Abstract: The present disclosure is related to improving image quality in a scanning camera system via scan angle selection to obtain images having overlap for performing image stitching, dynamically tuning an aperture of a camera in the scanning camera system, updating pixel values of an image using vignetting data, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: This disclosure is related to positioning one or more glass plates between an image sensor and lens of a camera in a scanning camera system; determining plate rotation rates and plate rotation angles based on one of characteristics of the camera, characteristics and positioning of the one or more glass plates, and relative dynamics of the camera and the object area; and rotating the one or more glass plates about one or more predetermined axes based on corresponding plate rotation rates and plate rotation angles.

Abstract: A computer program for providing access to auto insurance information comprises a first software widget and a second software widget. The first software widget may appear on a display of a mobile electronic device. When selected by a user, the first software widget displays a first information screen that includes a phone number and a mailing address for an insurance agent of the user. The second software widget may also appear on the display. When selected by the user, the second software widget displays a second information screen that includes an image of an auto insurance card of the user. The second software widget may compare an expiration date from the second information screen with the current date and generate a first indicia if the expiration date occurred before the current date (such as if the virtual auto insurance card is out of date and needs to be updated).

Abstract: This disclosure is related to positioning one or more glass plates between an image sensor and lens of a camera in a scanning camera system; determining plate rotation rates and plate rotation angles based on one of characteristics of the camera, characteristics and positioning of the one or more glass plates, and relative dynamics of the camera and the object area; and rotating the one or more glass plates about one or more predetermined axes based on corresponding plate rotation rates and plate rotation angles.

Abstract: An imaging system can include a first and second camera configured to capture first and second sets of oblique images along first and second scan paths, respectively, on an object area. A drive is coupled to a scanning mirror structure, having at least one mirror surface, and configured to rotate the structure about a scan axis based on a scan angle. The first and second cameras each have an optical axis set at an oblique angle to the scan axis and include a respective lens to focus first and second imaging beams reflected from the mirror surface to an image sensor located in each of the cameras. The first and second imaging beams captured by their respective cameras can vary according to the scan angle. Each of the image sensors captures respective sets of oblique images by sampling the imaging beams at first and second values of the scan angle.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a camera configured to capture a set of oblique images along a scan path on an object area; a scanning mirror structure including at least one surface for receiving light from the object area, the at least one surface having at least one first mirror portion at least one second portion comprised of low reflective material arranged around a periphery of the first mirror portion, the low reflective material being less reflective than the first mirror portion; and a drive coupled to the scanning mirror structure and configured to rotate the scanning mirror structure about a rotation axis based on a scan angle. The at least one second portion can be configured to block light that would pass around the first mirror portion and be received by the camera at scan angles beyond the set of scan angles.

Abstract: An imaging system can include a first and second camera configured to capture first and second sets of oblique images along first and second scan paths, respectively, on an object area. A drive is coupled to a scanning mirror structure, having at least one mirror surface, and configured to rotate the structure about a scan axis based on a scan angle. The first and second cameras each have an optical axis set at an oblique angle to the scan axis and include a respective lens to focus first and second imaging beams reflected from the mirror surface to an image sensor located in each of the cameras. The first and second imaging beams captured by their respective cameras can vary according to the scan angle. Each of the image sensors captures respective sets of oblique images by sampling the imaging beams at first and second values of the scan angle.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a camera configured to capture a set of oblique images along a scan path on an object area; a scanning mirror structure including at least one surface for receiving light from the object area, the at least one surface having at least one first mirror portion at least one second portion comprised of low reflective material arranged around a periphery of the first mirror portion, the low reflective material being less reflective than the first mirror portion; and a drive coupled to the scanning mirror structure and configured to rotate the scanning mirror structure about a rotation axis based on a scan angle. The at least one second portion can be configured to block light that would pass around the first mirror portion and be received by the camera at scan angles beyond the set of scan angles.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a camera configured to capture a set of oblique images along a scan path on an object area; a scanning mirror structure including at least one surface for receiving light from the object area, the at least one surface having at least one first mirror portion at least one second portion comprised of low reflective material arranged around a periphery of the first mirror portion, the low reflective material being less reflective than the first mirror portion; and a drive coupled to the scanning mirror structure and configured to rotate the scanning mirror structure about a rotation axis based on a scan angle. The at least one second portion can be configured to block light that would pass around the first mirror portion and be received by the camera at scan angles beyond the set of scan angles.

Abstract: This disclosure is related to positioning one or more glass plates between an image sensor and lens of a camera in a scanning camera system; determining plate rotation rates and plate rotation angles based on one of characteristics of the camera, characteristics and positioning of the one or more glass plates, and relative dynamics of the camera and the object area; and rotating the one or more glass plates about one or more predetermined axes based on corresponding plate rotation rates and plate rotation angles.

Abstract: The present disclosure is related to improving image quality in a scanning camera system via scan angle selection to obtain images having overlap for performing image stitching, dynamically tuning an aperture of a camera in the scanning camera system, updating pixel values of an image using vignetting data, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: The present disclosure is related to improving image quality in a scanning camera system via scan angle selection to obtain images having overlap for performing image stitching, dynamically tuning an aperture of a camera in the scanning camera system, updating pixel values of an image using vignetting data, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: This disclosure is related to positioning one or more glass plates between an image sensor and lens of a camera in a scanning camera system; determining plate rotation rates and plate rotation angles based on one of characteristics of the camera, characteristics and positioning of the one or more glass plates, and relative dynamics of the camera and the object area; and rotating the one or more glass plates about one or more predetermined axes based on corresponding plate rotation rates and plate rotation angles.

Abstract: Certain embodiments are described that are directed to lead containing compositions including radiation absorption metals in combination with a polymeric material. In some aspects, a composition includes lead, optionally at least one additional heavy metal known to have shielding capability against ionizing radiation and at least one polymer, polymer blend or co-polymer. Sheets and articles including the compositions are also described.

Abstract: A method of identifying a target microbe in a specimen and including the steps of a) obtaining a specimen, b) lysing the specimen to release a plurality of rRNA molecules from one or more first target microbes in the specimen, c) contacting the specimen with a plurality of first oligonucleotide probe sets configured to selectively bind to rRNA molecules released from the target microbe thereby forming a plurality of first hybridized complexes, each first hybridized complex including one first capture probe and one first detector probe and one of the plurality of rRNA molecules, and d) analyzing the first hybridized complexes to identify a first target microbe in the specimen.

Abstract: A method of determining a bacterial density in a specimen may include the steps of: (a) conducting an RNA assay on the specimen to determine a microbial rRNA concentration, wherein the microbial rRNA concentration is defined as the number of rRNA molecules per volume of the specimen; and (b) converting the rRNA concentration to a bacterial density value.

Abstract: There is described a system for growing a microorganism in liquid culture, the system comprising: a driving apparatus configured to house and oscillate a microfluidic cartridge; and a microfluidic cartridge comprising at least one incubation chamber, such that when the system is in use, the incubation chamber may be oscillated back and forth along an oscillation path using a preferred oscillation protocol. There is also described a method of growing a microorganism in liquid culture, the method comprising disposing a microorganism and suitable growth medium into an incubation chamber; and mixing the microorganism and growth medium by oscillating the incubation chamber back and forth along an oscillation path using a preferred oscillation protocol. There is also described a microfluidic cartridge that may be used to grow microorganisms using the system and methods described above.

Abstract: Certain embodiments are described that are directed to lead free compositions including radiation absorption metals in combination with a polymeric material. In some aspects, a composition includes at least one heavy metal, other than lead, known to have shielding capability against ionizing radiation and at least one polymer, polymer blend or co-polymer. Sheets and articles including the compositions are also described.

Abstract: A method for determining the susceptibility of bacteria in a clinical sample comprising urine or an inoculant derived therefrom to an antibiotic agent may include the steps of a) inoculating a test portion of the clinical sample in a medium containing a predetermined concentration of the antibiotic agent; b) inoculating a control portion of the clinical sample in a medium that does not contain the antibiotic agent; c) incubating the test portion for an incubation period; d) incubating the control portion for the incubation period; e) determining a quantity of RNA in the test portion and a quantity of RNA in the control portion at the conclusion of the incubation period that is less than 480 minutes after the completion of step a); and f) determining a susceptibility of the bacteria to the antibiotic agent by comparing the quantity of RNA in the test portion to the quantity of the RNA in the control portion.

Abstract: There is described a method for extracting a target chemical compound from a cellular material in a sample. The method comprising the steps of: subjecting the sample to mechanical lysis to cause disruption of a cellular membrane in the cellular material; contacting the sample with an alkaline material to produce a lysate composition comprising the target chemical compound; and recovering the lysate composition from the sample. There is also described a method for producing a lysate composition comprising RNA from a mammalian bodily fluid sample comprising a cellular material. There is also described a method for extracting a nucleic acid from a cellular material in a bodily fluid or an inoculant derived therefrom.