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Magnetic semiconductor nanocrystals are being studied for their potential application in the field of spintronics as spin-injectors for spin-based transistors and spin-based storage elements for nonvolatile memories. They also have a number of biomedical engineering applications including contrast enhancing agents for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In this study, we present a synthesis route to grow colloidal II-VI magnetic nanoparticles at room temperature with easily handled, relatively non-toxic source materials. CoSe and CrSe nanocrystals were synthesized in an aqueous solution where gelatin is used to retard the reaction. Characterization of the nanocrystals was done through transmission electron microscope (TEM) imaging and UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy. Spin-carrier relaxation times were determined using a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometer. / Master of Science

No / Recreational use of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA; "ecstasy") poses worldwide potential health problems. Clinical studies show that repeated exposure to low oral doses of MDMA has toxic effects on the brain, altering cognitive and psychosocial behavior. Functional magnetic resonance imaging in conscious marmoset monkeys was used to evaluate the sensitivity of the brain to an oral dose of MDMA (1 mg/kg). Following MDMA administration, the midbrain raphe nuclei and substantia nigra, major sources of serotonin and dopamine, were activated as were the hippocampus, hypothalamus and amygdala. The corticostriatal circuit of dorsal thalamus, sensorimotor cortex and basal ganglia showed a robust, coherent activation pattern. Two key reward areas, the nucleus accumbens and prefrontal cortex, and most other cortical regions showed little activation. The visual cortex, however, showed intense activation without applied visual stimuli. These data identify brain areas and functional circuits sensitive to a recreational dose of MDMA, some of which may be vulnerable to long-term intermittent exposure to this drug.

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In Dynamic Contrast Enhanced MRI there are several steps from the initial signal to obtaining the pharmacokinetic parameters for tumor characterization. The aim of this work was to validate the steps in the flow of data focusing on T1-mapping, Contrast Agent (CA)-quantification and the pharmacokinetical (PK) model, using a digital phantom of a head. In the Digital Phantom tissues are assigned necessary values to obtain both a regular and contrast enhanced (using Parker AIF) representation and simulating an SPGR signal. The data analysis was performed in a software called MICE, as well as the Digital Phantom developed at the department of Radiation Sciences at Umeå University. The method of variable flip angles for the T1-mapping was analyzed with respect to SNR and number of flip angles, finding that the median value in each tissue is correct and stable. A "two point" inversion recovery sequence was tested with optimal combination of inversion times for white matter and CSF and obtaining correct T1-values when the inversion times were close to the tissue T1, otherwise with large deviations seen. Three different methods for CA-quantification were analyzed and a large underestimation was found assuming a linearity between signal and CA-concentration mainly for vessels at about 60%, but also for other tissue such as white matter at about 15%, improving when the assumption was removed. Still there was a noticeable underestimation of 30% and 10% and the quantification was improved further, achieving a near perfect agreement with the reference concentration, taking the T2*-effect into account. Applying Kety-model, discarding the vp-term, Ktrans was found to be stable with respect to noise in the tumor rim but ve noticeably underestimated with about 50%. The effect of different bolus arrival time, shifting the AIF required in the PK-model with respect to the CA-concentration, was tested with values up to 5 s, obtaining up to about 5% difference in Ktrans as well as the effect of a vascular transport function obtained by the means of an effective mean transit time up to 5 s and up to about 5% difference in Ktrans.

<p> </p><p>Acquired data from dynamic contrast enhanced MRI measurements can be used to non-invasively assess tumour vascular characteristics through pharmacokinetic modelling. The modelling requires an arterial input function which is the concentration of contrast agent in the blood reaching the volume of interest as a function of time. The aim of this work is testing and optimizing a turboFLASH sequence to appraise its suitability for measuring the arterial input function by measuring phase.</p><p>Contrast concentration measurements in a phantom were done with both phase and relaxivity techniques. The results were compared to simulations of the experiment conditions to compare the conformance. The results using the phase technique were promising, and the method was carried on to in-vivo testing. The in-vivo data displayed a large signal loss which motivated a new phantom experiment to examine the cause of this signal reduction. Dynamic measurements were made in a phantom with pulsatile flow to mimic a blood vessel with a somewhat modified turboFLASH sequence. The conclusions drawn from analyzing the data were used to further improve the sequence and this modified turboFLASH sequence was tested in an in-vivo experiment. The obtained concentration curve showed significant improvement and was deemed to be a good representation of the true blood concentration.</p><p>The conclusion is that phase measurements can be recommended over relaxivity based measurements. This recommendation holds for using a slice selective saturation recovery turboFLASH sequence and measuring the arterial input function in the neck. Other areas of application need more thorough testing.</p><p> </p>

Acquired data from dynamic contrast enhanced MRI measurements can be used to non-invasively assess tumour vascular characteristics through pharmacokinetic modelling. The modelling requires an arterial input function which is the concentration of contrast agent in the blood reaching the volume of interest as a function of time. The aim of this work is testing and optimizing a turboFLASH sequence to appraise its suitability for measuring the arterial input function by measuring phase. Contrast concentration measurements in a phantom were done with both phase and relaxivity techniques. The results were compared to simulations of the experiment conditions to compare the conformance. The results using the phase technique were promising, and the method was carried on to in-vivo testing. The in-vivo data displayed a large signal loss which motivated a new phantom experiment to examine the cause of this signal reduction. Dynamic measurements were made in a phantom with pulsatile flow to mimic a blood vessel with a somewhat modified turboFLASH sequence. The conclusions drawn from analyzing the data were used to further improve the sequence and this modified turboFLASH sequence was tested in an in-vivo experiment. The obtained concentration curve showed significant improvement and was deemed to be a good representation of the true blood concentration. The conclusion is that phase measurements can be recommended over relaxivity based measurements. This recommendation holds for using a slice selective saturation recovery turboFLASH sequence and measuring the arterial input function in the neck. Other areas of application need more thorough testing.

In this thesis the pH dependency of the coordination modes of lanthanide complexes with macrocyclic ligands based on 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane skeleton was studied. The cyclen-based ligand structures in this work contained three acetate and one aminoethyl group with a N-alkyl-N-methylphosphonate substituent, DO3AN(R)P, where R is an alkyle substituent on the nitrogen atom of the pendant arm (R = methyl, benzyl). Lanthanide complexes of a previously studied prototype ligand DO3ANP with secondary amino group (R = H) have shown interesting properties in the field of 31 P NMR imaging because of their various coordination properties, which allow in situ pH measurement. These complexes can also be used for monitoring the kinetics of the chemical exchange of the amino group proton in 1 H NMR imaging using the chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST NMR). In this thesis, two new derivatives DO3ANMeP and DO3ANBnP were prepared in order to better understand the coordination modes changes in this ligand series. Also, their coordination behaviour with selected lanthanide ions was studied (Eu3+ , Gd3+ , Dy3+ , Yb3+ ). Based on a series of NMR and luminescence measurements, it was found out, that in acidic conditions the complexes containing DO3ANP motif bind a water molecule in their coordination...

An MRI’s superior soft tissue contrast and ability to perform parametric scanning make it a powerful tool for use during medical procedures; from surgery to rehabilitation. However, the MRI’s strong static magnetic field, fast switching gradients and constrained space make accomplishing procedures within it difficult. Recent advances in the field of robotics have enabled the creation of devices capable of assisting medical practitioners in this environment. In this work, technologies to enable the use and control of robotic assistive devices for MRI interventions are presented. This includes a modular controller that is designed, built and used to control two surgical systems with minimal effect on image quality. Progressive improvements to an MRI conditional actuator including the construction of a first of a kind plastic piezoelectric resonant motor stator that improves the motor’s compatibility with the MRI is presented. Finally, control algorithms are evaluated for real-time functional MRI based control of a rehabilitation robot which includes the use of a robot for controlling brain activity of a subject in an online experiment.