Abstract: A system includes a reconstructor (314) configured to reconstruct cone beam projection data to generate cone beam artifact corrected short scan cone beam volumetric image data. A method includes reconstructing, with a reconstructor, cone beam projection data to generate cone beam artifact corrected short scan cone beam volumetric image data. A computer-readable storage medium storing computer executable instructions which when executed by a processor of a computer cause the processor to: reconstruct cone beam projection data to generate cone beam artifact corrected short scan cone beam volumetric image data.

Abstract: A mechanism for generating a partially denoised image. A residual noise image, obtained by processing an image using a convolutional neural network, is weighted. The blending or combination of the weighted residual noise image and the (original) image generates the partially denoised image.

Abstract: An imaging system (302) includes an X-ray radiation source (312) configured to emit radiation that traverses an examination region, a detector array (314) configured to detect radiation that traverses an examination region and generate a signal indicative thereof, wherein the detected radiation is for a 3-D pre-scan, and a reconstructor (316) configured to reconstruct the signal to generate a 2-D pre-scan projection image. The imaging system further includes a console (318) wherein a processor thereof is configured to execute 3-D volume planning instructions (328) in memory to display the 2-D pre-scan projection image (402, 602, 802, 1002) and a scan plan or bounding box (404, 604, 804, 1004) for planning a 3-D volume scan of a region/tissue of interest based on a selected protocol for a 3-D volume scan of a region/tissue of interest being planned and receive an input confirming or adjusting the scan plan box to create a 3-D volume scan plan for the 3-D volume scan of the region/tissue of interest.

Abstract: A handheld light assembly for eradicating pathogens includes a housing. A processor and a lamp are disposed inside the housing. The lamp irradiates surfaces with disinfecting ultraviolet light having a peak wavelength of 222 nm filtered to restrict illumination to between 200 nm and 230 nm within an irradiation zone. A distance measuring system includes a secondary light source generating secondary light and a photodetector for measuring distance of the secondary light to a surface being irradiated by the lamp light being reflected from the surface to the photodetector. The secondary light source is offset at an angle from the lamp thereby projecting the light beam to a central area of the irradiation zone generated by the lamp. The photodetector signals the processor to calculate a vertical distance between the lamp and the central area of the irradiation zone on the surface being irradiated from an angular projection of the secondary light.

Abstract: A system receives information for a plurality of invoices having invoice amounts owed by a debtor-buyer to a plurality of creditor-suppliers, a cash pool amount for a cash pool available by the debtor-buyer for early payment of at least some of the invoice amounts, and a desired return rate, receives a plurality of offers, each offer from a corresponding creditor-supplier and comprising an offer return rate, determines whether each of the plurality of offers is eligible for acceptance based on each offer return rate from each offer and the desired return rate for the buyer and selects one or more invoices each having an invoice amount, and transmits award information to the debtor-buyer.

Abstract: A traffic light assembly and method for controlling a set of heating elements for the traffic light assembly. A traffic signal with a lens and a visor, the visor having an inner surface and extending from the lens. A sensor mounted to the traffic signal and in direct communication with an environment surrounding the traffic light assembly. A control module located within the traffic signal, the control module comprising a controller for implementing a primary loop that continuously checks environmental conditions via the sensor to determine if a predetermined condition is met.

Abstract: A method for preparing a geothermal system involves preparing a wellbore that extends into an underground magma reservoir. Characteristics of the drilling process and the borehole are monitored to detect when the magma reservoir is reached, such that specially configured drilling operations can be performed to drill to a target depth within the magma reservoir.

Abstract: A method is disclosed. The method includes providing a body assembly including a first recess, a second recess, and a third recess, providing a film apple box, and selectively supporting a first end portion of the film apple box in the first recess in a first orientation. The method also includes selectively supporting a second end portion of the film apple box in the second recess in a second orientation, and selectively supporting a third end portion of the film apple box in the third recess in a third orientation.

Abstract: A method for use in a material decomposition procedure applied to dual-energy CT projection data. Material decomposition is often done using pre-computed lookup tables (LUTs) for mapping input projection data, acquired with particular X-ray source parameters, to material data values. However, the X-ray source parameters can vary over the course of a scan, making the results inaccurate. Embodiments are based on determining in advance a plurality of sets of basis LUTs for each of a plurality of different possible ranges of values over which the X-ray source parameter may vary during a scan. The basis LUTs in each set are devised as being LUTs which represent the majority contribution to the overall material decomposition function for the time-varying energy spectrum.

Abstract: A system (116) includes an unlogger (202) configured to unlog logged data, to produce unlogged clipped data. The logged data includes attenuation line integrals and clipping-induced bias. The system further includes a mean estimator (204) configured to estimate a mean value of the unlogged clipped data. The system further includes a correction determiner (206) configured to determine correction to the clipping-induced bias based on the estimated mean value of the unlogged clipped data. The system further includes an adder (210) configured to correct the logged data with the correction to produce corrected logged data.

Abstract: A method is provided for processing medical images, the method including receiving a first image and a second image different from the first image, where the second image is of the same subject matter as the first image. The method further includes identifying a plurality of anatomical structures in the first image and defining a plurality of image segments in the second image based N on locations of the anatomical structures identified in the first image. The method then applies a processing routine associated with a first anatomical structure to the first image segment in the second image and a processing routine associated with a second anatomical structure to the second image segment in the second image. Also provided is an imaging system for implementing the described method and a non-transitory computer readable medium storing a program for processing medical images.

Abstract: A low-profile universal passive protector for an IV catheter includes a connector having a tubular body and a pair of arms pivotally connected thereto. The tubular body defines an end face and the connector includes a cavity extending from the end face. An elongate sheath is snap engageable to the tubular body. A spring is insertable within the connector cavity to extend between at least one of the pair of arms and the elongate sheath when received within the cavity. A slider is moveably coupled to the sheath. The slider includes a flashback chamber formed therein. A hypodermic needle is connected to the slider and is in fluid communication with the flashback chamber. The slider is moveable along the sheath between a first position and a second position, with the hypodermic needle being drawn into the sheath as the slider moves from the first position toward the second position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a cone beam computed tomography apparatus for reducing artefacts in an image acquired with the cone beam computed tomography apparatus using a second pass artefact reduction method. Projection data of an object are acquired, wherein the projection data comprises a first subset of data to be used for reconstruction of a first image, and a second subset of data comprising projection data not to be used for the construction of the first image, wherein the second subset of data comprises projection data not comprised in the first subset of data. A first and a second image are reconstructed using the first and the second subset of data, respectively. A second pass artefact reduction method is performed using the second image as input image of the second pass artefact reduction method, thereby reducing artefacts in the first image.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present disclosure may provide a method for training and tuning a neural network model, including: adding simulated noise to an initial image of an object to generate a noisy image (601, 603), the simulated noise taking the same form as natural noise in the initial image; training a neural network model on the noisy image using the initial image as ground truth (605), wherein in the neural network model is trained on the noisy work model a tuning variable is extracted or generated, the tuning variable defining an amount of noise removed during use (607); identifying a first value for the tuning variable that minimizes a training cost function for the tuning variable is identified or for the initial image; and assigning a second value for the tuning variable (611), the second value different than the first value, wherein the neural network model identifies more noise in the noisy image when using the second value than when using the first value.

Abstract: A system includes: a memory unit adapted to store a user profile corresponding to each of a plurality of users, each user profile including user preference information; a communication unit, adapted to receive, via a telecommunications network, real-time or near real-time data relating to and during live events; and a processor adapted to analyze the received data, to detect an occurrence of an event during the live event based on analyzed data, to associate the detected occurrence of the event to each user according to the user preference information, and to communicate the occurrence of the event to each associated user. The processor is adapted to perform the analysis, the detection, the association, and the communication in real-time or near real-time during the live event.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and compositions for preparing nucleic acid molecules using a novel, single-tube workflow that allows users to carry out the isolation of nucleic acids from a sample and perform a nucleic acid assay using the isolated nucleic acids in a single tube or vessel. As such, the methods disclosed herein can be used with low quality and/or small quantity of nucleic acid samples. Further, the disclosed methods offer similar or improved concordance rates in addition to improved signal to noise ratio when compared to the existing methods used for genetic analysis. Thus, making the methods disclosed herein suitable for clinical applications such as infectious disease diagnosis, pre-implantation genetic testing, prenatal or cancer diagnosis.

Abstract: A low-profile universal passive protector for an IV catheter includes a connector having a tubular body and a pair of arms pivotally connected thereto. The tubular body defines an end face and the connector includes a cavity extending from the end face. An elongate sheath is snap engageable to the tubular body. A spring is insertable within the connector cavity to extend between at least one of the pair of arms and the elongate sheath when received within the cavity. A slider is moveably coupled to the sheath. The slider includes a flashback chamber formed therein. A hypodermic needle is connected to the slider and is in fluid communication with the flashback chamber. The slider is moveable along the sheath between a first position and a second position, with the hypodermic needle being drawn into the sheath as the slider moves from the first position toward the second position.

Abstract: A system and method for a frac pump. The system includes a turbine. The turbine can be 100% powered by natural gas or other fuels. The turbine, which can have an OEM controller, drives a frac pump. The frac pump is used for fracturing. The system has a controller which controls the system, including the OEM controller. The system has an air filtration system to treat the air entering the turbine. The air filtration system can include a system with no moving parts and no filters. The system fits within a trailer so it can be transported to remote locations. The system is self-sufficient.

Abstract: Various processes for preparing C4 aldoses and/or ketones thereof are described. Various processes are described for preparing C4 aldoses and/or ketones thereof from feed compositions comprising glycolaldehyde. Also, various processes for preparing useful downstream products and intermediates, such as erythritol and erythronic acid, from the C4 aldoses and/or ketones thereof are described.

Abstract: Various processes for the pyrolysis of carbohydrates to prepare products such as glycolaldehyde are described. Also, various catalysts and processes for preparing catalysts useful for carbohydrate pyrolysis are described.