Abstract: A projection welding electrode holder has a holder body, a holder barrel, and a coned-disc spring. The holder body is configured for attachment to a welding machine and defines a holder body bore. The holder barrel is carried within the holder body bore and has a holder head that extends therefrom for attachment to a welding electrode. The holder barrel is movable relative to the holder body between a first position, in which the holder head extends from the holder body bore a first distance, and a second position, in which the holder head extends from the holder body bore a second distance, the first distance being greater than the second distance. The coned-disc spring resides within the holder body bore, biases the holder barrel toward the first position, and is compressed by movement of the holder barrel from the first position to the second position.

Abstract: Described herein is a method for detecting changes in blood flow in a tissue portion and/or body portion of an individual. The method can be used to detect any sort of pathology, trauma or insult which results in blood flow change. Specifically, this method uses hyperpolarized 129Xe MRI to detect xenon perfusion changes in tissues such as brain tissue that corresponds to changes in blood flow, for example, changes caused by functional activities of the brain or regions of the body where blood flow may be compromised.

Abstract: Described herein is the use of a biased suitable ferrimagnetic crystal or suitable ferromagnetic crystal, for example, a hexaferrite ferrimagnetic semiconductive crystal for detection of the radiation on GHz frequencies. Specifically, the frequency of either ferromagnetic or multidomain resonance of the hexaferrite semiconductor crystal can be changed as a result of electric current flow and the value of current can be calculated based on the frequency shift measurement. This principle can be used for radiation detection.

Abstract: A projection welding electrode holder has a holder body, a holder barrel, and a coned-disc spring. The holder body is configured for attachment to a welding machine and defines a holder body bore. The holder barrel is carried within the holder body bore and has a holder head that extends therefrom for attachment to a welding electrode. The holder barrel is movable relative to the holder body between a first position, in which the holder head extends from the holder body bore a first distance, and a second position, in which the holder head extends from the holder body bore a second distance, the first distance being greater than the second distance. The coned-disc spring resides within the holder body bore, biases the holder barrel toward the first position, and is compressed by movement of the holder barrel from the first position to the second position.

Abstract: Described herein is a method to detect perfusion and brain functional activity using Hyperpolarized xenon-129 (129Xe) Time-of-Flight (TOF) Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Specifically, this method uses hyperpolarized 129Xe MRI to detect blood flow and perfusion changes in the region of interest. In addition, this method can be used to detect blood flow changes in brain tissue that corresponds to the brain functional activities by detecting the amount of 129Xe dissolved in blood and brain tissue per unit of time.

Abstract: Xenon based biosensors have the potential to detect and localize biomarkers associated with a wide variety of diseases. The development and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) characterization of cage molecules which encapsulate hyperpolarized xenon is imperative for the development of these xenon biosensors. We acquired 129Xe NMR spectra, and magnetic resonance images and a HyperCEST saturation map of cucurbituril (CB6) in whole bovine blood. We observed a mean HyperCEST depletion of 84% (n=5) at a concentration of 5 mM and 74% at 2.5 mM. Additionally, we collected these data using a pulsed HyperCEST saturation pre-pulse train with a SAR of 0.025 W/kg which will minimize any potential RF heating in animal or human tissue.

Abstract: Described herein is a new inert fluorinated gas which can be used for fluorine-19 (19F) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the lungs. Specifically, this method uses 20-79% octafluorocyclobutane (OFCB) premixed with at least 21% oxygen to acquire for example static ventilation images of the lungs, dynamic multiple breathing images of the lungs, apparent diffusion coefficient measurements (ADC) of OFCB in the lungs, and ventilation-perfusion ratio (V/Q) mapping.

Abstract: Described herein is a method for detecting changes in blood flow in a tissue portion and/or body portion of an individual. The method can be used to detect any sort of pathology, trauma or insult which results in blood flow change. Specifically, this method uses hyperpolarized 129Xe MRI to detect xenon perfusion changes in tissues such as brain tissue that corresponds to changes in blood flow, for example, changes caused by functional activities of the brain or regions of the body where blood flow may be compromised.

Abstract: Described herein is the use HP xenon-129 MRI to measure xenon signal changes in the brain tissue over a period to quantitatively evaluate the condition of cerebral blood flow in an individual.

Abstract: Xenon based biosensors have the potential to detect and localize biomarkers associated with a wide variety of diseases. The development and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) characterization of cage molecules which encapsulate hyperpolarized xenon is imperative for the development of these xenon biosensors. We acquired 129Xe NMR spectra, and magnetic resonance images and a HyperCEST saturation map of cucurbit[6]uril (CB6) in whole bovine blood. We observed a mean HyperCEST depletion of 84% (n=5) at a concentration of 5 mM and 74% at 2.5 mM. Additionally, we collected these data using a pulsed HyperCEST saturation pre-pulse train with a SAR of 0.025 W/kg which will minimize any potential RF heating in animal or human tissue.

Abstract: A system and method for recording magnetic resonance images with reduced relaxation-related artifacts. The system and method improve the conventional methods for acquiring magnetic resonance images of in vivo tissue by augmenting the procedures for eliminating artifacts caused by motion with procedures for eliminating artifacts caused by spin of the magnetic resonance-active nuclei in the specimen of interest. One procedure to eliminate such spin inhomogeneities is to require a delay defined by the time N*T1, where N is a numerical value greater than or equal to 5 and T1 is the characteristic time constant for decay of spins back to the equilibrium longitudinal state. Another procedure uses a value of N less than 5.

Abstract: A system and method for recording magnetic resonance images with reduced relaxation-related artifacts. The system and method improve the conventional methods for acquiring magnetic resonance images of in vivo tissue by augmenting the procedures for eliminating artifacts caused by motion with procedures for eliminating artifacts caused by spin of the magnetic resonance-active nuclei in the specimen of interest. One procedure to eliminate such spin inhomogeneities is to require a delay defined by the time N*T1, where N is a numerical value greater than or equal to 5 and T1 is the characteristic time constant for decay of spins back to the equilibrium longitudinal state. Another procedure uses a value of N less than 5.

Abstract: A system and method for recording magnetic resonance images with reduced relaxation-related artifacts. The system and method improve the conventional methods for acquiring magnetic resonance images of in vivo tissue by augmenting the procedures for eliminating artifacts caused by motion with procedures for eliminating artifacts caused by spin of the magnetic resonance-active nuclei in the specimen of interest. One procedure to eliminate such spin inhomogeneities is to require a delay defined by the time N*T1, where N is a numerical value greater than or equal to 5 and T1 is the characteristic time constant for decay of spins back to the equilibrium longitudinal state. Another procedure uses a value of N less than 5.