Abstract: In some embodiments, a method for processing inspection data associated with cargo irradiated by a plurality N of pulses of inspection is provided. The method includes obtaining the inspection data, the inspection data being representative of intensity values of pixels of an inspection image of the including data associated with a higher energy mode, and data associated with a lower energy mode; generating a histogram having, as a first axis, bins corresponding to pixel intensity values HM associated with the higher energy mode and, as a second axis, bins corresponding to pixel intensity values LM associated with the lower energy mode; selecting a bin corresponding to a most frequent bin of the pixel intensity values HM; and generating a transformation table by mapping each bin of the pixel intensity values LM with the selected bin of the pixel intensity values HM.

Abstract: Described herein is a high-energy x-ray imaging system including a stationary gantry, a conveyor assembly configured to convey an object to be imaged through the gantry, a plurality of linear accelerators, a detector array, and a control system. The linear accelerators are arranged in an array within the gantry and are configured to generate high-energy x-ray fan beams to be transmitted through the object. The detector array is positioned opposite the linear accelerators and is configured to collect the high-energy x-ray fan beams transmitted through the object. The control system is configured to energize the linear accelerators according to a predetermined control sequence to generate the high-energy x-ray fan beams, and construct a 3-D image of the object based on data received from the detector array and representative of the high-energy x-ray fan beams transmitted through the object.

Abstract: In one example, there is provided a method for processing data associated with inspection of cargo with an inspection system, the inspection system including a radiation source configured to emit a plurality N of successive pulses irradiating the cargo at a frequency, and a matrix detector including a first column p1 of detectors and at least one second column p2 of detectors. The method includes obtaining data associated with a scanning of at least one part of the cargo with a current frequency fn, wherein the scanning includes displacing the cargo and the system with a relative scanning displacement; determining a pace ?, at a predetermined instant t; and determining whether the determined pace ? is reliable. If the pace is reliable, the current frequency is updated.

Abstract: A system for inspecting items in transit through a transit facility, wherein the system comprises a plurality of data collection units located at a plurality of transit facilities; a decision entity, in connection with the data collection unit at a selected one of the transit facilities; and a server connectable to each of the data collection units. The server comprising a data store storing inspection data, obtained from the data collection units, indicative of instances of item inspection at the plurality of transit facilities; and a processor coupled to the data store and operable to update the data store based on data gathered at the data collection units.

Abstract: Proposed is a disinfection device for automatically disinfecting a transport container intended for transporting one or more inspection objects through an inspection apparatus and non-destructively inspecting them in the inspection apparatus, the disinfection device including: an input point connected to a pick-up point, an output point connected to a lay-up point, and at least one return device extending from the input point to the output point, and at least one automatic disinfection device arranged at the return path for disinfecting the emptied transport containers.

Abstract: A dual-energy X-ray detector includes a detector line arranged transversely to the sampling direction, including first and second detector elements which respond differently to an X-ray spectrum and which are each arranged alternately next to one another in the detector line, the first and second detector elements each producing based on X-ray radiation (XR) independently of one another in each case only corresponding first or second detector data.

Abstract: An ion mobility spectrometry method comprising (i) applying a voltage difference between a first electrode of an ion gate and a second electrode of the ion gate to prevent ions from leaving a reaction region of an ion mobility spectrometer; (ii) opening the ion gate to allow the ions to travel from the reaction region into a modification region between the first electrode and the second electrode; (iii) applying a radio frequency, RF, voltage between the first electrode and the second electrode to fragment the ions in the modification region to provide daughter ions; (iv) allowing the daughter ions to travel from the modification region into a drift region of the ion mobility spectrometer towards a collector; (v) closing the ion gate; and (vi) determining the time of flight of the daughter ions from the ion gate to the collector.

Abstract: A method for inspecting cargo with is disclosed. The method includes scanning the cargo with a matrix including at least two rows of detectors, wherein each zone of the cargo irradiated by a first X ray pulse is irradiated by at least one second X ray pulse, and a radiation corresponding to the first X ray pulse is detected by a first row of the matrix, and a radiation corresponding to the at least one second pulse is detected by at least one second row of the matrix, generating a first image of the cargo and at least one second image of the cargo, determining, for each zone of the cargo irradiated, a local mutual parasitic displacement between the cargo and the matrix, determining a total mutual parasitic displacement, and generating a corrected image of the cargo without the mutual parasitic displacement.

Abstract: A method for providing in situ chemical transformation and ionization of a portion (e.g., inorganic oxidizer) of a sample via an analyte detection system is disclosed herein. The method includes introducing a gas into an ionization some of the analyte detection system via an inlet. The method further includes generating ions within the ionization source and directing the gas and generated ions through and out of the ionization source and to the sample. The sample is located proximal to the ionization source in an ambient environment. The ions chemically react with the sample and desorb and ionize an analytic from the sample, the analyte being generated from the inorganic oxidizer, the desorbed analyte having a lower melting point and/or better desorption kinetics than the inorganic oxidizer. The method further includes receiving the desorbed analyte via an analyzer of the analyte detection system.

Abstract: A detector comprising an analytical apparatus for detecting a substance of interest, and a detector inlet. The detector inlet comprises a flow passage for carrying a flow of fluid, the flow passage comprising a sampling volume, and a sampling inlet adapted to collect samples of the fluid from the sampling volume as the fluid flows past the sampling inlet, and to provide the samples to the analytical apparatus, wherein the flow of fluid carries particulates. The detector inlet also comprises a flow director arranged to vary a spatial distribution of the particulates carried by the fluid to increase a relative proportion of the particulates carried past the sampling inlet along the flow passage without entering the sampling volume.

Abstract: A detection device for detecting the presence of a substance of interest in a sample is described. The device can include a data store comprising executable instructions for at least one convolutional neural network, CNN, configured to process images: and a processor coupled to the data store and configured to execute the instructions to operate the at least one CNN. The detection device can be configured to: obtain spectrometry data, operate a first one of the CNNs to process the spectrometry data to obtain a first CNN output; apply a mask to the spectrometry data to obtain masked data; operate a second one of the CNNs to process the masked data to obtain a second CNN output; and determine if the substance of interest is present in the sample based on both the first CNN output and the second CNN output.

Abstract: A detector inlet for providing a sample to an analytical apparatus for detecting an aerosol, the detector inlet comprising; an intake for inhaling a flow of gaseous fluid to be sampled by the analytical apparatus; a mixing region; a first conduit for carrying a first part of the flow of gaseous fluid from the intake to the mixing region; a second conduit for carrying a second part of the flow of gaseous fluid from the intake to the mixing region; and a heater configured to heat the first part more than the second part, and wherein the detector inlet is configured to combine the first part with the second part in the mixing region.

Abstract: A portable ion mobility spectrometry apparatus (1) for detecting an aerosol and a method for using the apparatus. The apparatus comprises an ion mobility spectrometer (3); a portable power source (5) carried by the apparatus for providing power to the apparatus (1); an inlet (7) for collecting a flow of air to be tested by the spectrometer (3); a heater (4) configured to heat the air to be tested to vapourise an aerosol carried by the air and a controller (2) configured to control the spectrometer (3) to obtain samples from the heated air, wherein the controller is configured to increase a heat output from the heater (4) for a selected time period before obtaining samples from the heated air.

Abstract: A trace analyte collection swab having a collection surface at least partially coated with a microscopically tacky substance to enhance pick-up efficiency is described. In embodiments, the truce analyte collection swab comprises a substrate including a surface having a trace analyte collection area and a coating disposed on the surface of the substrate in the trace analyte collection area. The coating is configured to be microscopically adhesive to collect particles of the trace analyte from a surface when the trace analyte collection area is placed against the surface. In one embodiment, the coating comprises Polyisobutylene.

Abstract: A detection device for detecting the presence of a substance of interest in a sample is described. The device can include a data store comprising executable instructions for at least one convolutional neural network, CNN, configured to process images: and a processor coupled to the data store and configured to execute the instructions to operate the at least one CNN. The detection device can be configured to: obtain spectrometry data, operate a first one of the CNNs to process the spectrometry data to obtain a first CNN output; apply a mask to the spectrometry data to obtain masked data; operate a second one of the CNNs to process the masked data to obtain a second CNN output; and determine if the substance of interest is present in the sample based on both the first CNN output and the second CNN output.

Abstract: An anode head for an anode of an X-ray generating device is provided. The anode head is made of an X-ray attenuating material and has a first opening with a first diameter for a primary electron beam, wherein a circular aperture of a secondary electron absorbing material and having a second opening which is arranged concentrically to the first aperture and has a second diameter which is smaller than the first diameter.

Abstract: An ion detection assembly is described that includes a drift chamber, an inlet assembly, and a collector assembly. The drift chamber is formed of substantially non-conductive material and/or semi-conductive material. A patterned resistive trace is deposited on one or more of an interior surface or an exterior surface of the drift chamber. The patterned resistive trace is configured to connect to a source of electrical energy. The inlet assembly and the collector assembly are in fluid communication with the drift chamber. The inlet assembly includes an inlet for receiving a sample, a reaction region for ionizing the sample, and a gate for controlling entrance of the ionized sample to the drift chamber. The collector assembly includes a collector plate for collecting the ionized sample after the ionized sample passes through the drift chamber.

Abstract: In one embodiment, there is provided a system for inspection of a human or animal body, comprising: a radiation provider configured to provide ionizing radiation having a radiation dose to the body, for inspection of the body by transmission; a measurement device configured to measure other than the ionizing radiation to determine at least one property associated with a dimension of the body to inspect; and a controller configured to cause the radiation dose provided to the body by the radiation provider to be controlled based on the at least one property determined by the measurement device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and corresponding devices for monitoring the attention of an operator of an X-ray inspection system for nondestructive inspection of inspection objects and for ensuring the presence and/or attention of an operator of the X-ray inspection system including the following steps: display of a piece of information that defines a randomly determined desired input; detection of an actual input of the operator as a response to the displayed desired input; and, based on the desired input and the actual input, determination of a signal that indicates the attention of the operator.

Abstract: An ion filter for a mass spectrometer, the apparatus comprising an ion modifier; an ion selector configured to select a subset of a sample of ions based on their mobility in a gas; and a controller configured to operate the ion modifier in a first mode to modify the ions selected by the ion selector to provide daughter ions, and configured to operate the ion modifier in a second mode to output the ions selected by the ion selector; wherein the ion filter is adapted for providing output ions from the ion modifier to an intake of a mass spectrometer.