Abstract: A method of correction of load-induced optical distortion in an optical device includes subjecting an optical device having a first morphology to a predetermined loading condition, determining a deformation to a second morphology of the optical device under said predetermined loading condition, and removing material from at least one surface of said optical device to compensate for said deformation. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the method can include the steps of subjecting the optical device to a predetermined loading condition, determining a deformation of the optical device under a predetermined loading condition, defining a surface contour across a surface of the optical device to substantially reduce wavefront error due to said deformation across a field of regard when the optical device is subject to said predetermined loading condition, and removing material from a surface of said optical device to create the defined surface contour.

Abstract: A radiation system includes a radiation source capable of generating a radiation beam having an energy suitable for treating tissue, an imager operatively associated with the radiation source, and a PET imager located adjacent to the imager. A radiation system includes a first ring, a radiation source coupled to the first ring, an imager operatively associated with the radiation source, a second ring located adjacent to the first ring, and a PET imager coupled to the second ring. A radiation system includes a structure having a first side, a second side, a first opening located on the first side, a second opening located on the second side, and a bore extending between the first opening and the second opening, a radiation source located outside the bore, and a PET imager located within or adjacent to the bore.

Abstract: A patient support system includes a patient support, and a positioning system for positioning the patient support, wherein the positioning system is capable of placing the patient support such that a point on the patient support is at a location, and rotating the patient support about a vertical axis that intersects the point, wherein the positioning system includes a first arm and a second arm rotatably coupled to the first arm, and the patient support is rotatably coupled to the second arm. A patient support system includes a first base portion rotatable about a first vertical axis, a second base portion rotatably coupled to the first base portion such that the second base portion is rotatable relative to the first base portion about a second vertical axis, a first arm coupled to the second base portion, a second arm rotatably coupled to the first arm, and a patient support rotatably coupled to the second arm.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are presented to add a flavor to a food by incorporating the flavor into a lipid phase of the food by means of a fat substitute carrier. Adding flavor to the fat substitute carrier, in particular via volatilization, produces excellent characteristics such as reduced mouthcoating and flavor equivalent to that of a comparable full fat food, with the least amount of added triglyceride. The invention is useful for adding flavor to both reduced fat and full fat foods.

Abstract: Process cheese products which are reduced in calories and fat are produced by combining high moisture, fat free, skim milk cheese, with a fatty substance which is non-absorbable non-digestible, and lower in net caloric efficiency than butterfat, animal fat, or vegetable fat. A suitable fatty substance is a polyol polyester, such as, a sucrose polyester.