Abstract: A data processing device is applied to an X-ray system which irradiates an object with continuous X-rays and processes data detected by a photon counting X-ray detection device. An n-dimensional vector corresponding to each of “n” energy regions set a spectrum of the continuous X-rays is calculated for each detector pixel based on the data. For each search region virtually set up based on one or more detector pixels, the n-dimensional vectors at the detector pixels belonging to each search pixel are mutually vector added in the n-dimensional space. The n-dimensional representative vector representing each of the plurality of search regions is calculated. Based on the representative vectors and an unit region having a desired size virtually set in a material space with coordinate information of the degree of attenuation of the X-rays, the information indicating the amount, type and properties of the material of the object is obtained.

Abstract: In an X-ray inspection, a detection unit with a detector is provided. The detection unit detects transmitted amounts of the X-rays generated by an X-ray generator and transmitted through the object in each of n-number X-ray energy bins (n is a positive integer of 2 or more) which are set in advance to the X-rays, and outputs detection signals corresponding to the transmitted amounts. An information acquisition unit acquires, based on the detection signal, information showing a thickness t of the object and an average linear attenuation coefficient ? in a transmission direction of fluxes of the X-rays, in each of the energy bins. A pixel data calculation unit calculates, based on the acquired information, pixel data composed of pixel values each obtained by multiplying addition information by the thickness t. Addition information is obtained by mutual addition of the average linear attenuation coefficients ? in the respective energy bins.

Abstract: A higher accuracy beam hardening correction with a low calculation load is performed with objects whose elements have a wider range of effective atomic numbers Zeff, thereby contributing to presentation of more quantitative X-ray images. Of two or more X-ray energy bins, two X-ray bins are selected to normalize X-ray attenuation amount ?t in those bins such that one or more normalized X-ray attenuation amounts are obtained at each pixel areas. From reference information indicating a theoretical relationship of correspondence between the normalized X-ray attenuation amounts and effective atomic numbers of elements, one ore more effective atomic numbers are estimated every pixel area. Among the one or more effective atomic numbers (ZHigh, ZLow) and an effective atomic number (Zm) preset for the beam hardening correction, two or more atomic numbers are subjected to their equality determination.

Abstract: In a data processing apparatus, image data are calculated based on photon counts of an X-ray beam transmitted through an object. Based on the image data, X-ray attenuation information is calculated. The attenuation information includes i) inherent information inherently depending on a type or a property of the object, the inherent information being indicated by a quantity of a vector in an n-dimensional coordinate whose dimension is equal in number to the n-piece energy ranges; and ii) associated information being associated with the inherent information and depending on a length of a path along which the X-ray beam passes though the object. From the attenuation information, only the inherent information is produced which is independent of the associated information. Scattering points corresponding to the inherent information are calculated to be mapped in the n-dimensional coordinate or in a coordinate whose dimension is less than the n-dimensional coordinate.

Abstract: Based on counts detected by a photon counting detector, a characteristic of X-ray attenuation amounts ?t is acquired for each X-ray energy bin. This characteristic is defined by a plurality of mutually different known thicknesses t and linear attenuation coefficients in the X-ray transmission direction. This substance is composed of a material which is included in an object and which is the same in type as the object or which can be regarded as being similar to the object in terms of the effective atomic number. Correcting data for replacing the characteristic of the X-ray attenuation amounts ?t by a linear target characteristic are calculated. The linear target characteristic is set to pass through the origin of a two-dimensional coordinate having a lateral axis assigned to thicknesses t and a longitudinal axis assigned to the X-ray attenuation amounts ?t. The correcting data are calculated for each X-ray energy bin.

Abstract: A thickener is provided comprising an anionic polyacrylamide group containing at least two anionic polyacrylamides having different degrees of anionization, and a water-soluble cellulose ether. When added to a hydraulic composition, the thickener is effective for improving flow while maintaining rheological properties.

Abstract: A higher accuracy beam hardening correction with a low calculation load is performed with objects whose elements have a wider range of effective atomic numbers Zeff, thereby contributing to presentation of more quantitative X-ray images. Of two or more X-ray energy bins, two X-ray bins are selected to normalize X-ray attenuation amount ?t in those bins such that one or more normalized X-ray attenuation amounts are obtained at each pixel areas. From reference information indicating a theoretical relationship of correspondence between the normalized X-ray attenuation amounts and effective atomic numbers of elements, one ore more effective atomic numbers are estimated every pixel area. Among the one or more effective atomic numbers (ZHigh, ZLow) and an effective atomic number (Zm) preset for the beam hardening correction, two or more atomic numbers are subjected to their equality determination.

Abstract: An X-ray apparatus includes a two-dimensional pixel array having rectangular pixels outputting an electrical signal responsively to an incident X-ray photon. This array has a row direction oblique to a scan direction. When viewing in the scan direction, a pixel group is provided solely or repeatedly, the pixel group being composed of “M rows × N pieces” of pixels (M is a positive integer equal to or larger than 1, N is a positive integer equal to or larger than 2, and M and N have a relationship of prime numbers). The pixel group occupies a quadrangle whose diagonal line is parallel with the scan direction. In a memory space, the frame data from the pixels are converted to frame data in a Cartesian coordinate system having a row direction which is in parallel with the scan direction and a column direction orthogonal to the row direction.

Abstract: A water-reducing composition including (A) a water reducing agent containing a polycarboxylic acid-based water reducing agent and a naphthalene-based water reducing agent, (B) water-soluble cellulose ether, (C) gums, and (D) a defoamer.

Abstract: A water-reducing composition including (A) a water reducing agent containing a polycarboxylic acid-based water reducing agent and a lignin-based water reducing agent, (B) water-soluble cellulose ether, (C) gums, and (D) a defoamer.

Abstract: In an X-ray inspection, a detection unit with a detector is provided. The detection unit detects transmitted amounts of the X-rays generated by an X-ray generator and transmitted through the object in each of n-number X-ray energy bins (n is a positive integer of 2 or more) which are set in advance to the X-rays, and outputs detection signals corresponding to the transmitted amounts. An information acquisition unit acquires, based on the detection signal, information showing a thickness t of the object and an average linear attenuation coefficient ? in a transmission direction of fluxes of the X-rays, in each of the energy bins. A pixel data calculation unit calculates, based on the acquired information, pixel data composed of pixel values each obtained by multiplying addition information by the thickness t. Addition information is obtained by mutual addition of the average linear attenuation coefficients ? in the respective energy bins.

Abstract: Frame data of tomographic planes that are parallel in the scan direction and between an X-ray tube and an X-ray detecting unit is generated based on detected frame data. The generation of frame data is based on the fan-shaped spreading of an X-ray beam and the differences in position in a height direction between the tomographic planes from a detection surface. Tomographic images are respectively generated from the frame data of the tomographic planes based on laminography technique. Edge information based on the changes in pixel values in each tomographic image is calculated for each pixel. A three-dimensional distribution of the edge information is generated and the edge information is searched in a direction passing through the tomographic planes and pixels indicating a maximum value in the edge information are detected. Only pixels in the tomographic images that positionally correspond to detected pixels are combined into a single composite image.

Abstract: A concrete composition made up of a binder, water, a fine aggregate, a coarse aggregate, and a one-component, in which a water/binder ratio is 30 to 70% by mass, a slump flow value is 35 to 75 cm, and a one-component admixture using four specific components and water is contained in a proportion of 0.5 to 3.0 parts by mass relative to 100 parts by mass of the binder.

Abstract: The type and/or properties of a substance included in an object is identified highly accurately regardless of the thickness of the substance. A data processing apparatus processes counts detected at each of pixels of a photo counting detector in each of a plurality of energy ranges of X-rays. The X-rays are radiated from an X-ray tube, and transmitted through an object. The apparatus calculates an image of the object based on the counts, and sets a region of interest on the image. The apparatus further removes, from the image, pixel information showing a background present in the region of interest, and calculates, pixel by pixel, inherent information inherent to the substance, based on the counts detected at each of the respective pixels in each of the energy ranges of the X-rays in the region of interest. The inherent information indicates a transmission characteristic inherent to the X-rays.

Abstract: A water-reducing composition is obtained by a method for preparing the water-reducing composition, the method including stirring a water-reducing agent, a water-soluble cellulose ether, a gum and a defoamer by a high speed stirrer, in which the water-reducing agent has a solid component concentration of 10 to 25% by weight and an Na+ ion concentration of 8,500 ppm or higher, and in which a stirring element in the high speed stirrer has a peripheral speed of 8.50 m/s or higher, and the water-reducing composition has a sedimentation volume of 80% by volume or higher after being left standing for 72 hours from immediately after preparing the water-reducing composition, or being dispersion.

Abstract: A hydraulic composition is prepared by mixing (A) an admixture aqueous solution containing a water-soluble salt which is a water-reducing agent or setting retarder, and a water-soluble cellulose ether with (B) a fresh concrete composition containing a hydraulic substance, an aggregate, and water at job site. The method is effective for preventing the admixture solution from thickening even though the water-soluble cellulose ether without glyoxal treatment is used.

Abstract: In a data processing apparatus, image data are calculated based on photon counts of an X-ray beam transmitted through an object. Based on the image data, X-ray attenuation information is calculated. The attenuation information includes i) inherent information inherently depending on a type or a property of the object, the inherent information being indicated by a quantity of a vector in an n-dimensional coordinate whose dimension is equal in number to the n-piece energy ranges; and ii) associated information being associated with the inherent information and depending on a length of a path along which the X-ray beam passes though the object. From the attenuation information, only the inherent information is produced which is independent of the associated information. Scattering points corresponding to the inherent information are calculated to be mapped in the n-dimensional coordinate or in a coordinate whose dimension is less than the n-dimensional coordinate.

Abstract: A hydraulic composition comprising an AE agent, water-soluble cellulose ether, defoamer, cement, water, and aggregate is provided. The AE agent contains a fatty acid-based surfactant consisting of a fatty acid, alkali metal salt, lower alkylamine salt or lower alkanolamine salt thereof and a nonionic surfactant consisting of a polyoxyethylene phenyl ether. The hydraulic composition has frost damage resistance and experiences little bleeding.

Abstract: A thickener is provided comprising an anionic polyacrylamide group containing at least two anionic polyacrylamides having different degrees of anionization, and a water-soluble cellulose ether. When added to a hydraulic composition, the thickener is effective for improving flow while maintaining rheological properties.

Abstract: Circuitry for converting frame data outputted from an obliquely arranged detector, to frame data in a coordinate system for reconstruction is avoided from becoming larger in size and an processing amount is reduced. An X-ray apparatus is provided with a two-dimensional pixel array, the two-dimensional pixel array having a plurality of rectangular pixels, having a predetermined size and outputting an electrical signal in response to an incident X-ray photon. The pixels of the array are arranged in the row and column directions in a first Cartesian coordinate system. The row direction is set obliquely to a scan direction.