Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of producing glyco-modified viral antigens that provide a shift of the glycosylation profile of recombinant produced viral antigens (e.g. glycoproteins) towards the naturally occurring viral antigens (e.g. glycoproteins). Disclosed are methods of producing a modified viral antigen comprising expressing a viral antigen in a recombinant mammalian cell line having one or more of the endogenous genes Mgat2, Mgat4A, Mgat4B, Mgat5, St3Gal3, St3Gal4, B4galt1, B4galt2, B4galt3, B4galt4, B4galt5, B3gnt2, St3Gal6, SPPL3, and/or FUT8 inactivated and/or downregulated; and optionally a gene ST6Gall inserted. Disclosed are glyco-modified viral antigens produced by the method of using a recombinant mammalian cell line. Disclosed are methods of treating a subject in need thereof comprising administering a composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of one or more of the glyco-modified viral antigens.

Abstract: A nanostructure can include a first single-stranded nucleic acid, a plurality of complementary single-stranded helper nucleic acids hybridized with the first single-stranded nucleic acid, and at least one nanocube linked to a helper nucleic acid by a tether. The nanostructure can include at least two nanocubes each linked to a helper nucleic acid by a tether, and bonded to each other.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a collimator mandrel having variable attenuation characteristics is presented. The manufacturing process includes the placement of a layer of attenuating material on a core of base material. The layer of attenuating material is relatively thin and varies in thickness circumferentially around the core. The collimator mandrel may be manufactured by placing a cast about a core of non-attenuating material, filling a void between the cast and the core with an attenuating material, allowing the material to cure, and removing the cast from the assembly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for tailoring the profile of an x-ray beam for radiographic imaging for a specific subject is disclosed. The invention includes a filter assembly having a pair of filters, each of which may be dynamically controlled by a motor assembly during data acquisition. The filters are positionable in the x-ray beam so as to shape the intensity profile of the x-ray beam. In one exemplary embodiment, the filters are dynamically positioned during CT data acquisition based on the shape of the subject. A method of determining the shape of the subject prior to CT data acquisition is also disclosed.

Abstract: There is disclosed, apparatus for securing a mooring line (5) of a vessel, the mooring line having an eye (6), said apparatus comprising a hook (10) around which the eye (6) of the mooring line (5) can be secured, the hook (10) having a pair of hook members (11a, 11b) defining a gap therebetween, and guide means (15, 17, 9) configured to guide a heaving line attached to said eye along a path which passes through said gap whereby when said heaving line heaves the eye past the hook, the eye locates over the hook.

Abstract: Systems, processes and apparatus are described through which non-destructive imaging is achieved, with equivalent or increased contrast, in comparison to conventional approaches, and that facilitate reduced dosage of X-rays delivered to the object or patient being imaged.

Abstract: A method and system for automatically determining regions in scanned object are provided. The method includes performing a scout scan of an object and automatically determining regions within the object based on attenuation information from the scout scan.

Abstract: A method for measuring an alignment of a detector is described. The method includes determining, by a processor, the alignment of the detector with respect to a collimated radiation beam. The determination of the alignment is based on a plurality of signals from a first cell of the detector and a second cell of the detector, and is independent of a shape of the collimated radiation beam.

Abstract: A method of enhancing image quality and providing tissue composition information by analysis of energy discrimination data, the method comprising determining a radiation dosage at one or more energy spectrum levels based on patient parameters and user selected parameters. Computer-readable medium and systems that afford functionality of the type defined by this method are also contemplated in conjunction with the present technique.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus of multi-energy data acquisition. An imaging system is also provided and includes a number of HF electromagnetic energy filters. The filters include at least a first and a second filter wherein the first filter is positioned in a path of HF electromagnetic energy when an HF electromagnetic energy source is energized to a first voltage and the second filter is positioned in the path of HF electromagnetic energy when the HF electromagnetic energy source is energized to a second voltage.

Abstract: A method for adjusting noise in an imaging system is described. The method includes adjusting, by a processor, a noise within an image based on a patient size.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus of multi-energy data acquisition. An imaging system is also provided and includes a number of HF electromagnetic energy filters. The filters include at least a first and a second filter wherein the first filter is positioned in a path of HF electromagnetic energy when an HF electromagnetic energy source is energized to a first voltage and the second filter is positioned in the path of HF electromagnetic energy when the HF electromagnetic energy source is energized to a second voltage.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for tailoring the profile of an x-ray beam for radiographic imaging for a specific subject is disclosed. The invention includes a filter assembly having a pair of filters, each of which may be dynamically controlled by a motor assembly during data acquisition. The filters are positionable in the x-ray beam so as to shape the intensity profile of the x-ray beam. In one exemplary embodiment, the filters are dynamically positioned during CT data acquisition based on the shape of the subject. A method of determining the shape of the subject prior to CT data acquisition is also disclosed.

Abstract: A preservation method for biological material having cell membranes includes microinjecting the cells with sugar; preparing the cells for storage; storing the biological material; and recovering the stored biological material from storage. The invention also features a method of culturing a cell in vitro using a hypertonic medium. Carbohydrate sugars such as trehalose, sucrose, fructose, dextran, and raffinose, may be used as bio-protective agents or in the culture medium.

Abstract: Methods and systems for aligning an x-ray source position in an imaging system are provided. The imaging system includes a multislice detector array having a plurality of rows of detector cells displaced along a z-axis and an x-ray source for radiating an x-ray beam toward the detector array. The system is configured to determine an x-ray beam z-axis profile using the detector array, and determine an adjustment to the position of the x-ray source based on the determined x-ray beam z-axis profile.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and systems for controlling x-ray exposure during a scan with a computed tomography system are provided. The system includes an x-ray source, a collimator, and a detector array. The collimator includes a first cam configured to shutter an x-ray fan beam, generated by the x-ray source, in a first direction, a second cam located on an opposite side of a focal point of the x-ray source from the first cam, the second cam configured to shutter the x-ray fan beam in a second direction, the second direction being opposite from the first direction, and a cam drive configured to position at least one of the first cam and the second cam during the scan.

Abstract: A method for determining a correction for beam hardening in CT images includes obtaining air scans at a plurality of kVp's, determining detection efficiencies for detector elements of the CT imaging apparatus, and estimating projection values through a combination of at least two different materials of different thicknesses. The method further includes determining a transfer function that translates the estimated projection values into ideal projection values for at least two of the different materials and storing the transfer function as the beam hardening correction for images of the CT imaging apparatus.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a collimator mandrel having variable attenuation characteristics is presented. The manufacturing process includes the placement of a layer of attenuating material on a core of base material. The layer of attenuating material is relatively thin and varies in thickness circumferentially around the core. The collimator mandrel may be manufactured by placing a cast about a core of non-attenuating material, filling a void between the cast and the core with an attenuating material, allowing the material to cure, and removing the cast from the assembly.

Abstract: A computed tomography assembly is providing including an x-ray gantry assembly, an x-ray source projecting a beam of x-rays, a detector assembly positioned opposite the x-ray source and receiving the beam of x-rays, and a control mechanism in communication with the x-ray source and the detector assembly. The control mechanism includes logic adapted to: execute at least one scout scan of the object to produce a first scout scan image; generate an elliptical patient model based on the first scout scan image; match the elliptical patient model to a phantom diameter approximation; generate a dose report based on the phantom diameter approximation; and display said dose report on a display in communication with the control mechanism.

Abstract: There is disclosed, apparatus for securing a mooring line (5) of a vessel, the mooring line having an eye (6), said apparatus comprising a hook (10) around which the eye (6) of the mooring line (5) can be secured, the hook (10) having a pair of hook members (11a, 11b) defining a gap therebetween, and guide means (15, 17, 9) configured to guide a heaving line attached to said eye along a path which passes through said gap whereby when said heaving line heaves the eye past the hook, the eye locates over the hook.