Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a method of examining contents of an object is disclosed comprising conducting a first examination of an object, checking for the presence of delayed neutrons if the first examination indicates that suspect material is present, and determining whether the object contains nuclear material based, at least in part, on the check. The first examination may comprise a manual examination and scanning of the object to form an image, for example. The first examination may also comprise scanning of the object at two different radiation energies, calculating a function of the energy detected at the two radiation energies, and determining whether the object at least potentially contains suspect material based, at least in part, on the comparison. Systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of edge bevel rinse. First, a wafer having a coating material layer disposed thereon is provided. A light beam is optically projected on the wafer to form a reference pattern. The reference pattern defines a central region, and a bevel region surrounding the central region on the surface of the wafer. Subsequently, the coating material layer positioned in the bevel region is removed according to the reference pattern.

Abstract: A computer system for controlling a nonlinear physical process. The computer system comprises a linear controller and a neural network. The linear controller receives a command signal for control of the nonlinear physical process and a measured output signal from the output of the nonlinear physical process. The linear controller generates a control signal based on the command signal, a measured output signal, and a fixed linear model for the process. The neural network receives the control signal from the linear controller and the measured output signal from the output of the nonlinear physical process. The neural network uses the measured output signal to modify the connection weights of the neural network. The neural network also generates a modified control signal supplied to the linear controller to iterate a fixed point solution for the modified control signal used to control the nonlinear physical process.

Abstract: A treatment planning, simulation, and verification system is described. According to one embodiment, a treatment plan and a fluoroscopy data image of a treatment volume are received and the treatment plan is automatically adjusted based on the movement of the fluoroscopy data image. According to another embodiment, a system includes a treatment planning component to generate a treatment plan and a simulation component to simulate the execution of the treatment plan.

Abstract: A substrate having a sacrificial layer and a structural layer disposed on the front surface of the substrate is provided. Thereon an opening is formed on the back surface of the substrate and the sacrificial layer is exposed partially. A wet etching process is performed to etch the sacrificial layer via the opening to form a suspended structure. Finally, a gas injection process is performed. The gas injection process comprises blowing a gas on the suspended structure via the opening and consequently preventing the suspended structure from sticking to the substrate.

Abstract: An improved particle beam treatment system optionally includes exchangeable particle beam nozzles. These particle beam nozzles may be automatically moved from a storage location to a particle beam path or between particle beam paths for use in medical applications. Movement may be achieved using a conveyance, gantry, rail system, or the like. The improved particle beam treatment system optionally also includes more than two alternative particle beam paths. These alternative particle beam paths may be directed to a patient from a variety of different angles and in different planes.

Abstract: An improved particle beam treatment system optionally includes exchangeable particle beam nozzles. These particle beam nozzles may be automatically moved from a storage location to a particle beam path or between particle beam paths for use in medical applications. Movement may be achieved using a conveyance, gantry, rail system, or the like. The improved particle beam treatment system optionally also includes more than two alternative particle beam paths. These alternative particle beam paths may be directed to a patient from a variety of different angles and in different planes.

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring breathing movement of a subject is disclosed. A method and system for detecting and predictably estimating regular cycles of breathing movements is disclosed. Another disclosed aspect of the invention is directed to detect and report irregularity of breathing activity of an infant, such as cessation and non-periodicity, which suggests a likelihood of SIDS.

Abstract: An improved particle beam treatment system optionally includes exchangeable particle beam nozzles. These particle beam nozzles may be automatically moved from a storage location to a particle beam path or between particle beam paths for use in medical applications. Movement may be achieved using a conveyance, gantry, rail system, or the like. The improved particle beam treatment system optionally also includes more than two alternative particle beam paths. These alternative particle beam paths may be directed to a patient from a variety of different angles and in different planes.

Abstract: A device for generating a particle beam includes a particle source, and a structure having a first section and a second section, the first section coupled to the particle source, the first section having a first power input, and the second section having a second power input, wherein the first section is configured to produce a particle beam having a first energy E1, and the second section is configured to increase or decrease the first energy E1 by an amount E2, the absolute value of E2 being less than E1.

Abstract: A method for generating an electron beam includes prescribing a location, and generating an envelope of electrons, the envelope having a waist, wherein the generating is performed such that the waist of the envelope is at or adjacent to the prescribed location. A device for generating an electron beam includes a gun source for generating electrons, and a plurality of electromagnetic cavities coupled in series to form a body, the electromagnetic cavities configured to accelerate at least some of the electrons to create a beam of electrons at an energy level having a value between 5 MeV and 20 MeV, the beam of electrons having a cross sectional dimension that is 0.02 ? (or 2 mm) or less.

Abstract: Devices and methods for implementing selective, or asymmetric, attenuation of an x-ray beam. In one example, a filter is provided that is substantially in the form of a wedge where some portions of the filter are thicker, and thus provide greater attenuation, than other, thinner portions of the filter. The filter is situated between the target surface of the anode and the x-ray subject so that x-rays generated by the target pass through the filter before reaching the x-ray subject. Specifically, the filter is oriented so that the thicker portion of the filter receives the higher intensity portion of the x-ray beam, while the thinner portion of the filter receives the relatively lower intensity portion of the x-ray beam. Thus, the gain profile of the x-ray beam is flattened so that the intensity, or flux, of the x-ray beam is relatively uniform throughout a substantial portion of the beam profile.

Abstract: A multi-leaf collimator includes a number of independently adjustable leaves. Adjacent leaves overlap to prevent an incident beam of radiation from passing through a gap between them. The overlapping portions of the leaves are made of a first material, while the non-overlapping portions of the leaves are made of a second, different material.

Abstract: A micro sample heating apparatus has a substrate, a micro heating device disposed on a first surface of the substrate, a cavity having an inclined sidewall and corresponding to the micro heating device positioned in a second surface of the substrate, and an isolation structure positioned on the second surface of the substrate. The isolation structure has an opening corresponding to the cavity, and the cavity and the opening form a sample room.

Abstract: Vehicles for use in radiation scanning systems to inspect objects are disclosed. In one embodiment, a vehicle has a supporting portion and a radiation source is movably supported by the supporting portion. The source may be moved along the supporting portion to scan an object. The supporting portion may comprise an expandable portion. The vehicle may comprise a truck and an expandable trailer releasably coupled to the truck. The trailer may comprise telescoping rails. In another embodiment, a vehicle with a supporting portion, which may be an expandable portion, movably supports a detector. Vehicles of the first and second embodiments may be driven to an inspection site, where they may be rapidly deployed on opposite sides of an object to be scanned.

Abstract: A method of fabricating microconnectors. A wafer is provided, and a dielectric layer is formed on a first surface of the wafer. The dielectric layer is bonded to a support wafer, and a thinning process is performed. A second surface of the wafer is then bonded to the support wafer, and a conductive wiring pattern is formed on the dielectric layer. An insulating layer is formed on the dielectric layer and the conductive wiring pattern. A portion of the insulating layer is removed to expose the conductive wiring pattern, and a portion of the dielectric layer and the wafer is removed to divide the wafer into a plurality of microconnectors.

Abstract: A piezoresistive pressure sensor test sample is first provided, and a zero offset of the piezoresistive pressure sensor test sample is measured. Subsequently, a stress deviation corresponding to the zero offset is calculated. Thereafter, at least a piezoresistive pressure sensor under the same process condition as the piezoresistive pressure sensor test sample is formed. When forming the piezoresistive pressure sensor, at least a stress-adjusting thin film is formed on at least a surface of the piezoresistive pressure sensor to calibrate the zero offset of the piezoresistive pressure sensor.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a suspension structure including providing a substrate, forming a hole and a sacrificial layer filling the hole on the substrate, forming a patterned photoresist layer on the substrate and the sacrificial layer, the patterned photoresist layer exposing a part of the substrate and the sacrificial layer, forming a structure layer on the substrate, the patterned photoresist layer, and the sacrificial layer, performing a lift off process to remove the patterned photoresist layer and the structure layer above the photoresist pattern, and performing a dry etch process to remove the sacrificial layer in order to make the structure layer and the hole become the suspension structure and the chamber.

Abstract: A method of imaging a patient's uncompressed region of interest using X-ray cone beam computed tomography or cone beam digital tomography comprises the step of introducing an effective amount of a contrast agent to the uncompressed region of interest. A system for imaging a patient's uncompressed region of interest using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) or cone beam digital tomography (CBDT) comprises an X-ray source transmitting an X-ray to the uncompressed region of interest, an image acquisition system acquiring a plurality of two-dimensional projection images data for a CBCT or CBDT data set with at least one of the projection images acquired in 35 milliseconds or less, and a processor generating a three-dimensional computed tomography image data set resolving voxels with dimensions of 0.4 mm or less in at least two orthogonal directions.

Abstract: A knowledge-based natural speech dialogue system includes: (i) a knowledge support system, (ii) a flexible dialogue control system, and (iii) a context information system. Flexibilities of the conversation structure, inherent in mixed-initiative mode for dealing with complex user request, are managed because the knowledge structures involved are represented by additional, powerful knowledge representation tools, and because the context information is retained by more specific data structures, which covers larger temporal scopes by the logic of the conversation, rather than by a fixed locality of the grammar flow. This system provides a simple yet reliable method to compensate for these factors to enable more powerful conversation engines with mixed-initiative capabilities.