Abstract: Determine first information regarding physical-movement limitations pertaining to at least one multi-leaf collimator and also determine second information regarding movement of the treatment target with respect to the given patient. Then, while optimizing a radiation-treatment leaf-sequence plan, constrain individually-planned leaf positions as a function, at least in part, of the first information, the second information, and planned positions of adjacent leaves. By one approach, the first information can comprise information regarding a speed (such as a maximum speed) at which individual leaves of the multi-leaf collimator are able to move during a treatment session. By one approach, the second information can comprise information regarding a distance (such as a maximum distance) that one or more parts of the treatment target may possibly move as compared to a presumed position used during the optimizing of the radiation-treatment leaf-sequence plan.

Abstract: An irrigation power system is provided for use with a conventional irrigation conduit having water flow therethrough as a source of hydro energy. In order to convert the hydro energy of the water flow to electrical energy, a power generation module is provided along the irrigation conduit. The electrical energy provided by the power generation module is then provided to a power conditioner to alter the electrical energy to produce a predetermined current. The predetermined current is then sent to a storage device for later use. An irrigation system component then communicates with the storage device to receive electrical power for selective operation of the component.

Abstract: A first movable barrier operator is actuated in order to move a first movable barrier to a first predetermined position via a first movement and according to a first operating characteristic. A second operating characteristic is selected for moving a second movable barrier to a second predetermined position via a second movement. The second operating characteristic is chosen so that the second movement of the second movable barrier to the second predetermined position does not interfere with the first movement of the first movable barrier to the first predetermined position. A second movable barrier operator is actuated to move the second movable barrier to the second predetermined position via the second movement according to the second operating characteristic.

Abstract: An irrigation device including an actuator configured to control water flow to at least one water delivery device, a first stored energy source configured to power the actuator to effect irrigation via the at least one water delivery device, and a second stored energy source which is separate from the first stored energy source, wherein the second stored energy source is configured to power the actuator to terminate the irrigation via the at least one water delivery device. The irrigation devices further includes a controller configured to cause the first stored energy source to power the actuator to effect the irrigation, responsive to an instruction to provide irrigation, and to cause the second stored energy source to power the actuator to terminate the irrigation responsive to a termination condition.

Abstract: Radio frequency identification (RFID) devices for use in RFID-based sensors and related methods are described herein. In one implementation, an RFID sensor system includes an RFID device having a near field only RFID tag and a conductive element which functions as a far field antenna. A coupling structure selectively locates the near field only RFID tag and the conductive element in at least a first position and a second position relative to each other; wherein in the first position, the RFID device only operates in a near field, and in the second position, the RFID device operates in both the near field and a far field. The system may also include an RFID reader and controller located within the far field to read the RFID device only when the coupling structure locates the components in the second position.

Abstract: The present teachings are directed toward a lubricity additive for fuel compositions that is a mixture of an amine having at least one alicyclic group and a monocarboxylic acid having up to 22 carbon atoms.

Abstract: Radio frequency identification (RFID) devices, and methods of manufacture are described herein. In one implementation, a RFID device comprises: a near field only RFID tag that does not function as a far field RFID tag and is pre-manufactured; and a conductive element independent from the near field only RFID tag and adapted to function as a far field antenna. The near field only RFID tag is coupled to a first portion of an item; and the conductive element is coupled to a second portion of the item, the first portion and the second portion located such that the near field only RFID tag is coupled in proximity to the conductive element such that the RFID device functions in both a near field and a far field.

Abstract: The present invention is related to an irradiation cell for producing a radioisotope of interest through the irradiation of a target material by a particle beam, comprising a metallic insert forming a cavity designed to house the target material and to be closed by an irradiation window, wherein said metallic insert comprises at least two separate metallic parts of different materials, being composed of at least a first part comprising said cavity.

Abstract: An insert is disclosed for use in cutting tool applications having two major faces and at least two cutting edges. The insert is indexable by repositioning the cutting insert from one face to the other face. The inserts may be mounted in a seat formed in a fixed cutting tool. The seat has a major seating surface for mounting the insert and for receiving a retainer at a predetermined angle. In one form, the seat may also have dovetail walls oriented to engage side walls of the insert and to reduce the shear force against the retainer during contact between the insert and a rotating workpiece. The fixed tool has reliefs and a tip pocket to protect an unused cutting edge on the insert.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device for synthesis of radiopharmaceutical products based on chemical reagents contained in bottles, said device comprising several reaction compartments, transfer means between said bottles and said reaction compartments as well as mechanical means acting on said transfer means and enabling to monitor and control mechanically the transfer of chemical reagents. The invention is characterized in that it comprises: a fixed module including at least the mechanical means; a removable and disposable module, essentially in the shape of a support, whereon are arranged the transfer means between said bottles and said reaction compartments, said removable and disposable module not including any mechanical means; and means for securing said removable and disposable module to said fixed module.

Abstract: Lipid-based, creamy food fillings are disclosed that are bake-stable up to a temperature of at least about 125° C. The creamy food fillings are particularly suitable for use in products that require the filling to be added prior to baking. In one aspect, the fillings are a solid-in-liquid dispersion having a dispersed solid phase including a hydrophilic powder and a high-melting lipid, as well as a continuous lipid phase including a low-melting lipid in which the hydrophilic powder and high-melting lipid are dispersed. Preferably, the fillings have a low water activity of about 0.5 or lower and are formed in the absence of additional humectants, thickening agents, or gelling agents.

Abstract: The present invention provides a pancreatic islet isolation method comprising the steps of (1) injecting a protection solution containing a protease inhibitor into the pancreatic duct of an procured pancreas; (3) digesting the pancreas into which the protection solution has been injected; and (4) purifying the digested pancreatic tissue using a purification solution containing a density gradient reagent. The present invention also provides a protection solution for injection into the pancreatic duct, a pancreas preservation solution for the two-layer method, and an islet purification solution.

Abstract: Method of operating a three-phase slurry reactor includes feeding at a low level at least one gaseous reactant into a vertically extending slurry body of solid particles suspended in a suspension liquid, the slurry body being contained in at least two vertically extending shafts housed within a common reactor shell, each shaft being divided into a plurality of vertically extending channels at least some of which are in slurry flow communication and the slurry body being present in at least some of the channels. The gaseous reactant is allowed to react as it passes upwardly through the slurry body present in at least some of the channels of the shafts, thereby to form a non-gaseous and/or a gaseous product. Gaseous product, if present, and/or unreacted gaseous reactant is allowed to disengage from the slurry body in a head space above the slurry body.

Abstract: A semi-automatic loader for needle boards (2) includes a filling device (51)that presents felting needles (17) arranged at a ratio that is consistent with the ratio of holes of a needle board. A machine operator can then grasp the felting 5 needles (17) by use of a multiple collet chuck (45) and set them in groups in the rows of holes of the needle board (2). This provides a loading method featuring extremely high productivity.

Abstract: One accesses information regarding the functionality of portions of the patient's body and then uses that information to optimize a radiation-treatment plan to treat a target portion of the patient's body while minimizing at least some collateral radiation-based damage to non-targeted functional portions of the patient's body. By one approach, the aforementioned information can comprise a functionality model as pertains to at least some portions of the patient's body. As one example in these regards, this can comprise optimizing the radiation-treatment plan such that the planned radiation beams tend to pass through non-targeted less-functional portions of the patient's body rather than through non-targeted portions of the patient's body of greater functionality.

Abstract: A method for use with a musical instrument includes receiving a signal representative of a sound produced by the musical instrument, receiving a selection of an audio effect from a wireless controller, applying the audio effect to the signal representative of a sound produced by the musical instrument, and providing an output signal representative of the audio effect applied to the sound produced by the musical instrument. Other methods include causing an image to be responsive to a signal representative of motions of the musical instrument, and causing an image to be responsive to a signal representative of sound produced by the musical instrument. A computer readable storage medium may store a computer program adapted to cause a processor based system to execute the steps of any one or more of these methods.

Abstract: A rolling code transmitter is useful in a security system for providing secure encrypted RF transmission comprising an interleaved trinary bit fixed code and rolling code. A receiver demodulates the encrypted RF transmission and recovers the fixed code and rolling code. Upon comparison of the fixed and rolling codes with stored codes and determining that the signal has emanated from an authorized transmitter, a signal is generated to actuate an electric motor to open or close a movable barrier.

Abstract: A graphic user interface method for representing a search of a database, providing a plurality of stylized Venn diagrams each representing an intersection of at least two sets; receiving from the user, for each generic graphic icon, a selection of at least one region, defining an output data set; presenting the generic graphic icons on the graphic user interface as modified graphic icons, each having graphic indication of the selections; and receiving linkage information from the user for the modified graphic icons to represent a composite set inclusion property, based on the output data sets and the linkage information. Once a search is defined, it may be translated, as necessary, for execution by a typical database search engine. Retrieved results may be quautified and ranked by the interface system fur optimal presentation to the user.