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At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1999

Error analysis of a direct current electromagnetic tracking system in digitizing 3-dimensional surface geometries.

The direct current electromagnetic tracking device has seen increasing use in biomechanics studies of joint kinematics and anatomical surface geometry. In these applications, a stylus is attached to a sensor to measure the spatial location of three-dimensional landmarks. Stylus calibration is performed by rotating the stylus about a fixed point in space and using regression analysis to determine the tip offset vector. Measurement errors can be induced via several pathways, including; intrinsic system errors in sensor position or angle and tip offset calibration errors. A detailed study was performed to determine the errors introduced in digitizing small surfaces with different stylus lengths (35, 55, and 65 mm) and approach angles (30 and 45 degrees) using a plastic calibration board and hemispherical models. Two-point discrimination errors increased to an average of 1.93 mm for a 254 mm step size. Rotation about a single point produced mean errors of 0.44 to 1.18 mm. Statistically significant differences in error were observed with increasing approach angles (p < 0.001). Errors of less than 6% were observed in determining the curvature of a 19 mm hemisphere. This study demonstrates that the "Flock of Birds" can be used as a digitizing tool with accuracy better than 0.76% over 254 mm step sizes.

Biomechanical Phenomena↗
PubMed2003

Virtual labs: a substitute for traditional labs?

Current technologies give us the ability to enhance and replace developmental biology classes with computer-based resources, often called virtual labs. In the process of using these resources, teachers may be tempted to neglect the simpler technologies and lab bench activities, which can be labor intensive. In this paper, I take a critical look at the role of computer-based materials for the teaching of developmental biology in order to aid teachers in assessing their value. I conclude that while digital tools have value, they should not replace all of the traditional laboratory activities. Clearly, both computer-enhanced activities and traditional labs must be included in laboratory exercises. Reliance on only one or the other is inappropriate. In order to determine when it is appropriate to use a particular educational tool, the goals of the course and the needs of biology students for an education that gives them a realistic and engaged view of biology must be understood. In this paper, I dispel some of the myths of computer tools and give specific guidelines for assessing their usage, taking into account the special needs of a developmental biology class and the difficulties of observing all the developmental stages of subject organisms in the timescale of class meetings.

Computer Simulation↗
PubMed1997

Digital imaging as a teaching tool for pathologists.

Digital Imaging is a technology which should be of considerable interest to pathologists as the use of gross and microscopic pathology images plays an important part in their role as medical educators. Digital imaging may have important advantages over conventional film photography which can be exploited by the pathologist to create all-digital presentations. In this article, the basic components of digital imaging are described, along with an affordable and practical approach which should allow most pathologists to begin to explore this medium.

Computers↗
PubMed2002

The digital portfolio: a tool for human resource management in health care?

This article discusses the current situation of human resource management (HRM) in Finnish health care and charts the views of nurse directors (ward sisters and clinical nurse managers, n = 47) on the digital portfolio as a tool of HRM. The study is part of an evaluation research project; this article reports on the findings from nurse directors' perspective. The data were collected from three organizations in eastern Finland: a University Hospital, a Central Hospital and a Social and Health Centre. The nurse directors indicated a need for information on their staff's skills and competencies, but the area on which they had most information was on staff's formal education. They did not have access to systematic tools and methods for monitoring the continuous education of staff members. The digital portfolio can be used as a tool for HRM in health care, although the nurse directors did not realize it could provide a tool for sharing expertise through the units or wards.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A tool for designing digital test objects for module performance evaluation in medical digital imaging.

Currently, medical digital imaging systems are characterized by the introduction of additional modules such as digital display, image compression and image processing, as well as film printing and digitization. These additional modules require performance evaluation to ensure high image quality. A tool for designing computer-generated test objects applicable to performance evaluation of these modules is presented. The test objects can be directly used as digital images in the case of film printing, display, compression and image processing, or indirectly as images on film in the case of digitization. The performance evaluation approach is quality control protocol based. Digital test object design is user-driven according to specifications related to the requirements of the modules being tested. The available quality control parameters include input/output response curve, high contrast resolution, low contrast discrimination, noise, geometric distortion and field uniformity. The tool has been designed and implemented according to an object oriented approach in Visual C++ 5.0, and its user interface is based on the Microsoft Foundation Class Library version 4.2, which provides interface items such as windows, dialog boxes, lists, buttons, etc. The compatibility with DICOM 3.0 part 10 image formats specifications allows the integration of the tool in the existing software framework for medical digital imaging systems. The capability of the tool is demonstrated by direct use of the test objects in case of image processing, and indirect use of the test objects in case of film digitization.

Algorithms↗
PubMed2003

Validation of Align Technology's Treat III digital model superimposition tool and its case application.

OBJECTIVE: An assessment of the efficacy and accuracy of three-dimensional computer-based predictive orthodontic systems requires that new methods of treatment analysis be developed and validated. DESIGN: Invisalign is a digitally fabricated, removable orthodontic appliance that has been commercially available since 1999. It is made up of two main components: 1) computerized graphical images of a patient's teeth moving through a series of stages from initial to final position; 2) pressure formed clear plastic appliances made from stereolithography models of the images in the first component. SETTING AND SAMPLE POPULATION: The manufacturer of Invisalign (Align Technology, Inc.) has created a software tool that can be used to superimpose digital models to evaluate treatment outcomes in three dimensions. Using this software, research was conducted to determine if a single operator could repeatedly superimpose two identical digital models using 12 selected points from the palatal rugae over 10 trials. The tool was then applied to one subject's orthodontic treatment. EXPERIMENT VARIABLES: The output from this tool includes rotations, translations and morphological changes. For this study, translations and rotations were chosen. RESULTS: The results showed that the digital superimposition was reproducible, and that after multiple trials, the superimposition error decreased. The average error in x, y, z, Rx, Ry and Rz after 10 trials was determined to approach approximately 0.2 mm in translation and less than 1 degree in rotation, with a standard deviation of 0.15 mm and 0.7 mm, respectively. The treatment outcome from a single Invisalign-treated bicuspid extraction case was also evaluated tooth-by-tooth in x, y, z, Rx, Ry and Rz dimensions. CONCLUSION: Using the palate, as a stable reference seemed to work well and the evaluation of the single case showed that many, but not all, of the planned movements occurred.

Adult↗
PubMed1981

[Digital image analysis as an optical tool in biochemistry].

Digital image analysis can be used to assist of complement visual perception. In quantifying light intensities it is superior to the human visual system and therefore is an appropriate and useful tool for research. Using microphotometry as an example the physical bases of digital image analysis are explained and the applications of this measuring technique to biochemical analysis are demonstrated.

Computers↗
PubMed2006

The compound dorsal metacarpal artery tendofasciocutaneous flap: an attractive reconstructive tool for complex digital defects.

Different modifications of flaps based on the dorsal metacarpal arterial system have been reported as reliable tools for reconstruction of dorsal and palmar phalangeal soft tissue defects. For simultaneous reconstruction of the extensor aponeurosis and joint in complex injuries of the dorsal index, we used a distally based pedicled fasciotendocutaneus second dorsal metacarpal flap, including the complete vascularized extensor indicis tendon in 2 cases. Clinical results of this procedure have not been reported so far.

Debridement↗
PubMed2004

Three-dimensional digital angiography: new tool for simultaneous three-dimensional rendering of vascular and osseous information during rotational angiography.

Three-dimensional (3D) digital subtraction angiography (DSA) is the latest development in the neurovascular imaging armamentarium. 3D-DSA combines the anatomic resolution of DSA with 3D visualization abilities previously offered by only CT or MR angiography. 3D-DSA provides more detailed information than does DSA alone in the evaluation of neurovascular lesions, such as cerebral aneurysms. However, the inability of 3D-DSA to simultaneously image osseous and vascular structures is noted as a weakness of this technique compared with CT angiography. We describe a new 3D digital angiography reconstruction algorithm that allows the concurrent display of the cerebral vasculature and the osseous landmarks.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Digital toxicology education tools: education, training, case studies, and tutorials.

This review presents a brief and non-comprehensive overview of a representative sampling of some of the broad array of toxicology-related learning, tutorial and information resources now becoming widely available to educators, health professionals, students and the general public in digital media and/or via the Internet. A broad variety of useful learning and reference resources in the general fields of toxicology and the environmental health sciences is provided to introduce the reader to the diverse types of information currently available. The sources and Internet links contained in this review will hopefully constitute a useful resource of basic toxicology information that should be readily accessible to most if not all readers.

Humans↗
PubMed1998

Digital video: a tool for correlating neuronal firing patterns with hand motor behavior.

This report describes the use of multimedia technology for simultaneous recording of single unit responses in cerebral cortex, and imaging of hand kinematics as monkeys grasp and manipulate objects. These imaging methods allow direct correlation of full-frame, full-field video images with the actual spike trains recorded with microelectrodes. Our implementation of digital video provides high-resolution snapshots of the hand motor behavior every 33.3 ms, and a precise calibration and display of the synchronously recorded electrophysiological activity digitized at rates up to 44.5 kHz on the same platform. These imaging methods permit non-invasive, non-traumatic monitoring of both trained and spontaneous activity in experimental animals, while providing synchronized digitized records of neuronal spike trains. We also describe software instruments that quantify and analyze the digitized spike trains. One instrument employs user-selectable objective criteria for distinguishing spikes from noise, separates individual action potential waveforms by their amplitude and duration, and compiles time stamps for each spike train. A second instrument constructs rasters and histograms of repeated behavioral trials using the timing of the corresponding video frame for alignment. These analyses reveal functional classes of cortical neurons signaling specific stages of prehension.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

High-resolution ultrasound reflex transmission imaging and digital photography: potential tools for the quantitative assessment of pigmented lesions.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: High-resolution ultrasound (HRU) is a relatively cheap imaging method that shows small quantitative differences between benign naevi and melanoma. Previous studies using B-mode display suggest that these arise from their differing attenuating properties. Attenuation characteristics, however, are better evaluated using reflex transmission imaging (RTI). White light clinical (WLC) photography is an even cheaper imaging method that is routinely used for monitoring but less frequently in everyday diagnosis. As features from each method may have an independent origin, two such modalities may be of greater diagnostic value than either method alone. However, although quantitative analysis of digital photographs is being developed to aid tumour diagnosis, in vivo RTI for the evaluation of pigmented skin lesions has not previously been described. This paper presents the feasibility of performing RTI in vivo and evaluates the reliability of the objective features used. The potential of the combination of quantitative RTI and white light (WL) digital photography data for the classification of pigmented lesions was assessed. METHODS: Randomly selected patients were recruited via a skin cancer screening clinic. RTI data were acquired from each index lesion with a 20 MHz single-element scanner. WL images were taken using a high-resolution (2.8 Mpixels) digital camera. Quantitative features calculated from both images were used to derive a discriminant rule. This equation was then applied to reclassify each case based on its quantitative criteria. The resultant classification was compared with histological diagnosis. RESULTS: Twenty-four lesions (10 melanoma and 14 naevi) were studied. On RTI, no subjective differences were observed between benign naevi and melanoma. Many lesions were either not visible on RTI or lacked clearly definable borders. Consequently, the WL photographs were used to draw lesion boundaries on RT images for feature calculation. Melanoma were less attenuating than naevi on RTI (P=0.026) and had greater red colour variegation on WL imaging (P=0.016). The combination of quantitative parameters (two from RTI and four from photographs) improved sensitivity for this sample without compromising the specificity of 100% compared with either modality alone. The procedure is highly reproducible (r=0.85 between two operators). CONCLUSIONS: Pigmented skin lesions can be quantitatively defined from RTI data acquired in vivo and a significant difference in attenuation is shown. However, accurate registration of the RT image with a corresponding photograph was crucial for this purpose and only possible when corresponding points could be reliably identified on both images. Combination of features from ultrasound and optical images may synergistically improve diagnostic accuracy and a larger study is warranted to investigate this.

Dermoscopy↗
PubMed2026

Spectral Transforms as a Tool to Optimize Digital Phenotyping in Biological Images.

Modern livestock breeding has mastered genotyping. Genome-wide association studies, genomic selection, and SNP arrays enable genetic merit prediction at lower cost. However, phenotyping remains the bottleneck, as manual measurement is slow, expensive, subjective, and unable to capture spatial or temporal trait organization. Digital phenotyping via artificial intelligence could resolve this, but deep learning requires thousands of labelled examples, impractical when phenotyping cost itself limits datasets to hundreds of individuals. This creates a paradox: AI could accelerate phenotyping but requires large numbers of samples to train the models. Here, we demonstrate that integrating computer vision with machine learning offers sample-efficient digital phenotyping using eggshell colour as a model system. Rather than learning features from scratch (deep learning), we engineer physically motivated features via Wavelet transforms that decompose images into multi-scale spatial components. Wavelet features captured 14.2 percentage points more variance (R2&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.976 vs. 0.834, p&#x2009;<&#x2009;0.001) than standard colorimetry, with 50% better sample efficiency (achieving at n&#x2009;=&#x2009;60 what colorimetry required n&#x2009;=&#x2009;120). Variance decomposition revealed 77% of discriminative capacity derives from spatial patterns (bands, spots, gradients) invisible to scalar averages. Additionally, we identified "cryptic phenotypes" (3.3%) where spatial patterns contradicted average colour, cases where colorimeters failed but Wavelets succeeded. The underlying principle-that spatial decomposition can recover organizational information lost by scalar averaging-may be applicable to other traits with spatial or temporal structure, such as marbling, dermatitis, or pigmentation rhythms, although whether comparable performance gains would be observed remains to be tested empirically. Hence, for breeding programs implementing genomic selection, computer vision-based digital phenotyping captures complex trait variation without massive training datasets, addressing the bottleneck that increasingly limits genetic progress as genotyping becomes trivial.

Wavelet transform↗
PubMed2006

The use of self-organising maps for anomalous behaviour detection in a digital investigation.

The dramatic increase in crime relating to the Internet and computers has caused a growing need for digital forensics. Digital forensic tools have been developed to assist investigators in conducting a proper investigation into digital crimes. In general, the bulk of the digital forensic tools available on the market permit investigators to analyse data that has been gathered from a computer system. However, current state-of-the-art digital forensic tools simply cannot handle large volumes of data in an efficient manner. With the advent of the Internet, many employees have been given access to new and more interesting possibilities via their desktop. Consequently, excessive Internet usage for non-job purposes and even blatant misuse of the Internet have become a problem in many organisations. Since storage media are steadily growing in size, the process of analysing multiple computer systems during a digital investigation can easily consume an enormous amount of time. Identifying a single suspicious computer from a set of candidates can therefore reduce human processing time and monetary costs involved in gathering evidence. The focus of this paper is to demonstrate how, in a digital investigation, digital forensic tools and the self-organising map (SOM)--an unsupervised neural network model--can aid investigators to determine anomalous behaviours (or activities) among employees (or computer systems) in a far more efficient manner. By analysing the different SOMs (one for each computer system), anomalous behaviours are identified and investigators are assisted to conduct the analysis more efficiently. The paper will demonstrate how the easy visualisation of the SOM enhances the ability of the investigators to interpret and explore the data generated by digital forensic tools so as to determine anomalous behaviours.

Behavior↗
PubMed1999

Virtual microscopy: high resolution digital photomicrography as a tool for light microscopy simulation.

Recent advances in microcomputers and high resolution digital video cameras provide pathologists the opportunity to combine precision optics with digital imaging technology and develop new educational and research tools. We review recent advances in virtual microscopy and describe techniques for viewing digital images using a microcomputer-based workstation to simulate light microscopic examination, including scanning at low power to select features of interest and zooming to increase magnification. Hardware and software components necessary to acquire digital images of histological and cytological slides, and closely simulate their examination under a light microscope are discussed. The workstation is composed of a MicroLumina digital scanning camera (Leaf Systems, Southborough, MA), light microscope (Olympus Optical Co., Lake Success, NY), Pentium (Intel Corp., Santa Clara, CA) 166 MHz microcomputer configured with 64 megabytes of random access memory (RAM), a MGA Millenium Powerdesk graphics card (Matrox Graphics, Inc., Montreal, Canada) and Photoshop software (Adobe Systems Inc., San Jose, CA) running in a Windows 95 (Microsoft Corp., Redmond, WA) environment. Images with spatial resolutions of up to 2700 x 3400 pixels in 36-bit color, can be displayed simultaneously as distinct images in a montage, or merged into a single composite image file to highlight significant features of a histological or cytological slide. These image files are saved in Joint Photographers Experts Group (JPEG) format using compression ratios of up to 80:1 without detectable visual degradation. The advantages and technical limitations of various workstation components are addressed and applications of this technology for pathology education, proficiency testing, telepathology, and database development are discussed.

Forecasting↗