Abstract: A method of processing a radiological image of an organ. The method may comprise generating a recombined image (R) from at least one previously acquired low energy image (L) and one high energy image (H) of a portion of the organ. The recombined image comprises a background and one or more areas corresponding to the presence of a contrast medium in the organ. The method may further comprise correcting the recombined image (R) by compensating (C) for the nonuniformities present in the background to obtain a compensated recombined image in which the background has a substantially uniform grey level.

Abstract: A system (10) and method for automatically controlling braking of a train (38). The method includes applying a first degree of braking to the train during a first period of time, and then applying a second degree of braking to the train during a second time period following the first time period so that the train is slowed in a manner effective to limit a peak deceleration rate experienced by the train. The system includes a sensor (36) providing a signal indicative of an operating condition of a locomotive of the train requiring braking of the train, a memory (22) storing a braking schedule, and a processor (18) comprising logic executable for accessing the braking schedule stored in the memory responsive to the signal to automatically control braking of the locomotive according to the schedule.

Abstract: A fan apparency arrangement for an appliance is disclosed. The fan apparency arrangement includes a chamber having a port; a fan in the chamber for moving air out of the chamber, the fan having a discharge end, and an intake end having an intake tube; and a sail switch disposed in the intake tube. When activated, the fan moves air out of the chamber through the port and creates a pressure difference between opposite ends of the intake tube, the pressure difference causing the sail switch to change position and signal that the fan is activated. An appliance incorporating such a fan apparency arrangement is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for processing images in interventional radioscopy for detecting guiding instrumentation equipment. The method of the invention enables objects of longilinear or very curved shapes to be detected within the radioscopic image having very low contrast to noise ratios. In one embodiment, an algorithm enables the measured contrast to noise ratio of long or curved structures in the image to be considerably improved. To do this, an embodiment of the invention uses oriented, separable, recursive and rapid steerable detection filters. Said detection filters have a low calculation cost, even for long filters having several orientations.

Abstract: A polymer electrolyte membrane includes a porous base membrane and electrolytes dispersed within the pores of the base membrane. The electrolytes include metal oxide compounds having acid functionality. A process for making the membrane is also provided. The membrane is compatible, durable, highly conductive, mechanically strong and dimensionally stable.

Abstract: A control unit including a keypad having a plurality control indicators, a light producing device configured to illuminate the control indicators, and a light blocking device disposed between the control indicators and the light producing device and configured to selectively restrict or transmit light from the light producing device to the control indicators.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of correcting a digital mammogram of a breast containing an implant. According to the invention, brightnesses situated at and around the implant peak (PI) in the low frequency component of the image (XLP) are attenuated (ATT) as compared with a function (P1) that is applied to the other brightnesses, thereby attenuating the implant. The invention also provides a method of segmenting an implant in a radiographic image, the method being characterized by the following steps: smoothing the image by a noise-reducing lowpass filter, applying a non-directional spatial derivative filter, pixel thresholding, and selecting an outline to define the segmented portion of the image that corresponds to the implant.

Abstract: A collection lip for a griddle is disclosed. The collection lip includes a longitudinally elongated body member having a first end, a second end, a lateral center line and a longitudinal side. The collection lip further includes a lip member extending from the longitudinal side away from the longitudinally elongated body member, the lip member including sides configured to direct cooking byproducts flowing across the lip member towards the lateral center line.

Abstract: A method for assembling a washing machine is provided. The method includes providing a mode shifter including a solenoid, coupling a basket and an agitator to the mode shifter, and coupling a motor to the mode shifter. The solenoid selectively allows the motor to rotate at least one of the basket and the agitator. The method also includes affixing a motor controller to the motor, and electrically coupling the motor controller to each of the mode shifter and the motor. The motor controller is in operational control communication with the mode shifter and the motor.

Abstract: A system is provided for optimizing a path for a marine vessel through a waterway from an initial location to a final location. The system includes a propulsion system and a directional system on the marine vessel, which impart a selective propulsion force on the marine vessel at a selective direction based on a received propulsion command and direction command from a processor. The processor determines an optimal path for the marine vessel, an optimal propulsion command and optimal directional command at a respective incremental location along the optimal path, so to optimize a performance characteristic of the marine vessel. The determination of the optimal path, the optimal propulsion command and the optimal directional command is based on the initial location, the final location, at least one operating parameter, the performance characteristic, and navigational data of the waterway.

Abstract: A signal alignment monitoring system is provided. The system includes a signal assembly including at least one signal lamp. The system also includes an alignment monitoring apparatus coupled to the signal assembly. The alignment monitoring apparatus includes a source for emitting electromagnetic energy and a detector for sensing electromagnetic energy emitted by the source to facilitate determining an alignment of the signal assembly.

Abstract: An appliance includes a housing having an airflow channel communicating with outside of the appliance; a first chamber in the housing and having a first opening; a first door for selectively closing the first opening, the first door having a first airway communicating with the outside of the appliance; a second chamber in the housing and having a second opening; a second door for selectively closing the second opening, the second door having a second airway communicating with the outside of the appliance; and a fan in the airflow channel. The airflow channel includes a central segment disposed between the first and second chambers and communicating with the first and second airways. When activated, the fan causes ambient air to pass through the first and second airways before entering the central segment so that the first and second doors are cooled off by the ambient air.

Abstract: Systems and methods for modifying a parameter value of a controller are described. In one embodiment, the method includes verifying a local presence at the controller, modifying a parameter value at a remote device, confirming the identity of the remote device, and storing the modified parameter value in the controller.

Abstract: A catheter tip device and methods for manufacturing a catheter tip device are disclosed, the device comprising a transducer module attached to a capsule, wherein the transducer module comprises a carrier including a recessed die-attach area, a transducer die located in the recessed die-attach area, and at least one conductive lead deposited onto the carrier and interconnected to the transducer die. The recessed die-attach area has an outer perimeter greater than the outer perimeter of the transducer die forming a groove between at least one edge of the transducer die and the outer perimeter in which an adhesive agent is located to attach the transducer die to the recessed die-attach area. The methods of manufacturing the catheter tip device involve the use of an array of carriers.

Abstract: A hinge assembly and a refrigerator using the assembly are disclosed. The assembly rotatably mounts an access door for a compartment of the refrigerator to part of refrigerator that defines the compartment. The hinge assembly has a body coupled to the part and a hinge manifold supported by the body and slidably received in the access door. The manifold has a first supply conduit for supplying a working medium to an icemaker disposed in the access door and a first return conduit for returning the working medium from the icemaker. The hinge assembly can be manufactured as a separate module to be assembled with the refrigerator or retrofit into an existing refrigerator.

Abstract: A novel anion exchange polymer is provided. A method of making the anion exchange polymer includes reacting a tertiary amine, an acid inhibitor and a polyepoxide to form a quaternary ammonium monomer and polymerizing the quaternary ammonium monomer in the presence of a catalyst. The exchange polymer is prepared without using alkyl halides and can be used to make improved ion exchange materials that are chemically resistant and non-fouling.

Abstract: A leveling leg and wheel assembly for an appliance, including a first member having a first end attached to the appliance, and a second end opposite to the first end; a second member, one of the first member and the second member being slidably disposed in the other of the first member and the second member; a roller fixedly disposed relative to the first member and extending downward beyond the second end; a threaded sleeve fixedly disposed relative to the first member; and a leveling leg having an upper end, a lower end and a threaded portion therebetween, the threaded portion threadedly engaging the threaded sleeve so that rotation of the leveling leg causes the leveling leg to move, relative to the threaded sleeve, between a first position where the roller engages a ground surface and a second position where the leveling leg engages the ground surface.

Abstract: In a locomotive having a dynamic braking capability, a method for maintaining an airflow path to a resistive grid disposed within a resistive grid enclosure having an enclosure inlet and an enclosure outlet is provided, wherein the method includes generating an inlet airflow into the enclosure inlet, creating a heated inlet airflow by associating the inlet airflow with the resistive grid such that the inlet airflow absorbs heat generated by the resistive grid, directing the heated inlet airflow toward the enclosure outlet to generate a heated outlet airflow, redirecting at least a portion of the heated outlet airflow to be thermally associated with a structural portion of the enclosure inlet such that the temperature of the structural portion of the enclosure inlet is increased above a predetermined temperature to reduce blockage of the enclosure inlet by snow and recirculating the redirected heated outlet airflow with ambient air being drawn into the resistive grid enclosure.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a low pressure discharge lamp having a coating disposed upon at least a portion of inner lead-in wires, wherein the coating comprises refractory nanoparticles. Also disclosed herein, in particular, are fluorescent lamps having a coating disposed upon at least a portion of inner lead-in wires, the coating comprising refractory oxide nanoparticles having a median primary particle size of less than about 70 nm, with a thickness of from about 0.5 micrometer to about 10 micrometer. Disclosed advantages may include lessened end discoloration over the operational lifetime of the lamp, enhanced lumen maintenance, and inhibited mercury consumption.

Abstract: A method for converting a computer rear transition input/output (I/O) to front panel I/O is described. The method includes providing a main board having a first main connector having a first set of pins, and affixing a second main connector having a second set of pins to the main board, where a direction of lengths of the first set of pins is other than parallel to a direction of lengths of the second set of pins.