Digital Photography Technique Research Articles

Reliability of non-polarized versus polarized digital photographs for evaluation of gingival redness

Introduction: The reported prevalence of gingivitis in various developed countries is considered high. This rate escalates with the increase in age, especially around puberty which affects their oral health related quality of life. The consequences of periodontal diseases observed in adults mostly had their inception earlier in life. Gingival conditions were found to be worse than caries among adolescents and were not taken seriously compared to caries. Aim: Comparison between the gingival redness in group of Egyptian children as evaluated using analyzed polarized versus non-polarized digital photographs. Subjects and methods: 47 Egyptian participants aged 11-14 years-old from Newgiza University outpatients’ clinic agreed to participate were recruited and agreed to participate in the study. Gingival redness was evaluated using analyzed digital photographs with and without cross polarizing filter then analyzed via Adobe Photoshop Creative Cloud (CC) 2021 software. Comparison between non-polarized and polarized photos was performed using independent t-test. Results: The study showed that non-polarized photos were significantly higher in number of red pixels than polarized photos as P <0.05. Reliability between two different digital photographic techniques was performed using Cronbach alpha (α), which revealed strong agreement between polarized and non-polarized digital photographic evaluation. Conclusion: Digital photography can be used in evaluation of gingival redness with or without cross polarizing filter.

The Relative Efficacy of Available Proteasome Inhibitors in Preventing Muscle Contractures Following Neonatal Brachial Plexus Injury.

Contractures following neonatal brachial plexus injury (NBPI) are associated with growth deficits in denervated muscles. This impairment is mediated by an increase in muscle protein degradation, as contractures can be prevented in an NBPI mouse model with bortezomib (BTZ), a proteasome inhibitor (PI). However, BTZ treatment causes substantial toxicity (0% to 80% mortality). The current study tested the hypothesis that newer-generation PIs can prevent contractures with less severe toxicity than BTZ. Unilateral brachial plexus injuries were surgically created in postnatal (5-day-old) mice. Following NBPI, mice were treated with either saline solution or various doses of 1 of 3 different PIs: ixazomib (IXZ), carfilzomib (CFZ), or marizomib (MRZ). Four weeks post-NBPI, mice were assessed for bilateral passive range of motion at the shoulder and elbow joints, with blinding to the treatment group, through an established digital photography technique to determine contracture severity. Drug toxicity was assessed with survival curves. All PIs prevented contractures at both the elbow and shoulder (p < 0.05 versus saline solution controls), with the exception of IXZ, which did not prevent shoulder contractures. However, their efficacies and toxicity profiles differed. At lower doses, CFZ was limited by toxicity (30% to 40% mortality), whereas MRZ was limited by efficacy. At higher doses, CFZ was limited by loss of efficacy, MRZ was limited by toxicity (50% to 60% mortality), and IXZ was limited by toxicity (80% to 100% mortality) and loss of efficacy. Comparisons of the data on these drugs as well as data on BTZ generated in prior studies revealed BTZ to be optimal for preventing contractures, although it, too, was limited by toxicity. All of the tested second-generation PIs were able to reduce NBPI-induced contractures, offering further proof of concept for a regulatory role of the proteasome in contracture formation. However, the narrow dose ranges of efficacy for all PIs highlight the necessity of precise proteasome regulation for preventing contractures. Finally, the substantial toxicity stemming from proteasome inhibition underscores the importance of identifying muscle-targeted strategies to suppress protein degradation and prevent contractures safely. Although PIs offer unique opportunities to establish critical mechanistic insights into contracture pathophysiology, their clinical use is contraindicated in patients with NPBI at this time.

Photographic Identification of Tooth Prints After High Temperature Exposure

Tooth prints is a very potential tool in forensic identification as the enamel rod patterns on tooth surface is individually unique. This study was aimed to detect changes of tooth prints after teeth were exposed with high temperatures. Forty-five extracted teeth were divided into 5 groups, then exposed to various high temperatures for 15 minutes in a furnace. To ensure practical application, a highly reproducible digital photographic method to detect tooth prints was developed. Before and after the heating process, tooth prints were photographed. The image data was analysed using an open-source biometric software, and the number of matching points of each tooth was compared before and after treatment. Results showed the decreasing number of match points of tooth prints in accord with the increasing of temperature exposure (P &lt; 0.05). The number of tooth print matching points can be confidently observed at temperatures 600°C or lower. The consistence of matching points shows the prospect of tooth print analysis to become a reliable identification method. This digital photography technique offers a straightforward method for routine dental recording in daily practice by dentists and identification by forensic odontologists. It opens further direction for standardization of pattern analysis, database development, and daily protocols. Keywords: dental photography; forensic identification; high temperature; tooth prints

Effect of Theraband Exercises on Neck Pain and Forward Head Posture in Various Occupation

Introduction: Various occupation experience daily neck pain largely due to their awkward postures and high work demand. This puts extra strain on the muscles and predispose to development of faulty posture and muscles imbalance. So to avoid all this problems and exercise plan is needed, which can be easily performed even at the workplace. The purpose of the study was to determine the effects of the band exercises on neck pain and forward head posture in various occupation. Methodology: Thirty patients between the age of 25-50 participated in the study. They were randomly assigned to either and experimental (15) or a control group (15). The experiment group participated in Thera Band exercises Programme while control performed conventional exercises for 6 weeks. Evaluation of neck pain done by numeric pain rating scale and forward head posture was measured by digital photography technique. Results: The paired sample t-test results showed statistically significant difference in the pre and post intervention scores of both NPRS (p=&lt;0.01) and CV angle (p=&lt;0.01) in the participants of both the groups. Conclusion: the result of this study suggests that the use of TheraBand exercises may be helpful for reducing neck pain and carting forward head posture in various occupation. Methods: An comparative study was conducted on 30 patients having neck pain and forward head posture in various physiotherapy OPD and rehabilitation Centre Dehradun. The patient neck pain was measured by NPRS (Numeric Pain Rating Scale) and forward head posture measured by the digital photography technique. Results: The majority of patient was showing significant reduction in neck pain and extent of forward head Posture. Conclusion: The result of this study suggests that the use of Thera Band exercises maybe helpful for reducing neck pain and correction forward head posture in various occupation.

The Effects of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) and Biofeedback on Proprioception and Functional Balance in Athletes with ACL-deficiency

Background: Following an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture, proprioceptive deficiency may be responsible for functional balance defects and joint instability. Recently, using transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) or biofeedback has been recommended for athletes with ACL rupture. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of tDCS and biofeedback modalities while performing contraction exercises in athlete with an ACL rupture. Methods: Thirty-three athletes with ACL rupture were randomly divided into three groups of tDCS, biofeedback, and control, with 11 people in each group. All groups underwent a ten-session training of intermittent contractions of the lower extremity muscles in a standing position at different knee angles, including 30, 45, and 90 degrees of knee flexion during four weeks. The control group received no tDCS or biofeedback modalities except the contraction exercises. All subjects were evaluated both before and at the end of interventions. The proprioception measured as rate of absolute error in the knee joint reconstruction was assessed by the digital photography technique at knee flexion angles of 30, 45, and 90 degrees. The functional balance was assessed by the star excursion balance test in eight different directions. All measurements were carried out on the injured limb. Results: The results showed no significant difference among three groups regarding all variables related to the proprioception and functional balance (P &gt; 0.05). Intra-group comparison (before and after intervention) indicated that biofeedback significantly improved both the functional balance in all directions and the proprioception of the injured knee at three knee flexion angles (P &lt; 0.05). Moreover, tDCS significantly improved the functional balance in six directions, except anterior-lateral and posterior, and also improved the proprioception at all angles of knee flexion. Conclusions: Although the results did not show a large difference among groups, both tDCS and biofeedback modalities, along with intermittent isometric exercises, may have reduced knee absolute error at the knee flexion angles of 30, 45, and 90 degrees as well as improved the functional balance. Therefore, it was recommended that these modalities should be included in rehabilitation program targeting ACL-deficient knee subjects.

Effectiveness of calibrated digital photography technique in dental shade analyses applications

Objectives: Although spectrophotometers are commonly used in shade analysis in dentistry; digital cameras, photographic lighting systems, computer programs and photographs have also become the part of this field. The aim of this study was to compare the success of spectrophotometer and calibrated digital photography on shade selection. Materials and Methods: 3D-Master toothguide (VITA) with 29 tabs was used for the analyses. L, a, b values were determined by a spectrophotometer (Minolta CM-2300D, Konica) and these values were matched with digital photographic measurements. Photographs were transferred to an image analyzing software (Adobe Photoshop CC). Results: There were significant differences between L* values of the spectrophotometric analyses and digital measurements in 3 different regions of the tab (p&amp;lt;0.05). For the evaluation of ΔE values, Post hoc Bonferroni analysis which was performed between the 3 regions of shade tabs revealed significant difference between the middle (21.92 ± 2.31), incisal (13.67 ± 1.69) and cervical (19.57 ± 2.47) region of the tabs (p&amp;lt;0.05). Conclusion: Spectrophotometer was found to be a more accurate shade determination technique compared to calibrated digital photography.

An Automated Hemispherical Scanner for Monitoring the Leaf Area Index of Forest Canopies

The leaf area index (LAI) is an important structural parameter of plant canopies used in terrestrial biosphere models. Optical methods are commonly used for measuring LAI due to their non-destructive nature, convenience, and rapidity. In the present study, a novel instrument, named the Automated Hemispherical Scanner (AHS), was developed to measure plant area index (PAI) for monitoring daily changes in LAI in forest ecosystems. In the AHS, an optical sensor driven by a pair of servomotors is used to observe hemispherical light transmission continuously at adjustable intervals, and a blue filter is used to reduce the multiple scattering effect of light on the measured transmission. A set of algorithms was developed to screen the direct radiation transmitted through the canopy and to compute the transmissions from the diffuse radiation at seven zenith (0–60) and seven azimuth (0–150) angles for calculating PAI. Field experiments were conducted to verify the reliability of the AHS in three forests of Northeast China against an existing instrument named the LAI-2200 Plant Canopy Analyzer. The PAI values obtained using the AHS agreed well (R2 = 0.927, root mean square error = 0.41) with those from the LAI-2200. Since both instruments use the same gap fraction theory for calculating the PAI from diffuse radiation transmissions obtained from multiple angles, the agreement of these two instruments means that the AHS can reliably measure the transmittance of diffuse radiation and the theory has been implemented correctly. Compared with LAI-2200, the AHS has the advantage of automated and continuous measurements, and therefore it is suitable for monitoring variations in PAI over extended periods, such as the whole growing season. Compared with widely used digital photographic techniques, the AHS also avoids the requirement of determining a suitable photographic exposure, which is often problematic in the field with variable sky conditions. With these advantages, the AHS could be deployed in forest growth monitoring networks.

A comparison between visible wavelength hyperspectral imaging and digital photography for the detection and identification of bloodstained footwear marks

One of the first challenges that crime scene examiners have is determining if a substance is blood before performing analysis. Conventional methods of detecting blood involve the use of chemicals and different wavelengths of light in tandem with digital photography. However, these methods are destructive or provide false positives. Visible wavelength hyperspectral imaging (HSI) is a noncontact blood detection method that has been proven to provide accurate and reliable results. A novel application of this technique has been used for the detection and positive identification of bloodstained footwear marks, of different dilutions ranging from undiluted to 1:50 with distilled water, and on a range of substrates, and colors. Comparisons between HSI and conventional digital photography were made using a grading scale and analyzed using Mann-Whitney U-tests. The HSI technique was able to detect a statistically significant greater amount of tread detail on white tiles, laminate, carpet, and blue tiles compared with the digital photography technique, which was only superior on black tiles. Critically, the HSI technique was also able to determine that the footwear marks were made in blood. These results show that HSI will be useful in forensic investigations, where it is known that the perpetrator has walked through the victim's blood and left a trail of footwear marks at the crime scene. Even if the perpetrator had time to clean up afterward resulting in diluted stains, HSI would still be able to detect bloodstained footwear marks with a greater amount of detail compared with digital photography.

Relevamientos fotogramétricos en colecciones arqueológicas y etnográficas del Instituto de Arqueología y Museo, Tucumán, Argentina

This paper presents the creation of tridimensional models by using digital photographic techniques and Structure for Motion software, applied for the particular case of the archaeological and ethnographical collections of the Storage Area of the Instituto de Arqueología y Museo, Universidad Nacional de Tucumán, Argentina. As a result, we present the workflow elaborated to create the 3D record of the objects belonging to the collection. Our aim is to test possibilities, scopes and limits of this approach applied to the record, research and exhibition in the archaeological and museology fields.

Digital photographic technique for the production of an artificial eye

The use of hand painting an iris button using oil paint remains the conventional method of artificial eye manufacturing. The authors found that replacing this technique with a digital photograph taken of a patient’s unaffected eye offers several advantages over the conventional method but the process from capture to print must be standardised and colour accurate. The authors of this paper suggest a tried and tested formulated photographic process of capture and printing prior to polymerisation. It discusses issues that can arise and how these can be overcome in order to achieve a high-quality print that can be used to produce a ‘life like’ ocular prosthesis.

Variable Lower Limb Alignment of Clinical Measures With Digital Photographs and the Footscan Pressure System

This study examines the effect of the lower limb misalignment and its possible compensatory effect on plantar pressure in a normal population. The aim of this paper is to present a structured method for the analysis of posture and its changes using a standardized digital photography technique and plantar pressure measuring device. Cohort. Laboratory. A total of 200 adult volunteers between 18 and 22 years of age who had no current symptoms of pain and foot or ankle pathology participated in the study. The gold standard measure of lower limb alignment with weight-bearing status is the mechanical axis and their angles using Image J software. Structural and functional measurements of the same foot were taken using a plantar pressure measuring device. In this study, 5 alignment (thigh, knee, leg, ankle, and foot) characteristics were measured on the lower limb using the 2 techniques, and, additionally, the foot contact area, peak pressure, foot axis, rearfoot angle, and subtalar joint flexibility score were analyzed in 10 different regions of the foot. This study has shown a reasonable correlation between digitalized measurements and plantar pressures values. Quadriceps angle affected midfoot impulse, foot axis angle, subtalar joint minimum angle, and rearfoot angle positively. Subtalar joint flexibility scores were analyzed in 10 different regions of the foot. There was a positive correlation between rearfoot angle and quadriceps angle (P = .009, r = .261). Results of both methods show that they endorse each other. The posture of the standing feet may have influence on lower limb alignment. Currently, there are no studies carried out by using digital photogrammetry and foot scan. The authors claim that patient-friendly digital photogrammetry would have a positive contribution to the monitoring of patients, even including new ones in the treatment programs, reducing any possible loss in the personal and national economy.

Fotolivre360, relato de uma experiência inovadora

O Projeto de Extensão Fotolivre360 foi criado para democratizar o acesso às diferentes técnicas de registro fotográfico digital (com smartphones, DSLR, câmeras esportivas e com câmeras para a produção de fotografias 360º). Durante o ano de 2018, foram realizadas 14oficinas com jovens estudantes universitários e com adolescentes de regiões periféricas de Florianópolis, divulgadas nas redes sociais Facebook e Instagram. O projeto superou as expectativas iniciais, uma vez que conseguiu agregar a comunidade acadêmica e a comunidade em geral, funcionando não apenas como vetor de instruções técnicas, mas também como meio de reflexão acerca dos registros realizados, possibilitando a esses estudantes agirem como sujeitos de suas próprias histórias e de suas próprias imagens.

Streamer characteristics of PEEK surface in nitrogen driven by positive repetitive pulse voltage

In this work, we present a detailed analysis on the observed streamer characteristics of PEEK (polyetheretherketone) surface in nitrogen at atmospheric pressure driven by positive repetitive pulse voltage, including the forward discharge streamer and the back discharge streamer. Fast oscilloscopic technique and digital photographic technique were employed to observe the streamers of surface discharges, and current pulse waveform analysis technique and image analysis technique were used to analyze the characteristics of the observed streamers. The experimental results show that the current pulse of forward discharge streamer has a shorter rise time, a higher current amplitude, a faster current rising rate, a shorter fall time, a faster current falling rate and a smaller charge quantity than those of back discharge streamer at the same voltage amplitude. Besides, the forward discharge streamer has a longer stopping length, a faster propagation velocity and a stronger maximum light intensity than back discharge streamer at the same voltage amplitude. Furthermore, the correlation between the electrical characteristics and optical characteristics of the streamer was analytically derivated, and the current rising rate of the streamer is proportionally correlated to the product of the streamer stopping length and the streamer velocity square.

Effect of structural parameters on mechanical properties of Pyramidal Kagome lattice material under impact loading

The present study aimed at understanding the influences of structural parameters on the mechanical properties of Pyramidal Kagome (PK) lattice material under impact loading. Seven different PK structures varying height-width ratio and rod diameter were manufactured by selective laser melting (SLM). In this study, both experiments and simulation were conducted to understand the influences of rod diameter, height-width ratio, number of unites and layers on the mechanical properties of PK lattice material. The failure characteristics and the deformation process were recorded by using the digital photography technique. All the specimens were observed to have a clear rupture along 45°in the quasi-static test, while broke along the direction of the vertical panel in the SHPB test with a strain rate of about 2000s−1.The results showed that the initial deformation zone of the PK switched from the intermediate layer to the lower and upper layer with the increase of rod diameter. Moreover, the strength, modulus and energy absorption capacity of the PK were proportional to the square of its relative density. As the height-width ratio increases, the modulus of the PK gradually increased. In addition, increasing the number of lateral units and reducing the number of layers contributed to the improvement on the mechanical properties of the PK.

Estimación de parámetros biofísicos de la vegetación en praderas y cultivos en Chile mediante fotografía digital hemisférica obtenidas por una cámara GoPro

&lt;p&gt;The estimation of the biophysical parameters of vegetation such as LAI (Leaf Area Index), FAPAR (Fraction of Absorbed Photosynthetically Active Radiation) and FCOVER (Fraction of Green Vegetation) have many climatic, hydrologic, ecosystem and silvo-agricultural applications. Despite the various satellite products that estimate these parameters continuously and globally, it’s necessary to continue generating &lt;em&gt;in situ&lt;/em&gt; estimations to validate these remote data. It’s in this context where Digital Hemispheric Photography (DHP) technique stands out as being one of the most accurate an adaptable to operate continuously with diverse photographic equipment and field scenarios. The objective of this paper is to estimate effective LAI (LAI&lt;sub&gt;eff&lt;/sub&gt;), true LAI (LAI&lt;sub&gt;true&lt;/sub&gt;), FAPAR and FCOVER through the DHP method on several agricultural land covers in Chile, between the years 2015 and 2016 using a GoPro camera and the CAN-EYE software to process hemispheric photographs. The results obtained were initially compared with those provided by a CANON EOS 6D camera mounted together with a SIGMA 8mm F3.5-EX DG fisheye lens and subsequently with satellite products provided by the Copernicus Global Land service, derived from PROBA-V mission at 333 m&lt;sup&gt;2&lt;/sup&gt; spatial resolution. The comparison between the CANON and GoPro shows similar values and R&lt;sup&gt;2 &lt;/sup&gt;over 0,72 for all parameters. The comparison with PROBA-V resulted in values over 0,52 of R&lt;sup&gt;2&lt;/sup&gt; for the parameters, and similar multitemporal patterns. It’s concluded that it’s possible to estimates LAI&lt;sub&gt;eff&lt;/sub&gt;, FAPAR and FCOVER like other fish eyes cameras. Concerning PROBA-V, except for FAPAR, the estimates with the GoPro do not show much correlation. In both campaigns significant discrepancies were observed in the LAI&lt;sub&gt;true&lt;/sub&gt;, which could be related to the calculation of CAN-EYE canopy clumping with the characteristics of the camera itself.&lt;/p&gt;

Monitoring Instantaneous Dynamic Displacements of Masonry Walls in Seismic Oscillation Outdoors by Monocular Digital Photography

Understanding the development of cracks in masonry walls can provide insight into their capability for earthquake resistance. The crack development is characterized by the displacement difference of the adjacent positions on masonry walls. In seismic oscillation, the instantaneous dynamic displacements of multiple positions on masonry walls can warn of crack development and reflect the propagation of the seismic waves. For this reason, we proposed a monocular digital photography technique based on the PST-TBP (photographing scale transformation-time baseline parallax) method to monitor the instantaneous dynamic displacements of a masonry wall in seismic oscillation outdoors. The seismic oscillation was simulated by impacting a suspended steel plate with a hammer and by simulation software ANSYS (analysis system), for comparative analysis. The results show that it is feasible to use a hammer to impact a suspended steel plate to simulate the seismic oscillation as the stress concentration zones of the masonry wall model in ANSYS are consistent with the positions of destruction on the masonry wall, and that the crack development of the masonry wall in the X-direction could be characterized by a sinusoid-like curve, which is consistent with previous studies. The PST-TBP method can improve the measurement accuracy as it corrects the parallax errors caused by the change of intrinsic and extrinsic parameters of a digital camera. South of the test masonry wall, the measurement errors of the PST-TBP method were shown to be 0.83mm and 0.84mm in the X- and Z-directions, respectively, and in the west, the measurement errors in the X- and Z-directions were 0.49mm and 0.44mm, respectively. This study provides a technical basis for monitoring the crack development of the real masonry structures in seismic oscillation outdoors to assess their safety and has significant implications for improving the construction of masonry structures in earthquake-prone areas.

Potential Use of Digital Photographic Technique to Examine Wild Blueberry Ripening in Relation to Time of Harvest

Abstract. Northeastern North America is the world’s leading producer of wild blueberry. Ripening of wild blueberry is the leading factor for fruit quality. Currently, there are no protocols available for the farming community related to wild blueberry fruit ripening and maturity. A nondestructive, rapid, and reliable digital photography technique could be used to examine the ripening of wild blueberries for appropriate harvesting time. Two wild blueberry fields were selected to examine the berry ripening levels using digital photographic techniques at different time of harvest (early, middle, and late seasons). The fields were divided into four blocks and each block was further divided into three classes of times of harvest. Fruit images from each block were acquired and processed to count blue pixels from each image. A significant correlation was found between percentage of blue pixels and actual fruit yield in Field A (R2 = 0.96; P &amp;lt; 0.001) and Field B (R2 = 0.97; P &amp;lt; 0.001). The results also indicated that the effect of time of harvest on fruit yield was significant and fruit yield increased gradually during early harvesting, reached maximum during mid-season, and then started to decrease in late harvesting. Results indicated that 90% of green-berries had turned blue at the end of middle season compared to early season (58%). Based on the results of this study, optical analysis could help to keep fruit quality by optimizing appropriate harvesting time of wild blueberries. It is also suggested that the optimum time to harvest wild blueberries is middle season to ensure high fruit yield and quality. Keywords: Blue pixels, Fruit yield, Harvesting season, Wild blueberry.

Histopathological breast-image classification with restricted Boltzmann machine along with backpropagation

Deaths due to cancer have increased rapidly in recent years. Among all the cancer diseases, breast cancer causes many deaths in women. A digital medical photography technique has been used for the detection of breast cancer by physicians and doctors, however, they need to give more attention and spend more time to reliably detect the cancer information from the images. Doctors are heavily reliant upon Computer Aided Diagnosis (CAD) for cancer detection and monitoring of cancer. Because of the dependence on CAD for cancer diagnosis, researchers always pay extra attention to designing an automatic CAD system for the identification and monitoring of cancer. Various methods have been used for the breast-cancer image-classification task, however, state-of-the-art deep learning techniques have been utilised for cancer image classification with success due to its self-learning and hierarchical featureextraction ability. In this paper we have developed a Deep Neural Network (DNN) model utilising a restricted Boltzmann machine with “scaled conjugate gradient” backpropagation to classify a set of Histopathological breast-cancer images. Our experiments have been conducted on the Histopathological images collected from the BreakHis dataset.

Motor-Evoked Potentials of the Abductor Hallucis Muscle and Their Relationship with Foot Arch Functional Anatomy.

The present study aimed to investigate the correlation between abductor hallucis (AH) muscle motor evoked potential (MEP) amplitude and foot arch anatomy. Twelve healthy individuals underwent foot arch measurement using a digital photographic technique and measurements of cortical excitability using transcranial magnetic stimulation applied on the cortical representation area of the right AH muscle. Truncated foot length and dorsal height were then measured and used to create the arch height index (AHI). Resting motor threshold, MEP amplitude (using a stimulation intensity of 110% resting motor threshold), and cortical silent period duration were also measured. Mean ± SE values were as follows: truncated foot length, 16.72 ± 0.3 cm; dorsal height, 5.62 ± 0.13 cm; AHI, 0.34 ± 0.01; resting motor threshold, 81.6% ± 2.12%; MEP amplitude, 0.71 ± 0.1 mV; and cortical silent period duration, 108.05 ± 0.45 msec. A significant correlation was found between MEP amplitude and AHI (Spearman's rho: P < .01). These results indicate that AH muscle functional neuroanatomy measurements are reliable and might be used by clinicians and therapists to investigate foot arch physiology and monitor the efficacy of treatments and rehabilitative protocols.

Mapping the spatio-temporal distribution of key vegetation cover properties in lowland river reaches, using digital photography.

The presence of vegetation in stream ecosystems is highly dynamic in both space and time. A digital photography technique is developed to map aquatic vegetation cover at species level, which has a very high spatial and a flexible temporal resolution. A digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) camera mounted on a handheld telescopic pole is used. The low-altitude (5m) orthogonal aerial images have a low spectral resolution (red-green-blue), high spatial resolution (∼1.9pixelscm-2, ∼1.3cm length) and flexible temporal resolution (monthly). The method is successfully applied in two lowland rivers to quantify four key properties of vegetated rivers: vegetation cover, patch size distribution, biomass and hydraulic resistance. The main advantages are that the method is (i) suitable for continuous and discontinuous vegetation covers, (ii) of very high spatial and flexible temporal resolution, (iii) relatively fast compared to conventional ground survey methods, (iv) non-destructive and (v) relatively cheap and easy to use, and (vi) the software is widely available and similar open source alternatives exist. The study area should be less than 10m wide, and the prevailing light conditions and water turbidity levels should be sufficient to look into the water. Further improvements of the image processing are expected in the automatic delineation and classification of the vegetation patches.