MOPEX: a software package for astronomical image processing and visualization

ImageJ is a graphical user interface (GUI) driven, public domain, Java-based, software package for general image processing traditionally used mainly in life sciences fields. The image processing capabilities of ImageJ are useful and extendable to other scientific fields. Here we present AstroImageJ (AIJ), which provides an astronomy specific image display environment and tools for astronomy specific image calibration and data reduction. Although AIJ maintains the general purpose image processing capabilities of ImageJ, AIJ is streamlined for time-series differential photometry, light curve detrending and fitting, and light curve plotting, especially for applications requiring ultra-precise light curves (e.g., exoplanet transits). AIJ reads and writes standard Flexible Image Transport System (FITS) files, as well as other common image formats, provides FITS header viewing and editing, and is World Coordinate System aware, including an automated interface to the astrometry.net web portal for plate solving images. AIJ provides research grade image calibration and analysis tools with a GUI driven approach, and easily installed cross-platform compatibility. It enables new users, even at the level of undergraduate student, high school student, or amateur astronomer, to quickly start processing, modeling, and plotting astronomical image data with one tightly integrated software package.

The morphological and textural features of juvenile pyroclasts record crucial details on magma conditions at the time of fragmentation. Their study is therefore essential to better understand the dynamics of explosive eruptions. Unfortunately, the absence of a standardized protocol of investigation hinders data reproducibility and comparison among different laboratories. Here we focus on morphometric parameters, 2D crystallinity and 2D vesicularity resulting from cross-section analysis of juvenile particles using backscattered electron imaging, and address the following questions: (i) how to prepare polished epoxy grain mounts, (ii) which pixel density to be used, (iii) how to facilitate image preparation and image analysis, (iv) which sample size is necessary to obtain statistically robust results, and (v) what is the optimum size fraction for analysis. We test juvenile particles in grain size bins ranging from 2–1 mm (− 1 to 0ɸ) to 88–63 µm (+ 3.5 to + 4ɸ), using samples from the 1977 Ukinrek eruption. We find that the required resolution ranges from 75 000 to 10 000 pixels per particle, depending on the size fraction, higher than previously postulated. In the same size ranges, less than 50 grains per size fraction and sample are needed to get robust averages. Based on theoretical, empirical, and practical considerations, we propose 0.71–0.5 mm (+ 0.5 to + 1ɸ) as the optimum size fraction to be analyzed as particle cross-sections in standardized comparative studies of magma fragmentation. We provide a detailed guide for preparing polished epoxy grain mounts and introduce a software package (PASTA) for semi-automated image preparation, image processing, and measurement of morphological and textural parameters.

Abstract. As remote sensing technology advances, imagery becomes one of the most important data sources for GIS applications –as it can quickly provide the most current and most detailed information with high resolution image data. Traditional image processing workflow becomes inefficient in GIS applications especially in the case of disaster analysis. This paper introduces two ArcGIS data models that are designed for on-demand image processing in managing imagery: raster product and mosaic dataset. A raster product allows you to access single scene remote sensing image products dynamically such as a pan-sharpened and orthorectified GeoEye image or multi-spectral Landsat scene with a single drag and drop to the map display. Mosaic datasets allow you to catalog a large collection of images from many sensor platforms, process them on-the-fly and dynamically mosaic the images together. The key concept – the raster function that is used to implement on-the-fly image processing capabilities – will also be discussed.

Chromatic and achromatic (AC) assessments of camouflage textiles have been critical to the defense researchers for concealment, detection, recognition, and identification (CDRI) of target signature against multidimensional combat background (CB). AC assessment and camouflage measurement techniques are simulated and experimented for assessment of camouflage textiles against CB. This model has been demonstrated for color measurement spectrophotometer, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), digital imaging, hyperspectral imaging, and image processing software (ImageJ) for the advancement and establishment of AC camouflage textiles assessment. The chromatic variations of 48 artificial target objects (TOBs) have been synthesized by image processing; the technique can be implemented for defense CB-CDRI assessment. Microstructural variation versus optical signal of woodland, desertland and stoneland CB materials have been elucidated by SEM magnification. The achromatic variation of CB materials have been demonstrated for the replacement of optical signal against modern remote sensing device to the imaging sensor. Color difference (Δ E), microstructural variations, pixel variations to imaging signal and standard deviation of CB materials have been represented for remote sensing surveillance of defense applications against TOB-CB-CDRI. Technical simulation of color, texture, gloss, and pixel intensity has been derived for AC-CDRI assessment of camouflage textiles in TOBs-CB environment.

Integrating image processing in PACS

Background: The choice of software package (SP) for image processing affects the reproducibility of myocardial blood flow (MBF) values in [13N]NH3 PET/CT scans. However, the impact of motion correction (MC) tools—integrated software motion correction (ISMC) or data-driven motion correction (DDMC)—on the inter-software reproducibility of MBF has not been studied. This research aims to evaluate reproducibility among three commonly used SPs and the role of MC. Methods: Thirty-six PET/CT studies from patients without myocardial ischemia or infarction were processed using QPET, Corridor-4DM (4DM), and syngo.MBF (syngo). MBF and coronary flow reserve (CFR) values were obtained without motion correction (NMC) and with ISMC and DDMC. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and Bland-Altman (BA) plots were used to analyze agreement. Results: Good or excellent reproducibility (ICC ≥ 0.77) was found for rest-MBF values, regardless of the SPs or use of MC. In contrast, stress-MBF and CFR values presented mostly a moderate agreement when NMC was used. The RCA territory consistently had the lowest agreement in stress-MBF and CFR in the comparisons involving QPET. The use of MC, particularly DDMC, enhanced the reproducibility of most of the stress-MBF and CFR values by improving ICCs and reducing bias and limits of agreement (LoA) in BA analysis. Conclusions: MBF quantification agreement between SPs is strong for rest-MBF values but suboptimal for stress-MBF and CFR values. MC tools, especially DDMC, are recommended for improving reproducibility in stress-MBF assessments, although differences in SP reproducibility up to 0.77 mL/g/min in global stress-MBF and up to 0.88 in global CFR remain despite the use of MC.

Purpose The dicentric chromosome assay (DCA), recognized as the gold standard for biological dosimetry in emergency radiation exposure, involves multiple key steps. Among these, metaphase image selection remains ambiguous and particularly challenging for beginners. This study evaluates the impact of metaphase image selection on dicentric (Dic) frequency during initial training. Materials and methods Peripheral blood (PB) from three healthy donors was irradiated with 2 Gy X-rays and incubated at 37 °C for 2 h for DNA repair. PB samples were then cultured for 48 h with phytohemagglutinin and colcemid. After fixation, metaphase spreads were prepared, Giemsa-stained, and images were captured by specific microscope imaging and image processing software. Three beginners independently selected and analyzed 50 metaphase images each. A trainer with experience in performing radiation emergency related DCA then reviewed and removed unsuitable images. The beginners reanalyzed Dic frequencies, supplementing with additional images as needed to reach 50 metaphases. Dic frequencies were compared before and after image refinement. Results Dic frequencies were lower in metaphase image pools selected by beginners compared to those refined by the trainer. The novices’ selections included numerous over-condensed metaphases, making Dic detection difficult. Conclusion Blood culture for 48 h permanent colcemid treatment increases the occurrence of over-condensed chromosomes, affecting Dic scoring. This study highlights the importance of proper training in metaphase image selection and structured education on quality assessment, including the use of specific microscope imaging and image processing software to ensure accurate biological dosimetry.

Globulins are an important group of seed storage proteins in dicotyledonous plants. They are synthesized during seed development, assembled into very compact protein complexes, and finally stored in protein storage vacuoles (PSVs). Here, we report a proteomic investigation on the native composition and structure of cruciferin, the 12 S globulin of Brassica napus. PSVs were directly purified from mature seeds by differential centrifugations. Upon analyses by blue native (BN) PAGE, two major types of cruciferin complexes of ∼ 300-390 kDa and of ∼470 kDa are resolved. Analyses by two-dimensional BN/SDS-PAGE revealed that both types of complexes are composed of several copies of the cruciferin α and β polypeptide chains, which are present in various isoforms. Protein analyses by two-dimensional isoelectric focusing (IEF)/SDS-PAGE not only revealed different α and β isoforms but also several further versions of the two polypeptide chains that most likely differ with respect to posttranslational modifications. Overall, more than 30 distinct forms of cruciferin were identified by mass spectrometry. To obtain insights into the structure of the cruciferin holocomplex, a native PSV fraction was analyzed by single particle electron microscopy. More than 20,000 images were collected, classified, and used for the calculation of detailed projection maps of the complex. In contrast to previous reports on globulin structure in other plant species, the cruciferin complex of Brassica napus has an octameric barrel-like structure, which represents a very compact building block optimized for maximal storage of amino acids within minimal space.

This paper describes the design and implementation of an OMAP3530-based networked control system which has real-time image processing capability. It integrates an ARM core and a DSP core in the controller. The ARM core with Linux operating system is responsible for applying functional services and the DSP core is responsible for executing image processing algorithms. The due-core structure makes the novel controller available for advanced control and image processing so that the designed control system expands the application of the existed networked controllers to machine vision. Finally, a reliable application for vision-based mobile robot localization demonstrates the effectiveness of the designed system.

The theoretical outcomes and experimental results of new color model implemented in algorithms and software of image processing are presented in the paper. This model, as it will be shown below, may be used in modern real time video processing applications such as radar tracking and communication systems. The developed model allows carrying out the image process with the least time delays (i.e. it speeding up image processing). The proposed model can be used to solve the problem of true color object identification Experimental results show that the time spent during RGI color model conversion may approximately four times less than the time spent during other similar models. .

Hardware-in-the-Loop (HWIL) simulation is becoming increasingly important for cost-effective testing of imaging infrared systems. DSTO is developing real-time scene generation and image processing capabilities within its HWIL simulation programs, based on the application of COTS desktop PCs equipped with Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) cards, and including limited use of Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs). GPUs and FPGAs are high-performance parallel computing machines but are fundamentally different types of hardware. To determine which hardware type should be used to implement a real-time solution of a given application, a methodology is required to expose the concurrency within the problem and to structure the problem in a way that can be mapped to the hardware types. In this paper we use parallel programming patterns to compare the architectures of recent generation GPUs and FPGAs. We demonstrate the decomposition of a parallel application and its implementation on GPU and FPGA hardware and present preliminary results.

Ensuring security in hostile and high-risk environments is a critical requirement in modern military operations. Traditional surveillance approaches often depend on human patrol teams or stationary monitoring equipment, which can expose personnel to dangerous conditions and limit the effectiveness of surveillance coverage. Advances in robotics, embedded electronics, and computer vision have enabled the development of intelligent robotic platforms capable of performing monitoring tasks remotely. This study presents the design and development of a mobile military surveillance robot integrated with image processing capabilities. The proposed robotic system is designed to perform real-time monitoring of sensitive areas, detect suspicious movements, and identify possible landmines in hazardous zones. A camera mounted on the robotic platform captures live video from the surrounding environment and transmits the data to a remote monitoring station using wireless communication. Image processing techniques are applied to analyze the captured video frames for detecting objects, movement patterns, and unusual activities. By integrating mobility, sensing technologies, and automated visual analysis, the system improves situational awareness in dangerous environments while minimizing the need for direct human involvement. The proposed solution offers an effective and reliable technological approach for surveillance tasks in modern defense applications.

Thermal imaging is widely used in military applications. The current sensor technology updates make it possible to use on commercial products as well. The quality of the image is significantly important for the final product performance in the field. The main parameters that affect the quality are the sensor resolution, the optical performance and the image processing capability at the final stage. Even though improving final system performance requires development of the optical and the sensor systems, such hardware developments may become a challenging issue for many cases. At that time, FPGA based image processing on the final stage becomes crucial. The noise reduction, the contrast correction and the image optimization can be controlled by the FPGA based image processing techniques. In this study, possible techniques to remove noise from a handheld thermal imaging system via FPGA implementation will be mentioned. Additionally experimental results, regarding the image performance improvement and the source usage will be explained.

Extracting forest age in a Pacific Northwest forest from Thematic Mapper and topographic data

The relationship between local microstructure and superconducting properties of commercially prepared YBa2Cu3O7−δ single-grain bulk superconductor was investigated. The small samples for magnetization measurements were taken from the beginning and end of the a-growth sector and the c-growth sector as well as from the beginning and end of a/a-growth sector boundary. The field dependence of the magnetic moment was measured at temperatures starting from liquid helium (4.2 K) to liquid nitrogen (77 K) using the commercial Magnetic Property Measurement System with a magnetic field of up to 7 and 18 T. The microstructure was analysed using polarised light optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The quantitative microstructural data were determined using an image processing software package. Microstructure analysis was focused on the size and volume fraction of Y2BaCuO5 particles as well as on the characterisation of subgrain structure. These measurements showed that not only inhomogeneous distribution of Y2BaCuO5 particles had influence on the critical current density but it can also be significantly affected by the subgrain structure within the bulk or by local contamination of YBa2Cu3O7−δ from the seed during fabrication process. It was observed that the critical current density along the a/a-growth sector boundary could be substantially higher in comparison to the other parts of the bulk and this behaviour can be related to the subgrain structure in the sample.