Massey Documents by Type

Permanent URI for this communityhttps://mro.massey.ac.nz/handle/10179/294

Browse

Subject: search.filters.subject.Microscopy

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 3 of 3
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    A portable multi-modal micro-imaging system for automated scanning and image stitching applications : a thesis submitted to Massey University in accordance with the requirements of the degree of Master of Engineering in the School of Engineering and Advanced Technology
    (Massey University, 2019) Naqvi, Adam
    Microscopic imaging is an important element in many fields like biology, medicine, diagnostics, engineering, and materials research. Muti-modal microscopes are ideal for imaging samples that reveal unseen structures that could not otherwise be seen with normal bright-field microscopes. Point-of-care micro-imaging devices are ones that can deliver the features of a microscope in areas where access to a laboratory or medical facilities are scarce. This thesis presents the development of a portable micro-imaging system that uses multi-modal illumination to image samples in bright-field, fluorescence, ambient and laser diffraction modes. A systematic design method has been used to develop the system from the conceptual phase to a working prototype. The system incorporates variable magnification through an inverted turret system and a GUI application for live image view, automatic scanning, auto-focusing and image processing. The utility of the system is demonstrated through imaging stained biological samples for a local industry application. The acquired images are measured against sharpness and noise. It is observed that the sharpness and noise of the images produced vary with the type of sample: samples with higher contrast generally produce sharper images with less noise. It has also been found that diffused ambient illumination produces the most consistent sharpness and noise scores between magnifications. Performance of algorithms used is discussed and improvements are suggested for building a more compact and stable platform including a method to calibrate measurements for particle size estimation.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Investigating the molecular building blocks of loose and tight cattle hide : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Masters of Science in Biochemistry at Massey University, Manawatu, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2019) Maidment, Catherine Ann
    Looseness is a defect found in 7% of leather made from cattle hides. It affects the quality of leather, resulting in the leather being downgraded or potentially being discarded altogether. The similarity in appearance between loose leather and wrinkly skin led to the hypothesis that they may share the same causative agent(s). While little to no research has been done to elucidate the molecular basis of loose leather, there are many reports detailing the characteristics and causes of wrinkly skin, especially in ageing humans. Studies have shown that changes in three molecular components of skin are correlated with the appearance of wrinkles; collagen, elastin and glycosaminoglycan’s (GAGs). Cattle hides that produce loose leather were identified by processing half of the selected hides to leather and using the SATRA break scale. Only four hides were suitable for this study with two being loose and two being tight. Although this small sample size limited the statistical significance of the results, it did, however, enable a vast number of analyses on the molecular components of the hides to be carried out. Microscopic techniques were utilised to investigate the localisation and structure of a range of molecular components in loose and tight hides and a series of biochemical assays were used to assess the carbohydrate components, particularly the GAGs. Quantitation of amino acids in the whole hide and different layers of the hide; grain, grain to corium junction and corium provided insight into the total collagen found in loose and tight hides and proteomic analysis using in-gel mass spectrometry (in-gel LC-MS/MS) enabled quantitation of all soluble proteins found in loose and tight hides as well as the extent of collagen glycosylation. Overall loose hides appear to have a decrease in fibrillar collagen, this paired with changes in total crosslinks and glycosylation of collagen potentially result in changes to the structure and organisation of the collagen network. This causes easier extraction of non-collagenous components during leather processing and thus results in loose leather. This study uses a variety of techniques to link differences in the molecular components of hide to the defect looseness. This greater understanding of how the molecular components of raw hide can affect the quality of leather will be of use in developing methods to identify faults in the hide before it is processed to leather and developing methods to produce high quality leather.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Automatic Recognition of Light Microscope Pollen Images
    (Massey University, 2006) Allen, Gary; Hodgson, Bob; Marsland, Stephen; Arnold, Greg; Flemmer, Rory; Flenley, John; Fountain, David
    This paper is a progress report on a project aimed at the realization of a low-cost, automatic, trainable system "AutoStage" for recognition and counting of pollen. Previous work on image feature selection and classification has been extended by design and integration of an XY stage to allow slides to be scanned, an auto focus system, and segmentation software. The results of a series of classification tests are reported, and verified by comparison with classification performance by expert palynologists. A number of technical issues are addressed, including pollen slide preparation and slide sampling protocols.