@article{ArinkinDigelPorstetal.2014, author = {Arinkin, Vladimir and Digel, Ilya and Porst, Dariusz and Temiz Artmann, Ayseg{\"u}l and Artmann, Gerhard}, title = {Phenotyping date palm varieties via leaflet cross-sectional imaging and artificial neural network application}, series = {BMC bioinformatics}, volume = {15}, journal = {BMC bioinformatics}, number = {55}, issn = {1471-2105}, doi = {10.1186/1471-2105-15-55}, pages = {1 -- 8}, year = {2014}, abstract = {Background True date palms (Phoenix dactylifera L.) are impressive trees and have served as an indispensable source of food for mankind in tropical and subtropical countries for centuries. The aim of this study is to differentiate date palm tree varieties by analysing leaflet cross sections with technical/optical methods and artificial neural networks (ANN). Results Fluorescence microscopy images of leaflet cross sections have been taken from a set of five date palm tree cultivars (Hewlat al Jouf, Khlas, Nabot Soltan, Shishi, Um Raheem). After features extraction from images, the obtained data have been fed in a multilayer perceptron ANN with backpropagation learning algorithm. Conclusions Overall, an accurate result in prediction and differentiation of date palm tree cultivars was achieved with average prediction in tenfold cross-validation is 89.1\% and reached 100\% in one of the best ANN.}, language = {en} } @article{KronhardtAlexopoulosReisseletal.2014, author = {Kronhardt, Valentina and Alexopoulos, Spiros and Reißel, Martin and Sattler, Johannes Christoph and Hoffschmidt, Bernhard and H{\"a}nel, Matthias and Doerbeck, Till}, title = {High-temperature thermal storage system for solar tower power plants with open-volumetric air receiver simulation and energy balancing of a discretized model}, series = {Energy procedia}, volume = {49}, journal = {Energy procedia}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {1876-6102 (E-Journal) ; 1876-6102 (Print)}, doi = {10.1016/j.egypro.2014.03.094}, pages = {870 -- 877}, year = {2014}, abstract = {This paper describes the modeling of a high-temperature storage system for an existing solar tower power plant with open volumetric receiver technology, which uses air as heat transfer medium (HTF). The storage system model has been developed in the simulation environment Matlab/Simulink®. The storage type under investigation is a packed bed thermal energy storage system which has the characteristics of a regenerator. Thermal energy can be stored and discharged as required via the HTF air. The air mass flow distribution is controlled by valves, and the mass flow by two blowers. The thermal storage operation strategy has a direct and significant impact on the energetic and economic efficiency of the solar tower power plants.}, language = {en} } @article{HandtkeSchroeterJuergenetal.2014, author = {Handtke, Stefan and Schroeter, Rebecca and J{\"u}rgen, Britta and Methling, Karen and Schl{\"u}ter, Rabea and Albrecht, Dirk and Hijum, Sacha A. F. T. van and Bongaerts, Johannes and Maurer, Karl-Heinz and Lalk, Michael and Schweder, Thomas and Hecker, Michael and Voigt, Birgit}, title = {Bacillus pumilus reveals a remarkably high resistance to hydrogen peroxide provoked oxidative stress}, series = {PLOS one}, volume = {9}, journal = {PLOS one}, number = {1}, publisher = {PLOS}, address = {San Francisco}, issn = {1932-6203}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0085625}, pages = {e85625}, year = {2014}, abstract = {Bacillus pumilus is characterized by a higher oxidative stress resistance than other comparable industrially relevant Bacilli such as B. subtilis or B. licheniformis. In this study the response of B. pumilus to oxidative stress was investigated during a treatment with high concentrations of hydrogen peroxide at the proteome, transcriptome and metabolome level. Genes/proteins belonging to regulons, which are known to have important functions in the oxidative stress response of other organisms, were found to be upregulated, such as the Fur, Spx, SOS or CtsR regulon. Strikingly, parts of the fundamental PerR regulon responding to peroxide stress in B. subtilis are not encoded in the B. pumilus genome. Thus, B. pumilus misses the catalase KatA, the DNA-protection protein MrgA or the alkyl hydroperoxide reductase AhpCF. Data of this study suggests that the catalase KatX2 takes over the function of the missing KatA in the oxidative stress response of B. pumilus. The genome-wide expression analysis revealed an induction of bacillithiol (Cys-GlcN-malate, BSH) relevant genes. An analysis of the intracellular metabolites detected high intracellular levels of this protective metabolite, which indicates the importance of bacillithiol in the peroxide stress resistance of B. pumilus.}, language = {en} } @article{FrotscherStaat2014, author = {Frotscher, Ralf and Staat, Manfred}, title = {Stresses produced by different textile mesh implants in a tissue equivalent}, series = {BioNanoMaterials}, volume = {15}, journal = {BioNanoMaterials}, number = {1-2}, publisher = {De Gruyter}, address = {Berlin}, issn = {2191-4672 (E-Journal); 2193-066X (E-Journal); 0011-8656 (Print); 1616-0177 (Print); 2193-0651 (Print)}, doi = {10.1515/bnm-2014-0003}, pages = {25 -- 30}, year = {2014}, abstract = {Two single-incision mini-slings used for treating urinary incontinence in women are compared with respect to the stresses they produce in their surrounding tissue. In an earlier paper we experimentally observed that these implants produce considerably different stress distributions in a muscle tissue equivalent. Here we perform 2D finite element analyses to compare the shear stresses and normal stresses in the tissue equivalent for the two meshes and to investigate their failure behavior. The results clearly show that the Gynecare TVT fails for increasing loads in a zipper-like manner because it gradually debonds from the surrounding tissue. Contrary to that, the tissue at the ends of the DynaMesh-SIS direct may rupture but only at higher loads. The simulation results are in good agreement with the experimental observations thus the computational model helps to interpret the experimental results and provides a tool for qualitative evaluation of mesh implants.}, language = {en} } @article{AlhwarinFerreinScholl2014, author = {Alhwarin, Faraj and Ferrein, Alexander and Scholl, Ingrid}, title = {IR stereo kinect: improving depth images by combining structured light with IR stereo}, pages = {1 -- 9}, year = {2014}, language = {en} } @article{DachwaldMikuckiTulaczyketal.2014, author = {Dachwald, Bernd and Mikucki, Jill and Tulaczyk, Slawek and Digel, Ilya and Espe, Clemens and Feldmann, Marco and Francke, Gero and Kowalski, Julia and Xu, Changsheng}, title = {IceMole : A maneuverable probe for clean in situ analysis and sampling of subsurface ice and subglacial aquatic ecosystems}, series = {Annals of Glaciology}, volume = {55}, journal = {Annals of Glaciology}, number = {65}, publisher = {Cambridge University Press}, address = {Cambridge}, issn = {1727-5644}, doi = {10.3189/2014AoG65A004}, pages = {14 -- 22}, year = {2014}, abstract = {There is significant interest in sampling subglacial environments for geobiological studies, but they are difficult to access. Existing ice-drilling technologies make it cumbersome to maintain microbiologically clean access for sample acquisition and environmental stewardship of potentially fragile subglacial aquatic ecosystems. The IceMole is a maneuverable subsurface ice probe for clean in situ analysis and sampling of glacial ice and subglacial materials. The design is based on the novel concept of combining melting and mechanical propulsion. It can change melting direction by differential heating of the melting head and optional side-wall heaters. The first two prototypes were successfully tested between 2010 and 2012 on glaciers in Switzerland and Iceland. They demonstrated downward, horizontal and upward melting, as well as curve driving and dirt layer penetration. A more advanced probe is currently under development as part of the Enceladus Explorer (EnEx) project. It offers systems for obstacle avoidance, target detection, and navigation in ice. For the EnEx-IceMole, we will pay particular attention to clean protocols for the sampling of subglacial materials for biogeochemical analysis. We plan to use this probe for clean access into a unique subglacial aquatic environment at Blood Falls, Antarctica, with return of a subglacial brine sample.}, language = {en} } @article{LeandroBungCarvalho2014, author = {Leandro, J. and Bung, Daniel Bernhard and Carvalho, R.}, title = {Measuring void fraction and velocity fields of a stepped spillway for skimming flow using non-intrusive methods}, series = {Experiments in fluids}, journal = {Experiments in fluids}, number = {55}, publisher = {Springer Nature}, address = {Heidelberg}, issn = {0723-4864 (Print) ; 1432-1114 (Online)}, doi = {10.1007/s00348-014-1732-6}, pages = {Art. 1732}, year = {2014}, language = {en} } @article{KueppersSteffenHellmuthetal.2014, author = {K{\"u}ppers, Tobias and Steffen, Victoria and Hellmuth, Hendrik and O'Connell, Timothy and Bongaerts, Johannes and Maurer, Karl-Heinz and Wiechert, Wolfgang}, title = {Developing a new production host from a blueprint: Bacillus pumilus as an industrial enzyme producer}, series = {Microbial cell factories}, volume = {13}, journal = {Microbial cell factories}, publisher = {BioMed Central}, address = {London}, issn = {1475-2859 (E-Journal)}, doi = {10.1186/1475-2859-13-46}, pages = {Article No. 46}, year = {2014}, language = {en} } @article{PhamStaat2014, author = {Pham, Phu Tinh and Staat, Manfred}, title = {FEM-based shakedown analysis of hardening structures}, series = {Asia Pacific journal on computational engineering}, journal = {Asia Pacific journal on computational engineering}, number = {1}, publisher = {SpringerOpen}, address = {Berlin}, issn = {2196-1166 (E-Journal)}, doi = {10.1186/2196-1166-1-4}, pages = {Article No. 4}, year = {2014}, abstract = {This paper develops a new finite element method (FEM)-based upper bound algorithm for limit and shakedown analysis of hardening structures by a direct plasticity method. The hardening model is a simple two-surface model of plasticity with a fixed bounding surface. The initial yield surface can translate inside the bounding surface, and it is bounded by one of the two equivalent conditions: (1) it always stays inside the bounding surface or (2) its centre cannot move outside the back-stress surface. The algorithm gives an effective tool to analyze the problems with a very high number of degree of freedom. Our numerical results are very close to the analytical solutions and numerical solutions in literature.}, language = {en} } @article{HaagZontarSchleupenetal.2014, author = {Haag, S. and Zontar, D. and Schleupen, Josef and M{\"u}ller, T. and Brecher, C.}, title = {Chain of refined perception in self-optimizing assembly of micro-optical systems}, series = {Journal of sensors and sensor systems}, volume = {3}, journal = {Journal of sensors and sensor systems}, number = {1}, publisher = {Copernicus Publ.}, address = {G{\"o}ttingen}, issn = {2194-878X}, doi = {10.5194/jsss-3-87-2014}, pages = {87 -- 95}, year = {2014}, abstract = {Today, the assembly of laser systems requires a large share of manual operations due to its complexity regarding the optimal alignment of optics. Although the feasibility of automated alignment of laser optics has been shown in research labs, the development effort for the automation of assembly does not meet economic requirements - especially for low-volume laser production. This paper presents a model-based and sensor-integrated assembly execution approach for flexible assembly cells consisting of a macro-positioner covering a large workspace and a compact micromanipulator with camera attached to the positioner. In order to make full use of available models from computer-aided design (CAD) and optical simulation, sensor systems at different levels of accuracy are used for matching perceived information with model data. This approach is named "chain of refined perception", and it allows for automated planning of complex assembly tasks along all major phases of assembly such as collision-free path planning, part feeding, and active and passive alignment. The focus of the paper is put on the in-process image-based metrology and information extraction used for identifying and calibrating local coordinate systems as well as the exploitation of that information for a part feeding process for micro-optics. Results will be presented regarding the processes of automated calibration of the robot camera as well as the local coordinate systems of part feeding area and robot base.}, language = {en} } @article{ScheerWolf2014, author = {Scheer, Nico and Wolf, C. Roland}, title = {Genetically humanized mouse models of drug metabolizing enzymes and transporters and their applications}, series = {Xenobiotica}, volume = {44}, journal = {Xenobiotica}, number = {2}, publisher = {Taylor \& Francis}, address = {Abingdon}, issn = {1366-5928}, doi = {10.3109/00498254.2013.815831}, pages = {96 -- 108}, year = {2014}, abstract = {1. Drug metabolizing enzymes and transporters play important roles in the absorption, metabolism, tissue distribution and excretion of various compounds and their metabolites and thus can significantly affect their efficacy and safety. Furthermore, they can be involved in drug-drug interactions which can result in adverse responses, life-threatening toxicity or impaired efficacy. Significant species differences in the interaction of compounds with drug metabolizing enzymes and transporters have been described. 2. In order to overcome the limitation of animal models in accurately predicting human responses, a large variety of mouse models humanized for drug metabolizing enzymes and to a lesser extent drug transporters have been created. 3. This review summarizes the literature describing these mouse models and their key applications in studying the role of drug metabolizing enzymes and transporters in drug bioavailability, tissue distribution, clearance and drug-drug interactions as well as in human metabolite testing and risk assessment. 4. Though such humanized mouse models have certain limitations, there is great potential for their use in basic research and for testing and development of new medicines. These limitations and future potentials will be discussed.}, language = {en} } @article{HoehrPaulssenBenardetal.2014, author = {Hoehr, Cornelia and Paulßen, Elisabeth and Benard, Francois and Lee, Chris Jaeil and Hou, Xinchi and Badesso, Brian and Ferguson, Simon and Miao, Qing and Yang, Hua and Buckley, Ken and Hanemaayer, Victoire and Zeisler, Stefan and Ruth, Thomas and Celler, Anna and Schaffer, Paul}, title = {⁴⁴ᶢSc production using a water target on a 13 MeV cyclotron}, series = {Nuclear medicine and biology}, volume = {41}, journal = {Nuclear medicine and biology}, number = {5}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {1872-9614}, doi = {10.1016/j.nucmedbio.2013.12.016}, pages = {401 -- 406}, year = {2014}, abstract = {Access to promising radiometals as isotopes for novel molecular imaging agents requires that they are routinely available and inexpensive to obtain. Proximity to a cyclotron center outfitted with solid target hardware, or to an isotope generator for the metal of interest is necessary, both of which can introduce significant hurdles in development of less common isotopes. Herein, we describe the production of ⁴⁴Sc (t₁⸝₂ = 3.97 h, Eavg,β⁺ = 1.47 MeV, branching ratio = 94.27\%) in a solution target and an automated loading system which allows a quick turn-around between different radiometallic isotopes and therefore greatly improves their availability for tracer development. Experimental yields are compared to theoretical calculations.}, language = {en} } @article{Bernecker2014, author = {Bernecker, Andreas}, title = {Do politicians shirk when reelection is certain? Evidence from the German parliament}, series = {European Journal of Political Economy}, volume = {36}, journal = {European Journal of Political Economy}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {0176-2680}, doi = {10.1016/j.ejpoleco.2014.07.001}, pages = {55 -- 70}, year = {2014}, abstract = {Does stiffer electoral competition reduce political shirking? For a micro-analysis of this question, I construct a new data set spanning the years 2005 to 2012 covering biographical and political information about German Members of Parliament (MPs), including their attendance rates in voting sessions. For the parliament elected in 2009, I show that indeed opposition party MPs who expect to face a close race in their district show significantly and relevantly lower absence rates in parliament beforehand. MPs of governing parties seem not to react significantly to electoral competition. These results are confirmed by an analysis of the parliament elected in 2005, by several robustness checks, and also by employing an instrumental variable strategy exploiting convenient peculiarities of the German electoral system. The study also shows how MPs elected via party lists react to different levels of electoral competition.}, language = {en} } @article{Bernecker2014, author = {Bernecker, Andreas}, title = {Divided Government and the Adoption of Economic Reforms}, series = {CESifo DICE Report - Journal for Institutional Comparison}, volume = {12}, journal = {CESifo DICE Report - Journal for Institutional Comparison}, number = {4}, publisher = {Ifo Institute for Economic Research}, address = {M{\"u}nchen}, issn = {1612-0663}, pages = {47 -- 52}, year = {2014}, language = {en} } @article{AltherrEdererLorenzetal.2014, author = {Altherr, Lena and Ederer, Thorsten and Lorenz, Ulf and Pelz, Peter F. and P{\"o}ttgen, Philipp}, title = {Experimental validation of an enhanced system synthesis approach}, series = {Operations Research Proceedings 2014}, journal = {Operations Research Proceedings 2014}, editor = {L{\"u}bbecke, Marco and Koster, Arie and Letmathe, Peter and Madlener, Reihard and Peis, Britta and Walther, Grit}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {Basel}, isbn = {978-3-319-28695-2}, doi = {10.1007/978-3-319-28697-6_1}, pages = {6}, year = {2014}, abstract = {Planning the layout and operation of a technical system is a common task for an engineer. Typically, the workflow is divided into consecutive stages: First, the engineer designs the layout of the system, with the help of his experience or of heuristic methods. Secondly, he finds a control strategy which is often optimized by simulation. This usually results in a good operating of an unquestioned sys- tem topology. In contrast, we apply Operations Research (OR) methods to find a cost-optimal solution for both stages simultaneously via mixed integer program- ming (MILP). Technical Operations Research (TOR) allows one to find a provable global optimal solution within the model formulation. However, the modeling error due to the abstraction of physical reality remains unknown. We address this ubiq- uitous problem of OR methods by comparing our computational results with mea- surements in a test rig. For a practical test case we compute a topology and control strategy via MILP and verify that the objectives are met up to a deviation of 8.7\%.}, language = {en} } @article{HentschkeHagerHojdis2014, author = {Hentschke, Reinhard and Hager, Jonathan and Hojdis, Nils}, title = {Molecular Modeling Approach to the Prediction of Mechanical Properties of Silica-Reinforced Rubbers}, series = {Journal of Applied Polymer Science}, volume = {131}, journal = {Journal of Applied Polymer Science}, number = {18}, publisher = {Wiley}, address = {New York, NY}, issn = {1097-4628}, doi = {10.1002/app.40806}, pages = {1 -- 9}, year = {2014}, abstract = {Recently, we have suggested a nanomechanical model for dissipative loss in filled elastomer networks in the context of the Payne effect. The mechanism is based on a total interfiller particle force exhibiting an intermittent loop, due to the combination of short-range repulsion and dispersion forces with a long-range elastic attraction. The sum of these forces leads, under external strain, to a spontaneous instability of "bonds" between the aggregates in a filler network and attendant energy dissipation. Here, we use molecular dynamics simulations to obtain chemically realistic forces between surface modified silica particles. The latter are combined with the above model to estimate the loss modulus and the low strain storage modulus in elastomers containing the aforementioned filler-compatibilizer systems. The model is compared to experimental dynamic moduli of silica filled rubbers. We find good agreement between the model predictions and the experiments as function of the compatibilizer's molecular structure and its bulk concentration.}, language = {en} } @article{VosLagemaatBarentszetal.2014, author = {Vos, E. K. and Lagemaat, M. W. and Barentsz, J. O. and F{\"u}tterer, J. J. and Zamecnik, P. and Roozen, H. and Orzada, S. and Bitz, Andreas and Maas, M. C. and Scheenen, T. W. J.}, title = {Image quality and cancer visibility of T2-weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the prostate at 7 Tesla}, series = {European Radiology}, volume = {24}, journal = {European Radiology}, number = {8}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {Cham}, issn = {1432-1084}, doi = {10.1007/s00330-014-3234-6}, pages = {1950 -- 1958}, year = {2014}, abstract = {Objectives To assess the image quality of T2-weighted (T2w) magnetic resonance imaging of the prostate and the visibility of prostate cancer at 7 Tesla (T). Materials \& methods Seventeen prostate cancer patients underwent T2w imaging at 7T with only an external transmit/receive array coil. Three radiologists independently scored images for image quality, visibility of anatomical structures, and presence of artefacts. Krippendorff's alpha and weighted kappa statistics were used to assess inter-observer agreement. Visibility of prostate cancer lesions was assessed by directly linking the T2w images to the confirmed location of prostate cancer on histopathology. Results T2w imaging at 7T was achievable with 'satisfactory' (3/5) to 'good' (4/5) quality. Visibility of anatomical structures was predominantly scored as 'satisfactory' (3/5) and 'good' (4/5). If artefacts were present, they were mostly motion artefacts and, to a lesser extent, aliasing artefacts and noise. Krippendorff's analysis revealed an α = 0.44 between three readers for the overall image quality scores. Clinically significant cancer lesions in both peripheral zone and transition zone were visible at 7T. Conclusion T2w imaging with satisfactory to good quality can be routinely acquired, and cancer lesions were visible in patients with prostate cancer at 7T using only an external transmit/receive body array coil.}, language = {en} } @article{TheysohnKraffEilersetal.2014, author = {Theysohn, Jens M. and Kraff, Oliver and Eilers, Kristina and Andrade, Dorian and Gerwig, Marcus and Timmann, Dagmar and Schmitt, Franz and Ladd, Mark E. and Ladd, Susanne C. and Bitz, Andreas}, title = {Vestibular effects of a 7 Tesla MRI examination compared to 1.5 T and 0 T in healthy volunteers}, series = {PLoS one}, volume = {9}, journal = {PLoS one}, number = {3}, publisher = {PLOS}, address = {San Francisco}, issn = {1932-6203}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0092104}, pages = {e92104}, year = {2014}, abstract = {Ultra-high-field MRI (7 Tesla (T) and above) elicits more temporary side-effects compared to 1.5 T and 3 T, e.g. dizziness or "postural instability" even after exiting the scanner. The current study aims to assess quantitatively vestibular performance before and after exposure to different MRI scenarios at 7 T, 1.5 T and 0 T. Sway path and body axis rotation (Unterberger's stepping test) were quantitatively recorded in a total of 46 volunteers before, 2 minutes after, and 15 minutes after different exposure scenarios: 7 T head MRI (n = 27), 7 T no RF (n = 22), 7 T only B₀ (n = 20), 7 T in \& out B₀ (n = 20), 1.5 T no RF (n = 20), 0 T (n = 15). All exposure scenarios lasted 30 minutes except for brief one minute exposure in 7 T in \& out B₀. Both measures were documented utilizing a 3D ultrasound system. During sway path evaluation, the experiment was repeated with eyes both open and closed. Sway paths for all long-lasting 7 T scenarios (normal, no RF, only B₀) with eyes closed were significantly prolonged 2 minutes after exiting the scanner, normalizing after 15 minutes. Brief exposure to 7 T B₀ or 30 minutes exposure to 1.5 T or 0 T did not show significant changes. End positions after Unterberger's stepping test were significantly changed counter-clockwise after all 7 T scenarios, including the brief in \& out B₀ exposure. Shorter exposure resulted in a smaller alteration angle. In contrast to sway path, reversal of changes in body axis rotation was incomplete after 15 minutes. 1.5 T caused no rotational changes. The results show that exposure to the 7 Tesla static magnetic field causes only a temporary dysfunction or "over-compensation" of the vestibular system not measurable at 1.5 or 0 Tesla. Radiofrequency fields, gradient switching, and orthostatic dysregulation do not seem to play a role.}, language = {en} } @article{LagemaatVosMaasetal.2014, author = {Lagemaat, Miriam W. and Vos, Eline K. and Maas, Marnix C. and Bitz, Andreas and Orzada, Stephan and Uden, Mark J. van and Kobus, Thiele and Heerschap, Arend and Scheenen, Tom W. J.}, title = {Phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging at 7 T in patients with prostate cancer}, series = {Investigative Radiology}, volume = {49}, journal = {Investigative Radiology}, number = {5}, publisher = {Lippincott Williams \& Wilkins}, address = {Philadelphia, Pa.}, issn = {1536-0210}, doi = {10.1097/RLI.0000000000000012}, pages = {363 -- 372}, year = {2014}, abstract = {Objectives The aim of this study was to identify characteristics of phosphorus (³¹P) spectra of the human prostate and to investigate changes of individual phospholipid metabolites in prostate cancer through in vivo ³¹P magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging (MRSI) at 7 T. Materials and Methods In this institutional review board-approved study, 15 patients with biopsy-proven prostate cancer underwent T₂-weighted magnetic resonance imaging and 3-dimensional ³¹P MRSI at 7 T. Voxels were selected at the tumor location, in normal-appearing peripheral zone tissue, normal-appearing transition zone tissue, and in the base of the prostate close to the seminal vesicles. Phosphorus metabolite ratios were determined and compared between tissue types. Results Signals of phosphoethanolamine (PE) and phosphocholine (PC) were present and well resolved in most ³¹P spectra in the prostate. Glycerophosphocholine signals were observable in 43\% of the voxels in malignant tissue, but in only 10\% of the voxels in normal-appearing tissue away from the seminal vesicles. In many spectra, independent of tissue type, 2 peaks resonated in the chemical shift range of inorganic phosphate, possibly representing 2 separate pH compartments. The PC/PE ratio in the seminal vesicles was highly elevated compared with the prostate in 5 patients. A considerable overlap of ³¹P metabolite ratios was found between prostate cancer and normal-appearing prostate tissue, preventing direct discrimination of these tissues. The only 2 patients with high Gleason scores tumors (≥4+5) presented with high PC and glycerophosphocholine levels in their cancer lesions. Conclusions Phosphorus MRSI at 7 T shows distinct features of phospholipid metabolites in the prostate gland and its surrounding structures. In this exploratory study, no differences in ³¹P metabolite ratios were observed between prostate cancer and normal-appearing prostate tissue possibly because of the partial volume effects of small tumor foci in large MRSI voxels.}, language = {en} } @article{MaasVosLagemaatetal.2014, author = {Maas, Marnix C. and Vos, Eline K. and Lagemaat, Miriam W. and Bitz, Andreas and Orzada, Stephan and Kobus, Thiele and Kraff, Oliver and Maderwald, Stefan and Ladd, Mark E. and Scheenen, Tom W. J.}, title = {Feasibility of T₂-weighted turbo spin echo imaging of the human prostate at 7 tesla}, series = {Magnetic Resonance in Medicine}, volume = {71}, journal = {Magnetic Resonance in Medicine}, number = {5}, publisher = {Wiley-VCH}, address = {Weinheim}, issn = {1522-2594}, doi = {10.1002/mrm.24818}, pages = {1711 -- 1719}, year = {2014}, abstract = {Purpose To demonstrate that high quality T₂-weighted (T2w) turbo spin-echo (TSE) imaging of the complete prostate can be achieved routinely and within safety limits at 7 T, using an external transceive body array coil only. Methods Nine healthy volunteers and 12 prostate cancer patients were scanned on a 7 T whole-body system. Preparation consisted of B₀ and radiofrequency shimming and localized flip angle calibration. T₁ and T₂ relaxation times were measured and used to define the T2w-TSE protocol. T2w imaging was performed using a TSE sequence (pulse repetition time/echo time 3000-3640/71 ms) with prolonged excitation and refocusing pulses to reduce specific absorption rate. Results High quality T2w TSE imaging was performed in less than 2 min in all subjects. Tumors of patients with gold-standard tumor localization (MR-guided biopsy or prostatectomy) were well visualized on 7 T imaging (n = 3). The number of consecutive slices achievable within a 10-g averaged specific absorption rate limit of 10 W/kg was ≥28 in all subjects, sufficient for full prostate coverage with 3-mm slices in at least one direction. Conclusion High quality T2w TSE prostate imaging can be performed routinely and within specific absorption rate limits at 7 T with an external transceive body array.}, language = {en} }