A continuous noncontact method for measuring in situ vascular diameter with a video camera

A new, continuous, on-line, video diameter-measuring technique, utilizing a video camera mounted on the sidearm of a stereo microscope, is described. Vessel diameter is derived from changes in the video output signal of the camera or a video recorder when the vessel of interest is displayed horizontally on a monitor and well contrasted with its background. A comparator threshold is set on the filtered video output signal and generates an output pulse that is used to gate horizontal video sync pulses to a digital counter-timer. The number of pulses counted for each video field (no. of horizontal video lines) is proportional to the vessel diameter. The video-derived diameter is calibrated using known standards and correlates well with sonomicrometer-derived diameters of the carotid artery and jugular vein during increasing pressure ramps (r greater than 0.999). The diameter update rate is 60 Hz, and the resolution of the system is one horizontal video line, independent of the vessel size. With suitable magnification and contrast both arteries and veins as small as 200 micron have been measured using this system.     

录象机在生物组织连续切片的计算机三维重建系统中的应用

录象机(Video Tape Recorder)作为输入、输出设备,应用于“生物组织连续切片的计算机三维重建系统”中,其效果是令人满意的.由于研制的“同步再生”单元(Sync RecoveryUnit)有效地消除了静放噪声,从而使Cromemco微型计算机的图象输入接口SDD(Super DazzlerDigitizer)能够稳定地逐帧采集录象机输出的静止图象.录制并编辑计算机三维重建后的生物组织显微结构的空间旋转视图,使其在录象机的监视器上显示得更生动、逼真,更有体视感;还可脱离主机在任何场合演示重建结果.本文还就录象机在生物医学序列图象分析中的应用前景进行了讨论.     

A simple computer-based video image analysis system and potential applications to microbiology

An inexpensive microcomputer-based image analysis system is described in which an Apple microcomputer acquires data from a video camera or video cassette recorder and measures the brightness of the image received at specified points or areas. Suggested uses for this apparatus include measurements of chlorophyll fluorescence in algal cells, determination of the effects of ultraviolet illumination on chlorophyll fluorescence, estimation of total amounts of chlorophyll in a microscope field, and microspectrophotometic and microdensitometic measurements. A similar ssytem using the IBM personal computer with a different interface is also described.     

Automatic antifungal activity analyzing system on the basis of dynamic growth process of a single hypha

A system for the evaluation of antifungal activity of volatile compounds has been developed that is based on dynamic growth of a single hypha. The newly developed system is composed of a reaction vessel under a microscope, automatic stage, charge coupled device (CCD) camera, TV monitor, video tape recorder (VTR), and a microcomputer. A fungus was inoculated in the reaction vessel containing agar medium and then was treated with an antifungal reagent in the gas phase either in batch or flow reaction manner. The apex of a growing hypha displayed on a TV monitor was followed automatically. From the ratio of the growth rate under exposure of a reagent (U_EXPO) to the growth rate before the exposure (U_PRE), the antifungal activity was expressed quantitatively.     

Computer-aided microtomography with true 3-D display in electron microscopy

A novel research system has been designed to permit three-dimensional (3-D) viewing of high resolution image data from transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The system consists of front-end primary data acquisition devices, such as TEM and SEM machines, which are equipped with computer-controlled specimen tilt stages. The output from these machines is in analogue form, where a video camera attached to the TEM provides the sequential analogue image output while the SEM direct video output is utilized. A 10 MHz digitizer transforms the video image to a digital array of 512 X 512 pixel units of 8 bits deep-stored in a frame buffer. Digital images from multiple projections are reconstructed into 3-D image boxes in a dedicated computer. Attached to the computer is a powerful true 3-D display device which has hardware for graphic manipulations including tilt and rotate on any axis and for probing the image with a 3-D cursor. Data editing and automatic contouring functions are used to enhance areas of interest, and specialized software is available for measurement of numbers, distances, areas, and volumes. With proper archiving of reconstructed image sequences, a dynamic 3-D presentation is possible. The microtomography system is highly versatile and can process image data on-line or from remote sites from which data records would typically be transported on computer tape, video tape, or floppy disk.     

介绍一种简单、新型的主要用于蛙心灌注实验的计滴装置

目的:介绍一种简单、新型的计滴装置的制作和使用方法.方法:对蛙心灌流中过去曾使用过的ハ-ム法和斯氏法进行了改进.取一个20 ml注射器,其内固定两个电极,用塑料管加工成出、入液管和阻力管.结果:使用新型的计滴装置,可在离体蛙心观察前负荷、后负荷、激素和电解质对心功能的影响.结论:经改进的计滴装置,制作经济,操作简单,和微机配合使用,更具直观性、准确性,能客观地反映各种理化因素对心功能的影响.     

Telemetering sub aqua video photography to boat‐ and shore‐bases: a new approach

The use of video photography normally involves sub‐aqua recording via a camcorder device. The problem is that the scientist needs to be directly involved in the recording underwater or else viewing the results of the footage after the event. The system we have developed enables real time images to be relayed to a boat, satellite of shore‐based recorder. With a two‐way audio communication system, it is possible for the scientist/team to direct the camera work of the divers, remotely. The configuration of this system are discussed, and a wide range of scientific applications suggested.     

A rapid purification procedure and computer-assisted sulfide ion selective electrode assay for O-acetylserine sulfhydrylase from Salmonella typhimurium

An improved method for purifying O-acetylserine sulfhydrylase from Salmonella typhimurium is described as well as a new computer-controlled assay making use of the sulfide ion selective electrode. The purification method uses gradient elution from Q-Sepharose Fast Flow and phenyl-Sepharose columns to give 75 mg (50% yield) of the enzyme starting from 300 g of starting material in 3 days. The sulfide electrode assay makes use of sulfide and calomel electrodes attached to a signal buffer which serves as an impedance match. The output of the signal buffer is linked in parallel to a strip chart recorder and a Keithley Model 575 data acquisition and control system. The system 575 is interfaced to a Packard-Bell AT computer. In addition, two BASIC computer programs have been written to convert potential measured by the electrode to sulfide concentration and to convert the time course data to rates.     

A novel nest‐monitoring camera system using a Raspberry Pi micro‐computer

The utility, availability, cost‐effectiveness, and reliability of prefabricated video systems designed to monitor wildlife have lagged behind the unique and varied needs of many researchers. Many systems are limited by inflexible video settings, lack of adequate data storage, and cannot be programmed by the user. More sophisticated systems can be cost prohibitive, and the literature describing remote wildlife video monitoring has, for the most part, not incorporated advances in camera and computer technology. Here, we present details of a pilot study to design and construct a lower cost (US $340) nest camera system to record the behavior of Acorn Woodpeckers (Melanerpes formicivorus) in artificial tree cavity nests. This system incorporates a Raspberry Pi micro‐computer, Pi NoIR infrared camera, a wireless adapter to transmit video over the Internet, and Deka rechargeable gel batteries for power. We programmed the system to motion‐sense, to record exclusively during daylight hours, and to automatically upload videos to the cloud over wireless Internet. The Raspberry Pi micro‐computer does not require advanced programming or electrical engineering skills to build and configure and, because it is programmable, provides unprecedented flexibility for field researchers who wish to configure the system to the specific needs of their study.     

A description of micro- and mainframe-computer programs to summarize frequency,duration and sequences of behavior

Computer programs were developed to hasten the summarization of behavioral data. Behavioral data may be collected by hand (pencil, paper and watch), strip-chart mechanical event recorder, electronic event recorder or by a computer. These behavioral data, in raw form, enter (electronically or manually) a microcomputer (IBM-PC, 128K) or mainframe computer. The microcomputer version summarizes the number of occurrences (frequency), duration and sequence of each behavior. As a microcomputer memory is limited, a program to summarize larger data sets containing more behavior patterns was developed on our mainframe computer (CDC Cyber 730/760). This sequential analysis program can accumulate up to 10 behavioral sequences (9 orders of transition) of up to 50 behaviors in a data set containing up to 10 000 elements. The computer-summary of each treatment may be combined to determine if treatment differences exist. An example data set is provided.     

Portable telepathology: methods and tools

Telepathology is becoming easier to implement in most pathology departments. In fact e-mail image transmit can be done from almost any pathologist as a simplistic telepathology system. We tried to develop a way to improve capabilities of communication among pathologists with the idea that the system should be affordable for everybody. We took the premise that any pathology department would have microscopes and computers with Internet connection, and selected a few elements to convert them into a telepathology station. Needs were reduced to a camera to collect images, a universal microscope adapter for the camera, a device to connect the camera to the computer, and a software for the remote image transmit. We found out a microscope adapter (MaxView Plus) that allowed us connect almost any domestic digital camera to any microscope. The video out signal from the camera was sent to the computer through an Aver Media USB connector. At last, we selected a group of portable applications that were assembled into a USB memory device. Portable applications are computer programs that can be carried generally on USB flash drives, but also in any other portable device, and used on any (Windows) computer without installation. Besides, when unplugging the device, none of personal data is left behind. We selected open-source applications, and based the pathology image transmission to VLC Media Player due to its functionality as streaming server, portability and ease of use and configuration. Audio transmission was usually done through normal phone lines. We also employed alternative videoconferencing software, SightSpeed for bi-directional image transmission from microscopes, and conventional cameras allowing visual communication and also image transmit from gross pathology specimens. All these elements allowed us to install and use a telepathology system in a few minutes, fully prepared for real time image broadcast.     

An inexpensive camera system for monitoring cavity nests

ABSTRACT A variety of pole‐mounted cameras have been developed for monitoring nest cavities. However, currently available camera systems may either be prohibitively expensive or difficult to assemble. I developed an inexpensive (<$500 US) and easily assembled camera system that allows researchers to monitor cavity nests from the ground. The system consists of a small camera, a cable connecting the camera to a ground‐level power source and laptop computer, and a flexible neck connecting the camera to a telescoping pole. During a study of Red‐headed Woodpeckers (Melanerpes erythrocephalus), I used this camera to inspect 16 nests and found that the images were clear and allowed accurate counts of eggs and nestlings. This camera system uses standard, off‐the‐shelf components, and can easily be altered. The design is not appropriate for humid or dense‐canopy environments because of the inclusion of a laptop and its wired design. However, this design makes the system inexpensive and allows researchers to save, edit, and view nest inspection recordings.     

A solid state signal multiplexer

A solid state device has been designed which is capable of scanning up to eight thermocouple inputs and feeding the output of each sequentially into a single channel recorder. Alternately, up to four thermocouples can be amplified and multiplexed with other analog signals to provide outputs compatible with a single span range. During normal operation this unit cycles repeatedly through a present number of channels and activates the recorder pen lift mechanism between channels. Subsequent circuitry features a unity gain differential input amplifier which can compensate all thermocouples from a single reference thermocouple, an adjustable gain amplifier, provision for unamplified uncompensated output from four channels, and provision for generating the first derivative of the thermocouple inputs to allow direct monitoring of either cooling rate or warming rate. Although designed to monitor cooling rates, the unit is sufficiently versatile to be useful for many other recording applications.     

A quantitative method for the analysis of cell shape and locomotion

A rapid, semiautomated system to quantitate and analyze leukocyte shape and locomotion was developed. Video images of moving leukocytes were obtained using a Vidicon camera mounted on a Nikon phase microscope. The video signal was either inputted directly, or indirectly via a video cassette recorder, to a Datacube video analog-digital, digital-analog converter. A Digital Equipment Corporation LSI 11/23 computer using the RT-11/TSX-Plus operating system and computer programs written in FORTRAN and MARCO assembly language permitted image segmentation, image display, and calculation of position, speed, direction of movement and orientation of each leukocyte at 10 s intervals. These data were stored on a winchester disk for subsequent evaluation of the leukocyte orientation, speed and direction of movement using statistical and graphical methods. The reproducibility of measurements made with the video system was tested by comparison with manual measurements; a correlation coefficient of 0.998 was obtained for the two methods. Rates of chemokinesis were then determined for unstimulated and chemokinetically stimulated polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) and found to average 12.8 micron/min and 18.1 micron/min, respectively. The high speed, ease of data analysis, and potential for multiparameter evaluation makes this system useful for directly evaluating leukocyte locomotion.     

Variation of reproductive behaviour and success of males adopting different tactics in Atlantic salmon

  The use of video photography normally involves sub‐aqua recording via a camcorder device. The problem is that the scientist needs to be directly involved in the recording underwater or else viewing the results of the footage after the event. The system we have developed enables real time images to be relayed to a boat, satellite of shore‐based recorder. With a two‐way audio communication system, it is possible for the scientist/team to direct the camera work of the divers, remotely. The configuration of this system are discussed, and a wide range of scientific applications suggested.     

Low-cost conversion of the Polaroid MD-4 land camera to a digital gel documentation system

A simple, inexpensive design is presented for the rapid conversion of the popular MD-4 Polaroid land camera to a high quality digital gel documentation system. Images of ethidium bromide stained DNA gels captured using the digital system were compared to images captured on Polaroid instant film. Resolution and sensitivity were enhanced using the digital system. In addition to the low cost and superior image quality of the digital system, there is also the added convenience of real-time image viewing through the swivel LCD of the digital camera, wide flexibility of gel sizes, accurate automatic focusing, variable image resolution, and consistent ease of use and quality. Images can be directly imported to a computer by using the USB port on the digital camera, further enhancing the potential of the digital system for documentation, analysis, and archiving. The system is appropriate for use as a start-up gel documentation system and for routine gel analysis.     

On-line data acquisition from the ultracentrifuge

The ultraviolet scanner unit of the Beckman model E has been interfaced to a computer for data acquisition. The system is quite simple and the computer data are of comparable accuracy to data obtained from the chart recorder.     

Computer monitoring, capture and analysis of gas/liquid chromatograph traces

The work described here is effectively the computerization ofa gas/liquid chromatograph of the pen recorder type using aBBC microcomputer. The output from the g. l. c. can be capturedby the computer in accordance with a series of parameters. Thesampling rate can be altered, as can an averaging facility toreduce noise, and a threshold level to eliminate the storageof irrelevent and space-consuming data. The unprocessed readingsare initially stored on the computer's floppy disk, then laterretrieved and cut into smaller sections to allow maximum resolutionfor on-screen analysis. In the main analysis stage of the systemall processing is shown graphically on the computer monitorat all stages. The principal steps in analysis involve the mathematicalmodelling and elimination of the solvent peak, the fixing ofthe retention time for each subsequent peak and its disentanglingfrom any following peaks, and finally the calculation of thearea under each individual peak. Several alternative methodsare made available for disentangling peaks, which can be triedsuccessively on a single peak then each printed out with commentsfor comparison later. All readings and results in table formand screen dumps of all trace images are available via a dotmatrix printer. Received on October 29, 1985; accepted on June 27, 1986     

Behaviour of the abyssal grenadier, Coryphaenoides yaquinae, monitored using ingestible acoustic transmitters in the Pacific Ocean

Scavenging grenadier fishes, Coryphaenoides yaquinae , were tracked with ingestible acoustic tags at 5800 m depth in the central North Pacific. A free-fall vehicle comprising a video camera and recording system together with a hydrophone, ultrasonic acoustic receiver and recorder was deployed on the sea bed. Special acoustic transmitters (75 kHz) were wrapped in bait and attached below and in view of the camera. Grenadiers were observed to ingest the baited transmitters and move away to ranges of over 100 m within 5h, some returning several times to within range of the receiving system. Voluntary ingestion of transmitters by this grenadier demonstrates that an inacessible population can be studied and provides a basis for development of automated tracking systems for long-term monitoring of individual deep-sea fish.     

Microdensitometer system for microradiography

Summary A microdensitometer system for point measurements in areas down to a few square micrometers is described. The detector system is connected to an integrating digital voltmeter, constituting a very sensitive system. The digital output signals and a digital identification are registered on a recorder and on a tape punch, thus facilitating computer analysis.The precision of the equipment varied from 1.1 per cent, for low signal levels, to 0.3 percent for the highest signal levels. Stray light, the only important source of systematic errors, was found to influence the output signal level. Concerning determinations of the densities, however, a variation of the order of 1 per cent was only obtained for small areas with densities differing from that of the background.