Image Manipulation Software Research Articles

SU-E-T-592: A Novel 3D CT-Based Treatment Planning for Palladium 103 Breast Seed Implant Brachytherapy

Purpose: To present a novel 3D CT-based treatment planning method for permanent breast seed implant (PBSI) with Palladium-103. Methods: On a pilot study for adjuvant partial breast irradiation between 2003 and 2005 at the BC Cancer Agency, Vancouver Island, Canada, we established a unique method for planning CT-based multi-catheter HDR interstitial brachytherapy using Varian BrachyVision. Based on our experience from that study we transferred the concept to LDR Palladium-103 PBSI. Patients are CT scanned with two radio-opaque grids placed on the medial and lateral aspect of the breast and other reference skin markers are added. The grids assist in determining the entrance and exit point of a reference needle. The implant is then guided by landmark measurements and the reference needle. Results: We found that the BrachyVision system, developed by Varian for planning of LDR seed implants, was unsuitable for needle-based preplanning. When we used the afterloader planning tools, we were able to adapt its parameters to represent manual needle loadings. The total dose was converted to dose rate because of the lack of flexibility for permanent implant prescription. The BrachyVision afterloader interstitial planning tools were suitable for producing an optimal plan for PBSI with Palladium- 103 in a relatively short time. Images in the oblique plane were generated in BrachyVision and exported to VariSeed planning system for validation. An image manipulation software was used to overlay images for BrachyVision and VariSeed for comparison. The dose distribution variance between the two systems was found to be within 3%. Conclusions: The BrachyVison afterloader planning concept can be used for PBSI planning. An optimal plan can be obtained in a relatively short time with minimal planner intervention. The skin grid guidance may achieve high accuracy of seed placements without the aid of a real time ultrasound.

Bone density of the greater tuberosity is decreased in rotator cuff disease with and without full-thickness tears

Despite the high prevalence of rotator cuff disease in the aging adult population, the basic mechanisms initiating the disease are not known. It is known that changes occur at both the bone and tendon after rotator cuff tears. However, no study has focused on early or "pretear" rotator cuff disease states. The purpose of this study was to compare the bone mineral density of the greater tuberosity in normal subjects with that in subjects with impingement syndrome and full-thickness rotator cuff tears. Digital anteroposterior shoulder radiographs were obtained for 3 sex- and age-matched study groups (men, 40-70 years old): normal asymptomatic shoulders (control), rotator cuff disease without full-thickness tears (impingement), and full-thickness rotator cuff tears (n = 39 per group). By use of imaging software, bone mineral densities were determined for the greater tuberosity, the greater tuberosity cortex, the greater tuberosity subcortex, and the cancellous region of the humeral head. The bone mineral density of the greater tuberosity was significantly higher for the normal control subjects compared with subjects with impingement or rotator cuff tears. No differences were found between the two groups of patients with known rotator cuff disease. The greater tuberosity cortex and greater tuberosity subcortex outcome measures were similar. Bone mineral changes are present in the greater tuberosity of shoulders with rotator cuff disease both with and without full-thickness tears. The finding of focal diminished bone mineral density of the greater tuberosity in the absence of rotator cuff tears warrants further investigation.

Security on Fragile and Semi-fragile Watermarks Authentication

ABSTRACT Digital image manipulation software is now readily available on personal computers. It is therefore very simple to tamper with any image and make it available to others. Ensuring digital image security has therefore become a major issue. Watermarking has become a popular technique for copyright enforcement and image The aim of this paper is to present an overview of some possible attacks which may cause harm the present watermarking techniques. Here we have identified the attacks which frequently attacks some very well known fragile and semifragile watermarking techniques.. General Terms Security, Watermarking and Authentication. Keywords Attack, image authentication, watermark, fragile, semi-fragile, security, private key, public key. attack threats. We have specially fo 1. INTRODUCTION In today's world, digital images and video are gradually replacing their classical analog counterparts. This is quite understandable because digital format is easy to edit, modify, and exploit. Digital images and videos can be readily shared via computer networks and conveniently processed for queries in databases. Also, digital storage does not age or degrade with usage. On the other hand, thanks to powerful editing programs, it is very easy even for an amateur to maliciously modify digital media and create perfect forgeries. It is usually much more complicated to tamper with analog tapes and images. Tools that help us establish the authenticity and integrity of digital media are thus essential and can prove vital whenever questions are raised about the origin of an image and its content. In the past few years, many new techniques and concepts based on data hiding or steganography have been introduced as a means for tamper detection in digital images and for image Fragile watermarks are designed to detect every possible change in pixel values. In many schemes, it can be shown that without the secret key, the probability of a modification that will not be detected can be related to a cryptographic element present in the scheme, such as a hash function. Semi-fragile watermarks are moderately robust and thus provide a softer evaluation criterion (authentication with a degree). Some schemes have been specifically designed to be compatible with certain distortion, such as JPEG or wavelet compression. There is another special group of authentication techniques that can be termed authentication. In those schemes, robustly extracted image features are embedded in the image in a semi-robust manner to help identify gross changes in the image. In the security domain, an integrity service is unambiguously defined as one, which ensures that the sent and received data are identical. This binary definition is also applicable to images. In real life situations, images can be transformed, their pixel values can be modified but not the actual meaning of the image. In order to provide an authentication service for still images, it is important to distinguish between malicious manipulations, which consist of changing the content of the original image and manipulations related to the use of images. In this paper, we focus on different attacks on different watermarking techniques. So many watermarking schemes have been designed to provide authenticity to the digital images. But many of the proposed ideas are not totally secure because of the cused on the identification of the attacks to which the proposed watermarking schemes are vulnerable..

Electron microscopy: More than just a pretty picture

In the 1990s, it might have been thought that, for biological sciences, electron microscopy (EM) was a technique that had had its day. The majority of cellular ultrastructure had been described, and many EM units were closed. However, new developments in instruments, including computer control of microscope columns and stages, the introduction of digital cameras with freely avail able software for image processing and manipulation and improvements in specimen prepara tion techniques have led to a resurgence in the use of EM and wider applicability in the biological sciences. This article aims to show how, even in its routine use, EM can provide further insight into cell biology studies, to show how EM is being used to provide fundamental information about the localization and relationships of molecules within cells through the technique of immuno cytochemistry and to introduce techniques such as EM tomography that are providing unrivalled information about structure–function relationships within cells.

Assessing stains on historical documents using hyperspectral imaging

Abstract Hyperspectral imaging can be an important tool for the assessment and documentation of the state of preservation of an object. Over time, documents that have experienced heavy usage will inevitably show evidence of handling, which can include staining. In this paper, the use of hyperspectral imaging is described for enhancing the assessment of the visual properties of stains. The use of imaging software (ENVI) is also described for quantitatively assessing the extent of staining in two different documents. Single 10 nm bandpass images can be useful assessing darker stains with well defined boundaries. In one document (a treaty), the faint discolouration on one page made the extent of staining difficult to assess visually. A false colour density slice (450 nm) provided a topographical image which was useful for enhancing the contrast between stained and unstained paper. In this type of image, the degree of discolouration could be correlated to optical density and the amount of staining on a page could then be related to the number of pixels for a given absorbance range. In a second document (a prayer book), the staining was more extensive and some of the stains were dark in appearance. This document also contained a lot of text that was written using a dark irongall ink, which limited the use of a density slice at a single bandpass. In this document, pixel unmixing was successfully used to quantitatively determine the extent of staining. The measurement tool provided with the Nuance™ Imaging System made it possible to quantitatively describe the size of the stain in terms of the number of pixels as well as its appearance in terms of average optical density.

Content-based image authentication: current status, issues, and challenges

With today’s global digital environment, the Internet is readily accessible anytime from everywhere, so does the digital image manipulation software; thus, digital data is easy to be tampered without notice. Under this circumstance, integrity verification has become an important issue in the digital world. The aim of this paper is to present an in-depth review and analysis on the methods of detecting image tampering. We introduce the notion of content-based image authentication and the features required to design an effective authentication scheme. We review major algorithms and frequently used security mechanisms found in the open literature. We also analyze and discuss the performance trade-offs and related security issues among existing technologies.

Analysis of Patient-Determined Preoperative Computer Imaging

To compare patients' goals in aesthetic rhinoplasty with aesthetic ideals by analyzing changes requested through computer imaging during the initial consultation. The frontal and lateral views of 20 consecutive female rhinoplasty patients were analyzed retrospectively before and after using image manipulation software. Indexes from the frontal view included the ratio of alar base width to dorsal length and the ratio of alar base width to interpupillary distance. On the lateral view, parameters included the nasolabial angle, nasofacial angle, and tip projection (Goode ratio). Ideal parameters were based on descriptions by Powell and Humphreys. The ideal and patient-determined proportions were compared using a paired 2-tailed t test. The mean nasolabial angle falls within the ideal range before and after image manipulation. However, the Goode ratio and the ratio of alar base width to interpupillary distance were statistically similar to ideal values only after image manipulation. The nasofacial angle and the ratio of alar base width to dorsal length showed a trend toward the ideal ratio. Patients' preferences were similar to the ideal in 3 of 5 parameters, and the remaining parameters approached the ideal. These parameters are useful in creating satisfying proportions in aesthetic rhinoplasty and reconstructive surgery within our population. Rather than population-based normative data or ideals based on fashion models or Greek statuary, these are proportions requested by patients. Computer imaging software, used by a growing number of aesthetic surgeons, holds a wealth of data regarding common patient preferences.

The influence of software filtering in digital mammography image quality

Breast cancer is one of the most frequently diagnosed cancers among women. Several techniques have been developed to help in the early detection of breast cancer such as conventional and digital x-ray mammography, positron and single-photon emission mammography, etc. A key advantage in digital mammography is that images can be manipulated as simple computer image files. Thus non-dedicated commercially available image manipulation software can be employed to process and store the images. The image processing tools of the Photoshop (CS 2) software usually incorporate digital filters which may be used to reduce image noise, enhance contrast and increase spatial resolution. However, improving an image quality parameter may result in degradation of another. The aim of this work was to investigate the influence of three sharpening filters, named hereafter sharpen, sharpen more and sharpen edges on image resolution and noise. Image resolution was assessed by means of the Modulation Transfer Function (MTF).In conclusion it was found that the correct use of commercial non-dedicated software on digital mammograms may improve some aspects of image quality.

Quanto de desvio da linha média dentária superior ortodontistas e leigos conseguem perceber?

OBJETIVOS: avaliar o grau de percepção do desvio de linha média superior e da angulação incisal do arco superior entre ortodontistas e leigos, assim como a influência da visualização clínica do filtro labial como referência morfológica para esse diagnóstico. MÉTODOS: foi utilizada a fotografia do sorriso de um indivíduo do gênero feminino, na qual foram produzidas alterações na linha média dentária, de 1 em 1 milímetro, até 4mm, e na angulação incisal, de 5 em 5 graus, até 15 graus, ambas para o lado esquerdo, com o auxílio de um programa de manipulação de imagens (Adobe Photoshop 7.0®).As imagens obtidas foram recortadas,formando um grupo com e outro sem a visualização do filtro labial e,em seguida,foram organizadas aleatoriamente e avaliadas por 24 ortodontistas e 24 indivíduos leigos com nível superior. RESULTADOS: os resultados obtidos revelaram que os ortodontistas foram capazes de detectar desvios da linha média a partir de 2mm (p < 0,05) e da angulação incisal a partir de 5 graus (p < 0,05), enquanto leigos só detectaram como inaceitáveis desvios a partir de 3 ou 4mm (dependendo da presença do filtro labial na imagem analisada) e 10 graus de alteração angular dos incisivos. A visualização do filtro labial na fotografia influenciou, embora suavemente, somente a avaliação dos examinadores leigos. CONCLUSÕES: conclui-se, portanto, que ortodontistas são mais críticos a pequenas variações da linha média superior e da angulação incisal do que indivíduos leigos,e que a visualização do filtro labial superior tem importância secundária como elemento de diagnóstico do desvio da linha média superior para leigos.

High-quality virus images obtained by transmission electron microscopy and charge coupled device digital camera technology

The introduction of digital cameras has led to the publication of numerous virus electron micrographs of low magnification, poor contrast, and low resolution. Described herein is the methodology for obtaining highly contrasted virus images in the magnification range of approximately 250,000–300,000×. Based on recent advances in charged couple device (CCD) digital camera technology, methodology is described for optimal imaging parameters for using CCD cameras mounted in side- and bottom-mount position of electron microscopes and the recommendation of higher accelerating voltages, larger objective apertures, and small spot size. The authors are concerned with the principles of image formation and modulation, advocate a better use of imaging software to improve image quality, and recommend either pre- or post-acquisition adjustment for distributing pixel intensities of compressed histograms over the entire range of tonal values.

Live video manipulator for endoscopy and natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (with videos)

During fluoroscopy, radiologists and gastroenterologists are able to manipulate live fluoroscopic video for better orientation and visualization. During endoscopy and natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES), this function is not currently available. Particularly during NOTES, the endoscopic image is sometimes inverted, and off-axis operation is required. Our purpose was to develop and test a prototype live video manipulator (LVM) for endoscopy, laparoscopy, and NOTES. Prospective ex vivo and in vivo feasibility study. We developed a prototype LVM software for video image manipulation that can be easily installed on any computer. The video input is streamed into the computer and can be displayed on a standard monitor. LVM was tested ex vivo in the following functions: (1) instant live video rotation, (2) vertical or horizontal video inversion, (3) mirror imaging, and (4) digital zooming. These functions were also tested during upper and lower GI endoscopy, ERCP, diagnostic laparoscopy, and various transvaginal NOTES procedures (cholecystectomy, gastroenterostomy, and sleeve gastrectomy) in porcine models. Image quality observation between unmanipulated and manipulated live videos. LVM reliably and easily performed live video manipulation during these tests. Besides standard definition video signals, LVM is fully compatible with high-definition video endoscopy. Three observers reported that the subjective image quality was the same in specified areas between manipulated and unmanipulated live videos. Observation and feasibility study. LVM reliably and conveniently performed live video manipulations. LVM requires minimal equipment, capital investment, and maintenance, and is easy to set up. LVM can be a useful tool in many medical imaging studies, including endoscopy, laparoscopy, and NOTES, either as a built-in technology or as an as-needed add-on feature.

POSITRON EMISSION TOMOGRAPHY AND RADIATION THERAPY COMPUTERIZED TREATMENT PLANNING SYSTEMS

Imaging devices aid clinicians in disease staging and treatment planning procedures for cancer patients. In this technical report, the basic physics of positron emission tomography (PET) are briefly discussed. The integration of PET images into radiation therapy computerized treatment planning systems (TPS) for PET and computed tomography (CT) image fusion via portable storage media and Web-based PET image manipulation software is described. The PET images were obtained from a mobile dual PET/CT scanner (Discovery ST, GE Medical Systems) located two miles away from our radiation therapy center, and were fused with CT images from an independent stand-alone CT scanner (Siemens Somatom Emotion). Quality assurance for treatment planning PET images as well as radiation safety issues related to PET are also briefly discussed.

Digital Image Forensics

The article discusses the field of digital image forensics, which involves the detection of photographic fraud, which has become increasingly problematic given the widespread availability of digital image manipulation software. Simple tests such as looking for incompatible shadows are discussed, as are more advanced mathematical methods involving the encoding algorithms used in the compression of images. INSETS: IN A DIFFERENT LIGHT;EYES AND POSITION;TELLTALE TWINKLES;SEND IN THE CLONES

CFD mesh generation for biological flows: Geometry reconstruction using diagnostic images

A new thrust in the use of CFD techniques for simulation of biological flows has necessitated the demand for robust grid generation techniques to characterize the complex geometries. While the techniques of image manipulation required are simple, most researchers in this field use proprietary 3rd party software for image manipulation and grid generation. In the current study, we propose a simple MATLAB based grid generation techniques suitable for CFD studies of external and internal biological flows such as blood flow and respiration and flows around the human body. As an example, the flow inside two specific intracranial aneurysms is modeled by generating CFD grids from 3D rotational angiography images. Specific issues of modeling, such as boundary conditions and location of flow inlets and outlets, in relation to the reconstructed geometry are discussed. The reconstructed arterial geometry including the aneurysm matches the visual representation generated by the angiogram software (Leonardo software). The calculated CFD flow patterns also show a good correlation to the flow visualization presented by the Leonardo software. Areas of high pressure and wall shear stress are identified. The same technique is also used to generate the CFD grid of a human trachea to study the particle dispersion patterns during a human cough cycle. The fluid is modeled using an actual human cough signal with the particles simulating the influenza virus. The flow pattern out of the mouth along with the dispersion pattern of the particles is validated against similar human experimental studies to track the spread of the disease through cough. Work is also currently underway to use the present grid generation program to construct a superficial mesh of the human body from MRI/CAT scan images of cadavers. The goal is to build an accurate and scalable model of the human body surface with articulate joints which can be posed in any environment to model the air flow patterns around the body.

Visualizing the Behavior of Dislocations—Seeing is Believing

AbstractThe spatial resolution of the transmission electron microscope makes it an ideal environment in which to continuously track the real-time response of a system to an external stimulus and to discover and quantify the rate-limiting fundamental microscopic processes and mechanisms governing the macroscopic properties. Advances in instrumentation, stage design, recording media, computational power, and image manipulation software are providing new opportunities for not only observing the microscopic mechanisms but also measuring concurrently the macroscopic response. In this article, the capability of this technique as applied to mechanical properties of materials is highlighted.

Benefit Estimates for Landscape Improvements: Sequential Bayesian Design and Respondents' Rationality in a Choice Experiment

<i>A multi-attribute, stated-preference approach is used to value low and high impact actions on four major landscape components addressed by the Rural Environment Protection Scheme in Ireland. Several methodological issues are addressed: the use of prior beliefs on the relative magnitudes of parameters, standardized description of different levels of landscape improvements via image manipulation software, adoption of efficiency-increasing sequential experimental design, and sensitivity of benefit estimates to inclusion of responses from ‘‘irrational’’ respondents. Results suggest that Bayesian design updating delivers significant efficiency gains without loss in respondent efficiency, and estimates are upward-biased when irrational respondents are included.</i> (JEL Q24, Q51)

Hearth and Hotmail

Hearth and Hotmail

Video and acoustic camera techniques for studying fish under ice: a review and comparison

Researchers attempting to study the presence, abundance, size, and behavior of fish species in northern and arctic climates during winter face many challenges, including the presence of thick ice cover, snow cover, and, sometimes, extremely low temperatures. This paper describes and compares the use of video and acoustic cameras for determining fish presence and behavior in lakes, rivers, and streams with ice cover. Methods are provided for determining fish density and size, identifying species, and measuring swimming speed and successful applications of previous surveys of fish under the ice are described. These include drilling ice holes, selecting batteries and generators, deploying pan and tilt cameras, and using paired colored lasers to determine fish size and habitat associations. We also discuss use of infrared and white light to enhance image-capturing capabilities, deployment of digital recording systems and time-lapse techniques, and the use of imaging software. Data are presented from initial surveys with video and acoustic cameras in the Sagavanirktok River Delta, Alaska, during late winter 2004. These surveys represent the first known successful application of a dual-frequency identification sonar (DIDSONTM) acoustic camera under the ice that achieved fish detection and sizing at camera ranges up to 16 m. Feasibility tests of video and acoustic cameras for determining fish size and density at various turbidity levels are also presented. Comparisons are made of the different techniques in terms of suitability for achieving various fisheries research objectives. This information is intended to assist researchers in choosing the equipment that best meets their study needs.

Establishing a Cardiac Imaging Rotation in Radiology Residency

The advent of new technologies for cardiac imaging such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and cardiac computed tomography (CT) have added new tools in the armamentarium of noninvasive methods for predicting cardiac disease. However, training in cardiac anatomy and physiology is critical if radiology is to meet the demands of this service. We designed a core rotation in cardiac imaging at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, to train residents in noninvasive cardiac imaging methods, such as cardiac echocardiography, nuclear cardiac imaging, cardiac MRI, and with special emphasis on cardiac CT. This 1-month block includes cardiac imaging conferences and a lecture series, hands-on training in the use of imaging software, introduction to cardiac catheterization, and clinical cardiology. Residents are provided with a set of research and review articles along with textbooks on coronary imaging to serve as references for this rotation. We believe that this educational exercise will establish a core of young, knowledgeable, and capable physicians who will be able to meet the clinical demand for noninvasive cardiac imaging and maintain a major role in this emerging specialty.

Using Discrete Choice Experiments to Derive Individual-Specific WTP Estimates for Landscape Improvements under Agri-Environmental Schemes: Evidence from the Rural Environment Protection Scheme in Ireland

Reported in this paper are the findings from two discrete choice experiments that were carried out to address the value of a number of farm landscape improvement measures within the Rural Environment Protection (REP) Scheme in Ireland. Image manipulation software is used to prepare photorealistic simulations representing the landscape attributes across three levels to accurately represent what is achievable within the Scheme. Using a mixed logit specification willingness to pay (WTP) distributions based on the parameter estimates obtained from the individual conditional distributions are derived. These estimates are subsequently adjusted and combined to account for baselines and levels of improvement resulting from the implementation of the REP Scheme. Individual-specific WTP estimates are thus obtained for the contribution of the Scheme to rural landscapes and are subsequently contrasted with the average cost of the Scheme across the Irish adult population. Results indicate that the Scheme contributes substantial benefits to rural landscapes.