Abstract: Method of fluorescence imaging including: illuminating a sample to excite its fluorescence and acquiring an image thereof; based on fluorescence spectral and spatial information from the sample's fluorescence image, segmenting the image into regions of similar spectral properties; for each image segment, exciting the fluorescence of the corresponding sample region, and detecting the corresponding fluorescence; based on modelling, determining expected fluorescence parameters from the fluorescence signals detected for each region; scanning the sample and determining final fluorescence parameters based on said expected fluorescence parameters.

Abstract: A method for building a knowledge base containing entailment relations is proposed. The proposed method makes use of an automatic or semi-automatic procedure to learn iteratively patterns for specific relations using clusters of similar articles. For each considered relation a user provides a system with one or several pivot patterns or input patterns, and the system returns patterns which express the same meaning in different ways.

Abstract: An inductively coupled plasma processing apparatus (100) comprises a plasma chamber (12) with a dielectric window (400) forming a self-supporting wall element of the plasma chamber (12). The dielectric window (400) has an external and an internal side with respect to the chamber (12). An electromagnetic field source (140) is arranged in front of the external side of the dielectric window (400) for generating an electromagnetic field within the plasma chamber (12). The field source comprises at least one magnetic core (301, 302, 303). The at least one magnetic core (301, 302, 303) is attached to the external side of the dielectric window (400), such that the at least one magnetic core helps the dielectric window (400) to withstand collapsing forces caused by negative pressure inside said chamber during operation.

Abstract: Method of fluorescence imaging including: illuminating a sample to excite its fluorescence and acquiring an image thereof; based on fluorescence spectral and spatial information from the sample's fluorescence image, segmenting the image into regions of similar spectral properties; for each image segment, exciting the fluorescence of the corresponding sample region, and detecting the corresponding fluorescence; based on modelling, determining expected fluorescence parameters from the fluorescence signals detected for each region; scanning the sample and determining final fluorescence parameters based on said expected fluorescence parameters.

Abstract: Methods of using Th-226 or mother radionuclides thereof, namely U-230 or Th-226, in medicine. These radionuclides are particularly appropriate for the treatment of human and/or non-human mammals, in particular for therapeutic, diagnostic (detection/imaging), prophylactic and pain palliation purposes. These radionuclides may be used in various forms for treatment and/or diagnostic purposes, in particular in cationic form or in the form of radioconjugates or bone-targeting complexes. Methods of making such radionuclides.

Abstract: Methods of using Th-226 or mother radionuclides thereof, namely U-230 or Th-226, in medicine. These radionuclides are particularly appropriate for the treatment of human and/or non-human mammals, in particular for therapeutic, diagnostic (detection/imaging), prophylactic and pain palliation purposes. These radionuclides may be used in various forms for treatment and/or diagnostic purposes, in particular in cationic form or in the form of radioconjugates or bone-targeting complexes. Methods of making such radionuclides.

Abstract: A radioimmunoconjugate for targeted alpha therapy comprises an alpha-emitter (e.g. Bi-213) linked to the monoclonal antibody C595. This radioimmunoconjugate is widely applicable in cancer therapy and is particularly efficient for treatment of pancreatic and prostate cancer, as well as for breast and ovarian cancer.

Abstract: An apparatus for plasma treatment of a non-conductive hollow substrate, including a plurality of ionization energy sources disposed adjacent to each other all along the part of the substrate to be treated. The apparatus also includes a processor to sequentially power the plurality of ionization energy sources from a radio frequency power source. Each ionization energy source includes two parts sandwiching the substrate. The ionization energy sources can be capacitively or inductively coupled plasma sources.

Abstract: A sealing bolt for sealing a container lid to a container body, the sealing bolt including: a first identity element configured so as to provide a first identification signal when sensed with an ultrasonic reading device; a second identity element configured so as to provide a second identification signal when sensed with an ultrasonic reading device; and a third identity element. The third identity element includes the first and second identity elements and a third identification signal is formed by the intersection points created by an overlap of the first and second identification signals. The invention also concerns a method for sealing a container lid to a container body using such a sealing bolt.

Abstract: An inductively coupled plasma processing apparatus (100) comprises a plasma chamber (12) with a dielectric window (400) forming a self-supporting wall element of the plasma chamber (12). The dielectric window (400) has an external and an internal side with respect to the chamber (12). An electromagnetic field source (140) is arranged in front of the external side of the dielectric window (400) for generating an electromagnetic field within the plasma chamber (12). The field source comprises at least one magnetic core (301, 302, 303). The at least one magnetic core (301, 302, 303) is attached to the external side of the dielectric window (400), such that the at least one magnetic core helps the dielectric window (400) to withstand collapsing forces caused by negative pressure inside said chamber during operation.

Abstract: A navigation system for disabled persons, in particular visually impaired persons. The navigation system comprises a plurality of transponders (10, 10?, 10?, 100) with RFID tags (14), said transponders (10, 10?, 10?; 100) being installed at known locations and each of said RFID tags (14) having a unique identifier. The navigation system further comprises a database (66) comprising a mapping of the unique identifiers to the known locations. This system also comprises a portable device (50) having a transceiver (40) for communication with at least one proximate transponder (10, 10?, 10?; 100), a storage means (54) for storing content of the database, a processing means (52) for determining information in accordance with the database (66) and the unique identifier of the proximate transponder (10, 10?, 10?; 100) and an interface (56) for providing the information to the disabled persons. The transponders (10, 10?, 10?; 100) are embedded in footpaths (30, 70) and/or border surfaces of footpaths.

Abstract: A sealing device (10) comprising a first sealing element (12) having a housing (18) with an internal chamber (26) therein and a second sealing element (14) having a shaft (34). When the first (12) and second sealing elements (14) are connected, the shaft (34) of the second sealing element (14) extends into the internal chamber (26) of the first sealing element (12) through an opening in its housing. According to an important aspect of the invention, the first sealing element (12) comprises a pressure sensor (46) connected to the internal chamber (26) for sensing a pressure in the internal chamber (26); and a transmitter (48) for receiving a signal indicative of the pressure in the internal chamber and for transmitting the signal to a monitoring station.

Abstract: An electrostatic sensor generally includes a sensor head with at least one passive sensing electrode responsive to an electric field and a high-impedance amplification stage associated with the sensing electrode. The high-impedance amplification stage is configured for outputting at least one output signal in response to an electric signal induced on the at least one sensing electrode by the electric field. The sensor head further includes a screen of electrically insulating material, which is associated with the at least one sensing electrode. In an operational mode of the electrostatic sensor, the screen is electrically charged and induces an electric field in the surroundings of the sensing electrode.

Abstract: The present invention proposes a sealing bolt (10) for sealing a container lid (12) to a container body (14) with a threaded bore (28), the sealing bolt (10) comprising a bolt shaft (18) having a first shaft end (20) and a threaded second shaft end (22) opposite to the first shaft end (20), and a bolt head (16) connected to the first shaft end (20), the threaded second shaft end (22) cooperating with the threaded bore (28) so as to allow the sealing bolt (10) to lock the container lid (12) between the bolt head (16) and the container body (14), the sealing bolt (10) further comprising a security element with a breakable integrity element (34) for verifying the integrity of the sealing bolt (10).

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method and a system for measuring the thermal diffusivity. Said method comprises the steps of: subjecting a surface region of an object to a modulated heating beam (3) while providing a signal (MLS) thereof, the heated spot or area (4) of the surface of the sample (2) having a definitive diameter and a fixed intensity distribution profile; providing a signal (MTS) proportional to the temperature of the heated spot area (4); determining the phase difference between the modulated beam signal (MLS) and the resulting modulated temperature signal (MTS); and using said determined phase difference and the associated frequency to work out the thermal diffusivity value of said object (2).

Abstract: The method consists of computing (E1-E4) a set of two-dimensional images in a three-dimensional geometrical space representing a virtual object from respective different viewpoints. The virtual object is represented by digital data stored in a computer. Holograms are computed (E5-E6) for the respective two-dimensional images using a fast complex transform, such as a Fourier transform. The holograms are then juxtaposed (E7) to form a digital hologram of the object which is physically reproduced (E8) by a spatial light modulator. A three-dimensional image of the object is obtained by illuminating the spatial light modulator with a coherent source.

Abstract: The invention relates to a seal device, including a locking pin and a sleeve, the locking pin having a head and a stem having a groove which interacts with a locking ring disposed in the sleeve to lock the sleeve onto the pin by insertion. The sleeve also includes a first transponder housed in the upper portion of the sleeve at a depth that is greater than the height of the stem and the locking pin also comprises a second transponder disposed on the outer periphery of the stem. Each transponder includes storage means for storing at least one unique identification code. Thus, any unauthorized handling of the seal device may be detected even if the latter is completely replaced after breakage.

Abstract: The invention concerns a fastening member comprising a threaded part (150) and a head (100) with which the threaded part can be turned in order to tighten the fastening member in a corresponding element. The head (100) is formed of a plate (110) in one piece with the threaded part (150) and a cap (120) covering said plate. The cap (120) comprises a recessed portion (121) in which an offset is provided to form a housing (128). The plate (110) comprises a guide finger (111) located inside the housing (128) to form a stop against which the cap presses in order to impart a rotational movement to the plate in the tightening direction. The cap (120) further comprises a remotely interrogatable electronic component (130) comprising a data storage means (132).

Abstract: A multipurpose seal with a lock, including a mobile closure apparatus of a casing containing a lock and an attachment element designed to be locked in the casing. The lock includes a barrel configured to move in the casing between a locked position and an unlocked position. A remote-interrogatable electronic component including a data-storage is maintained in a housing, which passes through part of the casing and part of the lock barrel when the lock barrel is in the locked position. Thus, any rotation of the barrel from the locked position causes the component to break.

Abstract: The invention concerns a ligand comprising wherein n is an integer from 1 to 5, X represents —NO2, —NH2, —NCS, —NHCOCH2-Z. NHCO—W—COCNHS, —NH-Q, —NHCS-Q, —NHCOCH2-Q, or —NHCO(CH2)m ?-Q where Q is an hapten chosen from the group consisting of steroids, enzymes, proteins, monoclonal antibodies, chimeric antibodies, or fragments thereof or any activated linker ready for coupling reaction, Y is CO2H or PO3H2 W is —(CH2)m— m is an integer from 1 to 10.