Initial experience in implementing quantitative DCE-MRI to predict breast cancer therapy response in a multi-center and multi-vendor platform setting.

Quantitative dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) MRI as a promising method for the prediction of breast cancer response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) has been demonstrated mostly in single-center and single-vendor platform studies. This preliminary study reports the initial experience in implementing quantitative breast DCE-MRI in multi-center (MC) and multi-vendor platform (MP) settings to predict NAC response. MRI data, including B mapping, variable flip angle (VFA) measurements of native tissue R (R), and DCE-MRI, were acquired during NAC at three sites using 3T systems with Siemens, Philips, and GE platforms, respectively.

Dual metal organic framework post-synthetic modification; two birds with one stone.

Simultaneous dual post-synthetic modification was realised in multivariate isoreticular zinc 4,4'-biphenyldicarboxylate frameworks co-loaded with thermo-reactive allyloxy and propargyloxy groups. Radiative heating initiates dual cascade reactions, simultaneously changing both groups under the same conditions with preservation of framework topology and porosity. This work provides a new strategy to target multiple groups in shorter sequences for more efficient metal-organic framework post-synthetic modification.

Genetic algorithm-based optimal design for fluidic artificial muscle (FAM) bundles.

In this paper, we present a design optimization framework for a fluidic artificial muscle (FAM) bundle subject to geometric constraints. The architecture of natural skeletal muscles allows for compact actuation packaging by distributing a substantial number of actuation elements or muscle fiber motor units, which are to be arranged, oriented, and sized in various formations. Many researchers have drawn inspiration from these natural muscle architectures to assist in designing soft robotic systems safe for human-robot interaction.