Abstract: A joist assembly system that is structured for dynamic retrieval of components, dynamic and precise positioning and location of retrieved components, assembly of the components to form a joist, and delivery of the assembled joist. The joist assembly system has a plurality of material handling systems, a plurality of welding systems, and a rigging table system. The material handling systems are structured to load and position the components such as chords and webs onto the rigging table. The rigging table in turn supports the chords or webs. Subsequently, the plurality of welding systems weld the webs to the chords to form the joist.

Abstract: Motion detection in a video signal stream representing a series of rows in one or more image frames includes filtering the video signal stream for one or more features, generating a plurality of masked video signal streams by multiplying the feature video signal stream with a plurality of mask signal streams, which correspond to an image mask region within one or more image frames, determining a value of an intensity-based parameter of the feature in the plurality of mask signal streams, and determining a change in the value of the intensity-based parameter to detect motion over image frames.

Abstract: Motion detection in a video signal stream representing a series of rows in one or more image frames includes filtering the video signal stream for one or more features, generating a plurality of masked video signal streams by multiplying the feature video signal stream with a plurality of mask signal streams, which correspond to an image mask region within one or more image frames, determining a value of an intensity-based parameter of the feature in the plurality of mask signal streams, and determining a change in the value of the intensity-based parameter to detect motion over image frames.

Abstract: A mat includes a base and a plurality of studs that together may position an electric radiant heating element within a floor or wall, and may protect the electric radiant heating element as the floor or wall are constructed. The base extends in at least two directions that define a plane. Two or more of the plurality of studs has a cylindrical body that includes a surface and a top, the surface extends from a respective portion of the base in a third direction that does not lie within the plane and that is at an angle between and including 84 and 96 degrees relative to the respective base portion, and the top includes a hole to allow air to pass from outside the stud to an interior region. By using the mat one can quickly install a plurality of positioning devices to hold the electric radiant heating element at desired locations in the floor while the floor is constructed.

Abstract: A mat includes a base and a plurality of studs that together may position an electric radiant heating element within a floor or wall, and may protect the electric radiant heating element as the floor or wall are constructed. The base extends in at least two directions that define a plane. Two or more of the plurality of studs has a cylindrical body that includes a surface and a top, the surface extends from a respective portion of the base in a third direction that does not lie within the plane and that is at an angle between and including 84 and 96 degrees relative to the respective base portion, and the top includes a hole to allow air to pass from outside the stud to an interior region. By using the mat one can quickly install a plurality of positioning devices to hold the electric radiant heating element at desired locations in the floor while the floor is constructed.

Abstract: A system and method for providing an instrument response correction. A sample is illuminated to generate a first plurality and a second plurality of interacted photons. The first plurality of interacted photons may be detected by a dispersive spectrometer to generate a reference spectrum representative of the sample. The second plurality of interacted photons may be passed through a tunable filter and detected using an imaging detector to generate at least one hyperspectral image. This hyperspectral image may comprise a Raman hyperspectral image or an infrared hyperspectral image. A system may comprise an illumination source, a collection optics, a dispersive spectrometer, a fiber optic, a tunable filter, and an imaging detector.

Abstract: A method for operating an optical filter in multiple modes. In one embodiment, an optical filter may be operated in a sensitivity mode to thereby generate a white light image representative of a region of interest. The optical filter may then be operated in a specificity mode to thereby generate a hyperspectral image representative of said region of interest. The white light image and the hyperspectral image may be fused to generate a hybrid image that provides morphological and hyperspectral data. The white light image and the hyperspectral image may be generated using a single detector, eliminating the need for image realignment.

Abstract: A SWIR hyperspectral imaging filter has serial stages along an optical signal path with angularly distributed birefringent retarders and polarizers. The retarders can include active retarders such as tunable liquid crystal birefringent elements, passive retarders such as fixed retarders, and/or combinations thereof. Distinctly different periodic transmission spectra are provided by different filter stages, each having multiple retarders, in particular with some stages having broad bandpass peaks at wide spectral spacing and other stages have very narrow closely spaced peaks. The respective spectra include at least one tunably selectable band at which the transmission spectra of the filter stages coincide, whereby the salutary narrow bandpass and wide spectral spacing ranges of different stages apply together, resulting in a high finesse wavelength filter suitable for spectral imaging.

Abstract: A system and method for determining at least one geometric property of a particle in a sample. A sample is irradiated to thereby generate Raman scattered photons. These photons are collected to generate a Raman chemical image. A first threshold is applied wherein the first threshold is such that all particles in the sample are detected. A particle in the sample is selected and a second threshold is applied so that at least one geometric property of the selected particle can be determined. At least one spectrum representative of the selected particle is analyzed to determine whether or not it is a particle of interest. The step of determining a second threshold may be iterative and automated via software so that candidate second thresholds are applied until a satisfactory result is achieved.

Abstract: A method for operating an optical filter in multiple modes. In one embodiment, an optical filter may be operated in a sensitivity mode to thereby generate a white light image representative of a region of interest. The optical filter may then be operated in a specificity mode to thereby generate a hyperspectral image representative of said region of interest. The white light image and the hyperspectral image may be fused to generate a hybrid image that provides morphological and hyperspectral data. The white light image and the hyperspectral image may be generated using a single detector, eliminating the need for image realignment.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for a system and method for rapid, accurate, and reliable targeting and interrogation of pharmaceutical samples. An autofluorescence image of a sample may be generated and analyzed to identify areas of interest that exhibit autofluorescence characteristic of APIs. These areas of interest may then be targeted for analysis using Raman chemical imaging. This Raman chemical image may be used to determine geometric properties of particles present in a sample such as size and particle distribution.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for a system and method for detecting, sizing, and classifying multiple particles in a sample. A Raman chemical image may be generated representative of a sample. This Raman chemical image may be analyzed to thereby determine at least one geometric property of at least one particle in the sample. Each pixel in the sample may be classified as comprising a particle associated with an active pharmaceutical ingredient of interest. This classification may be achieved by comparing a spectrum associated with each pixel with a reference spectrum. This comparison may be achieved by applying at least one chemometric technique.

Abstract: A SWIR hyperspectral imaging filter has serial stages along an optical signal path with angularly distributed birefringent retarders and polarizers. The retarders can include active retarders such as tunable liquid crystal birefringent elements, passive retarders such as fixed retarders, and/or combinations thereof. Distinctly different periodic transmission spectra are provided by different filter stages, each having multiple retarders, in particular with some stages having broad bandpass peaks at wide spectral spacing and other stages have very narrow closely spaced peaks. The respective spectra include at least one tunably selectable band at which the transmission spectra of the filter stages coincide, whereby the salutary narrow bandpass and wide spectral spacing ranges of different stages apply together, resulting in a high finesse wavelength filter suitable for spectral imaging.

Abstract: A system and method for providing an instrument response correction. A sample is illuminated to generate a first plurality and a second plurality of interacted photons. The first plurality of interacted photons may be detected by a dispersive spectrometer to generate a reference spectrum representative of the sample. The second plurality of interacted photons may be passed through a tunable filter and detected using an imaging detector to generate at least one hyperspectral image. This hyperspectral image may comprise a Raman hyperspectral image or an infrared hyperspectral image. A system may comprise an illumination source, a collection optics, a dispersive spectrometer, a fiber optic, a tunable filter, and an imaging detector.

Abstract: A system and method for providing an instrument response correction based on transmission efficiency. Test data may be acquired at a first operating point. A look-up table may be searched to determine an instrument response correction. This look-up table may comprise a plurality of instrument response corrections, each instrument response correction corresponding to an intensity response of the sample at an operating point. The instrument response correction may then be applied to correct for environmental factors that may affect transmission efficiency. A system may comprise an illumination source, a collection optics, a tunable filter, a detector, a sensor and a control unit. The detector may detect interacted photons generated by illuminating a sample and generate test data. The sensor may be configured to sense an operating condition and transmit this information to the control unit which is configured to search a look-up table to determine the appropriate instrument response correction.

Abstract: A system and method for determining at least one geometric property of a particle in a sample. A sample is irradiated to thereby generate Raman scattered photons. These photons are collected to generate a Raman chemical image. A first threshold is applied wherein the first threshold is such that all particles in the sample are detected. A particle in the sample is selected and a second threshold is applied so that at least one geometric property of the selected particle can be determined. At least one spectrum representative of the selected particle is analyzed to determine whether or not it is a particle of interest. The step of determining a second threshold may be iterative and automated via software so that candidate second thresholds are applied until a satisfactory result is achieved.

Abstract: We disclose quantitative geometrical analysis enabling the measurement of several features of images of tissues including perimeter, area, and other metrics. Automation of feature extraction creates a high throughput capability that enables analysis of serial sections for more accurate measurement of tissue dimensions. Measurement results are input into a relational database where they can be statistically analyzed and compared across studies. As part of the integrated process, results are also imprinted on the images themselves to facilitate auditing of the results. The analysis is fast, repeatable and accurate while allowing the pathologist to control the measurement process.

Abstract: A physics based model of the absorption of light by histological stains used to measure the amount of one or more stains at locations within tissue is disclosed. The subsequent analysis results in several improvements in the detection of tissue on a slide, improvements to autofocus algorithms so focusing during image acquisition is confined to tissue, improvements to image segmentation and identification of tissued and its features, improvements to the identification of stain where multiple stains are used, and improvements to the quantification of the extent of staining. The invention relates to the application of these improvements to stain detection and quantification to provide for objective comparison between tissues and closer correlation between the presentations of such features and concurrent patterns of gene or protein expression.

Abstract: A physics based model of the absorption of light by histological stains used to measure the amount of one or more stains at locations within tissue is disclosed. The subsequent analysis results in several improvements in the detection of tissue on a slide, improvements to autofocus algorithms so focusing during image acquisition is confined to tissue, improvements to image segmentation and identification of tissued and its features, improvements to the identification of stain where multiple stains are used, and improvements to the quantification of the extent of staining. The invention relates to the application of these improvements to stain detection and quantification to provide for objective comparison between tissues and closer correlation between the presentations of such features and concurrent patterns of gene or protein expression.

Abstract: A physics based model of the absorption of light by histological stains used to measure the amount of one or more stains at locations within tissue is disclosed. The subsequent analysis results in several improvements in the detection of tissue on a slide, improvements to autofocus algorithms so focusing during image acquisition is confined to tissue, improvements to image segmentation and identification of tissued and its features, improvements to the identification of stain where multiple stains are used, and improvements to the quantification of the extent of staining. The invention relates to the application of these improvements to stain detection and quantification to provide for objective comparison between tissues and closer correlation between the presentations of such features and concurrent patterns of gene or protein expression.