@article{RieplPettrakFaulstichetal.2010, author = {Riepl, Herbert Matthias and Pettrak, J{\"u}rgen and Faulstich, Martin and Herrmann, Wolfgang Anton}, title = {Self metathesis of fatty alcohols and amines to provide monomers for polyester and polyamide products}, series = {Macromolecular Symposia}, volume = {293}, journal = {Macromolecular Symposia}, number = {1}, publisher = {Wiley-VCH}, address = {Weinheim}, issn = {1521-3900 (eISSN)}, doi = {10.1002/masy.200900041}, pages = {39 -- 42}, year = {2010}, abstract = {Self metathesis of oleochemicals offers a variety of bifunctional compounds, that can be used as monomer for polymer production. Many precursors are in huge scales available, like oleic acid ester (biodiesel), oleyl alcohol (tensides), oleyl amines (tensides, lubricants). We show several ways to produce and separate and purify C18-α,ω-bifunctional compounds, using Grubbs 2nd Generation catalysts, starting from technical grade educts.}, language = {en} } @article{UysalFiratCreutzetal.2022, author = {Uysal, Karya and Firat, Ipek Serat and Creutz, Till and Aydin, Inci Cansu and Artmann, Gerhard and Teusch, Nicole and Temiz Artmann, Ayseg{\"u}l}, title = {A novel in vitro wound healing assay using free-standing, ultra-thin PDMS membranes}, series = {membranes}, volume = {2023}, journal = {membranes}, number = {13(1)}, publisher = {MDPI}, address = {Basel}, doi = {10.3390/membranes13010022}, pages = {Artikel 22}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Advances in polymer science have significantly increased polymer applications in life sciences. We report the use of free-standing, ultra-thin polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) membranes, called CellDrum, as cell culture substrates for an in vitro wound model. Dermal fibroblast monolayers from 28- and 88-year-old donors were cultured on CellDrums. By using stainless steel balls, circular cell-free areas were created in the cell layer (wounding). Sinusoidal strain of 1 Hz, 5\% strain, was applied to membranes for 30 min in 4 sessions. The gap circumference and closure rate of un-stretched samples (controls) and stretched samples were monitored over 4 days to investigate the effects of donor age and mechanical strain on wound closure. A significant decrease in gap circumference and an increase in gap closure rate were observed in trained samples from younger donors and control samples from older donors. In contrast, a significant decrease in gap closure rate and an increase in wound circumference were observed in the trained samples from older donors. Through these results, we propose the model of a cell monolayer on stretchable CellDrums as a practical tool for wound healing research. The combination of biomechanical cell loading in conjunction with analyses such as gene/protein expression seems promising beyond the scope published here.}, language = {en} } @book{Heuermann2024, author = {Heuermann, Holger}, title = {Microwave technology: field simulation, non-linear circuit technology, components and subsystems, plasma technology, antennas and propagation}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {Wiesbaden}, isbn = {978-3-658-45685-6}, doi = {10.1007/978-3-658-45686-3}, pages = {XII, 391 Seiten}, year = {2024}, abstract = {The book covers various numerical field simulation methods, nonlinear circuit technology and its MF-S- and X-parameters, as well as state-of-the-art power amplifier techniques. It also describes newly presented oscillators and the emerging field of GHz plasma technology. Furthermore, it addresses aspects such as waveguides, mixers, phase-locked loops, antennas, and propagation effects, in combination with the bachelor's book 'High-Frequency Engineering,' encompassing all aspects related to the current state of GHz technology.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{ChwallekMaassen2022, author = {Chwallek, Constanze and Maaßen, Franziska}, title = {Cure or blessing? The effect of (non-financial) signals on sustainable venture's funding success}, series = {G-Forum Jahreskonferenz 2022}, booktitle = {G-Forum Jahreskonferenz 2022}, pages = {7 Seiten}, year = {2022}, language = {en} } @techreport{StapenhorstVanDenBerghGoliaschetal.2016, author = {Stapenhorst, Carolin and Van Den Bergh, Wim and Goliasch, Simon and K{\"u}hnle, Christian and L{\"a}ufer, Jonas and Ring, Jana and Schmalt, Nicola}, title = {Roman traces for cross-border identification}, series = {Design Strategies for Transforming Cross-Border Regions}, journal = {Design Strategies for Transforming Cross-Border Regions}, pages = {5}, year = {2016}, abstract = {The research group focuses on the characteristics in the land-and cityscapes of the Drielanden-zone, which contribute to generate common identities, as well as on those features that trigger differences and specificities of the adjacent countries that enrich the perception of the zone. In this research, the instruments of cartography and land survey system serve to detect and localize the fragmented appearance of relevant historic elements. These analytic procedures help to develop strategies for infrastructures and processes that gradually initiate local forms of cross-border tourism. The architectural research displays how top-down and bottom-up interventions can be combined in order to guarantee a sustainable use and development of the considered area.}, language = {en} } @book{StaatHeitzer2003, author = {Staat, Manfred and Heitzer, Michael}, title = {Numerical methods for limit and shakedown analysis. Deterministic and probabilistic problems.}, publisher = {John von Neumann Institute for Computing (NIC)}, address = {J{\"u}lich}, isbn = {3-00-010001-6}, pages = {2, xiii, 282 Seiten}, year = {2003}, language = {en} } @article{GraesslRenzHezeletal.2013, author = {Gr{\"a}ßl, Andreas and Renz, Wolfgang and Hezel, Fabian and Dieringer, Matthias A. and Winter, Lukas and {\"O}zerdem, Celal and Rieger, Jan and Kellmann, Peter and Santoro, Davide and Lindel, Tomasz Dawid and Frauenrath, Tobias and Pfeiffer, Harald and Niendorf, Thoralf}, title = {Modular 32-channel transceiver coil array for cardiac MRI at 7.0T}, series = {Magnetic Resonance in Medicine}, volume = {72}, journal = {Magnetic Resonance in Medicine}, number = {1}, publisher = {Wiley-Liss}, address = {New York}, issn = {1522-2594}, doi = {10.1002/mrm.24903}, pages = {276 -- 290}, year = {2013}, abstract = {Purpose To design and evaluate a modular transceiver coil array with 32 independent channels for cardiac MRI at 7.0T. Methods The modular coil array comprises eight independent building blocks, each containing four transceiver loop elements. Numerical simulations were used for B1+ field homogenization and radiofrequency (RF) safety validation. RF characteristics were examined in a phantom study. The array's suitability for accelerated high spatial resolution two-dimensional (2D) FLASH CINE imaging of the heart was examined in a volunteer study. Results Transmission field adjustments and RF characteristics were found to be suitable for the volunteer study. The signal-to-noise intrinsic to 7.0T together with the coil performance afforded a spatial resolution of 1.1 × 1.1 × 2.5 mm3 for 2D CINE FLASH MRI, which is by a factor of 6 superior to standardized CINE protocols used in clinical practice at 1.5T. The 32-channel transceiver array supports one-dimensional acceleration factors of up to R = 4 without impairing image quality significantly. Conclusion The modular 32-channel transceiver cardiac array supports accelerated and high spatial resolution cardiac MRI. The array is compatible with multichannel transmission and provides a technological basis for future clinical assessment of parallel transmission techniques at 7.0T.}, 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 J. 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{OrzadaFiedlerBitzetal.2020, author = {Orzada, Stephan and Fiedler, Thomas M. and Bitz, Andreas and Ladd, Mark E. and Quick, Harald H.}, title = {Local SAR compression with overestimation control to reduce maximum relative SAR overestimation and improve multi-channel RF array performance}, series = {Magnetic Resonance Materials in Physics, Biology and Medicine}, journal = {Magnetic Resonance Materials in Physics, Biology and Medicine}, number = {34 (2021)}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {Heidelberg}, isbn = {1352-8661}, doi = {10.1007/s10334-020-00890-0}, pages = {153 -- 164}, year = {2020}, abstract = {Objective In local SAR compression algorithms, the overestimation is generally not linearly dependent on actual local SAR. This can lead to large relative overestimation at low actual SAR values, unnecessarily constraining transmit array performance. Method Two strategies are proposed to reduce maximum relative overestimation for a given number of VOPs. The first strategy uses an overestimation matrix that roughly approximates actual local SAR; the second strategy uses a small set of pre-calculated VOPs as the overestimation term for the compression. Result Comparison with a previous method shows that for a given maximum relative overestimation the number of VOPs can be reduced by around 20\% at the cost of a higher absolute overestimation at high actual local SAR values. Conclusion The proposed strategies outperform a previously published strategy and can improve the SAR compression where maximum relative overestimation constrains the performance of parallel transmission.}, language = {en} } @article{FiedlerLaddBitz2017, author = {Fiedler, Thomas M. and Ladd, Mark E. and Bitz, Andreas}, title = {SAR Simulations \& Safety}, series = {NeuroImage}, journal = {NeuroImage}, number = {Epub ahead of print}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {1053-8119}, doi = {10.1016/j.neuroimage.2017.03.035}, year = {2017}, language = {en} } @article{BayerTemizArtmannDigeletal.2020, author = {Bayer, Robin and Temiz Artmann, Ayseg{\"u}l and Digel, Ilya and Falkenstein, Julia and Artmann, Gerhard and Creutz, Till and Hescheler, J{\"u}rgen}, title = {Mechano-pharmacological testing of L-Type Ca²⁺ channel modulators via human vascular celldrum model}, series = {Cellular Physiology and Biochemistry}, volume = {54}, journal = {Cellular Physiology and Biochemistry}, publisher = {Cell Physiol Biochem Press}, address = {D{\"u}sseldorf}, issn = {1421-9778}, doi = {10.33594/000000225}, pages = {371 -- 383}, year = {2020}, abstract = {Background/Aims: This study aimed to establish a precise and well-defined working model, assessing pharmaceutical effects on vascular smooth muscle cell monolayer in-vitro. It describes various analysis techniques to determine the most suitable to measure the biomechanical impact of vasoactive agents by using CellDrum technology. Methods: The so-called CellDrum technology was applied to analyse the biomechanical properties of confluent human aorta muscle cells (haSMC) in monolayer. The cell generated tensions deviations in the range of a few N/m² are evaluated by the CellDrum technology. This study focuses on the dilative and contractive effects of L-type Ca²⁺ channel agonists and antagonists, respectively. We analyzed the effects of Bay K8644, nifedipine and verapamil. Three different measurement modes were developed and applied to determine the most appropriate analysis technique for the study purpose. These three operation modes are called, particular time mode" (PTM), "long term mode" (LTM) and "real-time mode" (RTM). Results: It was possible to quantify the biomechanical response of haSMCs to the addition of vasoactive agents using CellDrum technology. Due to the supplementation of 100nM Bay K8644, the tension increased approximately 10.6\% from initial tension maximum, whereas, the treatment with nifedipine and verapamil caused a significant decrease in cellular tension: 10nM nifedipine decreased the biomechanical stress around 6,5\% and 50nM verapamil by 2,8\%, compared to the initial tension maximum. Additionally, all tested measurement modes provide similar results while focusing on different analysis parameters. Conclusion: The CellDrum technology allows highly sensitive biomechanical stress measurements of cultured haSMC monolayers. The mechanical stress responses evoked by the application of vasoactive calcium channel modulators were quantified functionally (N/m²). All tested operation modes resulted in equal findings, whereas each mode features operation-related data analysis.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{SattlerAttiAlexopoulosetal.2022, author = {Sattler, Johannes Christoph and Atti, Vikrama Naga Babu and Alexopoulos, Spiros and Teixeira Boura, Cristiano Jos{\´e} and Herrmann, Ulf and Dutta, Siddharth and Kioutsioukis, Ioannis}, title = {DNI forecast tool for the smart operation of a parabolic trough collector system with concrete thermal energy storage: Theory, results and outlook}, series = {SolarPACES 2022 conference proceedings}, booktitle = {SolarPACES 2022 conference proceedings}, number = {1}, publisher = {TIB Open Publishing}, address = {Hannover}, issn = {2751-9899 (online)}, doi = {10.52825/solarpaces.v1i.731}, pages = {9 Seiten}, year = {2022}, abstract = {This work presents a basic forecast tool for predicting direct normal irradiance (DNI) in hourly resolution, which the Solar-Institut J{\"u}lich (SIJ) is developing within a research project. The DNI forecast data shall be used for a parabolic trough collector (PTC) system with a concrete thermal energy storage (C-TES) located at the company KEAN Soft Drinks Ltd in Limassol, Cyprus. On a daily basis, 24-hour DNI prediction data in hourly resolution shall be automatically produced using free or very low-cost weather forecast data as input. The purpose of the DNI forecast tool is to automatically transfer the DNI forecast data on a daily basis to a main control unit (MCU). The MCU automatically makes a smart decision on the operation mode of the PTC system such as steam production mode and/or C-TES charging mode. The DNI forecast tool was evaluated using historical data of measured DNI from an on-site weather station, which was compared to the DNI forecast data. The DNI forecast tool was tested using data from 56 days between January and March 2022, which included days with a strong variation in DNI due to cloud passages. For the evaluation of the DNI forecast reliability, three categories were created and the forecast data was sorted accordingly. The result was that the DNI forecast tool has a reliability of 71.4 \% based on the tested days. The result fulfils SIJ's aim to achieve a reliability of around 70 \%, but SIJ aims to still improve the DNI forecast quality.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{DuranParedesMottaghyHerrmannetal.2020, author = {Duran Paredes, Ludwin and Mottaghy, Darius and Herrmann, Ulf and Groß, Rolf Fritz}, title = {Online ground temperature and soil moisture monitoring of a shallow geothermal system with non-conventional components}, series = {EGU General Assembly 2020}, booktitle = {EGU General Assembly 2020}, year = {2020}, abstract = {We present first results from a newly developed monitoring station for a closed loop geothermal heat pump test installation at our campus, consisting of helix coils and plate heat exchangers, as well as an ice-store system. There are more than 40 temperature sensors and several soil moisture content sensors distributed around the system, allowing a detailed monitoring under different operating conditions.In the view of the modern development of renewable energies along with the newly concepts known as Internet of Things and Industry 4.0 (high-tech strategy from the German government), we created a user-friendly web application, which will connect the things (sensors) with the open network (www). Besides other advantages, this allows a continuous remote monitoring of the data from the numerous sensors at an arbitrary sampling rate.Based on the recorded data, we will also present first results from numerical simulations, taking into account all relevant heat transport processes.The aim is to improve the understanding of these processes and their influence on the thermal behavior of shallow geothermal systems in the unsaturated zone. This will in turn facilitate the prediction of the performance of these systems and therefore yield an improvement in their dimensioning when designing a specific shallow geothermal installation.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{SattlerChicoCaminosUerlingsetal.2020, author = {Sattler, Johannes Christoph and Chico Caminos, Ricardo Alexander and {\"U}rlings, Nicolas and Dutta, Siddharth and Ruiz, Victor and Kalogirou, Soteris and Ktistis, Panayiotis and Agathokleous, Rafaela and Jung, Christian and Alexopoulos, Spiros and Atti, Vikrama Naga Babu and Teixeira Boura, Cristiano Jos{\´e} and Herrmann, Ulf}, title = {Operational experience and behaviour of a parabolic trough collector system with concrete thermal energy storage for process steam generation in Cyprus}, series = {AIP Conference Proceedings}, booktitle = {AIP Conference Proceedings}, number = {2303}, doi = {10.1063/5.0029278}, pages = {140004-1 -- 140004-10}, year = {2020}, abstract = {As part of the transnational research project EDITOR, a parabolic trough collector system (PTC) with concrete thermal energy storage (C-TES) was installed and commissioned in Limassol, Cyprus. The system is located on the premises of the beverage manufacturer KEAN Soft Drinks Ltd. and its function is to supply process steam for the factory's pasteurisation process [1]. Depending on the factory's seasonally varying capacity for beverage production, the solar system delivers between 5 and 25 \% of the total steam demand. In combination with the C-TES, the solar plant can supply process steam on demand before sunrise or after sunset. Furthermore, the C-TES compensates the PTC during the day in fluctuating weather conditions. The parabolic trough collector as well as the control and oil handling unit is designed and manufactured by Protarget AG, Germany. The C-TES is designed and produced by CADE Soluciones de Ingenier{\´i}a, S.L., Spain. In the focus of this paper is the description of the operational experience with the PTC, C-TES and boiler during the commissioning and operation phase. Additionally, innovative optimisation measures are presented.}, language = {en} } @incollection{HoffschmidtAlexopoulosGoettscheetal.2022, author = {Hoffschmidt, Bernhard and Alexopoulos, Spiros and G{\"o}ttsche, Joachim and Sauerborn, Markus and Kaufhold, O.}, title = {High Concentration Solar Collectors}, series = {Comprehensive Renewable Energy (Second Edition) / Volume 3: Solar Thermal Systems: Components and Applications}, booktitle = {Comprehensive Renewable Energy (Second Edition) / Volume 3: Solar Thermal Systems: Components and Applications}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, isbn = {978-0-12-819734-9}, doi = {10.1016/B978-0-12-819727-1.00058-3}, pages = {198 -- 245}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Solar thermal concentrated power is an emerging technology that provides clean electricity for the growing energy market. To the solar thermal concentrated power plant systems belong the parabolic trough, the Fresnel collector, the solar dish, and the central receiver system. For high-concentration solar collector systems, optical and thermal analysis is essential. There exist a number of measurement techniques and systems for the optical and thermal characterization of the efficiency of solar thermal concentrated systems. For each system, structure, components, and specific characteristics types are described. The chapter presents additionally an outline for the calculation of system performance and operation and maintenance topics. One main focus is set to the models of components and their construction details as well as different types on the market. In the later part of this article, different criteria for the choice of technology are analyzed in detail.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Stapenhorst2012, author = {Stapenhorst, Carolin}, title = {The concept as an operant instrument within the interdisciplinarity of the architectural design process}, publisher = {Politecnico di Torino}, address = {Turin}, pages = {242 Seiten}, year = {2012}, abstract = {In the introduction to their book "What is philosophy?" Gilles Deleuze and Felix Guattari deplore the inflationary and trivialised use of the term concept: "Finally, the most shameful moment came when computer science, marketing, design and advertising, all the disciplines of communication, seized hold of the word concept itself and said: 'This is our concern, we are the creative ones, we are the ideas men! We are the friends of the concept, we put in our computers.' " This doctoral thesis shares the concern of Gilles Deleuze and Felix Guattari, but still, it is a thesis in architecture and thus collocated within the field of the representatives of the "ideas men". It engages in architectural design theory, and refers in particular to the investigation of methodological approaches within the design process. Therefore, the thesis will not contribute to the philosophical dimension of the term, but intends to overcome its imprecise use within the architectural discourse, in compliance with Eug{\`e}ne Viollet-le-Duc's admonition relative to vague definitions: "Dans les arts, et dans l'architecture en particulier, les d{\´e}finitions vagues ont caus{\´e} bien des erreurs, ont laiss{\´e} germer bien des pr{\´e}jug{\´e}s, enraciner bien des id{\´e}es fausses. On met un mot en avant, chacun y attache un sens diff{\´e}rent." The term concept in architecture is very often used as pure marketing collateral, it serves to sell an idea, a product, a design. Its functional applicability is reduced to a special manner of illustration, produced as one of the various design presentation documents at the end of the design process. In contrast, the original contribution of this thesis aims to give a precise, instrumental dimension to the term concept: the concept is the expression of a specific logic, capable to guide the decisional sequences of the process and thus to improve the quality of the designed projects. The motivation to define a specific instrumentality of the concept is closely connected to the issue of interdisciplinarity in the architects' profession. The interdisciplinary character of the architectural field is widely accepted and discussed as such, but the thesis intends to give a more precise definition of the various kinds of competences involved by classifying them into either the internal or the external group. The traditional notion of interdisciplinarity, predominantly seen as collaboration between architects and technical experts, and, most notably, the historical, sometimes contentious, relationship between architects and engineers is described. Referring to recent developments, the transformation of the architect's role within the professional sphere, marked by an increasing importance of diverse influences and linked to a growing risk of marginalisation, is illustrated. The thesis describes different ways to adapt to this specific kind of interdisciplinarity, which generally requires the architect's ability to connect and to integrate various contents, different points of view and diverse scales. On the other hand, the big potential which is implicit in the interdisciplinary field is exposed: architects can inform their core competence, the design, by extracting contents of different disciplinary competences, pertaining or not pertaining to their own professional field. They have the possibility to cross fields of external competences in a selective way and by doing so they can build up a corpus of knowledge capable to generate and communicate guidelines and systematic methodologies for their design. At the end, the analysis of these two aspects allows the definition of a more specific professional profile of the architect as specialist of interdisciplinarity. The thesis is concerned with the theories around the design process. The design process is seen as open to inspection and critical evaluation, with major focus on the decisional sequences which characterise it. It concentrates on the process' descriptiveness and the degree of self-conscious approaches applied within it. The importance of regulative, strategic mechanisms is illustrated by testimonies taken from a series of design researches and leads to the functional definition of the figure of the concept as representation of a coherent set of ideas, as generator of a project-specific system of rules and as communicator of decisional strategies. The concept's function is furthermore defined as communicative interface which generates and transmits the system of rules authoritative for all the disciplinary competences involved in the design process, a communicative interface which constitutes a basis of shared convictions capable to increase the efficiency of collaboration. Furthermore, the concept's capacity to explore and elaborate the contents of external disciplines is identified as a possible methodological approach to innovative design thinking. The approach to a specific functional definition of the concept is continued by the description of a series of instruments that are simultaneously generating and communicating it. It is outlined to which degree the concept itself is already the result of an ideational process, collocated within the initial phase of the design proceedings, serving as a guideline to them, but still continuously evolving and adapting in its progression. In addition, it is illustrated how all the diverse instruments of the concept are operational media through which the knowledge transition between different disciplines can occur. The considerations about the concept as operational instrument of design are elaborated with regard to a number of examples of didactical applications that are particularly involved in the development and teaching of specific design methods. These examples illustrate the interrelations between design theory and design education. They are derived from very different schools of architecture and diverse mindsets, but all of them transmit models of conceptual design thinking.}, language = {en} } @misc{FrauenrathFuchsHezeletal.2012, author = {Frauenrath, Tobias and Fuchs, Katharina and Hezel, Fabian and Dieringer, Matthias A. and Rieger, Jan and Niendorf, Thoralf}, title = {Improved cardiac triggering by combining multiple physiological signals: a cardiac MR feasibility study at 7.0 T}, series = {2012 ISMRM Annual Meeting Proceedings}, journal = {2012 ISMRM Annual Meeting Proceedings}, issn = {1545-4428}, year = {2012}, abstract = {In current clinical cardiovascular MR (CMR) practice cardiac motion is commonly dealt with using ECG based synchronization. However, ECG is corrupted by magneto-hydrodynamic (MHD) effects in magnetic fields. This leads to artifacts in the ECG trace and evokes severe T-wave elevations, which might be misinterpreted as R-waves resulting in erroneous triggering. At (ultra)high field strengths, the propensity of ECG recordings to MHD effects is further pronounced. Pulse oximetry (POX) being inherently sensitive to blood oxygenation provides an alternative approach for cardiac gating. However, due to the travel time of the blood the peak of maximum oxygenation and hence the trigger is delayed by approx. 300 ms with respect to the ECG's R-wave. Also the peak of maximum oxygenation shows a jitter of up to 65 ms. Alternative triggering approaches include acoustic cardiac triggering (ACT). In current clinical practice cardiac gating / triggering commonly relies on using single physiological signals only. Realizing this limitation this study proposes a combined triggering approach which exploits multiple physiological signals including ECG, POX or ACT to track cardiac activity. The feasibility of the coupled approach is examined for LV function assessment at 7.0 T. For this purpose, breath-held 2D-CINE imaging in conjunction with cardiac synchronization was performed paralleled by real time logging of physiological waveforms to track (mis)synchronization between the cardiac cycle and data acquisition. Combinations of the ECG, POX and ACT signals were evaluated and processed in real time to facilitate reliable trigger information.}, language = {en} } @misc{GraesslRenzHezeletal.2012, author = {Gr{\"a}ßl, Andreas and Renz, Wolfgang and Hezel, Fabian and Frauenrath, Tobias and Pfeiffer, Harald and Hoffmann, Werner and Kellmann, Peter and Martin, Conrad and Niendorf, Thoralf}, title = {Design, evaluation and application of a modular 32 channel transmit/receive surface coil array for cardiac MRI at 7T}, series = {2012 ISMRM Annual Meeting Proceedings}, journal = {2012 ISMRM Annual Meeting Proceedings}, issn = {1545-4428}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Cardiac MR (CMR) at ultrahigh (≥7.0 T) fields is regarded as one of the most challenging MRI applications. At 7.0 T image quality is not always exclusively defined by signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR). Detrimental effects bear the potential to spoil the signal-to-noise (SNR) and contrast-to-noise (CNR) benefits of cardiac MR (CMR) at 7.0 T. B₁⁺-inhomogeneities and signal voids represent the main challenges. Various pioneering coil concepts have been proposed to tackle these issues, enabling cardiac MRI at 7.0 T. This includes a trend towards an ever larger number of transmit and receive channels. This approach affords multi-dimensional B₁⁺ modulations to improve B₁⁺ shimming performance and to enhance RF efficiency. Also, parallel imaging benefits from a high number of receive channels enabling two-dimensional acceleration. Realizing the limitations of existing coil designs tailored for UHF CMR and recognizing the opportunities of a many element TX/RX channel architecture this work proposes a modular, two dimensional 32-channel transmit and receive array using loop elements and examines its efficacy for enhanced B¹+ homogeneity and improved parallel imaging performance.}, language = {en} } @misc{TkachenkovonKnobelsdorffBrenkenhoffKleindienstetal.2012, author = {Tkachenko, Valeriy and von Knobelsdorff-Brenkenhoff, Florian and Kleindienst, Denise and Winter, Lukas and Rieger, Jan and Frauenrath, Tobias and Dieringer, Matthias A. and Santoro, Davide and Niendorf, Thoralf and Schulz-Menger, Jeanette}, title = {Cardiovasular MR at 7Tesla: assessment of the right ventricle}, series = {2012 ISMRM Annual Meeting Proceedings}, journal = {2012 ISMRM Annual Meeting Proceedings}, issn = {1545-4428}, year = {2012}, abstract = {The assessment of the right ventricle (RV) is a challenge in today's cardiology, but of growing clinical impact regarding patient prognosis in different cardiac diseases. The detection and differentiation of small wall motion abnormalities may help to enhance the differentiation of cardiomyopathies including Arrhythmogenic Rightventricular Cardiomyopathy. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) at 1.5T is the accepted gold standard for RV quantification. The higher spatial resolution achievable at ultrahigh field strength (UHF) offers the potential to gain new insights into the structure and function of the RV. To approach this goal accurate RV chamber quantification at 7T has to be proven. Consequently this study examines the feasibility of assessment of RV dimensions and function at 7T using improved spatial resolution enabled by the intrinsic sensitivity gain of UHF CMR. For this purpose, a dedicated 16 channel TX/RX RF coil array is used together with 2D CINE fast gradient echo (FGRE) imaging. For comparison RV chamber quantification is conducted at 1.5T using a SSFP based state of the art clinical protocol.}, language = {en} } @misc{FrauenrathPfeifferHezeletal.2012, author = {Frauenrath, Tobias and Pfeiffer, Harald and Hezel, Fabian and Dieringer, Matthias A. and Winter, Lukas and Gr{\"a}ßl, Andreas and Santoro, Davide and {\"O}zerdem, Celal and Renz, Wolfgang and Greiser, Andreas and Niendorf, Thoralf}, title = {Lessons learned from cardiac MRI at 7.0 T: LV function assessment at 3.0 T using local multi-channel transceiver coil arrays}, series = {2012 ISMRM Annual Meeting Proceedings}, journal = {2012 ISMRM Annual Meeting Proceedings}, issn = {1545-4428}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Cardiac MR (CMR) is of proven clinical value but also an area of vigorous ongoing research since image quality is not always exclusively defined by signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR). Recent developments of CMR at 7.0 T have been driven by pioneering explorations into novel multichannel transmit and receive coil array technology to tackle the challenges B1+-field inhomogeneities, to offset specific-absorption rate (SAR) constraints and to reduce banding artifacts in SSFP imaging. For this study, recognition of the benefits and performance of local surface Tx/Rx-array structures recently established at 7.0 T inspired migration to 3.0 T, where RF inhomogeneities and SAR limitations encountered in routine clinical CMR, though somewhat reduced versus the 7.0 T situation, remain significant. For all these reasons, this study was designed to build and examine the feasibility of a local four channel Tx/Rx cardiac coil array for anatomical and functional cardiac imaging at 3.0 T. For comparison, a homebuilt 4 channel Rx cardiac coil array exhibiting the same geometry as the Tx/Rx coil and a Rx surface coil array were used.}, language = {en} }