizations as a function of the valence electron number per atom of 3d transition metal substitutional alloys form the so-called Slater-Pauling curve. Similarly, the Curie temperatures of these alloys also show systematic behaviour against the valence electron number. Though this fact has long been known, no attempt has been made so far to explain this behaviour from first principles. In this paper we calculate T(C) of 3d transition metal alloys in the framework of first-principles electronic structure calculation based on the local density approximation.

Half-metallic diluted antiferromagnetic semiconductors.

The possibility of half-metallic antiferromagnetism, a special case of ferrimagnetism with a compensated magnetization, in the diluted magnetic semiconductors is highlighted on the basis of the first-principles electronic structure calculation. As typical examples, the electrical and magnetic properties of II-VI compound semiconductors doped with 3d transition metal ion pairs--(V, Co) and (Fe, Cr)--are discussed.

Involvement of mitogen-stimulated p70-S6 kinase in the development of sensitization to the methamphetamine-induced rewarding effect in rats.

The neural plasticity associated with behavioral sensitization following repeated administration of a psychostimulant methamphetamine (METH) is thought to require synthesis of new proteins. The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of p70-S6 kinase (p70-S6K) phosphorylation, which contributes to the selective translation of a unique family of mRNA, in mediating both the METH-induced rewarding effect and its sensitization. An intra-nucleus accumbens (N.Acc.) pre-injection with 0.025 pmol/rat of a selective p70-S6K inhibitor rapamycin failed to affect the METH-induced conditioned place preference. However, this treatment clearly abolished the development of sensitization of the METH-induced conditioned place preference. Consistent with the behavioral assay, the level of the immunoreactivity of phosporylated-p70-S6K was not changed in the cytosolic fraction of the N.Acc. obtained from rats that had revealed the METH-induced rewarding effect. In contrast, the immunoreactivities in the cytosolic preparation for Western blotting and immunohistochemical density of phosphorylated-p70-S6K were significantly increased in the N.Acc. obtained from METH-sensitized rats as compared with those with chronic saline treatment. However, the immunoreactivities of phosphorylated-extracellular signal-regulated kinase and phosphorylated-ribosomal S6 protein were not significantly altered in the N.Acc. under the same condition. The present data provide evidence for the change in the translation rate, which can be regulated by S6K phosphorylation, in the N.Acc. during the development of sensitization to METH-induced rewarding effects in rats.

The full potential Korringa-Kohn-Rostoker method and its application in electric field gradient calculations.

We have developed a full potential Korringa-Kohn-Rostoker (KKR) Green function method. Three improvements which make the full potential treatment efficient and practical are reported. One is a method for constructing the Green function which satisfies the Wronskian relation exactly. The second is including the contribution of the non-spherical part of the potential in the wavefunctions correctly by use of a modified recursive integral equation. Thirdly, we propose a method that completely eliminates the contribution of irregular solutions of the Schrödinger equation to charge/spin densities. In order to check the reliability of the method, we calculated the electric field gradient (EFG), which is sensitive to how the potential is treated. We have performed EFG calculations for hcp metals and sp impurities in Zn and Cd with the present method. The results are in good agreement with experimental data and show that the full potential KKR method is reliable enough for EFG calculations.