High Resolution Image Storage Research Articles

The Cinderella discipline: morphometrics and their use in botanical classification

AbstractBetween the 1960s and the present day, the use of morphology in plant taxonomy suffered a major decline, in part driven by the apparent superiority of DNA-based approaches to data generation. However, in recent years computer image recognition has re-kindled the interest in morphological techniques. Linear or geometric morphometric approaches have been employed to distinguish and classify a wide variety of organisms; each has strengths and weaknesses. Here we review these approaches with a focus on plant classification and present a case for the combination of morphometrics with statistical/machine learning. There are many classification techniques available for biological analysis and selecting the most appropriate is not trivial. Performance should be evaluated using standardized metrics such as accuracy, sensitivity and specificity. The gathering and storage of high-resolution images, combined with the processing power of desktop computers, makes morphometric approaches practical as a time- and cost-efficient way of non-destructive identification of plant samples.

Digital/cyber nephropathology, clinical and research application

Digital technology marked the first decade of the 21st century with the advent of whole slide imaging (WSI). Thanks to the invention of digital scanners, WSI technology enables the creation and permanent storage of high resolution images from traditional glass slides. The application of digital pathology has recently been explored within the subspecialty of renal pathology for teaching, pathology-based clinical trials, development of new classification systems, and in support to systems biology-based research in a setting of large consortia. Although an initial investment is required, several general advantages can be listed in support of its application, ultimately resulting in a more neutral budget: 1) enables the anywhere-anytime remote access model; 2) permanent storage of glass slides images, which otherwise with time may fade, get lost or broken; 3) allows annotation of specific structures for teaching, consultation, histology-based research or reproducibility studies; 4) archiving; 5) provide full transparency for regulatory agencies during clinical trials or for research protocols; 6) facilitate training of multiple students looking at the same annotated structures, whether in the classroom, during webinar sections or independent review. This presentation will highlight the current status of digital nephropathology applications in training, clinical and molecular research, and industry-sponsored clinical trials.

PDAs for the Infectious Diseases Physician

PDAs for the Infectious Diseases Physician

Photo CD and medical archives.

Most people involved in medical photography and illustration are aware of the difficulties of efficient archiving and retrieval of picture information. The recent developments in Photo CD now enable cost effective storage of high resolution images. Applications already exist for easy archive management and new software developments make it simple to tailor standard systems for professional people in very specific fields without the necessity of commissioning programmers and system developers with the consequential cost implications.

Novel ultrahigh resolution silverless photothermal imaging in obliquely deposited amorphous Se-Ge films

A new photothermal imaging process which utilizes no silver has been demonstrated in obliquely deposited Se-Ge films. Band-gap irradiation of Se-Ge films has been found to give rise to phases of the type SeOx, GeO, and Se as borne by x-ray initiated Auger electron spectroscopy and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Annealing of SeOx leads to the formation of SeO2. The large (several orders of magnitude) difference in vapor pressures of SeO2 and Se-Ge films results in differential evaporation of the films when annealed around 200 °C, thereby leading to imaging. Such a large contrast in evaporation rates between the exposed and unexposed regions has great potential applications in high resolution image storage and phase holography.

Ion-induced physical and optical densification in obliquely deposited Se0.75Ge0.25 films

Irradiation of obliquely deposited films of Se0.75Ge0.25 with 50-keV He+ ions produces enormous physical and optical densification. A thickness and hence volume contraction up to 39% accompanied by large changes (0.20 eV) in the band gap and refractive index (10.2%) have been observed. These changes are primarily due to the physical collapse of the low density columnar structure and associated electron-phonon coupling. Such large changes have great potential applications in high resolution image storage, holography, and lithography.