TY - JOUR A1 - Kraff, Oliver A1 - Bitz, Andreas A1 - Breyer, Tobias A1 - Kruszona, Stefan A1 - Maderwald, Stefan A1 - Brote, Irina A1 - Gizewski, Elke R. A1 - Ladd, Mark E. A1 - Quick, Harald H. T1 - A transmit/receive radiofrequency array for imaging the carotid arteries at 7 Tesla: coil design and first in vivo results JF - Investigative Radiology N2 - Objective: To develop a transmit/receive radiofrequency (RF) array for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the carotid arteries at 7 T. The prototype is characterized in numerical simulations and bench measurements, and the feasibility of plaque imaging at 7 T is demonstrated in first in vivo images. Materials and Methods: The RF phased array coil consists of 8 surface loop coils. To allow imaging of both sides of the neck, the RF array is divided into 2 coil clusters, each with 4 overlapping loop elements. For safety validation, numerical computations of the RF field distribution and the corresponding specific absorption rate were performed on the basis of a heterogeneous human body model. To validate the coil model, maps of the transmit B1+ field were compared between simulation and measurement. In vivo images of a healthy volunteer and a patient (ulcerating plaque and a 50% stenosis of the right internal carotid artery) were acquired using a 3-dimensional FLASH sequence with a high isotropic spatial resolution of 0.54 mm as well as using pulse-triggered proton density (PD)/T2-weighted turbo spin echo sequences. Results: Measurements of the S-parameters yielded a reflection and isolation of the coil elements of better than −18 and −13 dB, respectively. Measurements of the g-factor indicated good image quality for parallel imaging acceleration factors up to 2.4. A similar distribution and a very good match of the absolute values were found between the measured and simulated B1+ transmit RF field for the validation of the coil model. In vivo images revealed good signal excitation of both sides of the neck and a high vessel-to-background image contrast for the noncontrast-enhanced 3-dimensional FLASH sequence. Imaging at 7 T could depict the extent of stenosis, and revealed the disruption and ulcer of the plaque. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that 2 four-channel transmit/receive RF arrays for each side of the neck is a suitable concept for in vivo MRI of the carotid arteries at 7 Tesla. Further studies are needed to explore and exploit the full potential of 7 T high-field MRI for carotid atherosclerotic plaque imaging. Y1 - 2011 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1097/RLI.0b013e318206cee4 SN - 1536-0210 VL - 46 IS - 4 SP - 246 EP - 254 PB - Wolters Kluwer CY - Köln ER - TY - JOUR A1 - El Quardi, A. A1 - Streckert, J. A1 - Bitz, Andreas A1 - Münkner, S. A1 - Engel, J. A1 - Hansen, V. T1 - New fin-line devices for radiofrequency exposure of small biological samples in vitro allowing whole-cell patch clamp recordings JF - Bioelectromagnetics N2 - The development and analysis of three waveguides for the exposure of small biological in vitro samples to mobile communication signals at 900 MHz (GSM, Global System for Mobile Communications), 1.8 GHz (GSM), and 2 GHz (UMTS, Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) is presented. The waveguides were based on a fin-line concept and the chamber containing the samples bathed in extracellular solution was placed onto two fins with a slot in between, where the exposure field concentrates. Measures were taken to allow for patch clamp recordings during radiofrequency (RF) exposure. The necessary power for the achievement of the maximum desired specific absorption rate (SAR) of 20 W/kg (average over the mass of the solution) was approximately Pin = 50 mW, Pin = 19 mW, and Pin = 18 mW for the 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, and 2 GHz devices, respectively. At 20 W/kg, a slight RF-induced temperature elevation in the solution of no more than 0.3 °C was detected, while no thermal offsets due to the electromagnetic exposure could be detected at the lower SAR settings (2, 0.2, and 0.02 W/kg). A deviation of 10% from the intended solution volume yielded a calculated SAR deviation of 8% from the desired value. A maximum ±10% variation in the local SAR could occur when the position of the patch clamp electrode was altered within the area where the cells to be investigated were located. Y1 - 2011 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1002/bem.20621 SN - 1521-186X VL - 32 IS - 2 SP - 102 EP - 112 PB - Wiley CY - Weinheim ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Umutlu, Lale A1 - Orzada, Stephan A1 - Kinner, Sonja A1 - Maderwald, Stefan A1 - Bronte, Irina A1 - Bitz, Andreas A1 - Kraff, Oliver A1 - Ladd, Susanne C. A1 - Antoch, Gerald A1 - Ladd, Mark E. A1 - Quick, Harald H. A1 - Lauenstein, Thomas C. T1 - Renal imaging at 7 Tesla: preliminary results JF - European Radiology N2 - Objective To investigate the feasibility of 7T MR imaging of the kidneys utilising a custom-built 8-channel transmit/receive radiofrequency body coil. Methods In vivo unenhanced MR was performed in 8 healthy volunteers on a 7T whole-body MR system. After B0 shimming the following sequences were obtained: 1) 2D and 3D spoiled gradient-echo sequences (FLASH, VIBE), 2) T1-weighted 2D in and opposed phase 3) True-FISP imaging and 4) a T2-weighted turbo spin echo (TSE) sequence. Visual evaluation of the overall image quality was performed by two radiologists. Results Renal MRI at 7T was feasible in all eight subjects. Best image quality was found using T1-weighted gradient echo MRI, providing high anatomical details and excellent conspicuity of the non-enhanced vasculature. With successful shimming, B1 signal voids could be effectively reduced and/or shifted out of the region of interest in most sequence types. However, T2-weighted TSE imaging remained challenging and strongly impaired because of signal heterogeneities in three volunteers. Conclusion The results demonstrate the feasibility and diagnostic potential of dedicated 7T renal imaging. Further optimisation of imaging sequences and dedicated RF coil concepts are expected to improve the acquisition quality and ultimately provide high clinical diagnostic value. Y1 - 2011 SN - 1432-1084 VL - 21 IS - 4 SP - 841 EP - 849 PB - Springer CY - Berlin ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Deppe, Veronika Maria A1 - Bongaerts, Johannes A1 - O'Connell, Timothy A1 - Maurer, Karl-Heinz A1 - Meinhardt, Friedhelm T1 - Enzymatic deglycation of Amadori products in bacteria JF - Applied microbiology and biotechnology Y1 - 2011 SN - 1432-0614 (E-Journal); 0171-1741 (Print); 0175-7598 (Print); 0340-2118 (Print) VL - Vol. 90 IS - Iss. 2 SP - 399 EP - 406 PB - Springer CY - Berlin ER - TY - CHAP A1 - Becker, Jörg A1 - Bergener, Philipp A1 - Delfmann, Patrick A1 - Eggert, Mathias A1 - Weiss, Burkhard T1 - Supporting Business Process Compliance in Financial Institutions - A Model-Driven Approach T2 - Proceedings of the 10th International Conference on Wirtschaftsinformatik : 16 - 18 February 2011, Zurich, Switzerland Y1 - 2011 N1 - Wirtschaftsinformatik Proceedings 2011. 75. SP - 355 EP - 364 ER - TY - CHAP A1 - Dachwald, Bernd A1 - Xu, Changsheng A1 - Feldmann, Marco A1 - Plescher, Engelbert A1 - Digel, Ilya A1 - Artmann, Gerhard T1 - Development and testing of a subsurface probe for detection of life in deep ice : [abstract] N2 - We present the novel concept of a combined drilling and melting probe for subsurface ice research. This probe, named “IceMole”, is currently developed, built, and tested at the FH Aachen University of Applied Sciences’ Astronautical Laboratory. Here, we describe its first prototype design and report the results of its field tests on the Swiss Morteratsch glacier. Although the IceMole design is currently adapted to terrestrial glaciers and ice shields, it may later be modified for the subsurface in-situ investigation of extraterrestrial ice, e.g., on Mars, Europa, and Enceladus. If life exists on those bodies, it may be present in the ice (as life can also be found in the deep ice of Earth). KW - Eisschicht KW - Sonde KW - subsurface probe KW - subsurface ice research Y1 - 2011 ER - TY - CHAP A1 - Meskouris, Konstantin A1 - Holtschoppen, Britta A1 - Butenweg, Christoph A1 - Rosin, Julia T1 - Seismic analysis of liquid storage tanks T2 - Earthquake Geology and Archaeology: Science, Society and Critical facilities : proceedings ; 2nd INQUA-IGCP 567 International Workshop on Active Tectonics, Earthquake Geology, Archaeology and Engineering ; 19-24 September 2011, Corinth (Greece) / Eds.: C. Grützner ; R. Pérez-Lopez ; T. Fernández Steeger ; I. Papanikolaou ; K. Reicherter ; P. G. Silva ; A. Vött. Volume 2 Y1 - 2011 SN - 978-960-466-093-3 SP - 136 EP - 139 PB - The Natural hazards Laboratory, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens CY - Athens ER - TY - CHAP A1 - Reindl, Lukas A1 - Butenweg, Christoph A1 - Kubalski, Thomas T1 - Numerical simulation of unreinforced masonry walls subject to dynamic out-of-plane loading T2 - COMPDYN 2011 : ECCOMAS Thematic Conference ; Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference on Computational Methods in Structural Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering ; 25-28 May, 2011, Corfu, Greece / Eds.: M. Papadrakakis ... Y1 - 2011 SN - 978-960-99994-0-3 SP - 1 EP - 10 PB - National Technical Univ. of Athens CY - Athen ER - TY - CHAP A1 - Park, Jin A1 - El-Daib, Khaled A1 - Butenweg, Christoph A1 - Gellert, Christoph T1 - A novel macroelement approach for masonry walls T2 - Proceedings of the 8th International Conference on Structural Dynamics, EURODYN 2011 : Leuven, Belgium, 4 - 6 July 2011 / Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, ... G. De Roeck ... (eds) Y1 - 2011 SN - 978-90-76019-31-4 SP - 3281 EP - 3286 PB - K. U. Leuven, Dep. of Civil Engineering CY - Leuven ER - TY - CHAP A1 - Taddei, Francesca A1 - Reindl, Lukas A1 - Park, Jin A1 - Butenweg, Christoph A1 - Karadogan, Faruk T1 - Numerical investigation of AAC wall panels based on the damage plasticity constitutive law T2 - Cement, Wapno, Beton ; 2011, 7, Special issue: 5th International Conference on Autoclaved Aerated Concrete 'Securing a sustainable future' to be held at Bydgoszcz to celebrate 60 years of AAC experience in Poland, Bydgoszcz, September 14-17, 2011 Y1 - 2011 SN - 1425-8129 SP - 86 EP - 91 PB - Stowarzyszenie Producentów Cementu i Wapna CY - Krakow ER -