Abstract: A computer-implemented method of performing radiation therapy on a target volume within an anatomical region of a patient includes: acquiring a cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) image of the region while the region is positioned in a first preliminary treatment location; reconstructing a current digital volume of the region based on the CBCT image of the region; generating a first beam's-eye-view of the region based on the current digital volume and an offset between the first preliminary treatment location and a reference treatment location; modifying the first beam's-eye-view of the region with one or more visual cues associated with a treatment field for the target volume; and displaying the first beam's-eye-view with the one or more visual cues.

Abstract: A beverage dispensing apparatus having a height-adjustable support member for supporting a beverage vessel at a plurality of different support positions. The beverage dispensing apparatus may include a beverage dispensing outlet for dispensing a beverage and a movable support member having a top surface for supporting a beverage vessel below the beverage dispensing outlet. The movable support member may include an inner telescoping element and an outer telescoping element. An actuation assembly may be operably coupled to the movable support member to move the movable support member to modify a distance between the top surface of the movable support member and the beverage dispensing outlet. Activation of the actuation assembly may cause both the inner and outer telescoping elements to move simultaneously either towards or away from the beverage dispensing outlet.

Abstract: A method for a radiation therapy system comprises: causing a graphical representation of a movable support couch of the X-ray imaging system to be displayed, wherein the graphical representation includes one or more reference markers that each correspond to a respective physical feature of the movable support couch; receiving a first user input that includes a first position indicator that corresponds to a first boundary of an X-ray imaging region; and generating an X-ray image of the X-ray imaging region, wherein a first edge of the X-ray image corresponds to the first boundary.

Abstract: A method for a radiation treatment system includes: a treatment-delivering X-ray source configured to rotate about an isocenter of the radiation treatment system and direct treatment X-rays to a target volume; an imaging X-ray source configured to rotate about the isocenter of the radiation treatment system and direct imaging X-rays to a target region that includes the target volume; and a processor.

Abstract: A method for forming a hybrid heat exchanger is provided. The method includes laser-texturing a metal surface to create a plurality of microstructures and subsequently melt-bonding a plastic component to the plurality of microstructures. During melt-bonding, plastic material penetrates the plurality of microstructures and conforms to the plastic component to the metal surface. After hardening inside the microstructures, the plastic component adheres to the metal surface as a hybrid component. As a result, a fastener or snap connection is not required, and the plastic-metal joint provides a barrier to water, glycol-based fluids, air, and other fluids.

Abstract: An example method for a radiation therapy system that includes a movable couch to perform radiation therapy has been disclosed. One method includes based on the X-ray images of an anatomical region of the patient that includes a target volume, reconstructing a digital volume of the anatomical region and based on a user input indicating a location of a patient origin in the digital volume, determining one or more shift values for repositioning the patient origin at an isocenter of the radiation therapy system with respect to a coordinate system. The method also includes obtaining a treatment plan that is based on the location of the patient origin and is associated with the target volume, based on the treatment plan, repositioning the movable couch so that the patient origin is disposed at the isocenter, and while the patient origin is disposed at the isocenter, directing a treatment beam to the patient origin in accordance with the treatment plan associated with the target volume.

Abstract: A method for forming a hybrid heat exchanger is provided. The method includes laser-texturing a metal surface to create a plurality of microstructures and subsequently melt-bonding a plastic component to the plurality of microstructures. During melt-bonding, plastic material penetrates the plurality of microstructures and conforms to the plastic component to the metal surface. After hardening inside the microstructures, the plastic component adheres to the metal surface as a hybrid component. As a result, a fastener or snap connection is not required, and the plastic-metal joint provides a barrier to water, glycol-based fluids, air, and other fluids.

Abstract: The disclosure features methods and systems that include directing an ion beam to a region of a sample to liberate charged particles from the region of the sample, where the directed ion beam is pulsed at a first repetition rate, deflecting a first subset of the liberated charged particles from a first path to a second path different from the first path in response to a gate signal synchronized with the repetition rate of the pulsed ion beam, and detecting the first subset of the liberated charged particles in a time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectrometer to determine information about the sample, where the gate signal sets a common reference time for the TOF mass spectrometer for the first subset of charged particles liberated by each pulse of the ion beam.

Abstract: Systems and methods for the automatic generation and optimization of radiation therapy treatment plans, and systems and methods for the automatic generation and optimization of an adapted plan in an adaptive radiation therapy workflow.

Abstract: Systems and methods for the automatic generation and optimization of radiation therapy treatment plans, and systems and methods for the automatic generation and optimization of an adapted plan in an adaptive radiation therapy workflow.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present disclosure is directed to a system for digital authentication. A device includes a second processor for security functionality. The second processor generates a public key and a private key, and uses the private key and to-be-signed signature data to generate digital signatures. The device transmits the public key and a first digital signature to the server. As part of subsequent communication, the device transmits the public key and a second digital signature to the server. Using the public key, the server validates the second digital signature to verify that the second digital signature is from the device or a user of the device, thereby verifying that the subsequent communication is from the device or the user of the device.

Abstract: Provided herein are halogenated cholesterol analogues, including methods of making and using the same. Also provided are methods of making radiolabeled cholesterol analogues including admixing an epoxide with a fluorine-18 source under conditions to form a radiofluorinated cholesterol analogue.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to improvements in the stability of work machines. A method for predicting a risk of instability for one or more work machine(s) moving along a route along terrain of a worksite is provided. Ground condition data indicative of the ground condition of the terrain along the route is obtained. Surface topography data indicative of the surface topography of the terrain along the route is obtained. Route data indicative of the route along the terrain is generated. The ground condition data, the surface topography data and the route data are processed to generate risk data indicative of a risk of instability along the route.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present disclosure is directed to a system for digital authentication, the system including a server and a device. The device includes a first processor and a second processor separate and distinct from the first processor and dedicated solely to security functionality. The second processor is programmed to generate a public key and a private key, and to use the private key and to-be-signed signature data to generate digital signatures, including a first digital signature. The device transmits the public key and the first digital signature to the server. The server stores the public key to uniquely identify the device or a user of the device in subsequent communications between the server and device.

Abstract: A method of welding at least two plastic components together is disclosed. The two plastic components are welded together at respective joining surfaces. The method comprises directing at least one infrared (IR) laser beam along the joining surfaces of the at least two plastic components. The IR laser beam heats the joining surfaces of the at least two plastic components to a welding temperature. The method also includes clamping the at least two plastic components together at the joining surfaces to create a weld.

Abstract: The disclosure features methods and systems that include directing an ion beam to a region of a sample to liberate charged particles from the region of the sample, where the directed ion beam is pulsed at a first repetition rate, deflecting a first subset of the liberated charged particles from a first path to a second path different from the first path in response to a gate signal synchronized with the repetition rate of the pulsed ion beam, and detecting the first subset of the liberated charged particles in a time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectrometer to determine information about the sample, where the gate signal sets a common reference time for the TOF mass spectrometer for the first subset of charged particles liberated by each pulse of the ion beam.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to improvements in the stability of work machines. A method for predicting a risk of instability for one or more work machine(s) moving along a route along terrain of a worksite is provided. Ground condition data indicative of the ground condition of the terrain along the route is obtained. Surface topography data indicative of the surface topography of the terrain along the route is obtained. Route data indicative of the route along the terrain is generated. The ground condition data, the surface topography data and the route data are processed to generate risk data indicative of a risk of instability along the route.

Abstract: Systems and methods for the automatic generation and optimization of radiation therapy treatment plans, and systems and methods for the automatic generation and optimization of an adapted plan in an adaptive radiation therapy workflow.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system and method for determining the compaction of terrain based on rolling resistance. The system comprises a work machine configured to move along a route along the terrain, a navigation system configured to generate route data indicative of the route, a sensor configured to generate operating parameter data indicative of an operating parameter of the work machine moving along the route, and a processing unit. The processing unit is configured to process the operating parameter data to generate rolling resistance data indicative of the resistance by the terrain to the movement of the work machine along the route, and to process the rolling resistance data to generate compaction data indicative of the compaction of the terrain along the route.

Abstract: A method for operating a machine adapted to transport a load during a work cycle is disclosed. The method includes determining a first stationary state of the machine, and causing sensors to start transmission of first signals. The first stationary state corresponds to a first segment of the work cycle, and the first signals indicate a weight of the load during the first segment. Further, the method includes determining a moving state of the machine corresponding to a second segment of the work cycle, and causing the sensors to terminate transmission of the first signals. Furthermore, the method includes determining a second stationary state of the machine, and causing the sensors to start transmission of second signals. The second stationary state corresponds to a third segment of the work cycle, and the second signals indicate a weight of the load during the third segment.