Abstract: A deformable image registration phantom having a housing, an outer cylinder, a parallel eccentric inner cylinder, a ball and socket mount, and a target. The inner cylinder is rotatably mounted within the outer cylinder and the target is rotatably mounted, directly or indirectly, within the inner cylinder. Indexing detents are positioned on at least one of the housing, the outer cylinder, the inner cylinder, and the ball and socket mount and one or more detent pins positioned on another. The indexing detents are arranged about at least one rotational or translational axis of the phantom and the detent pins are configured to releasably engage with the indexing detents as the components of the phantom rotate or translate relative to one another.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided herein for a social network providing real-time and/or interactive entertainment experiences in an automotive environment. In one example, a method comprises detecting, by a social networking system, a first user of the social networking system; determining a social graph of the first user, wherein the social graph comprises a plurality of nodes and edges; determining a location of the first user; determining recommendations for activities for the first user based on the social graph and the location of the first user; and displaying, via a display screen of a user device of the first user, an application of the social networking system based on the social graph and location of the first user, wherein the first user is one of a vehicle user and a person user.

Abstract: A beekeeping hive base having a container with a bottom and a continuous wall extending upwardly from the bottom about a perimeter thereof. Two spaced apart openings extend through the walls. Each of the two openings is positioned so as to allow with corresponding openings of two adjacent hive bases. A respective gate assembly is mounted to a sidewall for selectively closing and opening each of the openings A beekeeping method is provided using beekeeping hives having such a hive base.

Abstract: A deformable image registration phantom, having a housing, an outer cylinder with a first diameter, a parallel eccentric inner cylinder with a second diameter smaller than the first diameter, a ball and socket mount, and a target. The target is mounted to the housing by way of the inner and outer cylinders and the ball and socket mount. The inner cylinder is rotatably mounted within the outer cylinder and the target is rotatably mounted, directly or indirectly, within the inner cylinder. The outer cylinder may be rotatably mounted within the housing and the ball and socket mount rotatably mounted within the inner cylinder. Alternatively, the outer cylinder may be rotatably mounted within the ball and socket mount and the ball and socket mount rotatably mounted within the housing.

Abstract: A deformable phantom, according to the present invention, has a housing made of a Mill invisible material enclosing a sealed reservoir filled with a MM signal producing material, a piston slidably mounted within a sleeve and extending into the sealed reservoir, wherein the sleeve is slidably mounted to the housing and extends into the sealed reservoir, a deformable structure within the sealed reservoir, and one or more point dosimeters located on or within the deformable structure. The piston and sleeve move opposite to one another to conserve a constant fluid volume within the sealed reservoir as the piston moves in and out of the sealed reservoir to cause motion and/or deformation of the deformable structure.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for cooling systems for imaging systems. In one embodiment, a manifold assembly for an imaging system comprises: an intake manifold and a return manifold formed by a plurality of unitary sections, the intake manifold and return manifold positioned adjacent to each other and separated by a shared wall; and a plurality of nozzles, with each nozzle of the plurality of nozzles formed by a corresponding section of the plurality of unitary sections. In this way, an assembly difficulty, expense, and/or manufacturing time of the manifold assembly may be decreased.

Abstract: An X-ray imaging system includes a gantry, rotatable about an axis of rotation, a radiation source mounted on the gantry and configured to emit radiation, and one or more detectors configured to detect the emitted radiation. The gantry includes a gear assembly coupled to a motor to enable rotation of the gantry, wherein the gear assembly comprises a gantry gear. The gantry includes an encoder for detecting position of the gantry, wherein the encoder comprises an encoder gear meshed with the gantry gear. The gantry also includes a gear re-engagement assembly configured to couple to the encoder and to force the encoder gear into correct engagement with the gantry gear when the encoder gear becomes disengaged from the gantry gear. As such, the gear re-engagement assembly keeps engagement of the encoder gear and the gantry gear to maintain the important gantry position tracking.

Abstract: An X-ray imaging system includes a gantry, rotatable about an axis of rotation, a radiation source mounted on the gantry and configured to emit radiation, and one or more detectors configured to detect the emitted radiation. The gantry includes a gear assembly coupled to a motor to enable rotation of the gantry, wherein the gear assembly comprises a gantry gear. The gantry includes an encoder for detecting position of the gantry, wherein the encoder comprises an encoder gear meshed with the gantry gear. The gantry also includes a gear re-engagement assembly configured to couple to the encoder and to force the encoder gear into correct engagement with the gantry gear when the encoder gear becomes disengaged from the gantry gear. As such, the gear re-engagement assembly keeps engagement of the encoder gear and the gantry gear to maintain the important gantry position tracking.

Abstract: A method of producing ice cubes in a mold and pan in cool ambient air wherein the steps of removing the mold from the pan and removing the ice cubes from the mold are carried out without any heating or thawing to obtain individual ice cubes with a substantially dry outer surface. A method of producing a block of ice cubes in cool ambient air is also provided wherein the steps above are repeated so that the ice cubes drop row above row to produce a block of ice cubes. A method of packaging ice cubes is also provided comprising obtaining a plurality of ice cubes with a substantially dry outer surface and of a stackable shape. The ice cubes are arranged adjacently into a block, and the block is encapsulated in a suitable packaging material.

Abstract: An improved tooth 21 and tooth holder 22 assembly for use with a digging implement such as a post hole digger has a first retention member 23 and a second retention member 24 each of which can be used in isolation or in combination. The first retention member 23 comprises a nylon plug having opposed serrated teeth 25 and which is pushed into an opening in the tooth holder 22. The tooth contains rigid profiles 26 and when the tooth is pushed into the tooth holder, the serrations and profiles mesh together to positively retain the tooth within the tooth holder. The second retention means 24 comprises a resilient pin. The tooth and the tooth holder have a positive and negative wedge type shape which allows the tooth to be attached in one orientation only.

Abstract: A method of producing ice cubes in a mould and pan in cool ambient air wherein the steps of removing the mould from the pan and removing the ice cubes from the mould are carried out without any heating or thawing to obtain individual ice cubes with a substantially dry outer surface. A method of producing a block of ice cubes in cool ambient air is also provided wherein the steps above are repeated so that the ice cubes drop row above row to produce a block of ice cubes. A method of packaging ice cubes is also provided comprising obtaining a plurality of ice cubes with a substantially dry outer surface and of a stackable shape. The ice cubes are arranged adjacently into a block, and the block is encapsulated in a suitable packaging material.

Abstract: Multilayer polyimide-fluoropolymer insulation structures exhibiting excellent heat seal strength and superior internal adhesion strength comprise a base layer of polyimide having first and second major surfaces and a first fluoropolymer layer. The first fluoropolymer layer may be on the first major surface of the polyimide layer. Alternatively, it may be separated from the first major surface of the polyimide layer by an intervening layer. The first fluoropolymer layer comprises from about 70 to about 98% by weight of fluoroethylene propylene polymer (‘FEP’) and from about 30 to about 2% by weight of polytetrafluoroethylene polymer (‘PTFE’) or poly(tetrafluoroethylene-co-perfluoro[alkyl vinyl ether]) (‘PFA’) based on the total weight of the first fluoropolymer layer. Structures having fluoropolymer layers on both surfaces of the polyimide layer are also provided. Protected wire or cable using the composite, and methods are also described.

Abstract: Multilayer polyimide-fluoropolymer insulation structures exhibiting excellent heat seal strength and superior internal adhesion strength comprise a base layer of polyimide having first and second major surfaces and a first fluoropolymer layer. The first fluoropolymer layer may be on the first major surface of the polyimide layer. Alternatively, it may be separated from the first major surface of the polyimide layer by an intervening layer. The first fluoropolymer layer comprises from about 70 to about 98% by weight of fluoroethylene propylene polymer (‘FEP’) and from about 30 to about 2% by weight of polytetrafluoroethylene polymer (‘PTFE’) or poly(tetrafluoroethylene-co-perfluoro[alkyl vinyl ether]) (‘PFA’) based on the total weight of the first fluoropolymer layer. Structures having fluoropolymer layers on both surfaces of the polyimide layer are also provided. Protected wire or cable using the composite, and methods are also described.

Abstract: A dielectric composite is provided that is useful for wrapping wire or cable or for supporting electronic circuitry. The composite comprises a polyimide layer having first and second major surfaces; a first fluoropolymer layer on the first major surface on the polyimide layer, said first fluoropolymer layer comprising at least about 55% PFA; and a second fluoropolymer layer on the second major surface on the polyimide layer, said second fluoropolymer layer comprising at least about 55% PFA. Protected wire or cable using the composite, and methods are also described.

Abstract: Vaccines for the prevention and/or treatment of Eimeria infection including one or more strains of E. maxima ARI-73/97, E. acervulina ARI-77/97, E. tenella ARI-11/98, E. necatrix MCK01 and/or E. necatrix ARI-MEDNEC3+8 are described. Eimeria selected from E. maxima ARI-73/97, E. acervuina ARI-77/97, E. tenella ARI-11/98, E. necatrix MCK01 and/or E. mecatrix ARI-MEDNEC3+8 are also described.

Abstract: An assembly mountable to an injector, such as an injection pen, to hide the needle of the injector from view. The assembly includes a retractable cover that is slidably mounted on a base sleeve that is releaseably connected to the injector. A spring between the cover and the base sleeve biases the cover toward a forward position at which it surrounds and hides the axially fixed needle from view.

Abstract: A method of producing a transgenic monocotyledonous plant includes culturing a thin section explant from a monocotyledonous plant, such as sugarcane, wheat or sorghum, in the presence of an auxin and, optionally, a cytokinin, prior to transformation. Optimally, the thin section is oriented during this pre-transformation culture period of 1-6 days so that a basal surface is substantially not in contact with the culture medium. The cultured explant is then transformed followed by a rest period of 4-15 days in a culture medium without selection agent but comprising an auxin and, optionally, a cytokinin. After this rest period, transgenic plants are selectively propagated from the transformed plant tissue in the presence of a selection agent such as paromomycin sulphate or geneticin. This system provides rapid, efficient generation of transgenic monocotyledonous plants from transformed, non-callus tissue and thereby reduces the likelihood of somaclonal variation among transgenic progeny.

Abstract: A method of plant micopropagation is provided whereby a thin section of non-callus tissue obtained from a monocotyledonous plant, such as sugarcane, wheat or sorghum, is cultured in the presence of a cytokinin and/or an auxin. Optimal regeneration occurs when a basal surface of the thin section is oriented so as to be substantially not in contact with the culture medium. This micropropagation method produces mature monocotyledonous plants by either organogenic or embryogenic regeneration without substantial callus formation. By avoiding use of callus as a starting tissue, this method reduces the likelihood of propagated plants displaying somaclonal variation.