Abstract: Method include emitting x-rays from an x-ray source, directing a first portion of the x-rays through an object grating situated adjacent to an object while the object is scanned relative to the object grating along a scan direction, directing a second portion of the x-rays through the object and subsequently through a detector grating without transmitting through the object grating, wherein the object grating and detector grating are adjacently arranged in a field of view of the x-rays sequentially with respect to each other in the scan direction, and receiving the first portion transmitted through the object and object grating with a first portion of a detector and receiving the second portion transmitted through the object and the detector grating with a second portion of the detector adjacent to the first portion of the detector. Systems are also disclosed, along with related techniques for beam hardening correction.

Abstract: Footwear scanning systems and associated methods are described. According to one aspect, a footwear scanning system includes a base, a shuttle configured to rotate beneath the base, wherein the shuttle comprises an antenna array configured to transmit electromagnetic waves through the base into footwear above the base during the rotation of the shuttle and to receive electromagnetic waves reflected from the footwear during the rotation of the shuttle, a transceiver coupled with the antenna array and configured to apply electrical signals to the antenna array to generate the transmitted electromagnetic waves and to receive electrical signals from the antenna array corresponding to the received electromagnetic waves, and processing circuitry configured to process an output of the transceiver corresponding to the received electromagnetic waves to provide information regarding contents within the footwear.

Abstract: Method include emitting x-rays from an x-ray source, directing a first portion of the x-rays through an object grating situated adjacent to an object while the object is scanned relative to the object grating along a scan direction, directing a second portion of the x-rays through the object and subsequently through a detector grating without transmitting through the object grating, wherein the object grating and detector grating are adjacently arranged in a field of view of the x-rays sequentially with respect to each other in the scan direction, and receiving the first portion transmitted through the object and object grating with a first portion of a detector and receiving the second portion transmitted through the object and the detector grating with a second portion of the detector adjacent to the first portion of the detector. Systems are also disclosed, along with related techniques for beam hardening correction.

Abstract: Footwear scanning systems and associated methods are described. According to one aspect, a footwear scanning system includes a base, a shuttle configured to rotate beneath the base, wherein the shuttle comprises an antenna array configured to transmit electromagnetic waves through the base into footwear above the base during the rotation of the shuttle and to receive electromagnetic waves reflected from the footwear during the rotation of the shuttle, a transceiver coupled with the antenna array and configured to apply electrical signals to the antenna array to generate the transmitted electromagnetic waves and to receive electrical signals from the antenna array corresponding to the received electromagnetic waves, and processing circuitry configured to process an output of the transceiver corresponding to the received electromagnetic waves to provide information regarding contents within the footwear.

Abstract: Plant supplement delivery assemblies are provided that can include an insert having collapsible insert sidewalls complimentary to the exterior sidewalls of the assembly housing, the collapsible insert sidewalls defining at least a portion of a container configured to house a plant supplement. Plant supplement delivery inserts are also provided that can include collapsible sidewalls extending between a discharge end and a butt end to define a container configured to house plant supplement. The butt end can be configured to operably engage a biased member, and the insert can further include a stem extending from the discharge end. The stem can define a conduit in fluid communication with the container. Methods for providing plant supplements are also provided. The methods can include operably engaging a biased member with a butt end of a container to collapse sidewalls of the container and provide plant supplement from the container through a stem into a plant.