Imaging Data Bank Research Articles

Satellite-derived Solar Irradiation Map for Uruguay

A brightness-dependent version of Tarpley's model adjusted to ground data is used with a thirteen-year GOES satellite image data bank to obtain satellite-derived monthly averages of daily global solar irradiation on a horizontal surface with 20km spatial resolution. The estimates cover all the territory of Uruguay and neighboring areas. These results are validated against other satellite derived irradiation data and against independent long-term ground data. The comparison with the previous solar map shows that the solar irradiation is 5 - 7% higher than previous estimates derived from long term sunshine hours observations. The first map of direct irradiation at normal incidence (DNI) for the area is also calculated, using a pre-existing global to diffuse model to separate the direct and diffuse components of hourly global irradiation.

The Coherent X-ray Imaging Data Bank

The Coherent X-ray Imaging Data Bank

Do brain image databanks support understanding of normal ageing brain structure? A systematic review

To document accessible magnetic resonance (MR) brain images, metadata and statistical results from normal older subjects that may be used to improve diagnoses of dementia. We systematically reviewed published brain image databanks (print literature and Internet) concerned with normal ageing brain structure. From nine eligible databanks, there appeared to be 944 normal subjects aged ≥60 years. However, many subjects were in more than one databank and not all were fully representative of normal ageing clinical characteristics. Therefore, there were approximately 343 subjects aged ≥60 years with metadata representative of normal ageing, but only 98 subjects were openly accessible. No databank had the range of MR image sequences, e.g. T2*, fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR), required to effectively characterise the features of brain ageing. No databank supported random subject retrieval; therefore, manual selection bias and errors may occur in studies that use these subjects as controls. Finally, no databank stored results from statistical analyses of its brain image and metadata that may be validated with analyses of further data. Brain image databanks require open access, more subjects, metadata, MR image sequences, searchability and statistical results to improve understanding of normal ageing brain structure and diagnoses of dementia. • We reviewed databanks with structural MR brain images of normal older people. • Among these nine databanks, 98 normal subjects ≥60 years were openly accessible. • None had all the required sequences, random subject retrieval or statistical results. • More access, subjects, sequences, metadata, searchability and results are needed. • These may improve understanding of normal brain ageing and diagnoses of dementia.

Virtual slides in peer reviewed, open access medical publication

BackgroundApplication of virtual slides (VS), the digitalization of complete glass slides, is in its infancy to be implemented in routine diagnostic surgical pathology and to issues that are related to tissue-based diagnosis, such as education and scientific publication.ApproachElectronic publication in Pathology offers new features of scientific communication in pathology that cannot be obtained by conventional paper based journals. Most of these features are based upon completely open or partly directed interaction between the reader and the system that distributes the article. One of these interactions can be applied to microscopic images allowing the reader to navigate and magnify the presented images. VS and interactive Virtual Microscopy (VM) are a tool to increase the scientific value of microscopic images.Technology and PerformanceThe open access journal Diagnostic Pathology http://www.diagnosticpathology.org has existed for about five years. It is a peer reviewed journal that publishes all types of scientific contributions, including original scientific work, case reports and review articles. In addition to digitized still images the authors of appropriate articles are requested to submit the underlying glass slides to an institution (DiagnomX.eu, and Leica.com) for digitalization and documentation. The images are stored in a separate image data bank which is adequately linked to the article. The normal review process is not involved. Both processes (peer review and VS acquisition) are performed contemporaneously in order to minimize a potential publication delay. VS are not provided with a DOI index (digital object identifier). The first articles that include VS were published in March 2011.Results and PerspectivesSeveral logistic constraints had to be overcome until the first articles including VS could be published. Step by step an automated acquisition and distribution system had to be implemented to the corresponding article. The acceptance of VS by the reader is high as well as by the authors. Of specific value are the increased confidence to and reputation of authors as well as the presented information to the reader. Additional associated functions such as access to author-owned related image collections, reader-controlled automated image measurements and image transformations are in preparation.Virtual SlidesThe virtual slide(s) for this article can be found here: http://www.diagnosticpathology.diagnomx.eu/vs/1232133347629819.

Bancos de imágenes para proyectos enciclopédicos: el caso de <i>Wikimedia Commons</i>

This paper presents the characteristics and functionalities of the Wikimedia Commons image databank shared by all Wikipedia projects. The process of finding images and ilustrating wikipedia articles is also explained, along with how to add images to the bank. The role of cultural institutions in promoting free and open cultural heritage content is highlighted.

Making the invisible visible: bringing e-resources to a wide audience

This paper considers the various opportunities that might be available to promote the e-resources held within an institution. In the current decade an ever increasing percentage of tightly stretched library budgets is spent on e-resources (databases, back-file packages, current e-journals, textbooks, image databanks and reference works). As these are part of a virtual library they are not always noticed or fully exploited by their target audience. This paper looks at some possibilities to publicize e-resources, making these important collections more visible, and considers how these resources, in particular electronic journals, can be made accessible, useful, relevant and obvious to the library customer. Topics discussed include information literacy sessions, library branding, ‘spreading the word’, ensuring value for money and ‘making it fun’.

Foveal avascular zone in diabetic retinopathy: quantitative vs qualitative assessment.

To describe the relations between foveal avascular zone (FAZ) size and outline in patients presenting diabetic retinopathy. 110 high-quality fluorescein angiograms from 110 diabetics were chosen from our digital retinal image databank. Patients with significant media opacities, macular scars, macular hard exsudates, high ametropia, and associated macular pathology were excluded. Both FAZ perimeter and surface area were measured with image analysis software. FAZ outline was graded according to ETDRS report Number 11 (from 0=normal to 4=capillary outline completely destroyed). Data were compared to that of 31 healthy controls. FAZ surface in diabetics was compared to that of controls and FAZ surface was compared to FAZ grade, FAZ perimeter and retinopathy stage in diabetics. Quantitative variables were compared using the U-test of Mann-Whitney or Kruskal-Wallis test and correlations between quantitative variables were estimated with the Spearmann coefficient. All patients presented diabetic retinopathy (54 BDR, 30 PPDR, 26 PDR). FAZ size was larger in diabetics than controls (P<0.001). In diabetics, FAZ size increased with FAZ grade (P<or=0.006 except between grades 1 and 2=NS) and with retinopathy stage (P<or=0.024). As retinopathy advanced, there was a higher proportion of altered FAZ outlines (P=0.003). This study confirms capillary alteration to be the cause of increase in FAZ size in diabetics and presents an alternative evaluation method of the FAZ to FAZ size measurement. No qualitative studies using the ETDRS FAZ grading scale have been performed to our knowledge.

Wavelet–RELAX feature extraction in radar images

In classical high-frequency radar imaging, like synthetic aperture radar imaging, man-made target contributions are often well described by decomposing their signature into a set of bright points. The basic model supposes that these elementary reflectors are independent of the relative angular aspect and of the observation frequencies. Many feature extraction methods, such as CLEAN/RELAX-based algorithms, are built on this hypothesis and so it is currently used in assisted/automatic target recognition algorithms (ATR). However, this simple model cannot describe the variability of the signatures one can observe in image databanks. The authors propose extending the target feature extraction capacities of the CLEAN/RELAX algorithm to dispersive scatterers using generalised wavelets.

Pré-lecture (screening) des frottis cervico-vaginaux : définition et méthodes

There isn't any convenient idiom to translate the word “screening” of cervical/vaginal smears into the French language. That is the reason why we are taking the opportunity to introduce it in English in this paper as well in its title, as we are wishing to claim the difference between the so-called screening and the definitive diagnosis. After having defined the screening, as it is usually understood in the British language, we describe the ancillary as well as the new methods. As screening for precancerous lesions of the cervix is a developing technique, continuing education of pathologists and of cytotechnicians has to be organised. Thanks to an image data bank, the teletransmission of images is one of the most interactive and friendly goals.

The Sloan Digital Sky Survey

The Sloan Digital Sky Survey is an ambitious, multi-institutional project to create a huge digital imaging and spectroscopic data bank of 25% of the celestial sphere, approximately 10,000 deg^2 centred on the north galactic polar cap. The photometric atlas will be in 5 specially-chosen colours, covering the pi ster of the Survey area to a limiting magnitude of r~23.1, on 0.4 pixels, resulting in a 1 Tpixel map. This data base will be automatically analysed to catalog the photometric and astrometric properties of 10^8 stellar images, 10^8 galaxies, and 10^6 colour-selected QSO candidates; the galaxy data will in addition include detailed morphological data. The photometric data are used to autonomously and homogeneously select objects for the spectroscopic survey, which will include spectra of 10^6 galaxies, 10^5 QSOs, and 10^5 unusual stars. Although the project was originally motivated by the desire to study Large Scale Structure, we anticipate that these data will impact virtually every field of astronomy, from Earth-crossing asteroids to QSOs at z>6. In particular, the ~12 TByte multi-colour, precision calibrated imaging archive should be a world resource for many decades of the next century.

Scientific role of German ophthalmology in the European telecommunication project OPHTEL

In Denmark, France, Germany, Great Britain and Italy, the OPHTEL project combines clinical centers of ophthalmology and internal medicine, an institute for medical informatics and health services research, a publishing company and different industrial partners in the EDP market. With the aid of visual telecommunication and rapid data transfer, methods and conditions will be developed and proved so that any physician can very easily obtain sufficient information for treating his patient. Thus, the regional differences in the quality of structured health service (e.g., urban/ rural) will be overcome throughout Europe. SCIENTIFIC TASKS: A multilingual diagnostic and therapeutic thesaurus has to be worked out in order to create standards for communication and quality control. Based on literature, images and image analysis in a knowledge-based data bank, a monitoring system (containing watch-dog functions) and the basic aspects of an ophthalmological patient/disease register will be investigated. (In parallel, a technical development of synchronous and asynchronous telecommunication between eye physicians is taking place in close cooperation with the regional Bavarian project Teleopathalmology in Bavaria on-line). State of the art 6 months after starting the project:the knowledge-based image data bank has been founded and also an ophthalmological 8 language thesaurus and definition standard. All data transfer lines are installed. The project is taking place amid diverging sections of medicine: ophthalmology and internal medicine, health politics and data protection, individual treatment and common interest (health care), product management and office organization. Thus, the scientific quality of the transferred ophthalmological content must undergo sophisticated controls. FUTURE STEPS: Intense cooperation with the big German associations for ophthalmology (DOG, BVA) and the European ophthalmological societies concerning EDP, classification and quality control.

Telepathology: a tool to aid in diagnosis and quality assurance in cervicovaginal cytology.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the use of a Teletransmission System with regard to quality of diagnosis and screening so as to establish its potential role in gynaecological cytology. Three aspects of its use in cytopathology have been considered: diagnosis, training, and quality control. The circumstances in which the system may be used for diagnosis, together with its advantages and disadvantages, are examined and discussed. In general, the cost/benefit in diagnostic use related to the experience of both the expert and the peripheral pathologist. The system may also contribute to training and quality assessment, particularly if combined with other automated services, such as image data bank.

An Intelligent Access to an Image Data Bank of Emergency CT Scans for Cranial Trauma

An image bank of CT scans done in emergency for cranial trauma, was constituted on an optical disk of 200 Mo (800 images). The access to this data bank is ensured by a programme written in LISP language on a IBM compatible micro computer COMPAZ 386/20e. The image bank contains normal and pathological images classified according to the lesions and their localisations, in the form of a tree-design. The clinical file can be consulted as well as associated images and also the evolution of images. This system can be adapted to other subject matters that have iconographic documents.

Electroencephalographic Cartography

We have recorded control subjects, neurological and psychiatric patients (n = 217 sequences recorded over both hemispheres). Minicomputers (HP Fourier analyzer, HP 1000) for spectral analysis provided 10 spectral parameters over 5 spectral frequency bands (δ, &#920;, α, β₁, Β₂, raw EEG). For each recorded sequence, 90 EEG maps could be computed over both hemispheres. Topo-EEGs were stored in an EEG image data bank. An EEG mapping microcomputer system linked with a digital polygraph (Alvar Electronic, REEGA 2000) has been used simultaneously. White noises have been fed into both computers for testing spatial resolution. Ten topo-EEGs have been recorded in control subjects and patients. The microcomputer system has provided very reliable topographical results when compared to similar maps generated by the minicomputer. A common average reference has been used. First clinical applications have been studied (brain strokes, brain tumors). The method appears very reliable in comparison with CT scans.