Assessing nest-building behavior of mice using a 3D depth camera.

We developed a novel method to evaluate the nest-building behavior of mice using an inexpensive depth camera. The depth camera clearly captured nest-building behavior. Using three-dimensional information from the depth camera, we obtained objective features for assessing nest-building behavior, including "volume," "radius," and "mean height". The "volume" represents the change in volume of the nesting material, a pressed cotton square that a mouse shreds and untangles in order to build its nest. During the nest-building process, the total volume of cotton fragments is increased. The "radius" refers to the radius of the circle enclosing the fragments of cotton. It describes the extent of nesting material dispersion. The "radius" averaged approximately 60mm when a nest was built. The "mean height" represents the change in the mean height of objects. If the nest walls were high, the "mean height" was also high. These features provided us with useful information for assessment of nest-building behavior, similar to conventional methods for the assessment of nest building. However, using the novel method, we found that JF1 mice built nests with higher walls than B6 mice, and B6 mice built nests faster than JF1 mice. Thus, our novel method can evaluate the differences in nest-building behavior that cannot be detected or quantified by conventional methods. In future studies, we will evaluate nest-building behaviors of genetically modified, as well as several inbred, strains of mice, with several nesting materials.

Potential use of a 100-mm film digitizer and image processor for film archiving.

The present study was undertaken to examine experimentally and clinically whether a 100-mm roll-film digitizer and image processing device could preserve or increase the diagnostic accuracy of 100-mm roll films used in the mass screening of patients for lung cancer and provide picture archives of high enough image quality to replace the original films. The quality of the processed digitized CRT image was found to be only slightly less than that of the original films. There was only a slight decrease in diagnostic accuracy, and the system was judged to be potentially useful as a miniature picture archiving and reference system.

[Electrophotographic microfilming for archiving roentgenograms and electroroentgenograms]. / Elektrofotograficheskoe mikrofil'mirovanie dlia arkhivirovaniia rentgeno- i élektrorentgenogramm.

A method of electrophotographic microfilming was proposed for keeping radiograms and electroradiograms in archives. Some experimental studies on microfilming positive and negative electroradiograms of phantom materials and various body tissues were carried out using the Soviet AE-1524 camera. An attempt was made to set up a scientific archive of electroradiograms and radiograms on electrographic microreels. Obvious advantages of the method of electrographic microfilming in setting up compact and convenient archives of X-ray images were shown.

Reversible subacute ethylene glycol monomethyl ether toxicity associated with microfilm production: a case report.

The first reported case of a possible toxic effect of ethylene glycol monomethyl ether (EGME) exposure in the microfilm manufacturing industry is described. Reversible subjective central nervous system complaints and asymptomatic hematopoietic effects occurred following inhalation and skin exposure to EGME. Hematopoietic changes occurred at airborne levels which have been associated with reproductive and teratogenic effects in other studies. This finding leads to a recommendation for further research to determine whether or not hematopoietic medical surveillance can provide an indication of not only EGME hematopoietic effects but also an indication of sufficient EGME exposure to affect human reproduction and fetal development.

Selecting a computer-assisted retrieval system: one answer to office automation.

Computer-assisted retrieval (CAR) systems combine computers with microfilm to create a cost-effective, productive method of managing information. CAR systems range in size from large computerized mass-storage systems utilizing image scanning and digitized technologies to small, tabletop, standalone microprocessor-driven systems. When properly configured, a CAR system can not only provide vital information today, but will also be able to grow and expand into a total office system.

X-ray minification systems--an international commodity.

Crowded hospital X-ray file rooms and the increasing economic value of silver have contributed to the need to substitute microfilm for original X-rays. X-ray minification, already successful in the United States, will be increasing worldwide as governments begin to understand the art of X-ray microfilming and as economic pressures force the decline of hospital X-ray holdings.

Use of an automated microfilm system in the surgical pathology laboratory.

The use of the Kodak "Oracle System" in a pathology laboratory is described. After five years experience, the system can be described as very reliable and extremely useful for consolidating, condensing, searching, and maintaining files in a busy surgical pathology laboratory.

Microfiche data reduction for the EEG laboratory.

A convenient, low cost microfiche system for the random access, storage and retrieval of EEG data is described. Some of the more important advantages of microfilm in an EEG laboratory are: enormous data reductions; reduced operating costs; simplified records handling; improved communications between electroencephalographers; and access to an expanding number of inexpensive publications and reference materials.

Micrographics, reprography, and graphic communications in 1981.

In 1981, as in 1980, there was continued discussion of the potential of videodiscs in document storage and retrieval, but little in the way of practical results apart from visual (as opposed to textual) materials. The micrographics industry, on the other hand, introduced new products designed to facilitate the use of microforms, while library and other professional literature reported the advantages of microforms in various types of information storage and retrieval applications. Copier product developments were largely dominated by the announcement of various low-cost plain-paper units from Japan. The Japanese likewise played an important role in the development of facsimile technology, which enjoyed considerably increased acceptance during 1981.