Abstract: A snubber for an automotive transmission includes a generally flat surface configured to limit radially-outward movement of a drive member that transfers torque from a transmission gearbox output to a differential input. A mouth of the snubber is fluidly coupled to an internal cavity that capturing transmission fluid as the fluid is moved around due to movement of the drive member. A wing of the snubber extends from the generally flat surface toward the drive member. The wing has a hollow interior fluidly coupled to the internal cavity. A concave outer surface is located outside of and adjacent to the mouth. The concave surface deflects a portion of the fluid, preventing that portion from entering the mouth. This increases the flow of fluid away from the drive member which can lead to drag.

Abstract: A method for imaging a subject obtains a first set of acquired projection images of a subject volume, wherein each projection image in the first set has a corresponding acquisition angle and forms an initial reconstructed volume image. A second set of synthetic projection images is generated according to processing of the acquired projection images and combined with the first set to form a combined set of projection images. The method augments the initial reconstructed image to form an improved reconstructed image by at least a first iteration of an iterative reconstruction process using the initial reconstructed image with the combined set of acquired and synthetic projection images and at least a subsequent iteration of the iterative reconstruction process using the first set of acquired projection images and fewer than, or none of, the second set of synthetic projection images. The improved reconstruction image is rendered on a display.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to methods and apparatus for locating luminaires within a lighting system where multiple luminaires are located on a grid of DC power rails. The AC signal generator connects to each DC power rail and transmits an AC signal along each DC power rail in turn to luminaires that each compute their distance from the generator based upon the AC signal. The AC signal generator may similarly transmit and receive data communications with luminaires across DC power rails.

Abstract: An imaging method, accesses a set of low-energy projection images and performs a low-energy reconstruction using the low-energy projection images. A synthesized intermediate low-energy projection image is generated. A high-energy reconstruction is performed using a set of high-energy projection images. A synthesized intermediate high-energy projection image is generated. A dual-energy reconstruction is performed using at least one low-energy projection image, the synthesized intermediate low-energy projection image, at least one high-energy projection image, and the synthesized intermediate high-energy projection image.

Abstract: A system and method for ensuring safe delivery of items to an event, such as a conference or trade show. The system uses a controlled-access website or app and a program with a database operated by a security coordinator. All prospective attendees are vetted, and after being verified as bona fide attendees who qualify as a reliable exhibitor/shipper, are given access to the database for the purpose of obtaining (by download) a particularized set of coded labels to be applied to a particular item to be shipped. The coded labels are then printed, applied to the items to be shipped and sent to a staging location for screening. At the staging location, the security coordinator scans all coded labels of shipped items when they arrive, and the program compares the scanned data with the data in the database to see if the shipped items are associated with a reliable exhibitor/shipper.

Abstract: Compounds of formula (I) that are capable of acting as purine receptor antagonists, pharmaceutical compositions including the compounds, and methods of making the compounds, are disclosed. The compounds and compositions can be used in treating or preventing disorders related to purine receptor hyperfunctioning.

Abstract: An apparatus having an x-ray source and an x-ray detector configured to be rotated about a standing patient to capture and store a plurality of radiographic images of the patient during the rotation. A portable enclosure surrounds the source, the detector and the patient.

Abstract: A computer implemented method for reconstructing a 3-D volume image using a radiographic imaging system having one or more x-ray sources and a digital detector. A plurality of radiographic images of a subject at various angles are captured in the digital detector. Image data in two or more pixels of the detector that are adjacent to each other in a row direction or a column direction are combined, while pixels adjacent in the other direction are not combined.

Abstract: Compounds of formula (I) that are capable of acting as purine receptor antagonists, pharmaceutical compositions including the compounds, and methods of making the compounds, are disclosed. The compounds and compositions can be used in treating or preventing disorders related to purine receptor hyperfunctioning.

Abstract: Embodiments of methods and apparatus are disclosed for obtaining differential phase contrast imaging system and methods for same. Method and apparatus embodiments can provide regularized phase contrast retrieval that can address noise reduction and/or edge enhancement. Certain exemplary embodiments can suppress stripe artifacts occurring in the process of integration of noisy differential phase data. Further, certain exemplary embodiments can use transmission images and/or dark-field images to improve or restore phase contrast images affected by noise edges.

Abstract: A method for forming an image reconstructs a volume image according to X-ray projection images acquired at acquisition angles. The full volume image is partitioned to form at least a first and a second non-overlapping sub-volume. Within each sub-volume, forward projection images for the sub-volume are calculated, with the corresponding forward projection images computed at the acquisition angles, and with intermediate forward projection images at angles between the acquisition angles. A weight factor relates the contribution of each pixel in the X-ray projection images to each sub-volume at each acquisition angle. Synthesized sub-volume projection images are formed according to the calculated weight factors and acquired projection images in each sub-volume. Synthesized sub-volume projection images form synthesized projection images for the full volume image. A second volume image is reconstructed according to the acquired X-ray projection images and the synthesized projection images.

Abstract: A method for forming an image reconstructs a volume image according to X-ray projection images acquired at acquisition angles. The full volume image is partitioned to form at least a first and a second non-overlapping sub-volume. Within each sub-volume, forward projection images for the sub-volume are calculated, with the corresponding forward projection images computed at the acquisition angles, and with intermediate forward projection images at angles between the acquisition angles. A weight factor relates the contribution of each pixel in the X-ray projection images to each sub-volume at each acquisition angle. Synthesized sub-volume projection images are formed according to the calculated weight factors and acquired projection images in each sub-volume. Synthesized sub-volume projection images form synthesized projection images for the full volume image. A second volume image is reconstructed according to the acquired X-ray projection images and the synthesized projection images.

Abstract: A snubber for an automotive transmission includes a generally flat surface configured to limit radially-outward movement of a drive member that transfers torque from a transmission gearbox output to a differential input. A mouth of the snubber is fluidly coupled to an internal cavity that capturing transmission fluid as the fluid is moved around due to movement of the drive member. A wing of the snubber extends from the generally flat surface toward the drive member. The wing has a hollow interior fluidly coupled to the internal cavity. A concave outer surface is located outside of and adjacent to the mouth. The concave surface deflects a portion of the fluid, preventing that portion from entering the mouth. This increases the flow of fluid away from the drive member which can lead to drag.

Abstract: A method for reconstructing a volume image of a subject, executed at least in part by a computer, accesses projection x-ray images of the subject and performs a volume image reconstruction using the x-ray images by iteratively performing alternating steps of a tomographic update, where a gradient based algorithm having a preconditioner is used to update the volume image reconstruction and a spatially varying denoising that is a function of the preconditioner. The method displays, stores, or transmits the volume image reconstruction.

Abstract: A method of generating a synthesized digital projection image, executed at least in part by a computer, acquires x-ray projection images at corresponding acquisition angles, and reconstructs a first volume image. Forward projection generates a preceding forward projection image at a first acquisition angle; a following forward projection image at an adjacent second acquisition angle; and an intermediate forward projection image for an intermediate angle. A synthesized projection image is formed by identifying a candidate patch of pixels from the intermediate forward projection image, matching a first patch of pixels from the preceding forward projection image and identifying a corresponding first acquired patch of pixels from the first acquired x-ray projection image, matching a second patch of pixels from the following forward projection image and matching a second acquired patch of pixels from the forward projection image. The first and second acquired patches are combined.

Abstract: A method for multi-dimensional image processing obtains a multi-dimensional image having a plurality of data elements, each data element having a corresponding data value. The method forms a reduced noise image by repeated iterations of a process that adjusts the data value for one or more data elements p of the obtained image by: for each data element k in a group of data elements in the image, calculating a weighting factor for the data element k as a function of the difference between an estimated data value for data element p and the corresponding data value of data element k, updating the estimated data value for the data element p according to the combined calculated weighting factors and the data value of the data element k; and displaying, storing, or transmitting the reduced noise image.

Abstract: An iterative algorithmic method determines spatial distribution of attenuation values of an object based on measured projection data of the object. An algorithm generates estimated projection data based on an estimated spatial distribution of the attenuation values. Correction data is determined based on a difference between the measured projection data and the estimated projection data. Spatially extended correction data is back projected to update the estimated spatial distribution of the attenuation values. The algorithmic iterations continue until a stopping criterion is reached.

Abstract: A method of generating a synthesized digital projection image, executed at least in part by a computer, acquires x-ray projection images at corresponding acquisition angles, and reconstructs a first volume image. Forward projection generates a preceding forward projection image at a first acquisition angle; a following forward projection image at an adjacent second acquisition angle; and an intermediate forward projection image for an intermediate angle. A synthesized projection image is formed by identifying a candidate patch of pixels from the intermediate forward projection image, matching a first patch of pixels from the preceding forward projection image and identifying a corresponding first acquired patch of pixels from the first acquired x-ray projection image, matching a second patch of pixels from the following forward projection image and matching a second acquired patch of pixels from the forward projection image. The first and second acquired patches are combined.

Abstract: Compounds of formula (I) that are capable of acting as purine receptor antagonists, pharmaceutical compositions including the compounds, and methods of making the compounds, are disclosed. The compounds and compositions can be used in treating or preventing disorders related to purine receptor hyperfunctioning.

Abstract: This document provides methods and materials for delivering agents to hair, skin, and/or nails using one or more adhesive molecules alone or in combination with one or more interlocking metals, one or more dyes, and/or one or more polypeptides. For example, methods and materials for delivering interlocking metals, dyes, or polypeptides to hair, skin, or nails of a mammal (e.g., a human) are provided.