Abstract: A differential phase contrast imaging (DPCI) apparatus and an anode for an X-ray tube of such DPCI apparatus are proposed. The anode (39) comprises a rotatable anode disk (41) with a focal track region (51) close to a circumference (59) thereof. Upon impact of accelerated electrons, an X-ray (5) is emitted from a focal spot (53). The anode (39) further comprises a ring-like modulating absorption grid (55) fixedly connected to the anode disk (41). This modulating absorption grid (55) comprises wall portions (57) of an X-ray absorbing material and slits (67) between neighboring wall portions (57). Spacings between neighboring slits (67) are smaller than a width wf of the focal spot (53), for example smaller than 100 ?m, preferable less than 20 ?m, and the slits (67) have a width of less than 50 ?m, preferably less than 10 ?m. Upon rotation of the anode (39), the modulating absorption grid (55) may serve as a source grid in the DPCI apparatus, such that the generated electron beam (5) is periodically modulated.

Abstract: A system and method comprising receiving information consequent to communication between a user and the computer system, performing one or more queries based at least in part on the information, and computing a set of frequency values for results of the one or more queries. The system and method further comprises determining at least one confidence score for the one or more queries based at least in part on an outcome of evaluating the set of frequency values against one or more sets of decision rules, and, based at least in part on the at least one confidence score, outputting at least one user identity associated with the at least one confidence score.

Abstract: An electrode arrangement for forming a dielectrically impeded plasma between an active surface of a flexible, planar electrode that can be connected to a high voltage source has a planar, flexible dielectric that forms the active surface which is connected to the planar electrode to form an electrode element where the electrode is completely covered towards to surface to be treated. The electrode arrangement is adaptable to irregular surfaces using a contact with surface elasticity for pressing onto the rear face of the electrode element facing away from the surface such that the electrode element by local deformation is automatically adapted to the irregularities.

Abstract: The invention relates to a flexible flat electrode arrangement for a dielectrically limited gas discharge, comprising a central region (3), an edge region, and a flat electrode (14) which conducts a high-voltage potential and which is embedded in a flat dielectric that forms an upper face (10) and a contact face (6). The invention allows the active surface of the electrode arrangement to be matched to the size of a surface to be treated in that the flat dielectric is in the form of a flat strip (1) wound into a spiral at least in the edge region, and the electrode (14) is formed by at least one electric conductor which runs in the longitudinal direction of the wound strip (1) and which leads into an end surface (13) of the strip (1).

Abstract: A monolithic optoelectronic device has a spot-size converter optically connected to a waveguide. The overclad extending over the core of the waveguide is thinner and differently doped than the overclad of the spot-size converter. This structure can be made by applying a process of etching and enhanced selective area regrowth to create regions of the overclad of different thickness or doping. The spot-size converter core is made of a different material than the waveguide core by using etching and enhanced selective area regrowth.

Abstract: A Mach-Zehnder modulator arrangement includes at least one electro-optic Mach-Zehnder modulator having a first optical waveguide forming a first modulator arm and a second optical waveguide forming a second modulator arm. A travelling wave electrode arrangement includes first waveguide electrodes for applying a voltage across the first optical waveguide and second waveguide electrodes for applying a voltage across the second optical waveguide. The first waveguide electrodes are capacitively coupled to the second waveguide electrodes. A driver unit supplies an alternating voltage to the travelling wave electrode arrangement. The driver unit includes a first output port coupled to the first waveguide electrodes and a second output port coupled to the second waveguide electrodes. The driver unit supplies a first varying signal to the first waveguide electrodes via the first output port and a second varying signal to the second waveguide electrodes via the second output port.

Abstract: Methods are provided for permitting manipulation of an achievable dose distribution estimate deliverable by a radiation delivery apparatus for proposed treatment of a subject. One such method comprises: determining a dose modification voxel for which it is desired to modify the dose value and a corresponding magnitude of desired dose modification; for each of a plurality of beams: (i) characterizing the beam as a two-dimensional array of beamlets, wherein each beamlet is associated with a corresponding intensity value and a ray line representing the projection of the beamlet into space; and (ii) identifying one or more dose-change beamlets which have associated ray lines that intersect the dose modification voxel; modifying the intensity values of at least one of the dose-change beamlets; and updating the achievable dose distribution estimate to account for the modified intensity values of the at least one of the dose-change beamlets.

Abstract: A plasma treatment device for treating a surface with a dielectrically impeded plasma field which is generated between an electrode (16), to which a high voltage is supplied, and the surface, wherein the electrode (16) forms, with a dielectric (17) surrounding the electrode (16), a roller (6) mounted rotatably in a grip housing (1), which roller can be rolled on the surface, has an extended treatment field and enables defined and controlled plasma treatment of the surface by virtue of the fact that the roller (6) is designed such that it can be matched flexibly to irregularities on the surface and has a rolling area with elevations (19, 19?), between which interspaces (20) forming the plasma field are located.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the generation of multiple X-ray beams (26). In order to provide a facilitated X-ray source with the capability of increased tube power for providing coherent radiation, for example in differential phase contrast imaging (DPCI), a multiple X-ray beam X-ray source (10) is provided with an anode structure (12) and a cathode structure (14). The anode structure comprises a plurality of liquid metal jets (16) providing a plurality of focal lines (18). The cathode structure provides an electron beam structure (20) that provides a sub e-beam (22) to each liquid metal jet. The liquid metal jets are each hit by the sub e-beam along an electron-impinging portion (24) of the circumferential surface that is smaller than half of the circumference.

Abstract: A plasma treatment device for treating a surface with a dielectrically impeded plasma field which is generated between an electrode (16), to which a high voltage is supplied, and the surface, wherein the electrode (16) forms, with a dielectric (17) surrounding the electrode (16), a roller (6) mounted rotatably in a grip housing (1), which roller can be rolled on the surface, has an extended treatment field and enables defined and controlled plasma treatment of the surface by virtue of the fact that the roller (6) is designed such that it can be matched flexibly to irregularities on the surface and has a rolling area with elevations (19, 19?), between which interspaces (20) forming the plasma field are located.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for planning and delivering radiation treatments by modalities which involve moving a radiation source along a trajectory relative to a subject while delivering radiation to the subject. In some embodiments the radiation source is moved continuously along the trajectory while in some embodiments the radiation source is moved intermittently. Some embodiments involve the optimization of the radiation delivery plan to meet various optimization goals while meeting a number of constraints. For each of a number of control points along a trajectory, a radiation delivery plan may comprise: a set of motion axes parameters, a set of beam shape parameters and a beam intensity.

Abstract: A monolithic optoelectronic device has a spot-size converter optically connected to a waveguide. The overclad extending over the core of the waveguide is thinner and more highly doped that the overclad of the spot-size converter. This structure can be made by applying a process of selective etching and enhanced regrowth to create selective regions of the overclad of different thickness or doping.

Abstract: The invention relates to an elevator system (10) for a building under construction, comprising a vertical shaft (12), in which a temporary machine compartment (14) is retained, a driving device (18), which is arranged in the temporary machine compartment (14) and which is coupled by means of a supporting cable (21) to a car (23) that can be moved vertically up and down in the shaft (12), and a speed limiter (30), which interacts with a speed limiter cable (34) arranged in the shaft (12).

Abstract: An electro-optic Mach-Zehnder modulator arrangement includes first and second optical waveguides forming, respectively, first and second arms of the Mach-Zehnder modulator. An electrode arrangement includes a first waveguide electrode output port coupled to the first waveguide electrodes a second waveguide electrode arranged on top of a capacitive segment of the first and the second optical waveguides, respectively, such that a voltage can be applied across the capacitive segments of the first and second optical waveguide. At least one driver unit supplies a voltage to the electrode arrangement. The driver unit includes first and second output ports coupled, respectively, to the first and second waveguide electrodes. The driver unit supplies first and second varying signals to the first and second waveguide electrodes via the first and second output ports, respectively. A non-grounded conductive region connects the capacitive segments of the first and second optical waveguides to each other.

Abstract: An electrode arrangement for forming a dielectrically impeded plasma between an active surface of a flexible, planar electrode that can be connected to a high voltage source has a planar, flexible dielectric that forms the active surface which is connected to the planar electrode to form an electrode element where the electrode is completely covered towards to surface to be treated. The electrode arrangement is adaptable to irregular surfaces using a contact with surface elasticity for pressing onto the rear face of the electrode element facing away from the surface such that the electrode element by local deformation is automatically adapted to the irregularities.

Abstract: In a method for actuating a starting device for an internal combustion engine, for the case in which the rotational speed of the toothed ring is below a limit value, first a stroke armature in a starter relay is moved and an electric starter motor is switched on after the starter pinion has engaged. If the rotational speed of the toothed ring exceeds the limit value, the starter motor is switched on before the starter pinion contacts the toothed ring.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for planning and delivering radiation treatments by modalities which involve moving a radiation source along a trajectory relative to a subject while delivering radiation to the subject. In some embodiments the radiation source is moved continuously along the trajectory while in some embodiments the radiation source is moved intermittently. Some embodiments involve the optimization of the radiation delivery plan to meet various optimization goals while meeting a number of constraints. For each of a number of control points along a trajectory, a radiation delivery plan may comprise: a set of motion axes parameters, a set of beam shape parameters and a beam intensity.

Abstract: Benzoyl derivatives of the formula I where the variables have the following meanings: R1, R2 are hydrogen, nitro, halogen, cyano, alkyl, haloalkyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, alkylthio, haloalkylthio, alkylsulfinyl, haloalkylsulfinyl, alkylsulfonyl or C1-C6-haloalkylsulfonyl; R3 is hydrogen, halogen or alkyl; R4, R5 are hydrogen, halogen, cyano, nitro, alkyl, alkoxy, alkylthio, dialkylamino, phenyl or carbonyl, it being possible for the 6 last-mentioned radicals to be substituted; X is O, S, NR9, CO or CR10R11; Y is O, S, NR12, CO or CR13R14; R15 is pyrazole which is unsubstituted or substituted, linked in the 4-position and has attached to it in the 5-position a hydroxyl or sulfonyloxy radical; and the agriculturally useful salts thereof; processes and intermediates for the preparation of the 3-heterocyclyl-substituted benzoyl derivatives; compositions comprising them; and the use of these derivatives or compositions comprising them for controlling undesirable plants.

Abstract: In order to treat human or animal hair fixedly arranged on a sopport, hair is divided into strands. The divided strands are subjected to a dielectric plasma treatment by drawing an apparatus connected to a high voltage source (8) through the strands. The apparatus can be in the form of tongs or have a comb-like structure.

Abstract: An X-ray tube with a rotatable anode for generating X-rays and an X-ray apparatus and a method for balancing the rotary anode of an X-ray tube include balancing of the rotary anode applicable to an anode mounted inside an X-ray tube. The rotatable anode includes an anode disc fixedly mounted to a rotatably driven support body, which is rotatably supported by a bearing arrangement. The anode includes at least one balancing cavity to adjust the center of gravity of the anode. The balancing cavity is partly filled with a balancing material being solid at operating temperature of the X-ray tube and liquid at a higher temperature. The balancing method includes determining an imbalance of the anode; heating liquefy balancing material; dislocating the balancing material inside the balancing cavity to compensate the imbalance; and cooling to solidify the balancing material.