Abstract: These teachings provide for quickly yet accurately forming an influence matrix by generating the influence matrix via integration with a Monte Carlo particle transport simulation. The resultant influence matrix can then be utilized in an ordinary manner when optimizing a radiation treatment plan. By one approach, the foregoing comprises generating the influence matrix via integration with a Monte Carlo particle transport simulation on a particle-by-particle basis. For example, for each particle, these teachings can provide for identifying a spot to which the particle belongs and then adding a dose deposited by the particle during transport to an influence matrix element that corresponds to a spot to which the particle belongs and a voxel to where the dose was deposited.

Abstract: A computer-based method is provided for enrolling an eligible retirement plan or other eligible entity into a collective investment trust (CIT). The method includes receiving an electronic enrollment request for a plan, the enrollment request comprising enrollment data, wherein the enrollment data includes a plan identifier and an advisor identifier. An electronic eligibility request is transmitted to a DOL Form 5500 system, the electronic eligibility request including the plan identifier. The method includes receiving a response from the DOL Form 5500 system confirming a eligible status of the plan. An electronic list of available funds is retrieved based on the advisor identifier, and a selection of one or more funds is received. The method includes automatically generating a participation agreement for the plan and transmitting an electronic signature envelope to receive an electronically-signed copy of the participation agreement.

Abstract: Apparatuses, techniques, and methods for a security and/or automation system are described. In some cases, methods may include receiving, from a first device at a first location, a request to access data associated with a time period from a second device at a second location, the data comprising at least one of audio data, visual data, or a combination thereof, receiving, from the first device, a category associated with the request, identifying a first set of data associated with the time period, the identified first set of data based at least in part on the request and the category, and automatically transmitting the first set of data to the first device based at least in part on the category.

Abstract: Apparatuses, techniques, and methods for a security and/or automation system are described. In some cases, methods may include receiving, from a first device at a first location, a request to access data associated with a time period from a second device at a second location, the data comprising at least one of audio data, visual data, or a combination thereof, receiving, from the first device, a category associated with the request, identifying a first set of data associated with the time period, the identified first set of data based at least in part on the request and the category, and automatically transmitting the first set of data to the first device based at least in part on the category.

Abstract: Apparatuses, techniques, and methods for a security and/or automation system are described. In some cases, methods may include receiving, from a first device at a first location, a request to access data associated with a time period from a second device at a second location, the data comprising at least one of audio data, visual data, or a combination thereof, receiving, from the first device, a category associated with the request, identifying a first set of data associated with the time period, the identified first set of data based at least in part on the request and the category, and automatically transmitting the first set of data to the first device based at least in part on the category.

Abstract: A grout tillable prop assembly for supporting a ceiling such as the ceiling of an underground mine. The prop assembly comprising an inner member and an outer member adapted for movement between an extended use configuration and a retracted configuration, a unidirectional grout inlet in an upper part of a sidewall of the outer member to allow grout to pass into the prop, the inner member and the outer member having wall portions and being self-supporting, an air conduit through the prop having an opening adjacent an upper limit of the prop, a pressure relief valve coupled to the air conduit whereby the prop is be brought from the retracted configuration to the extended configuration by application of pressurized air through the air conduit and whereby the extended prop is filled with grout via the unidirectional grout inlet.

Abstract: Apparatuses, techniques, and methods for a security and/or automation system are described. In some cases, methods may include receiving, from a first device at a first location, a request to access data associated with a time period from a second device at a second location, the data comprising at least one of audio data, visual data, or a combination thereof, receiving, from the first device, a category associated with the request, identifying a first set of data associated with the time period, the identified first set of data based at least in part on the request and the category, and automatically transmitting the first set of data to the first device based at least in part on the category.

Abstract: A grout tillable prop assembly for supporting a ceiling such as the ceiling of an underground mine. The prop assembly comprising an inner member and an outer member adapted for movement between an extended use configuration and a retracted configuration, a unidirectional grout inlet in an upper part of a sidewall of the outer member to allow grout to pass into the prop, the inner member and the outer member having wall portions and being self-supporting, an air conduit through the prop having an opening adjacent an upper limit of the prop, a pressure relief valve coupled to the air conduit whereby the prop is be brought from the retracted configuration to the extended configuration by application of pressurized air through the air conduit and whereby the extended prop is filled with grout via the unidirectional grout inlet.

Abstract: A grout fillable prop has an inner member and an outer member adapted for movement between an extended use position and a retracted position. A grout inlet is formed in an upper part of a sidewall of the outer member to allow grout to pass into the prop. The inner member and the outer member have wall portions with plastic properties and are self-supporting. An installation fitting is fitted to the grout inlet and adapted to hold a grout filling tool without the use of separate fasteners. A one way valve is fitted to the installation fitting. The one way valve is formed of a length of lay flat hose one end of which is attached to the installation fitting. The hose locates inside the prop when the installation fitting is attached to the prop.

Abstract: A single use grout fillable telescopic mine prop has self-supporting walls with plastic properties to withstand a much greater vertical displacement before failure. The prop has a unique installation fitting and a unique grout filling tool is provided to enable the prop to be quickly and safely filled. The prop is easy to maneuver into place by two workers as the design of the prop is lightweight. The prop has superior load withstanding properties and other properties to pumpable crib bags and grout filled steel props.

Abstract: A spacing apparatus singulates and spaces items for further processing and packaging. The apparatus comprises a rotatable dispensing wheel member having apertures for receiving items, such as food parts. The apertures are configured to place the items in a consistent alignment on a conveyor system. As the dispensing wheel rotates, the items are deposited from the apertures sequentially and with consistent positioning on a conveyor system that transports the singularized items to a measuring point. The rate of rotation of the dispensing wheel member can be controlled by a controller. A guide disposed above the dispensing wheel member provides greater accuracy in depositing items into the slots.

Abstract: A prop, for example for supporting the roof of an underground mine, is provided in the form of a vessel. The vessel includes a base having a bottom and one or more sides. A cover, including a top and one or more sides is provided. The top includes a space for accommodating a roof bolt when installed in a mine. Sides of the cover and of the base overlap each other to a maximal extent in a collapsed configuration. A port is formed in the one or more sides for filling the vessel with material when the sides of the cover and of the base overlap each other to a minimal extent in an extended configuration. Consequently the prop is able to go from a collapsed configuration for transportation or storage, to an extended configuration for supporting the roof of the mine. The top of the vessel may comprise a flexible envelope fast with the one or more sides of the cover for receiving the filling, in order to present a deformable upper surface for bearing an uneven load.

Abstract: A spacing apparatus singulates and spaces items for further processing and packaging. The apparatus comprises a rotatable dispensing wheel member having apertures for receiving items, such as food parts. The apertures are configured to place the items in a consistent alignment on a conveyor system. As the dispensing wheel rotates, the items are deposited from the apertures sequentially and with consistent positioning on a conveyor system that transports the singularized items to a measuring point. The rate of rotation of the dispensing wheel member can be controlled by a controller. A guide disposed above the dispensing wheel member provides greater accuracy in depositing items into the slots.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device for sorting items according to at least one predetermined criterion. The device includes at least one conveyor for transporting an item along at least a portion of the device, a measuring until positioned in proximity to the conveyor for receiving the items from the conveyor, and at least one separation gate along a length of the at least conveyor that can be selectively actuated based on at least one predetermined criteria measured by the measuring unit.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention provide processes for applying deterministic radiation transport solution methods for calculating doses and predicting scatter in radiotherapy and imaging applications. One method embodiment of the present invention is a process for using deterministic methods to calculate dose distributions resulting from radiotherapy treatments, diagnostic imaging, or industrial sterilization, and for calculating image scatter for the purposes of image reconstruction. In one embodiment of the present invention, a method provides a means for transport of external radiation sources through field-shaping devices. In another embodiment of the present invention, a method includes a process for calculating the dose response at selected points and volumes prior to radiotherapy treatment planning.

Abstract: Method and system that allows patient dose response functions to be calculated, prior to treatment planning, for external photon beam radiotherapy. In one embodiment, for each location where a separate dose value is desired, referred to as a dose region, adjoint calculations are performed to calculate the adjoint solution fields associated with that dose region. Once potential beam directions are specified, a ray tracing process is performed to transport the adjoint solution fields out of the patient and to locations where treatment plan parameters may be specified. The output of this process is the dose response at each dose region resulting from a prescribed photon fluence, at a given location, direction, and energy.

Abstract: A decorative light and a landscape lighting system incorporating a plurality of decorative lights. The decorative lights are structured for attachment to the top of landscape edging. The lights include a body having a channel formed in its bottom surface for receiving the top edge of landscape edging. The channel may be formed by first and second downwardly projecting walls. The surface of the walls may provide an interior profile or key shape that corresponds to the shape of the top of the landscape edging. An illumination device, such as a light emitting diode, is housed within the decorative light.

Abstract: One method embodiment of the present invention is a process for using deterministic methods to calculate dose distributions resulting from radiotherapy treatments, diagnostic imaging, or industrial sterilization, and for calculating scatter corrections used for image reconstruction. In one embodiment of the present invention, the method provides a means for constructing a deterministic computational grid from an acquired 3-D image representation, transport of an external radiation source through field shaping devices and into the computational grid, calculation of the radiation scatter and/or delivered dose in the computational grid, and subsequent transport of the scattered radiation to detectors external to the computational grid.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a weighing station that comprises a positioning apparatus, a drive mechanism, and a scale apparatus. In one embodiment, the positioning apparatus includes a plurality of partitions that define a plurality of product compartments. The positioning apparatus further includes a guide wall located beyond the exterior end of the partitions, with the guide wall defining a loading aperture where product may be loaded into the weighing station and a discharge aperture where product is weighed and then exits the station. The drive mechanism is coupled to the positioning apparatus and is operable to move the partitions and thereby move the product compartments so that the product compartments pass the guide wall apertures. The scale apparatus is positioned at the leading edge of the discharge aperture in the guide wall and is operable to weigh product.

Abstract: For use with dental position indicating devices for dental x-ray machines that are collimated and are of round transverse cross sectional configuration defining a bore for the length of same, with such bore having its internal surfacing lined for x-ray absorption and having an x-ray emitting end, a snap-fit collimator device therefor for use with rectangular dental instrumentation that is in the form of a body providing a collimator of rectangular form in the size of such instrumentation, with the body being arranged for snap-fit mounting of same on the x-ray emitting end of such round type position indicating devices, with the arrangement involved providing for rotational adjustment of said body relative to such position indicating device for permitting the collimator of same to be aligned with rectangular dental instrumentation, when the position indicator device in question is secured to an x-ray machine in the course of practicing dental radiography.