Abstract: When an AEC sensor is changed, the same AEC as before changing the AEC sensor is carried out without modifying an existing apparatus. A storage and search unit of a console acquires a source ID and searches for and extracts position information of a detection field of an old AEC sensor corresponding to the acquired source ID from source information of a storage device. An electronic cassette includes plural detection pixels as a new AEC sensor short-circuited to signal lines without passing through TFTs in the same imaging plane as pixels. A detection field selecting circuit of an AEC unit of the electronic cassette selects a detection signal from the detection pixel existing at the position of the detection field of the old AEC sensor among the detection signals of the plural detection pixels.

Abstract: An ion trap mass spectrometer is provided, including: an electron emitter; an ion trap storing ions generated by ionization resulting from an impact with electrons emitted from the electron emitter; a secondary ion filter for blocking out secondary ions generated due to ions selectively released by the ion trap; and a detector detecting ions selectively released from the ion trap, wherein the electron emitter, the ion trap, the secondary ion filter, and the ion detector are arranged on the same axis, so that a pure mass spectrum can be measured by excluding the secondary ions which are causes of background noise signals in the procedure of detection of the ions by the ion trap mass spectrometer.

Abstract: An ionization device includes: a holding portion configured to hold a sample; a probe configured to arrange a liquid on a surface of the sample to form a liquid bridge between the probe and the sample; an electrode configured to form, at the probe, a Taylor cone for ionizing a substance contained in the sample, and to release the ionized substance from the Taylor cone; a voltage applying unit configured to apply a voltage to the electrode; and a light source configured to emit laser light that irradiates the Taylor cone. A mass spectrometer including the ionization device, and an image display system including the mass spectrometer are also disclosed.

Abstract: A compensation circuit 76 of an AEC unit 67 of an electronic cassette 13 defines the detection signal of a detection pixel 65 of the electronic cassette 13 as a detection signal corresponding to the detection signal of an old AEC sensor 25. The compensation circuit 76 performs compensation so as to exclude the influence on the detection signal due to a difference in the configuration of an intermediate member disposed between an X-ray source 10 and an FPD 35 of the electronic cassette 13 when the detection pixel 65 is used as an AEC sensor instead of the old AEC sensor 25. The detection signal is transmitted from a detection signal I/F 80 to a detection signal I/F 26 of a source control device 11 as it is (instantaneous value) or as an accumulated value obtained using an integration circuit 77.

Abstract: A method includes identifying at least first and second angles of rotation of the rotating gantry at which first and second pre-scans are acquired, wherein the first and the angles of rotation are different angles, acquiring data, via the imaging system while rotating the rotating gantry, only during a predetermined angular range about the first angle of rotation for a first plurality of rotations from the start to the end pre-scan positions and during the predetermined angular range about the second angle of rotation for a second plurality of rotations from the start to the end pre-scan positions, and reconstructing a first pre-scan based only on the data acquired during the predetermined angular range about the first angle of rotation and a second pre-scan based only on the data acquired during the predetermined angular range about the second angle of rotation.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for analyzing internal density of material by using X-ray computed tomography, comprising the steps of installing a cylinder-shaped jig between an x-ray generator and an x-ray detector, inserting a material to be analyzed and a plurality of standard specimens whose densities are known into the inside of the cylinder-shaped jig, performing X-ray computed tomography while rotating the cylinder-shaped jig through 360°, and calculating the internal density of distribution of the material to be analyzed by using the X-ray intensities shown in the x-ray tomography image. By using the method of the present invention, X-ray tomography image is converted to the image showing the internal density distribution of the material, improving the qualitative decision by naked eye by providing quantitative decision method.

Abstract: High-resolution three-dimensional imaging of a specimen is facilitated. According to an example embodiment of the present invention, a series of very thin slices from a specimen are serially and robustly arranged on an imaging device such as a microscope slide. The slices are imaged and the images are used to reconstruct a three-dimensional image having high resolution at depths into the specimen. The serial arrangement of the slices facilitates the proper ordering of images for reconstruction. Further, the robust nature of the slice arrangement facilitates treatment of the slices and, in some applications, multiple treatments with corresponding imaging sequences for each treatment. Various embodiments are directed to methods and arrangements for three-dimensional characterization of biological specimen and to data that is accessible and/or executable by a computer for linking different images together in order to characterize such biological specimen in three dimensions.

Abstract: A system and a method for measuring an ash content and a calorific value of a coal are provided. The system comprises: at least two dual-energy gamma ray transmission measuring devices and a computing device, in which at least one first dual-energy gamma ray transmission measuring device is disposed before an inlet of a coal combustion apparatus for measuring a first attenuation coefficient of a gamma ray from the at least one first dual-energy gamma ray transmission measuring device with regard to the coal; at least one second dual-energy gamma ray transmission measuring device is disposed after an outlet of the coal combustion apparatus for measuring a second attenuation coefficient of a gamma ray from the at least one second dual-energy gamma ray transmission measuring device with regard to a coal ash; and the computing device is configured to compute the ash content and the calorific value of the coal.

Abstract: A method for planning a treatment session of a patient and optimizing the treatment time for a treatment using a radiation therapy system includes a radiation therapy unit having a fixed radiation focus point. During an optimization of a treatment plan for a patient, a set of shots to be delivered to a plurality of isocenter positions within a target volume of a patient during a treatment session are determined and a beam-on time for each respective sector and state for each isocenter during which radiation is to be delivered are determined based on the treatment plan. For each isocenter position, sectors and states of respective sector are grouped in accordance predetermined rules with respect to beam-on times for respective state of the sectors, wherein sectors and respective states are aggregated for simultaneous delivery of radiation during a predetermined period of time.

Abstract: There is provided a scanning electron microscope capable of achieving a size reduction of the device while at the same time suppressing the increase in column temperature as well as maintaining performance, e.g., resolution, etc. With respect to a scanning electron microscope for observing a sample by irradiating the sample with an electron beam emitted from an electron source and focused by condenser lenses, and detecting secondary electrons from the sample, the condenser lenses comprise both an electromagnetic coil-type condenser lens and a permanent magnet-type condenser lens.

Abstract: A charged particle beam device includes an electron source structured to generate an electron beam, the electron source being coupled to an electron column that at least partially houses a system structured to direct the electron beam toward a specimen positioned in a sample chamber to which the electron column is coupled, and an electron detector. The electron detector includes one or more assemblies positioned within the electron column or the sample chamber, each of the assemblies including an SiPM and a scintillator directly connected face-to-face to an active light sensing surface of the SiPM without a light transporting device being positioned in between the scintillator and the SiPM.

Abstract: The present invention comprises: a data storage unit for storing series image data obtained by medical image acquisition equipment and object data containing image acquisition conditions for the series image data and the specific information for specifying other series image data related to the series image data; an information management unit for generating a thumbnail image that represents combination information of the presently obtained series image data and the past related series image data by referring to the object data; and a display unit for displaying the thumbnail image.

Abstract: A focused ion beam (FIB) system is disclosed, comprising an inductively coupled plasma ion source, an insulating plasma chamber containing the plasma, a conducting source biasing electrode in contact with the plasma and biased to a high voltage to control the ion beam energy at a sample, and a plurality of apertures. The plasma within the plasma chamber serves as a virtual source for an ion column comprising one or more lenses which form a focused ion beam on the surface of a sample to be imaged and/or FIB-processed. The plasma is initiated by a plasma igniter mounted near or at the column which induces a high voltage oscillatory pulse on the source biasing electrode. By mounting the plasma igniter near the column, capacitive effects of the cable connecting the source biasing electrode to the biasing power supply are minimized. Ion beam sputtering of the apertures is minimized by proper aperture materials selection.

Abstract: An alternating current electrospray mass spectrometry device includes an electrospray device having at least one emitter providing a passageway for transmission of an analyte sample. At least one conductive element is in electrical communication with the at least one emitter. A power source generates an alternating current electric field to form a liquid cone at a tip of the emitter and ionizes the analyte sample present in the liquid cone. The frequency of the electric field entrains low mobility ions in the liquid cone. The AC electric field causes the emitter to discharge the liquid cone as a liquid aerosol drop, and a mass spectrometry device analyzes the ionized analyte sample to determine the composition of the contained analyte sample.

Abstract: An improved sample chamber for laser assisted spectroscopy integrates valve mechanisms into the sample drawer, permitting the sample chamber to automatically bypass, purge and resume flow as the sample drawer is opened and closed to insert samples for processing. Integrating valve mechanisms into the sample drawer in this manner eliminates the need for external valves to be operated to bypass, purge and resume flow, thereby increasing system throughput and reducing system complexity.

Abstract: A membrane comprising graphitized carbon black (GCB) with dual function for solid-phase extraction and surface-assisted laser desorption mass spectrometry (SPE/SALDI-MS) analysis is disclosed. Devices extraction comprising such membrane and methods utilizing such membranes are also disclosed.

Abstract: A target output device may include: a main body for storing a target material; a nozzle unit, connected to the main body, for outputting the target material as a target; an electrode unit provided so as to face the nozzle unit; a voltage control unit that applies predetermined voltage between the electrode unit and the target material to generate electrostatic force therebetween for pulling out the target material through the nozzle unit; a pressure control unit that applies predetermined pressure to the target material; and an output control unit that causes the target to be outputted through the nozzle unit by controlling signal output timing of each of a first timing signal and a second timing signal, the first timing signal causing the voltage control unit to apply the predetermined voltage between the target material and the electrode unit at first timing, and the second timing signal causing the pressure control unit to apply the predetermined pressure to the target material at second timing.

Abstract: A droplet generation and detection device may include: a droplet generation unit for outputting a charged droplet; at least one droplet sensor including a magnetic circuit including a coil configured of an electrically conductive material, the magnetic circuit being disposed such that the charged droplet passes around the magnetic circuit, and a current detection unit for detecting current flowing in the coil and outputting a detection signal; and a signal processing circuit for detecting the charged droplet based on the detection signal.

Abstract: Disclosed is a quadrupole mass spectrometer, which is capable of, during an SIM measurement, maximally reducing a settling time-period necessary for an operation of changing an input voltage to a quadrupole mass filter in a staircase pattern, and preventing unwanted ions from excessively entering a detector during a course of changing between a plurality of mass values. Under a condition that a response speed of a DC voltage U to be applied to quadrupole electrodes is less than that of an amplitude of a high-frequency voltage V, a control section 10 is operable to rearrange the mass values in descending order of mass value, and an optimal settling-time calculation sub-section 101 is operable to determine a settling time-period for each of the mass values, based on a mass-value difference and a post-change mass value.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for trapping, releasing and/or separating sample components in solution passing through a channel with or without packing material present by passing ion current through the channel driven by an electric field. A portion of the ion current comprises cation and/or anion species generated from second solution flows separated from the sample solution flow path by semipermeable membranes. Cation and/or Anion ion species generated in the second solution flow regions are transferred into the sample solution flow path through ion selective semipermeable membranes. Ion current moving along the sample solution flow path is controlled by varying the composition of the second solutions and/or changing the voltage between membrane sections for a given sample solution composition. The sample composition may also be varied separately or in parallel to enhance trapping, release and/or separation efficiency and range.