Abstract: A method includes calibrating color bleed factors of optical detector channels of a sample processing apparatus through processing a color bleed calibration substance which includes a plurality of different size fragments replicated from different groups of DNA loci, wherein fragments in a same group are labeled with a same fluorescent dye, and fragments in different groups are labeled with different fluorescent dyes having different emission spectra, wherein the different size fragments are processed during different acquisition times.

Abstract: A photovoltaic powered system and an alternating current (AC) module thereof are disclosed. The photovoltaic powered system provides a direct current (DC) power through a photovoltaic module and converts the DC power into an AC power, which is grid-connected to an AC utility power. The AC module of the photovoltaic powered system produces a continuous quasi-sinusoidal current and the quasi-sinusoidal current is converted into a sinusoidal current. The high-frequency harmonic components of the sinusoidal current are filtered to produce a sinusoidal output current in phase with the AC utility power, thus realizing the maximum power point tracking (MPPT) of the photovoltaic module and feeding unity-power-factor power into the AC utility power.

Abstract: An alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC) converter device includes an AC-to-DC converter circuit, a step-down DC converter circuit, a controller, a first standby power converter circuit and a second standby power converter circuit. The AC-to-DC converter circuit is adapted to receive and perform an AC-to-DC conversion on an AC power so as to output a DC bus voltage. The step-down DC converter performs a step-down conversion on the DC bus voltage so as to output a main power voltage. The first standby power converter circuit performs a step-down conversion on the main power voltage so as to output a first standby DC voltage. The second standby power converter circuit performs a step-down conversion on the DC bus voltage to output a second standby DC voltage.

Abstract: A method for verifying an ILS signal for DNA processing includes obtaining the ILS signal, determining acquisition times between peaks of the ILS signal, obtaining acquisition times between peaks in reference ILS information for the ILS signal, and verifying the ILS signal based on the ILS acquisition times and the reference ILS acquisitions times. An ILS signal processor (116) includes a false peak remover (208) that removes any false peaks in an ILS signal and a signal verifier (212) that verifies the ILS signal includes only true peaks based on reference ILS information for the ILS signal.

Abstract: An integrated-type high step-up ratio DC-AC conversion circuit with an auxiliary step-up circuit applies to converting a low DC voltage of alternative energy into a high AC voltage. The conversion circuit uses an isolated Cuk integration unit and an auxiliary step-up unit to form a multi-phase input and uses parallel charging and cascade discharging to boost the DC voltage in the DC side with a low voltage power switches and low duty cycle and then converts the boosted DC voltage into AC voltage. The auxiliary step-up unit not only shares the entirety of power but also exempts the DC-side circuit from using high voltage power switches, whereby the cost of elements is reduced. Further, the conversion circuit can decrease the switching loss and conduction loss of the DC-side switches and promote the efficiency of the circuit.

Abstract: A voltage boosting circuit includes a first inductor, a first switch, a second inductor, a second switch, a first clamping diode, and a first energy storing element. When the first switch and the second switch conduct, the first and second inductors are able to store energy of a power source signal. When the first switch is not conducting and the second switch conducts, the first inductor is able to release energy to the first energy storing element. When the first switch conducts and the second switch is not conducting, the second inductor and the first energy storing element are able to release energy to a load.

Abstract: A DC-to-AC converter circuit includes a step-up converter module and an inverter module. The step-up module includes first and second inductors that cooperate to form a transformer, first and second power switches, and first and second capacitors. When the first power switch and the second power switch conduct, the first inductor and the second inductor store energy from a first variable power source and a second variable power source respectively, and after the first capacitor and the second capacitor provide electrical energy to the inverter module, the inverter module converts the electrical energy provided thereto and outputs converted energy.

Abstract: A simplified multilevel DC converter circuit structure comprises a dual input DC power supply, a power control module and an AC side low-pass filter, wherein each of the dual input DC power supply supplies half of the rated DC voltage to the power control module, and the power control module is composed of six power switches, and different switching combinations of each power switch are controlled to convert a DC voltage to an output of an AC voltage, and two of the power switches of the power control module perform a low-frequency switching twice every cycle of the output voltage, and the withstand voltage is equal to the input voltage, and the remaining power switches perform the switching by a high frequency, and the withstand voltage is only half of the input voltage, such that a multilevel voltage can be outputted, and a low harmonic AC waveform can be outputted from the AC side low-pass filter.

Abstract: A method comprises receiving an output signal of one of multiple detection channels. The method further includes color separating the output signal and generating a color separated signal substantially only with the peaks corresponding to the detected signals with the principle emission in the emission spectrum range of the detection channel. The method further includes estimating a time-variant amplitude of the gradually decaying tail and removing the time-variant amplitude from the color separated signal. The method further includes generating a corrected colored separated signal with substantially only the peaks corresponding to the fluorescent dyes attached to the fragments in the sample.

Abstract: A photovoltaic powered system and an alternating current (AC) module thereof are disclosed. The photovoltaic powered system provides a direct current (DC) power through a photovoltaic module and converts the DC power into an AC power, which is grid-connected to an AC utility power. The AC module of the photovoltaic powered system produces a continuous quasi-sinusoidal current and the quasi-sinusoidal current is converted into a sinusoidal current. The high-frequency harmonic components of the sinusoidal current are filtered to produce a sinusoidal output current in phase with the AC utility power, thus realizing the maximum power point tracking (MPPT) of the photovoltaic module and feeding unity-power-factor power into the AC utility power.

Abstract: An integrated-type high step-up ratio DC-AC conversion circuit with an auxiliary step-up circuit applies to converting a low DC voltage of alternative energy into a high AC voltage. The conversion circuit uses an isolated Cuk integration unit and an auxiliary step-up unit to form a multi-phase input and uses parallel charging and cascade discharging to boost the DC voltage in the DC side with a low voltage power switches and low duty cycle and then converts the boosted DC voltage into AC voltage. The auxiliary step-up unit not only shares the entirety of power but also exempts the DC-side circuit from using high voltage power switches, whereby the cost of elements is reduced. Further, the conversion circuit can decrease the switching loss and conduction loss of the DC-side switches and promote the efficiency of the circuit.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for determining the position of the image of a target object or the position of the x-ray source in digital tomosynthesis, as the x-ray source is moved relative to the object so as to obtain multiple two-dimensional images of the object from multiple angles. At least one marker, characterized by a simple and known image pattern, is disposed between an x-ray source and a detector system. The shift in the image of the object, resulting from the movement of the x-ray source during tomosynthesis, is calculated to a desired resolution using the readily observable shift in the image of the marker. The x-ray source may be translated along a plane parallel to the plane of the detector system, or may be rotated about a fixed center.

Abstract: A wideband NQR detection system includes an RF coil system having a plurality of RF coils that can be used to excite and detect a plurality of NQR spectral lines at the same time. Each of the plurality of RF coils is shaped and configured so as to generate, when driven by RF pulses, RF fields that are substantially de-coupled, for example by being mutually orthogonal. In this way, each coil can function independently, without affecting the operation of any other coil. The RF pulses used to excite NQR resonances can be prepared digitally, as a composite waveform formed as a superposition of individual waveforms, each optimally tailored to excite one spectral line. The wideband NQR detection system also includes a wideband transmitter for generating and transmitting RF pulses, and a wideband receiver for receiving the NQR response signals detected by the coils.

Abstract: A wideband NQR detection system includes an RF coil system having a plurality of RF coils that can be used to excite and detect a plurality of NQR spectral lines at the same time. Each of the plurality of RF coils is shaped and configured so as to generate, when driven by RF pulses, RF fields that are substantially de-coupled, for example by being mutually orthogonal. In this way, each coil can function independently, without affecting the operation of any other coil. The RF pulses used to excite NQR resonances can be prepared digitally, as a composite waveform formed as a superposition of individual waveforms, each optimally tailored to excite one spectral line. The wideband NQR detection system also includes a wideband transmitter for generating and transmitting RF pulses, and a wideband receiver for receiving the NQR response signals detected by the coils.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for determining the position of the image of a target object or the position of the x-ray source in digital tomosynthesis, as the x-ray source is moved relative to the object so as to obtain multiple two-dimensional images of the object from multiple angles. At least one marker, characterized by a simple and known image pattern, is disposed between an x-ray source and a detector system. The shift in the image of the object, resulting from the movement of the x-ray source during tomosynthesis, is calculated to a desired resolution using the readily observable shift in the image of the marker. The x-ray source may be translated along a plane parallel to the plane of the detector system, or may be rotated about a fixed center.

Abstract: An over-sampling detector array employs a plurality of rows of detectors, the height of each of the rows in use for a helical scan being smaller than the intended slice thickness for reconstruction. Over-sampled collected projection data are re-sampled along the translation axis according to the slice thickness. As a result, the slice profile is enhanced and the projection data are more consistent from all view angles, leading to an improvement in image resolution along the translation axis and fewer reconstruction artifacts in the image. The detector array may have the same row height for all rows, or may have different row heights in different rows. Data collected by rows of height equal to or less than the slice thickness are used for reconstruction. In a preferred embodiment, the heights of the detectors of outer rows increase progressively and gradually with respect to the height of the middle rows. In a preferred re-sampling technique, the data are first integrated from successive rows.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring an ordered sequence of data elements from a first location to a second location via a communication channel includes a multiplexor for selecting at least two primary data elements occurring at predetermined intervals within the series, and for selecting at least one intermediate data element occurring within the predetermined intervals between the primary data elements. The apparatus estimates, for each of the intermediate data elements, a value corresponding to the intermediate data element. Each of the estimated values is a predetermined function of an immediately preceding primary data element and an immediately subsequent primary data element in the ordered sequence. The apparatus calculates a difference value for each of the intermediate data elements. Each difference value is representative of a mathematical difference between the corresponding intermediate element and estimated value.

Abstract: In an improved computerized tomography scanner, the X-ray source is configured to have a focal spot that is variable in position in a direction parallel to or substantially parallel to the longitudinal or rotation axis of the scanner. Data are sampled from two different focal spot positions displaced in the longitudinal direction as the gantry rotates through successive projection angles, thereby providing two fan beams at different longitudinal positions. The data may be sampled at a detector array having a single or multiple rows. In this manner, at least two slices are scanned contemporaneously, and thus the scan throughput rate is at least doubled. The invention is further applicable to a system utilizing multiple detector rows.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for reconstructing image data for a region are described. A radiation source and an array of detectors located on opposed sides of a region are used to generate scan data for the region from a plurality of diverging radiation beams, i.e., a cone beam. The cone beam scan data for the region are converted into parallel beam scan data. The reordered parallel beam scan data are used to generate image data for a set of oblique image slices for the region, wherein the oblique image slices form a non-perpendicular angle with the longitudinal axis of the region.

Abstract: A system for reconstructing image data for a region includes a radiation source and an array of detectors located on opposed sides of the region used to generate scan data for the region from a plurality of diverging radiation beams, i.e., a cone beam. One or more image slices are defined for the region. Each image slice is partitioned into a plurality of image slice segments, and image data are generated for each segment. The image data for the segments are combined to generate image data for the slice.