Abstract: The invention provides a process for forming crack-free dielectric films on a substrate. The process comprise the application of a dielectric precursor layer of a thickness from about 0.3 ?m to about 1.0 ?m to a substrate. The deposition is followed by low temperature heat pretreatment, prepyrolysis, pyrolysis and crystallization step for each layer. The deposition, heat pretreatment, prepyrolysis, pyrolysis and crystallization are repeated until the dielectric film forms an overall thickness of from about 1.5 ?m to about 20.0 ?m and providing a final crystallization treatment to form a thick dielectric film. Also provided was a thick crack-free dielectric film on a substrate, the dielectric forming a dense thick crack-free dielectric having an overall dielectric thickness of from about 1.5 ?m to about 20.0 ?m.

Abstract: When estimating an arterial input function or a patient under study, cross-calibration factors are generated by comparing nuclear scan data of a radioactive material (e.g., F18) and measuring a sample of the radioactive material in a gamma counter. The derived cross-calibration factors are applied to venous samples collected from the patient during a nuclear scan after infusion with a radioactive tracer, to convert gamma values counted by the gamma counter into concentration values. The concentration values are used to optimize an initial estimated input function, thereby generating an arterialized input function.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for forming crack-free dielectric films on a substrate. The process comprise the application of a dielectric precursor layer of a thickness from about 0.3 ?m to about 1.0 ?m to a substrate. The deposition is followed by low temperature heat pretreatment, prepyrolysis, pyrolysis and crystallization step for each layer. The deposition, heat pretreatment, prepyrolysis, pyrolysis and crystallization are repeated until the dielectric film forms an overall thickness of from about 1.5 ?m to about 20.0 ?m and providing a final crystallization treatment to form a thick dielectric film. Also provided was a thick crack-free dielectric film on a substrate, the dielectric forming a dense thick crack-free dielectric having an overall dielectric thickness of from about 1.5 ?m to about 20.0 ?m.

Abstract: The invention provides for A method for producing pure phase strontium ruthenium oxide films, the method comprising solubilizing ruthenium-containing and strontium-containing compounds to create a mixture; subjecting the mixture to a first temperature above that necessary for forming RuO2 while simultaneously preventing formation of RuO2; maintaining the first temperature for a time to remove organic compounds from the mixture, thereby forming a substantially dry film; and subjecting the film to a second temperature for time sufficient to crystallize the film. Also provided is pure phase material comprising strontium ruthenium oxide wherein the material contains no RuO2.

Abstract: A method within dynamic molecular imaging comprising dynamically estimating a first parameter (?(x)) and a second parameter (k(x)) of an activity function describing the bio distribution of an administered tracer, is disclosed.

Abstract: An imaging system (10) comprises a data device (30), which controls radiation data acquisition from a subject positioned in an examination region (18) for an examination. A rebinning processor (40) bins the acquired data periodically into a histogram (42). A transform (70) transforms the histogram (42) into individual independent or uncorrelated components, each component including a signal content and a noise content. A stopping determining device (52) compares an aspect of at least one selected component to a predetermined threshold (TH) and, based on the comparison, terminates the data acquisition.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for fabricating a ceramic film on a copper foil. The method comprises applying a layer of a sol-gel composition onto a copper foil. The sol-gel composition comprises a precursor of a ceramic material suspended in 2-methoxyethanol. The layer of sol-gel is then dried at a temperature up to about 250° C. The dried layer is then pyrolyzed at a temperature in the range of about 300 to about 450° C. to form a ceramic film from the ceramic precursor. The ceramic film is then crystallized at a temperature in the range of about 600 to about 750° C. The drying, pyrolyzing and crystallizing are performed under a flowing stream of an inert gas. In some embodiments an additional layer of the sol-gel composition is applied onto the ceramic film and the drying, pyrolyzing and crystallizing steps are repeated for the additional layer to build up a thicker ceramic layer on the copper foil. The process can be repeated one or more times if desired.

Abstract: A method within dynamic molecular imaging comprising dynamically estimating a first parameter (?(x)) and a second parameter (k(x)) of an activity function describing the bio distribution of an administered tracer, is disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method for iterative reconstruction with user interaction in data-driven, adaptive mesh generation for reconstruction of model parameters from imaging data is disclosed. The method includes reading input (110, 115) from a user and checking reconstructed parameters (130) for convergence after each iteration. A required computation time is estimated (130) after each iteration based on a current mesh grid and expected number of iterations and the mesh grid is updated (140). An on-line representation of the reconstructed parameters and an adapted mesh grid is displayed during the reconstruction (170) and a next iteration of the reconstruction is based on the adapted mesh grid (145).

Abstract: A method, signal processor, device, and system for estimating a parametric or functional image 47 mapping a biological process on the basis of a limited or incomplete sequence of biological process images 40 recorded as a function of time, e.g. by a PET or SPECT scanner after injection of a radio tracer. One or more kinetic parameters 43 are first extracted by applying a pharmacokinetic model 42 (compartmental model of the underlying tracer kinetics) to the sequence of biological process images 40. Additional data 41 are used in the model, comprising at least a predetermined kinetic parameter range (e.g. from the literature), and optionally an input function or a blood clearance function. Next, an iterative algorithm 44 is applied to arrive at a modified sequence of images 45, e.g. by inserting an estimated image into the incomplete sequence of images, utilizing the one or more kinetic parameters 43.

Abstract: A flextensional transducer, including a generally disc-shaped piezoelectric member having a generally flat top surface and a generally flat parallel bottom surface, a top electrode formed on the top surface, a bottom electrode formed on the bottom surface, a top endcap operationally connected to the top surface, and a bottom endcap operationally connected to the bottom surface. The top and bottom endcaps are formed of shape memory material. The endcap exerts a radial stress upon the generally disc-shaped piezoelectric member.

Abstract: An imaging system (10) comprises a data device (30), which controls radiation data acquisition from a subject positioned in an examination region (18) for an examination. A rebinning processor (40) bins the acquired data periodically into a histogram (42). A transform (70) transforms the histogram (42) into individual independent or uncorrelated components, each component including a signal content and a noise content. A stopping determining device (52) compares an aspect of at least one selected component to a predetermined threshold (TH) and, based on the comparison, terminates the data acquisition.

Abstract: A system and method detects and responds to failures occurring in a virtual switch. The virtual switch is formed from two or more physical switches interconnected by a Virtual Switch Link (VSL). One physical switch is elected the Master, and it executes a link aggregation protocol for the virtual switch. If the VSL fails, one of the other physical switches assumes that it should become the Master for the virtual switch, and it begins executing the link aggregation protocol. By adding information unique to the physical switches in the control packets of the link aggregation protocol, remote switches can identify when the VSL fails, and report this condition to the original Master. In response, the original Master or the new Master takes corrective action.

Abstract: High performance electromechanical devices suitable for a wide range of applications are described. The electroactive devices are capable of operating in a manner that offers enhanced mechanical displacement responses and increased load-bearing capabilities. In one embodiment, the device is capable of providing a significantly increased level of free displacement. The electroactive devices include an electroactive composite which includes at least one electroactive material that may comprise an electrostrictive or a piezoelectric material and a tensioning device which is adapted for inducing a mechanical pre-load to the electroactive composite structure. The tensioning device exerts a mechanical pre-load upon the electroactive material which alters stress profile, increases mechanical energy and increases stored elastic energy of the electroactive devices.

Abstract: High performance electromechanical devices suitable for a wide range of applications are described. The electroactive devices are capable of operating in a manner that offers enhanced mechanical displacement responses and increased load-bearing capabilities. In one embodiment, the device is capable of providing a significantly increased level of free displacement. The electroactive devices include an electroactive composite which includes at least one electroactive material that may comprise an electrostrictive or a piezoelectric material and a tensioning device which is adapted for inducing a mechanical pre-load to the electroactive composite structure. The tensioning device exerts a mechanical pre-load upon the electroactive material which alters stress profile, increases mechanical energy and increases stored elastic energy of the electroactive devices.