Abstract: For planning radiation treatment, candidate radiation treatment plans are evaluated and optimized using an objective function that includes a combination of a first objective function and a second objective function. The first objective function is configured for determining a value of a dose metric. The second objective function is configured for determining a value of a term that is added to the value of the dose metric to account for spots or beam lets that have a weight that is greater than zero and less than a minimum threshold value. The value of the term is added to the value of the dose metric. In effect, spots or beam lets with a weight that is not zero and that is also less than a minimum threshold value are penalized during treatment planning.

Abstract: The present invention is a consistency transmitter for the measurement of consistency, viscosity, and other properties of matter. The transmitter consists of a measuring element, attached to a bearing-mounted shaft and rotated in the matter to be measured by a direct drive motor that is positioned coaxially with the measuring element and its shaft. The stator of the direct drive motor is integrated into the consistency transmitter body, its rotor into the shaft. The stator is coaxially attached to a first flange that transmits the torsional force of the motor with flexible elements to a second flange positioned on the shaft. The first and second flanges are attached to differential elements with which the phase angle between the flanges is measured using measuring elements located near the flanges. The shaft of the measuring element is bearing-mounted inside a tubular torsion shaft.

Abstract: A titanate ion exchanger and method of producing same. Solid hydrous titanium oxide in a slurry is reacted with an alkaline agent, such as NaOH, containing an exchangeable cation. A solids fraction containing the titanate product is settled and separated and a granular titanate ion exchanger product recovered from the solids fraction. The ion exchanger is suitable for the separation of radionuclides, such as those containing radioactive strontium, from nuclear waste solutions.