Abstract: A method for reducing N/2 ghost or Nyquist ghost in magnetic resonance (MR) images is provided The method includes acquiring k-space dataset for an object using an echo planar imaging (EPI) sequence, dividing the k-space dataset into first partial k-space subset data related to positive echoes and second partial k-space subset data related to negative echoes, obtaining third partial k-space subset data that is N/2 or Nyquist ghost-free subset data, respectively registering the first partial k-space subset data and the second partial k-space subset data to a first portion of the third partial k-space subset data corresponding to positive echoes and a second portion of the third partial k-space subset data corresponding to negative echoes, combining the registered first partial k-space subset data and the registered second partial k-space subset data to form full k-space dataset, and reconstructing an image for the object based on the full k-space dataset.

Abstract: A method for obtaining a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) image of an object is provided. The method includes applying a MRI sequence to a target area in the object, receiving magnetic resonance (MR) signals from the target area, acquiring, in one k-space strategy, a first set of k-space lines based on the MR signals while nuclear spins in the target area are in a transient state, acquiring, in another k-space strategy, a second set of k-space lines based on the MR signals while the nuclear spins in the target area are in a steady-state or a mixed state of the transient state and the steady-state, and reconstructing the MRI image based on the first set of k-space lines and the second set of k-space lines.

Abstract: A method and system for improving the quality of MR images acquired with optimal variable flip angles includes receiving MRI parameters for a target tissue, selecting at least one objective function from a plurality of objective functions, simulating a relationship between each flip angle and the at least one objective functions based on the MRI parameters, determining optimal variable flip angle distribution to reach optimization of the at least one objective function for whole acquisition of the MR image, selecting or optimizing a k-space strategy, applying a plurality of radio frequency (RF) pulses with the optimal variable flip angle distribution and the k-space strategy to a target area in an object, receiving MR signals from the target area, the MR signals corresponding to the plurality of RF pulses, acquiring, in the k-space strategy, k-space lines based on the MR signals, and reconstructing the MR image from the k-space lines.

Abstract: An information protection method and device based on a plurality of sub-areas for an MCU chip, the MCU chip comprises an instruction bus, a data bus, a flash controller and a user area of a flash memory, the method comprises: determining a preceding sub-area when the instruction bus accesses the user area; entering corresponding preceding sub-area working state; determining the current sub-area when the instruction bus accesses the user area; when the preceding sub-area is inconsistent with the current sub-area, entering the transition state; determining whether the duration of the transition state reaches the preset waiting time; if yes, entering the corresponding current sub-area working state. The information protection method and device prevent the cooperative companies which develop the program together from stealing program from each other.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for determining spatial distribution of an absolute phase of RF transmit field B1+ and/or RF receive field B1? in an MRI system are described herein. An example method can include selecting a transmit coil for which to measure the absolute phase of the RF transmit field B1+, exciting nuclear spins in MR nuclei using at least two transmit configurations of the transmit coil, and detecting first and MR signals arising from exciting nuclear spins in MR nuclei using first and second transmit configurations, respectively. The method can also include acquiring first and second sets of complex k-space data from the first and second MR signals, respectively, and estimating an absolute phase B1+ map of the transmit coil using the first set of complex k-space data and the second set of complex k-space data.

Abstract: Techniques for optimizing a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) protocols are described herein. An example method can include receiving one or more MRI scanner settings for an imaging sequence; selecting at least one objective function from a plurality of objective functions; selecting an acquisition train length; selecting a k-space strategy; selecting one or more imaging parameters; and acquiring a magnetic resonance (MR) image using at least one of an optimized k-space strategy, an optimized acquisition train length, or optimized imaging parameters.

Abstract: The ligand for VISTA is identified (VSIG3) as well as the use of this ligand and receptor interaction in the identification or synthesis of a VSIG3 agonist or antagonist compounds, preferably antibodies, polypeptides and fusion proteins which agonize or antagonize the effects of VSIG3 and/or VISTA and/or the VSIG3/VISTA interaction. These antagonists may be used to suppress VSIG/3/VISTA's suppressive effects on T cell immunity, and more particularly used in the treatment of cancer, or infectious disease. These agonist compounds may be used to potentiate or enhance VSIG3/VISTA's suppressive effects on T cell immunity and thereby suppress T cell immunity, such as in the treatment of autoimmunity, allergy or inflammatory conditions. Screening assays for identifying these agonists and antagonist compounds are also provided.

Abstract: A method and system for optimizing a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) protocols to improve MRI value are described herein. An example method includes selecting an imaging sequence, selecting at least one objective function from a plurality of objective functions, simulating a relationship between controllable acquisition variables and the objective functions, trade-offing the influence of the controllable acquisition variables for MRI value in whole k-space acquisition to determine optimal acquisition condition, acquiring at least one MR image using the optimal acquisition condition, receiving or estimating outcomes related to the at least one MR image, and evaluating an MR image value for the MR image based on the outcomes.

Abstract: A flash controller and a control method for the flash controller. The flash controller comprises an instruction bus interface, a data bus interface, a configuration register, an erase access filter module, a read/write access filter module and a flash control module. The read/write access filter module is configured to receive control information and determine whether the read/write access is sent to the flash control module or not. The erase access filter module is configured to receive control information and determine whether the erase access is sent to the flash control module or not. The flash control module is configured to complete an access to a flash memory. The present disclosure is used to protect programs from being stolen by a client, and also protect against a situation where companies collaboratively developing a program are able to steal programs from one another.

Abstract: Methods for correcting inhomogeneities of magnetic resonance (MR) images and for evaluating the performance of the inhomogeneity correction. The contribution of both transmit field and receiver sensitivity to signal inhomogeneity have been separately considered and quantified. As a result, their negative contributions can be fully corrected. The correction method can greatly enhance the accuracy and precision of MRI techniques and improve the detection sensitivity of pathophysiological changes. The performance of signal inhomogeneity correction methods has been evaluated and confirmed using phantom and in vivo human brain experiments. The present methodologies are readily applicable to correct signal intensity inhomogeneity artifacts produced in different imaging modalities, such as computer tomography, X-ray, ultrasound, and transmission electron microscopy.

Abstract: Described herein is a method for detecting lesion tissue using contrast agent MRI. The method includes receiving scanner settings; receiving MR parameters for lesion tissue with or without contrast agent; and simulating relationships between an image quality metric and imaging parameters. The method includes selecting a first set of imaging parameters to optimize an image quality metric of a first image acquired before contrast agent administration; selecting a second set of imaging parameters to optimize a lesion enhancement metric of a second image acquired after contrast agent administration; and selecting an image acquisition time for the second image to maximize the lesion enhancement metric. The method includes acquiring the first and second images using the selected first and second sets of imaging parameters, respectively; and generating a combined image from the first and second images.

Abstract: The disclosure discloses a method and a device of information protection for a micro control unit (MCU) chip, the MCU chip comprises an instruction bus, a data bus, a flash controller and a user area of a flash memory; the flash controller is used to divide the user area into a first sub-area and a second sub-area; the method comprising: when the instruction bus accesses the user area, determining, whether the instruction bus accesses the first sub-area; if yes, entering the first sub-area working state; in the first sub-area working state, if the instruction bus accesses the second sub-area, entering the transition state; determining whether the time at transition state reaches a preset waiting time; if yes, entering the second sub-area working state; the disclosure is used to protect program from being stolen by users and prevent the cooperative companies stealing program from each other.

Abstract: Systems and methods for estimating complex transmit field B1+ a transmit coil of a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system in both k-space and image domains are described herein. Estimating complex RF field B1+ in the k-space domain includes acquiring complex data in a k-space domain, estimating a complex B1+ map in the k-space domain of a transmit coil and storing the complex B1+ map. The complex B1+ map can be estimated based on the complex images. Estimating complex transmit field B1+ in the image domain includes acquiring at least two complex images in a k-space domain, transforming the complex images into an image domain, estimating a complex B1+ map in the image domain of a transmit coil, and storing the complex B1+ map.

Abstract: The disclosure discloses a method and a device of information protection for a micro control unit (MCU) chip, the MCU chip comprises an instruction bus, a data bus, a flash controller and a user area of a flash memory; the flash controller is used to divide the user area into a first sub-area and a second sub-area; the method comprising: when the instruction bus accesses the user area, determining whether the instruction bus accesses the first sub-area; if yes, entering the first sub-area working state; in the first sub-area working state, if the instruction bus accesses the second sub-area, entering the transition state; determining whether the time at transition state reaches a preset waiting time; if yes, entering the second sub-area working state; the disclosure is used to protect program from being stolen by users and prevent the cooperative companies stealing program from each other.

Abstract: A flash controller and a control method for the flash controller. The flash controller comprises an instruction bus interface, a data bus interface, a configuration register, an erase access filter module, a read/write access filter module and a flash control module. The read/write access filter module is configured to receive control information and determine whether the read/write access is sent to the flash control module or not. The erase access filter module is configured to receive control information and determine whether the erase access is sent to the flash control module or not. The flash control module is configured to complete an access to a flash memory. The present disclosure is used to protect programs from being stolen by a client, and also protect against a situation where companies collaboratively developing a program are able to steal programs from one another.

Abstract: Techniques for optimizing a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) protocols are described herein. An example method can include receiving one or more MRI scanner settings for an imaging sequence; selecting at least one objective function from a plurality of objective functions; selecting an acquisition train length; selecting a k-space strategy; selecting one or more imaging parameters; and acquiring a magnetic resonance (MR) image using at least one of an optimized k-space strategy, an optimized acquisition train length, or optimized imaging parameters.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for automatic identification of an application network topology for power distribution network control which belongs to the field of electric power automation. The method comprises the following steps: 1. statically configuring attributes of a switch; 2. determining, by a power distribution network intelligent terminal STU, whether a query trigger condition is satisfied; 3. sending, by an inquirer, a query command to initiate the query into an application network topology; 4. replying to the query command; 5. receiving the query command; 6. checking the integrity of the switch attribute information; and 7. forming an application network topology.

Abstract: An information protection method and device based on a plurality of sub-areas for an MCU chip, the MCU chip comprises an instruction bus, a data bus, a flash controller and a user area of a flash memory, the method comprises: determining a preceding sub-area when the instruction bus accesses the user area; entering corresponding preceding sub-area working state; determining the current sub-area when the instruction bus accesses the user area; when the preceding sub-area is inconsistent with the current sub-area, entering the transition state; determining whether the duration of the transition state reaches the preset waiting time; if yes, entering the corresponding current sub-area working state. The information protection method and device prevent the cooperative companies which develop the program together from stealing program from each other.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a novel method of treating an individual suffering from a bacterial infection, such as bacterial infections of various tissues or organs of an individual. In general, the method of treatment involves administering to an individual a pharmaceutical formulation that comprises a liposome-encapsulated antimicrobial agent, wherein polyethylene glycol (PEG) molecules are covalently attached to the surface of the liposomes.

Abstract: A dynamic system for generating electricity from a changing magnetic field includes solenoids routed on a single iron core, switches, and diodes. A first solenoid and a second solenoid are stationary electromagnet coils opposably routed on the iron core. A third solenoid is a stationary electric current induction coil. The first and second solenoids induce opposing magnetic fields on receiving an initial magnetizing current from a solar cell. One of the switches includes a switching system that alternately connects at least one switching node, for example, via one or more pivot joints, to one of at least two contact nodes to form a closed electric system with the first solenoid or the second solenoid, the solar cell, and a load and to change the induced magnetic field in the first solenoid or the second solenoid. The changing magnetic field induces an electric current in the third solenoid.