Abstract: An 3D imaging method registers relatively deformed first and second volumetric images of an object which may be obtained from different imaging modalities, and/or at different times by performing an elastic geometric transformation on one of the volumetric images. The method includes extracting first and second corresponding surfaces from the respective first and second images, which surfaces delineate the same feature, such as a bone/tissue interface. This is done by extracting a stack of contours for each surface. The first surface is iteratively warped toward alignment with the second surface to arrive at a global translation vector and a set of residual surface distortion vectors. Volume distortion vectors, determined by applying a weighting function to the residual surface distortion vectors, are used to indicate the locations in the second volumetric image of voxel centers whose interpolated intensities are to be moved to lattice points.

Abstract: The properties of a diffusion barrier material layer over a semiconductor substrate are enhanced in a simple and time-effective manner by immersing the substrate in an oxidizing liquid. For a titanium-tungsten barrier metal, a dip in nitric acid for 1-60 minutes provides the metal with an oxide layer of the right thickness of 10-20 .ANG..

Abstract: A multiple-input arbiter first mutually correlates groups of input signals for identifying a particular group, which includes at least one input signal that is a candidate for gaining the overall priority. Thereupon the priority winner is determined in that particular group. Such a hierarchical processing lends itself to an architecture wherein the processing in groups is implemented by cascaded levels of uniform logic blocks. The decomposition in uniform logic blocks considerably simplifies the design of arbiters that process large numbers of input signals.

Abstract: A material for use in a laser heterostructure which is lattice matched material to ZnSe and has a high band gap. The material is Mg.sub.y Zn.sub.1-y S.sub.x Se.sub.1-x with the ratio of sulphur to magnesium of 0.26/0.19. Lasing devices constructed from layers of this material and ZnSe can be either electron beam pumped or electrically driven.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for commutating a brushless DC motor that prevents backdriving or spiking, due to energy stored in the coils of the bridge of the brushless DC motor, of a DC power supply providing current to the DC motor.

Abstract: Apparatus for starting and operating a high pressure discharge lamp includes a pair of input terms for connection to a high frequency inverter. A step-up transformer couples the input terminals to a pair of output terminals for connection of the discharge lamp. A switching arrangement including a voltage-multiplier circuit, is coupled to the primary winding of the transformer and includes a first branch comprising a first capacitor and a diode and a second branch comprising a diode. Between the first capacitor and the diode of the first branch is connected a third branch comprising a semiconductor switch such as a SIDAC. The first branch is connected through the transformer coil to a first supply source connection point. The second branch is connected to a tap point of the coil. The first and the second branch are connected via a common impedance including second capacitor and an inductor to a second supply source connection point.