Color Photographs Research Articles

Paradasycera insignis (Christoph, 1882) - a new species for Europe from eastern Slovakia (Lepidoptera: Oecophoridae)

Paradasycera insignis (Christoph, 1882) has been recorded in Slovakia for the first time. This also presents a first record for Europe as the species was first described from the vicinity of Vladivostok in Russia, and all existing records thus far have come from the Russian Far East. Colour photographs of the adult and its habitat, as well as an illustration of the female genitalia are included.

Handheld contact-type OCT and color fundus system for retinal imaging.

We present proof of concept for a handheld contact-type system capable of simultaneous optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging of the retina and wide-field digital fundus color photography. The study focuses on demonstrating the feasibility of the proposed approach, particularly for eventual use in pediatric patients during examination under anesthesia in the operating room and in the neonatal intensive care unit. Direct contact of the probe with the cornea allows the photographer to maintain a stable position during imaging, reducing motion artifacts in the OCT images. Additionally, it simplifies the alignment process and increases the field of view of the optics. By integrating OCT and fundus imaging into a single device, the proposed compact modular design eliminates the need for separate, space-consuming systems dedicated to each imaging modality.

A novel species of Phaeoisaria (Pleurotheciaceae, Sordariomycetes) from the Tibetan Plateau, China

Phaeoisaria is widely distributed in the Northern Hemisphere and characterized by straight or flexuous, erect, dark brown to black synnemata with parallelly adpressed conidiophores and ellipsoidal to obovoid, solitary, hyaline, aseptate, acrogenous conidia. This study’s phylogenetic analyses of combined ITS, LSU, and SSU sequence data showed that the eight Xizang Phaeoisaria strains represent at least three phylogenetic species. A new species Phaeoisaria motuoensis, and two new geographical records of P. clematidis and P. sedimenticola from Xizang, China are reported. The taxa are introduced here with descriptions, color photographs, and phylogenetic analyses results and are compared with similar species.

A new species of Holcoglossum (Orchidaceae, Aeridinae) from Southern Shan State, Myanmar with taxonomic notes on Holcoglossum himalaicum

A new species of Holcoglossum is described and illustrated from Myanmar with colour plates, line drawing and photographs. The comparison and differentiation are made with H. semiteretifolium and H. himalaicum. Holcoglossum clausum is allied to H. himalaicum owing to the similar coloration and the long spur, however, they differ based on the size of the petals (7–8 mm × 2–3 mm vs. 4–5 mm × 2 mm), the length of the petiole (1.8 cm vs. 3–4 cm) and the length of the stem (4 cm vs. 5–24 cm). From H. semiteretifolium the new species can be distinguished by its growth (pendant vs. upright), the much longer leaves (45 cm vs. 15 cm) and the longer spur (1.3 cm vs. 6.4 mm). Furthermore, we reduce H. gaoligongense and Pendulorchis gaoligongense var. lushuiensis to the synonymy of H. himalaicum, as there are no discernible morphological differences between them, and they both inhabit the same climate type, namely the subtropical highland climate.

Taking a color photo: A homozygous 25-bp deletion in Bace2 may cause brown-and-white coat color in giant pandas

Brown-and-white giant pandas (hereafter brown pandas) are distinct coat color mutants found exclusively in the Qinling Mountains, Shaanxi, China. However, its genetic mechanism has remained unclear since their discovery in 1985. Here, we identified the genetic basis for this coat color variation using a combination of field ecological data, population genomic data, and a CRISPR-Cas9 knockout mouse model. We de novo assembled a long-read-based giant panda genome and resequenced the genomes of 35 giant pandas, including two brown pandas and two family trios associated with a brown panda. We identified a homozygous 25-bp deletion in the first exon of Bace2, a gene encoding amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme, as the most likely genetic basis for brown-and-white coat color. This deletion was further validated using PCR and Sanger sequencing of another 192 black giant pandas and CRISPR-Cas9 edited knockout mice. Our investigation revealed that this mutation reduced the number and size of melanosomes of the hairs in knockout mice and possibly in the brown panda, further leading to the hypopigmentation. These findings provide unique insights into the genetic basis of coat color variation in wild animals.

Relictithismia kimotsukiensis, a new genus and species of Thismiaceae from southern Japan with discussions on its phylogenetic relationship.

The family Thismiaceae, known as "fairy lanterns" for their urn- or bell-shaped flowers with basally fused tepals, consists of non-photosynthetic flowering monocots mainly in tropical regions, extending into subtropical and temperate areas. Here, we propose a new mycoheterotrophic genus, Relictithismia Suetsugu & Tagane (Thismiaceae), with its monotypic species Relictithismia kimotsukiensis Suetsugu, Yas.Nakam. & Tagane from Kimotsuki Mountains in the Osumi Peninsula, Kagoshima Prefecture, Kyushu Island, southern Japan. Relictithismia resembles Haplothismia Airy Shaw in having a cluster of tuberous roots, a feature previously observed only in this genus within the family Thismiaceae. However, it differs in having solitary flowers (vs. 2-6-flowered pseudo-raceme in Haplothismia), anther thecae largely separated (vs. connate), and the presence of an annulus (vs. absent). Additionally, Relictithismia differs from the geographically overlapping genus Thismia Griff. in its stamen structure and the position of the annulus. In Relictithismia, the stamens lack connectives, and its free filaments arise from the annulus located inside the perianth mouth, while in Thismia, the stamens typically have connate connectives, forming a staminal tube pendulous from the annulus located at the mouth of the floral tube. Our morphological and phylogenetic data indicated that R. kimotsukiensis holds an early-diverging position within the family, situated outside the Old World Thismia clade. This paper offers an extensive description and color photographs of R. kimotsukiensis, complemented by notes on its phylogenetic relationship and evolutionary history.

Spectral properties of transverse Laguerre-Gauss modes in parametric down-conversion

The first color photos of the parametric down-conversion (PDC) emission cone illustrate the correlation of longitudinal and transverse momentum in the process, i.e., wavelength-dependent emission angles of PDC photons. However, current experiments and applications are more conveniently described in terms of discrete mode sets, with the most suitable choice depending on the propagation symmetries of the experimental setting. Remarkably, despite the fact that experiments with PDC sources are becoming ever more demanding, e.g., in terms of brightness or state fidelity, a description of spectral-spatial coupling in parametric down-conversion for the case of discrete modal decompositions remains elusive. We present a comprehensive study, in theory and experiment, of the spectral dependence of the transverse Laguerre-Gauss modes in parametric down-conversion. Moreover, we show how the spectral and spatial coupling can be harnessed to tune the purity of the well-known orbital angular momentum entanglement. This paper has implications for efficient collection of entangled photons in a transverse single mode, quantum imaging, and engineering pure states for high-dimensional quantum information processing. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Review of the Neotropical Piezonemus Jordan with type designations, description of Piezonemus espoch sp. nov. from Ecuador, and notes on the tribe Piesocorynini Valentine with keys to world genera (Coleoptera: Anthribidae).

The Neotropical genus Piezonemus Jordan, 1904 (Anthribidae: Anthribinae: Piesocorynini Valentine, 1960) is reviewed. Lectotypes are designated for Piezonemus durus Jordan, 1904 and P. lateralis Jordan, 1904. A new species, Piezonemus espoch Trzna, Caballero-Serrano & Carrasco sp. nov., from Ecuador is described. A key to the now three known species of Piezonemus, and colour photographs of the types, are provided. Distinguishing features of the morphologically similar species of the genera Piezonemus and Piesocorynus Dejean, 1834 are given. A key to world genera of the tribe Piesocorynini is presented. The genus Afrophaenotherion Frieser, 1984 is here transferred from the tribe Stenocerini Kolbe, 1895 to the tribe Piesocorynini (new placement).

An Indo-West Pacific Distribution for the Coral-Dwelling Gall Crab Lithoscaptus doughnut (Decapoda: Cryptochiridae)

Coral-dwelling gall crabs (Cryptochiridae) are common inhabitants of scleractinian corals. Several species have been described as new in recent years, including Lithoscaptus doughnut, which was described from Hong Kong based on a single female retrieved from the coral Plesiastrea peroni. Here we extend the distribution range of L. doughnut with nine additional localities throughout the Indo-West Pacific, from the Red Sea to the Coral Triangle and Japan. We describe a male specimen of L. doughnut for the first time, based on a specimen from Malaysia, and provide photographs of life and preserved material. Haplotype networks based on COI mtDNA (n = 12) and 16 rRNA sequences (n = 12) were created. We retrieved eleven COI haplotypes and six 16S haplotypes, however no clear geographic distribution pattern was discerned. Intraspecific variation in L. doughnut was 1.4% for COI and 0.2% for 16S. Lastly, the first colour photos and records of associated parasites of this species are provided.

OCTA characteristics in non-arteritic central retinal artery occlusion and correlation with visual acuity.

To observe the retinal and choroidal circulations in patients with non-arteritic permanent central retinal artery occlusion (NA-CRAO) via optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) and analyze their correlation with visual acuity. Sixty-two eyes with clinically confirmed acute NA-CRAO were included in the study and divided into: A type (mild n=29), B type (moderate n=27) and C type (severe n=6) based on the degree of visual loss, retinal edema, and arterial blood flow delay in fundus fluorescence angiography (FFA). Contralateral healthy eyes were used as the control group. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), slit lamp microscopy, indirect ophthalmoscopy, fundus color photography, OCTA, and FFA were performed. Spearman's correlation analysis was used to determine the correlations between retinal and choroidal vessels and visual acuity. There were no statistically significant differences in age, gender, and intraocular pressure among the three types and the control group (P>0.05). Vessel density in deep capillary plexus (VD-DCP) significantly decreased (P<0.05) in all three types of NA-CRAO patients compared to the control group. Vessel density in superficial vascular plexus (VD-SVP) significantly decreased (P<0.05) in type A patients and choriocapillaris flow area significantly decreased (P<0.05) in type B and type C patients compared to the control group; while outer retinal flow areas significantly increased in the type A (P<0.05) and decreased in type C patients (P<0.05). The retinal thickness significantly increased in type C group (P<0.05). The VD-SVP at fovea in the type A was significantly lower than both of type B and C. The VD-SVP at nasal parafovea in type A and B was significantly lower than type C (P<0.05). The logMAR BCVA of type A was significantly better than that of type B and C groups (P<0.05). Spearman's correlation analysis showed that the logMAR BCVA was positively correlated with VD-SVP at fovea (r=0.679, P=0.031) and nasal parafovea (r=0.826, P=0.013). OCTA is valuable for assessing retinal ischemia, and evaluating visual impairment. Deep retinal vasculature is commonly affected in all NA-CRAO types. VD-SVPs at fovea and nasal parafovea can serve as reliable markers of visual impairment in NA-CRAO.

Classification of Diabetic Retinopathy Images through Deep Learning Models - Color Channel Approach: A Review

On a global scale diabetic retinopathy, or DR, is the most common cause of vision loss. Blindness can be prevented with prompt treatment and early identification with retinal screening. Automated analysis of fundus imagery is growing prominently as a means of increasing screening efficiency, thanks to the development of deep learning. This work focuses on deep learning methods for automatic DR severity grading using color channel information. First, we give some basic information on the etiology and color features of DR lesions. Next, a novel support for deep learning technique that use unprocessed color photos as input for comprehensive feature learning. A review is mentioned on color space encodings, data augmentation methods. A summary of the evaluation parameters and public databases that were utilized to benchmark DR techniques are provided. The objective of how color channel information in retinal pictures can be efficiently utilized by deep learning models for automated DR screening has been discussed with statistical support.

Anaphalis munnarensis (Asteraceae: Asteroideae: Gnaphalieae): a new species from southern Western Ghats, Kerala, India

Anaphalis munnarensis, a new taxon belonging to the family Asteraceae from montane grasslands of Meesapulimala of southern Western Ghats, Kerala, India, is described and illustrated. The new species exhibits some morphological affinities with its allied species Anaphalis meeboldii, but differs in many attributes. A description of the new species along with details on its distribution and ecology, illustration, colour photographs and comparisons with its allied taxa are provided.

Review of machine learning for optical imaging of burn wound severity assessment.

Over the past decade, machine learning (ML) algorithms have rapidly become much more widespread for numerous biomedical applications, including the diagnosis and categorization of disease and injury. Here, we seek to characterize the recent growth of ML techniques that use imaging data to classify burn wound severity and report on the accuracies of different approaches. To this end, we present a comprehensive literature review of preclinical and clinical studies using ML techniques to classify the severity of burn wounds. The majority of these reports used digital color photographs as input data to the classification algorithms, but recently there has been an increasing prevalence of the use of ML approaches using input data from more advanced optical imaging modalities (e.g., multispectral and hyperspectral imaging, optical coherence tomography), in addition to multimodal techniques. The classification accuracy of the different methods is reported; it typically ranges from to 90% relative to the current gold standard of clinical judgment. The field would benefit from systematic analysis of the effects of different input data modalities, training/testing sets, and ML classifiers on the reported accuracy. Despite this current limitation, ML-based algorithms show significant promise for assisting in objectively classifying burn wound severity.

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The use of decision support systems based on computer vision and artificial intelligence significantly improves the working conditions for the operators of technological machines in the timber sector, whose work implies high intensity and psycho-emotional overload. By means of computer vision and artificial intelligence the operator can quickly and easily obtain the data on the state of the cutting area and adopt the optimal solution for holding the working operation. This facilitates his work and reduces the time spent searching and analyzing the data on the cutting area. Meanwhile, one of the key elements of such a system is a subsystem for automatic segmentation of objects in the photograph. We have explored the possibility of segmenting overlapping objects in the photographs of forest areas using a convolutional neural network based on the Mask R-CNN architecture. Unlike in most works on similar topics, the objects of this study are color photographs taken by an RGB camera rather than a lidar. This creates the prospect for reducing the cost of hardware and software systems used to support decision-making by the operators of logging machines. The images of the stems and crowns of coniferous and deciduous trees overlapping each other are the segmented objects under consideration. Using the GIMP graphic editor, we have manually marked the color photographs depicting a total of 134 trees of 4 different species: spruce, aspen, birch and pine. Utilizing the developed database, we have carried out an experiment to further train the Mask R-CNN convolutional neural network for segmentation of overlapping parts of the trees in the digital photographs of forest areas. The neural network has been pre-trained using the Microsoft COCO dataset containing more than 200,000 images of 80 different classes of objects such as people, cars, animals and various items. While training the neural network, the images supplied to its input were subjected to a series of various linear and nonlinear geometric transformations, which made it possible to increase the volume of training data by 11 times. As a result, the accuracy of segmentation of the images of the stems and crowns of coniferous and deciduous trees overlapping each other has reached 79 %, which allows the use of neural networks based on a similar architecture in decision support systems for logging machine operators.

Revisiting Snodgrass and Vanderwart in photograph form: The Keele Photo Stimulus Set (KPSS)

Over the last 40 years, object recognition studies have moved from using simple line drawings, to more detailed illustrations, to more ecologically valid photographic representations. Researchers now have access to various stimuli sets, however, existing sets lack the ability to independently manipulate item format, as the concepts depicted are unique to the set they derive from. To enable such comparisons, Rossion and Pourtois (2004) revisited Snodgrass and Vanderwart’s (1980) line drawings and digitally re-drew the objects, adding texture and shading. In the current study, we took this further and created a set of stimuli that showcase the same objects in photographic form. We selected six photographs of each object (three color/three grayscale) and collected normative data and RTs. Naming accuracy and agreement was high for all photographs and appeared to steadily increase with format distinctiveness. In contrast to previous data patterns for drawings, naming agreement (H values) did not differ between grey and color photographs, nor did familiarity ratings. However, grey photographs received significantly lower mental imagery agreement and visual complexity scores than color photographs. This suggests that, in comparison to drawings, the ecological nature of photographs may facilitate deeper critical evaluation of whether they offer a good match to a mental representation. Color may therefore play a more vital role in photographs than in drawings, aiding participants in judging the match with their mental representation. This new photographic stimulus set and corresponding normative data provide valuable materials for a wide range of experimental studies of object recognition.

Description of a new species Euphanias sergreevae sp. nov. (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Oxytelinae) from Western Siberia, Russia.

The new species Euphanias sergreevae sp. nov. from the shores of a saline lake in Western Siberia, Russia is described in this paper. The paper examines the type material of two closely related species Euphanias pusanovi Blinstein, 1976 and Euphanias pliginskii Bernhauer, 1912. The species are illustrated with color photographs of the habitus and aedeagus, scanning electron micrographs, and line drawings of the terminalia. A complete distribution map for all members of the genus is given and distribution patterns are discussed.

Abstract WMP56: Diagnosis of Acute Central Retinal Artery Occlusion With a Nonmydriatic Ocular Fundus Camera Combined With Optical Coherence Tomography in the Emergency Department: A New Paradigm

Background: Central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) is a retinal infarction with causes/management similar to cerebral infarction. However, CRAO diagnosis is often delayed, resulting in missed opportunities for rapid treatment. Diagnosis by ophthalmologists is essential prior to management by stroke neurologists and may be challenging within a few hours of vision loss. Our goal is to provide a new paradigm in the emergency department (ED) with the implementation of a nonmydriatic ocular fundus camera (NMFP) combined with optical coherence tomography (OCT) to allow for ultrarapid remote diagnosis and stroke alert as soon as patients present to the ED. Methods: Prospective collection of data from consecutive patients who had NMFP-OCT for acute monocular vision loss in our general ED affiliated with a comprehensive stroke center. We collected timing of photographs; final diagnosis (CRAO/other causes of vision loss); time between vision loss onset and CRAO diagnosis; NMFP-OCT findings. Results: Over 9 weeks, 27 patients had NMFP-OCT obtained for acute monocular visual loss, including 9 CRAO [others included 7 retinal detachments; 8 vitreous hemorrhages; 3 temporal arteritis]. Diagnosis of acute CRAO was made remotely on NMFP-OCT obtained 30, 33, 36 min after arriving in ED in 3 patients presenting to ED within 3.5 hrs of vision loss. In all 3 patients, the ocular color photographs were almost normal and acute CRAO diagnosis was made primarily from the OCT showing inner retinal edema/hyperreflectivity. Conclusion: Incorporating NMFP-OCT into the ED workflow can be used as a substitute for funduscopic examination/pupillary dilation, allowing for remote diagnosis of CRAO by ophthalmologists who can provide real time recommendations before in person visit. These positive preliminary results suggest that this strategy accelerates the diagnosis of urgent vision loss, resulting in improved patient outcomes. Results of the first 6 months will be presented at the conference.

Leveraging Communication Partner Speech to Automate Augmented Input for Children on the Autism Spectrum Who Are Minimally Verbal: Prototype Development and Preliminary Efficacy Investigation.

Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) technology innovation is urgently needed to improve outcomes for children on the autism spectrum who are minimally verbal. One potential technology innovation is applying artificial intelligence (AI) to automate strategies such as augmented input to increase language learning opportunities while mitigating communication partner time and learning barriers. Innovation in AAC research and design methodology is also needed to empirically explore this and other applications of AI to AAC. The purpose of this report was to describe (a) the development of an AAC prototype using a design methodology new to AAC research and (b) a preliminary investigation of the efficacy of this potential new AAC capability. The prototype was developed using a Wizard-of-Oz prototyping approach that allows for initial exploration of a new technology capability without the time and effort required for full-scale development. The preliminary investigation with three children on the autism spectrum who were minimally verbal used an adapted alternating treatment design to compare the effects of a Wizard-of-Oz prototype that provided automated augmented input (i.e., pairing color photos with speech) to a standard topic display (i.e., a grid display with line drawings) on visual attention, linguistic participation, and (for one participant) word learning during a circle activity. Preliminary investigation results were variable, but overall participants increased visual attention and linguistic participation when using the prototype. Wizard-of-Oz prototyping could be a valuable approach to spur much needed innovation in AAC. Further research into efficacy, reliability, validity, and attitudes is required to more comprehensively evaluate the use of AI to automate augmented input in AAC.

Taxonomic notes and a new country record for Peperomia subgenus Pseudocupula (Piperaceae) in Brazil

Peperomia is a mega-diverse herbaceous genus with high species richness in the Neotropics, growing mainly as epiphyte or rupicolous/saxicolous. Fourteen subgenera are recognized based on molecular phylogenies. In this study, contributions to P. subg. Pseudocupula in Brazil are presented. During an ongoing taxonomic revision of P. pereskiifolia and allied taxa in Brazil, some incongruent circumscriptions were found which are discussed here. Peperomia pereirae f. pereirae is proposed as a new synonym of P. rubricaulis, and a new combination and status change of P. pereirae f. hirtulicaule to P. hirtulicaulis is presented. Finally, we confirm the occurrence of Peperomia tetragona in Brazil, which has frequently been misidentified in herbarium collections and overlooked in the country. Taxonomic discussion, color photographs, distributional maps and identification key are presented for the treated taxa.

From Plastic Surgery to National Identity.

British surgical photographer Percy Hennell (1911-1987) worked alongside the ‘world famous … father of modern plastic surgery’[1] Harold Delf Gilles (1882-1960) to capture pioneering reconstruction facial surgery in 1941-42. The two toured America and Canada during this time helping to bolster ‘the status of Britain at war at a time when, initially, America was still teetering between neutrality and entering the conflict.’[2]&#x0D; The works shown here further dissect Hennell’s photographs by juxtaposing a number of his subjects into new painted images. This piecing together of images in paint hints at the now common use of plastic surgery in modern society. It marks the shift away from reconstruction and reassimilation towards vanity and the meddling in our ‘own physical attributes in a desire to sculpt a vision of perfect beauty.’[3]&#x0D; Manipulation through image connects painting to surgical operations, these works also draw on ideas of image, beauty, state propaganda and war. A direct reference to Eisenstein’s film “Battleship Potemkin” can be found in the glasses of one particular subject.&#x0D; &#x0D; [1] Christine Slobogin, “Full Article: ‘Something Useful in a National Sense’: Percy Hennell’s Surgical and Nationalist Colour Photography, 1940-1948,” Taylor and Francis online, November 8, 2022, https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14714787.2022.2094458.&#x0D; [2]Slobogin, 2022.&#x0D; [3] Madder139 Gallery. “Philip Gurrey.” Madder139 press release, May 15, 2008. www.madder139.com.