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Reviews some of the improvements in image sensor technology that are yielding applications in the medical field.

Discusses the characteristics and gives examples of cameras and imaging sensors used in endoscopy, microscopy, pharmaceutical label inspection and X‐radiography. Reviews some innovative camera‐based products for endoscopy, skin imaging and health monitoring.

Improvements in camera resolution, miniaturisation and interfacing are widening the applications in medical imaging and enabling the development of some exciting new products addressing the needs of patients and medical staff.

Identifies some suppliers of medical imaging devices and their applications.

Outlines a project undertaken by the Defence Research Agency [DRA] to produce a “gas cloud imaging” system based on optical transform image modulation [OTIM]. Describes the military origins of the OTIM technology and the OTIM Remote Gas Detection Technique, including the temporal coherence measurement used in the gas detector. Lists the capabilities and key features of OTIM and explains that the exploitation of the technology for civil applications has been targeted at industrial plant safety and environmental monitoring. Concludes with an outline project plan for developing the OTIM gas cloud‐imaging system.

Examines some of the recent technical developments that are leading to a wider use of powerful methods in medical microscopy.

Reviews some of the microscopic techniques relevant to medicine, then looks at hardware developments in microscopes, filters and cameras.

Highly sophisticated techniques such as time‐resolved fluorescence measurements are now incorporated in turnkey instruments, using picosecond diode lasers for accurate measurement of fluorescent lifetimes. Advances in optical fibre coating technology in the telecoms field have led to improved filters for fluorescence microscopy, and imaging allows the detection of non‐visible wavelengths and very low light levels. Many microscopes are modular, so that users can upgrade to further capabilities at will. Automatic medical diagnosis software is coming onto the market.

Highlights the hardware and software developments that are enabling powerful microscopic methodologies to enter into general use.

Over the last few years, the increase in size of printed circuit boards, together with the increase in density of components, has made successful application of soldermask by conventional screen printing more and more difficult. This is despite improvements in both the screen printing resists and the equipment used. The accuracy produced by the photo‐imaging technique has been firmly established with the now almost universal use of dry‐film resist for the plating and etching of printed circuit boards. This led to the introduction of the dry‐film soldermask, but, unlike the dry‐film resists used for plating and etching, this type of soldermask has failed to gain universal acceptance, mainly because of technical shortcomings and high costs. The application of liquid soldermasks overcomes many of these technical problems, although the first attempts to achieve acceptable results required special equipment and huge capital investment. Photo‐imageable soldermasks which can be applied using the conventional printing and exposure equipment, available at printed circuit manufacturers, are now available. Some are processed in aqueous solutions, whilst others are processed in halogenated solvents of the types used in the processing of dry‐film resists. The introduction of such soldermasks makes available the combined advantage of liquid application and photo‐imaging, which will increase the overall quality of printed circuit boards produced, while utilising existing screen printed, oven, photo‐exposure unit and conveyorised spray developer.

This special “Anbar Abstracts” issue of the International Journal of Public Sector Management is split into six sections covering abstracts under the following headings: Culture, Strategy and Organizational Structure; Leadership, Management Styles and Decision Making; Personnel and HR Management; Training and Development; Information Technology; Marketing and Customer Service Strategy.

Explores the use of “enhanced reality” to achieve the ideal of instruments coupling humans into tasks which defy direct human interactions. Looks at the use of intelligent imaging systems [IIS] in sensing the real world and creating a model of the complete task in a form that humans can use to perform the task easily and effectively. Discusses the importance of improved human computer interfacing and data visualization and concludes by outlining future developments in intelligent imaging systems.

This chapter reviews published studies of the use of pictorial information. Examining image user studies surfaces several research questions often addressed by this body of work, as well as some frequently encountered problems. These questions and problems organize this survey of the literature. Image user studies were included in two valuable reviews of digital image research and development, published by Christie Stephenson and Corinne Jörgensen in 1999 (Jörgensen, 1999; Stephenson, 1999). This overview considers research since that time, focusing on assessment that was not targeted at a single system or service. While attempting to incorporate some interesting research from the information and educational technology communities, this discussion of image delivery as an aspect of digital library development limits coverage of those important literatures.

To draw attention to some recent developments in machine vision equipment.

Presents advances in light emitting diode (LED) lighting, cameras and software, and gives examples of new products and their capabilities.

New thermal management techniques allow LED lights to take over many machine vision illumination systems. Lights and cameras can be ruggedised to withstand wash down. Standard interfacing is being adopted for machine vision cameras.

Highlights some new products which have applications including the food industry.