A method for characterizing a sample, by estimating a plurality of characteristic thicknesses, each being associated with a calibration material, including acquiring an energy spectrum (S.sup.ech) transmitted through this sample, located in an X and/or gamma spectral band; for each spectrum of a plurality of calibration spectra (s.sup.base(L.sub.k; L.sub.t)) calculating a likelihood from said calibration spectrum (S.sup.base(L.sub.k; L.sub.t)), and from the spectrum transmitted through the sample (S.sup.ech), each calibration spectrum (S.sup.base(L.sub.k; L.sub.t)) corresponding to the energy spectrum transmitted through a stack of gauge blocks, each formed of a known thickness of a calibration material; estimating the characteristic thicknesses (L.sub.1, L.sub.2) associated with the sample according to the criterion of maximum likelihood.

A system according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a generator-detector configured to be attached to a pipe. The generator-detector is configured to measure the concentration of mercury in the pipe in a non-destructive manner. A method is also disclosed.

Provided is an article sorting system having a security inspection function which relates to intelligent logistics. The system includes: a security inspection machine including a detector, a security inspection driving device and a security inspection channel; and a mobile transport device matched with the security inspection channel in space, which is configured to move a received article to be sorted by using the security inspection driving device so that the article to be sorted passes through the security inspection channel and accepts a security detection performed by the detector in the security inspection channel. Alternatively, the system includes: a security inspection machine including a detector and a security inspection channel; and a mobile transport device matched with the security inspection channel in space, which is configured to move the received article to be sorted so that the article to be sorted passes through the security inspection channel and accepts the security detection performed by the detector in the security inspection channel.

Provided is an article sorting system having a security inspection function which relates to intelligent logistics. The system includes: a security inspection machine including a detector, a security inspection driving device and a security inspection channel; and a mobile transport device matched with the security inspection channel in space, which is configured to move a received article to be sorted by using the security inspection driving device so that the article to be sorted passes through the security inspection channel and accepts a security detection performed by the detector in the security inspection channel. Alternatively, the system includes: a security inspection machine including a detector and a security inspection channel; and a mobile transport device matched with the security inspection channel in space, which is configured to move the received article to be sorted so that the article to be sorted passes through the security inspection channel and accepts the security detection performed by the detector in the security inspection channel.

The non-destructive inspection method includes: a water absorbing or drying step of changing a water-content state of a test piece; a transmission image capturing step of irradiating, with a radiation, the test piece absorbed water or dried for a predetermined time in the water absorbing or drying step and capturing a transmission image created by visualizing the radiation transmitted through the test piece; and an evaluation step of evaluating the test piece on the basis of the water-content state of the test piece determined from the transmission image captured in the transmission image capturing step.

A method of capturing and analyzing information for a particle detection system comprises generating a reaction to a plurality of particles using a converter material, wherein the converter material is operable to interact with the plurality of particles. The method further comprises converting a response to the reaction to an electrical signal using a plurality of sensors, wherein the converter material is operable to be coated onto the plurality of sensors, and wherein each of the plurality of sensors comprises an array of discrete pixel sensors each with a respective (x,y) coordinate within the array. Further, the method comprises processing the electrical signal to generate data regarding each pixel on the array of discrete pixels and serializing the data collected from the plurality of sensors and transmitting the data over thin cables to a processing unit that is located at a separate and remote location from the plurality of sensors.

The present inventions provides drug-drug conjugates, drug-porphyrin conjugates, nanoparticles of the conjugates, as well as modified nanoparticles having PEGylated exteriors or encapsulated by red blood cell vesicles. The conjugates, nanoparticles and nanocarriers are useful for treating cancers and other diseases, as well as for imaging diseased tissue or organs.

The present inventions provides drug-drug conjugates, drug-porphyrin conjugates, nanoparticles of the conjugates, as well as modified nanoparticles having PEGylated exteriors or encapsulated by red blood cell vesicles. The conjugates, nanoparticles and nanocarriers are useful for treating cancers and other diseases, as well as for imaging diseased tissue or organs.

A neutron imaging system that includes a central neutron source configured to produce source neutrons, wherein the central neutron source comprises a beam target, a moderator chamber surrounding at least a portion of the beam target, the moderator chamber housing a moderator, and a re-entrant cone extending into the moderator chamber. The re-entrant cone includes an entrance surface having a concave curvature facing the beam target. The entrance surface encloses a cone chamber, isolating the cone chamber from the moderator.

Methods, systems, and computer program products for determining a property of construction material. According to one aspect, a material property gauge operable to determine a property of construction material is disclosed. The gauge may include an electromagnetic sensor operable to measure a response of construction material to an electromagnetic field. Further, the electromagnetic sensor may be operable to produce a signal representing the measured response by the construction material to the electromagnetic field. An acoustic detector may be operable to detect a response of the construction material to the acoustical energy. Further, the acoustic detector may be operable to produce a signal representing the detected response by the construction material to the acoustical energy. A material property calculation function may be configured to calculate a property value associated with the construction material based upon the signals produced by the electromagnetic sensor and the acoustic detector.