Abstract: A method for tomosynthesis volume reconstruction acquires at least a prior projection image of the subject at a first angle and a subsequent projection image of the subject at a second angle. A synthetic image corresponding to an intermediate angle between the first and second angle is generated by a repeated process of relating an area of the synthetic image to a prior patch on the prior projection image and to a subsequent patch on the subsequent projection image according to a bidirectional spatial similarity metric, wherein the prior patch and subsequent patch have n×m pixels; and combining image data from the prior patch and the subsequent patch to form a portion of the synthetic image. The generated synthetic image is displayed, stored, processed, or transmitted.

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: A dental apparatus is provided. The dental apparatus includes a handle including a power button configured to place the dental apparatus in on/off configurations. A controller is housed within the handle and includes a mouth detection module and a tooth anomaly module. Electrical circuitry is in operable communication with the mouth detection module and tooth anomaly module and is configured to emit a low intensity excitation light having a first frequency and a high intensity excitation light which may have a second frequency. The low intensity excitation light is utilized to detect the presence of tooth material and the high intensity excitation light is utilized to detect the presence of a tooth anomaly or to treat a dental condition.

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: An imaging method, accesses cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) data and displays, on a display monitor, at least one view of the CBCT data. The method provides an interface for a user to indicate a tomosynthesis reconstruction plane on the displayed view of the CBCT data; and displays a tomosynthesis image on the display monitor according to the indicated tomosynthesis reconstruction plane.

Abstract: A method for rib suppression in a volume chest x-ray image, executed at least in part by a computer captures a first set of unsegmented projection images, each at a corresponding angle, and forms a second set of segmented projection images by detecting rib features in a first projection image to form a first segmented projection image and generating a base model according to the detected rib features for the first projection image. Each of one or more additional projection images from the first set is processed to add members to the second set by a repeated sequence of generating a predictive model; detecting rib features using the predictive model; adjusting the base model according to detected rib features; and correcting rib detection in one or more members of the second set. The volume chest x-ray image is reconstructed according to the segmented projection images and is displayed.

Abstract: A mobile radiography apparatus has a moveable (e.g., wheeled) transport frame and an adjustable column mounted at the frame. A boom apparatus supported by the adjustable column can support an x-ray source assembly. Certain exemplary methods and/or apparatus embodiments can provide mobile radiography carts a capability to direct x-ray radiation towards a subject from one or a plurality of different source positions, and reconstruct two-dimensional or three-dimensional tomosynthesis images where an imaging geometry of x-ray source positions to a radiographic detection array is not known for a plurality of x-ray tomosynthesis projection images. In one embodiment, an imaging geometry and tomosynthesis reconstruction(s) can be simultaneously determined by iteratively determining a current imaging geometry while iteratively monitoring a metric (e.g., stopping criterion) that approaches a prescribed or desired value associated with the tomosynthesis reconstruction.

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: 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: A server comprising: a transceiver configured to receive from at least one ultrasound machine at least one data log comprising at least one data record based on the operation of the ultrasound machine; a record parser configured to process the at least one data log received from the at least one ultrasound machine before storing the at least one data log in a database; a record analyser configured to analyse the at least one data log to determine at least one metric associated with the at least one ultrasound machine; a report generator configured to generate a report for a client based on applying the at least one metric to a utilization/billing model.

Abstract: The invention describes an ink composition for marking a substrate, said ink composition comprising at least one water miscible C1 to C4 aliphatic alcohol,water and a colorant. The colorant can be obtained from a natural source and can comprise one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of: anthocyanins, curcumin and carminic acid. The invention also concerns the use of the ink composition in the marking of food products and particularly in the marking of eggshells. Methods of applying the ink composition are also disclosed.

Abstract: A number of methods for testing an HVAC system for a building structure from a remote location outside of the building structure are disclosed. Generally, the HVAC system has a primarily active component and a primarily dormant component. The method includes the steps of transmitting a test request to the HVAC system from the remote location, performing a test on the primarily dormant component of the HVAC system in response to the test request, and producing a test result. The test result can then be transmitted to a location outside of the building structure.

Abstract: A system and methods for automatically commissioning electrical fixtures using sound are disclosed. Electrical fixtures (140-149) detect sounds produced by a sound generator moved along a path (300) through installed fixtures according to a building plan (100). Each electrical fixture may be associated with a mapped fixture location in the building plan by correlating the detected sound with the location of the sound generator along the path.

Abstract: An imaging system includes an x-ray assembly having one or more x-ray sources configured to be energized at multiple positions. A control program energizes the one or more x-ray sources in a programmed sequence and controls the timing of the sequence.

Abstract: Disclosed is a tuning system for tuning a hand percussion instrument having a head and a shell. The tuning system comprises a rim, the rim secured to the head of the instrument, the rim comprising at least one receptacle, the receptacle positioned at outer periphery of the rim such that the receptacle body is below the plane of the rim, a side plate assembly, the side plate assembly secured to the shell of the instrument, a tuning rod, the tuning rod having a first end secured to the receptacle for varying the tension on the head, and the tuning rod having a second end secured to the side plate assembly.

Abstract: A number of methods for testing an HVAC system for a building structure from a remote location outside of the building structure are disclosed. Generally, the HVAC system has a primarily active component and a primarily dormant component. The method includes the steps of transmitting a test request to the HVAC system from the remote location, performing a test on the primarily dormant component of the HVAC system in response to the test request, and producing a test result. The test result can then be transmitted to a location outside of the building structure.

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: A percussive shaker instrument with improved control in producing rhythmic sound and capable of producing different percussive sounds in a single shaker is disclosed. The shaker comprises one or more channels filled with a striker material. The channel isolates the striker material from the striker material in other channels and from any other part of the shaker. The striker material is freely movable within the channel such that it may collide with a striking surface when the shaker is moved.

Abstract: A reflective pixel for a display device includes a first substrate, a membrane formed relative to the first substrate, and a fluid arranged between the first substrate and the membrane. An actuator mechanism is operative to move the membrane between at least a first and second position that differ in average separation distance relative to the first substrate to produce a low reflective state and a high reflective state of the pixel.

Abstract: This document provides methods and materials for delivering compounds to teeth and methods and materials for providing teeth with a whiter appearance. For example, methods and materials are provided for contacting teeth with one or more adhesive molecules (e.g., mussel adhesive polypeptides or polymer containing a plurality of 3,4-dihydroxyphenyl-L-alanine residues) in combination with one or more fluorescence emitting polypeptides (e.g., a blue fluorescent protein (BFP)) and/or whitening particles to provide the teeth with a whiter appearance.