Abstract: Systems and methods are provided through which in some embodiments for controlling intermolecular forces between a contact surface and a fabricated microstructure having a base and at least one or more nano-structures. The contact surface and the fabricated microstructure are joined by the interplay of electrostatic and van der Waals forces. The contact surface can be planetary dust with surfaces involved in planetary exploration, as well as synthetic gecko hairs that would allow small robots to climb walls and traverse ceilings. The system and method allow intense electrostatic forces to be applied at variable levels in order to modulate the effectiveness of van der Waals forces as well as external electrostatic forces. This device enables advanced small robot mobility, planetary dust control at all possible ambient pressures, as well as dust sample collection for exploration analysis.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a method for x-ray imaging including: exposing a volume of interest to a first technique level to obtain a first set of image data; exposing the volume of interest to a second technique level to obtain a second set of image data; and estimating whether the volume of interest includes a foreign object based at least in part on a comparison of at least an aspect of the first set of image data and at least an aspect of the second set of image data. According to an embodiment, one of the first and second technique levels is selected to generate x-rays having a higher average energy than the other of the first and second technique levels. According to an embodiment, at least one of the first and second technique levels is selectable to cause an overexposure. According to an embodiment, at least one of the first and second technique levels corresponds to a clinical technique level.

Abstract: A vest is configured to serve as a portable lockout station, whereby maintenance workers may conveniently carry safety lockout padlocks (and their keys) and safety lockout tags from one maintenance location to another to allow them to impose a safety lockout on machinery when working on the machinery. The vest is preferably brightly colored and provided with reflective stripes so that it is readily visible to others around the maintenance location, and it includes pockets which are specially configured to complementarily fit safety lockout padlocks and tags for easy storage and access. The pockets are also formed of material which is at least partially transparent, such as mesh, and are placed on a location on the vest which is readily visible to the wearer such that the wearer can readily note when a safety lockout padlock is absent (e.g., when one has been forgotten at a prior maintenance location).

Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling exposure for medical imaging devices is provided. The method includes varying the exposure level of X-rays within an X-ray imaging system to generate a plurality of images having different exposure levels and combining the plurality of images in an additive process to form a single X-ray image.

Abstract: A method for differentiating if a feedback signal is a result of an unintentional collision in a servo system includes injecting a feed forward term in the servo system.

Abstract: The Magnum Bullet Dart is a throwing dart which includes a body made from a firearm bullet cartridge of any automatic, semi-automatic, small or large caliber, magnum or regular types. In a first embodiment, a steel point extends from the front of the bullet casing, and a flight shaft of fixed length is attached to the rear of the bullet casing. A user can remove the shaft, and insert or remove weighting material, such as lead shot, into or out of the cartridge through the hole, to adjust the weight of the dart. In a second embodiment, a steel point extends from the front of the bullet casing, and a flight shaft is slidably mounted through a hole in the rear of the casing; the length of the shaft extending rearward of the casing may be adjusted according to the preference of the user. This adjustability does not require the dart owner to purchase different lengths of shafts, thus adding convenience and saving money.

Abstract: A reconfigurable structure includes a plurality of selectively extensible and retractable limbs, at least one node pivotably receiving respective ends of at least two limbs, and an actuator associated with each limb for extending and retracting the limb. The structure may further include an addressable module associated with each actuator to control the actuator.

Abstract: An evolvable synthetic neural system includes an evolvable neural interface operably coupled to at least one neural basis function. Each neural basis function includes an evolvable neural interface operably coupled to a heuristic neural system to perform high-level functions and an autonomic neural system to perform low-level functions. In some embodiments, the evolvable synthetic neural system is operably coupled to one or more evolvable synthetic neural systems in a hierarchy.

Abstract: A companion pet diet meeting ordinary nutritional requirements of the pet and further comprising a sufficient amount of an antioxidant or mixture thereof to inhibit the onset of deterioration of the mental capacity of said companion pet in its aged years.

Abstract: A method for detecting collisions between an obstacle and an electromechanical system having a mechanical output controlled by a servo system includes inputting a forcing function xi to the servo system to direct the mechanical output to move in an intended manner. A difference signal is generated at a monitoring point M representing a difference between forcing function xi and a feedback signal dependent upon the mechanical output. The method further includes injecting a feed forward signal into the servo system. The feed forward signal is dependent upon the forcing function and effective to increase a detection threshold for collision stimulus at monitoring point M. The method also includes processing the difference signal to detect a collision.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention relate to a dynamic power management system. The system includes a power input providing power to an imaging system, measurement unit(s) for measuring current and/or voltage in the imaging system, and a power management controller allocating available power among components in the imaging system. The power management controller may allow a battery to charge at a maximum rate based on current used by the imaging system components. The measurement unit(s) may measure a voltage and a current for the power provided to the imaging system. The power management controller may control current drawn by the imaging system components. The system may also include a limit sensor for detecting when current consumption exceeds a certain limit. Additionally, the system may include at least one switching unit controlled by the power management controller. The switching unit(s) control an amount of power routed to imaging system components.

Abstract: 1. A method for influencing behavior in young, adult or aged pet animals which comprises systemically administering a behavior influencing quantity of an omega-3 fatty acid or mixture of omega-3 fatty acids.

Abstract: A method of correcting an article of mail and the article is disclosed. The article of mail has opposing sides and an edge and identifying indicia positioned on at least one of the sides adjacent an edge. A dual neutralizing mask is applied onto at least a substantial portion of the edge and overlaps the opposing sides in an area adjacent the edge to neutralize by covering at least a major portion of the identifying indicia. The indicia has neutralized and cannot be used in subsequent mail processing.

Abstract: A companion pet diet meeting ordinary nutritional requirements of the pet and further comprising a sufficient amount of an antioxidant or mixture thereof to inhibit the onset of deterioration of the mental capacity of said companion pet in its aged years.

Abstract: A companion pet diet meeting ordinary nutritional requirements for an aged pet and further comprising a sufficient amount of antioxidant or mixture thereof, to inhibit the deterioration of the mental capacity of an aged companion pet.

Abstract: A diet which induces a state of ketosis in a canine or feline which comprises an edible composition relatively high in fats and relatively low in carbohydrates.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing noise and motion artifacts in pixels of a processed or displayed video image by filtering pixel values of the video image based on a first frame having currently stored (filtered) pixel values and a second frame having recently captured but not yet filtered pixel values. The apparatus includes a spatial filter for computing a motion value of a pixel of interest by averaging difference values of selected pixels surrounding the pixel of interest. Also included is a filter function means for producing an output difference value of the pixel of interest based on the motion value and an adder for adding the output difference value to the first frame filtered pixel value of the pixel of interest. Thus, each pixel of the video image is filtered according to the amount of motion in the video image.

Abstract: A companion pet diet meeting ordinary nutritional requirements of the pet and further comprising a sufficient amount of an antioxidant or mixture thereof to inhibit the onset of deterioration of the mental capacity of said companion pet in its aged years.

Abstract: A companion pet diet meeting ordinary nutritional requirements for an aged pet and further comprising a sufficient amount of antioxidant or mixture thereof, to inhibit the deterioration of the mental capacity of an aged companion pet.

Abstract: A composition comprising an antioxidant or mixture thereof in quantities sufficient to