Abstract: An automatic computer implemented technique which may be used for identifying markers and determining the centroids of fiducial markers (e.g., cylindrical fiducial markers) attached to the head in magnetic resonance (MR) and X-ray computed tomography (CT) volume images is disclosed. This technique may be referred to as image space localization. A first portion of the technique identifies many candidate voxel points included in a bright area of the image which may correspond to candidate markers. A second portion of the technique selects from the identified candidate voxels a predetermined number of candidate points of the image volume that are most likely to lie within an actual fiducial marker. The centroid for each of these markers is then determined. The method finds markers whose images are of a higher intensity than their surroundings and which have a given shape and size.

Abstract: A detachable cap for use in determining the location of the center of the imageable portion of a fiducial marker is disclosed. The lower portion of the cap has three arms and a boss for providing a detachable connection with an implanted base portion to which an imaging marker can be attached. The upper portion of the cap includes a divot--like depression that is configured to mate with a ball whose center can be determined. The ball, marker, and divot are configured so that the center of the ball, when mated to the divot, is coincident with the center of the marker when it is attached to the base in place of the cap. Knowledge of the location of the center of the ball when it is brought into engagement with the divot of the cap can be used to determine the location of the center of the marker when it is attached to the base.

Abstract: A method for determining the location of the center of the imageable portion of a fiducial marker is disclosed. The method includes the use of a detachable cap. The lower portion of the cap has three arms and a boss for providing a detachable connection with an implanted base portion to which an imaging marker can be attached. The upper portion of the cap includes a divot--like depression that is configured to mate with a ball whose center can be determined. The ball, marker, and divot are configured so that the center of the ball, when mated to the divot, is coincident with the center of the marker when it is attached to the base in place of the cap. Knowledge of the location of the center of the ball when it is brought into engagement with the divot of the cap can be used to determine the location of the center of the marker when it is attached to the base.

Abstract: In order to minimize the initial in-rush produced on first energisation of a polyphase induction motor (10), careful control is exercised over the firing of controlled switching means (11) connected in series with each of the supply phases (A, B, C) or motor windings. This control includes effecting an initial selective firing of the switching means (11) such as to cause current to flow between two only (B,C) of the supply phases, the firing being timed to occur such that the voltage between these two phases (B,C) is decreasing in value at the moment of firing. Thereafter, the switching means (11) are sequentially fired in a manner resulting in the progressive increase in the angle of conduction of each switching means (11).

Abstract: This invention relates to phosphoroamidothioate and phosphoroamidodithioate compounds, to compositions thereof which are useful as pesticides, for example, as athropodicides (that is, insecticides and acaricides), nematocides, and fungicides, and to a method of controlling pests, such as insects, acarids, nematodes, and fungi. The compounds of the invention are effective against soil insects, especially the corn rootworm, when applied by soil application techniques and are also effective when applied to agricultural plants and other plants by foliar application techniques.

Abstract: Motor power-factor controllers (12) act, in the presence of varying motor loads, to maintain the phase lag angle (.phi..sub.M) between motor voltage and current at a preset demand or reference phase-lag value (.phi..sub.R) by regulating the firing angle of gate-controlled switching devices (11) connected in series with the motor supply (A, B, C). The optimum reference phase-lag value (.phi..sub.R) depends on the motor characteristics and will be as small as possible while providing for a stable, unambiguous control characteristic. A reference-setting unit (14) is provided for automatically setting an appropriate reference phase lag (.phi..sub.R). This unit (14) monitors the motor phase lag (.phi..sub.M) during start up and sets the reference phase lag (.phi..sub.R) to a value corresponding to the minimum monitored phase lag plus a predetermined amount (for example 8.degree.). The unit (14) can be arranged to seek to improve on the set reference (.phi..sub.

Abstract: This invention relates to phosphoroamidothioate and phosphorcamidodithioate compounds, to compositions thereof which are useful as pesticides. For example, as arthropodicides (that is, insecticides and acaricides), nematocides, and fungicides, and to a method of controlling pests, such as insects, acarids, nematodes, and fungi. The compounds of the invention are effective against soil insects, especially the corn rootworm, when applied by soil application techniques and are also effective when applied to agricultural plants and other plants by foliar application techniques.