Abstract: This application provides a recombinant expression cassette for expressing the H subunit of Mg-chelatase, a plant gene product that is newly identified as an abscisic acid receptor. Also provided are a transgenic plant with drought-resistance and a method for producing such plants.

Abstract: A method for normalizing an image of tissue from a patient. The image type is determined, then the background content values in the image data are distinguished from tissue content values according to the image type. Noise is reduced in the background content values. A look-up table is formed for remapping tissue content values to a predetermined range. Tissue content values are remapped according to the look-up table to provide a normalized image.

Abstract: A method for computer-aided detection of microcalcification clusters obtains digital mammography data for a single view image and normalizes and filters the image data to reduce noise. A first mask is generated and applied to the image data for defining the breast structure, forming a first cropped image. A second mask is generated and applied to the image data for defining muscle structure, forming a second cropped image. An artifact mask corresponding to vascular calcifications and known imaging artifacts is generated and applied to the first and second cropped images, defining first and second artifact-masked cropped images. In a repeated sequence, portions of each artifact-masked cropped image are processed using an enhancement algorithm and reducing edge effects to obtain a set of microcalcification cluster candidates and suspected microcalcification clusters.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for scanning a set of film images for a patient. A set of film images is assembled for scanning, and a case divider is provided at the beginning or end of the set of film images to serve as an indicator that differentiates the set of film images from any other film images to be scanned. The case divider is disposed on a separate sheet and bears a pattern that indicates its function as a case divider. The set of films is scanned along with the case divider to obtain scanned image data. The case divider pattern is detected in the scanned image data to identify the case divider.

Abstract: A method for identifying digitized X-ray films using the label that is “burned” on such films. The label is digitized and can be used as a single identifier for the corresponding X-ray film image. The digitized label can be displayed such as to be readable by the user thereby allowing the selection and retrieval of the image. The digitized label can also be associated with image analysis results, such as CAD analysis, performed on the corresponding X-ray film image allowing easy retrieval of such results.