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Gravity Sensors and the Role of 3-D Visualization and Simulation in Biomedical ResearchRoss 3.0 software was developed in the Biocomputation Center for semi-automated reconstruction of objects from serial thin sections. Data are captured directly from a transmission electron microscope via a video camera to a graphics workstation where the sections are mosaicked and contours are traced, registered and displayed by semi-automated methods. For the first time, macular type II cells are described completely for their innervation patterns. The purposes are to learn more about the fundamental circuitry of the macula and to demonstrate whether the terminals are altered morphologically by space flight. Current examples, from the medial part of the macula, are from maculas collected in-flight on the Space Life Sciences-2 mission, 4.5 hrs post-flight, and from a ground control. Results show that the typical type 11 cell receives processes from up to six nearby calyces or afferents. Nearly all the processes are elongated; some have bouton-like swellings and numerous vesicles. Multiple (2 to 4) processes from a single calyx to a type II cell are common, and approx. 1/3 of the processes innervate 2 type II cells of a neighboring cluster of 3 cells. About 2% of type II cells resemble type I cells morphologically and are surrounded by demicalyces. Differences in size or shape of the terminals under flight conditions could not be determined because the sample size is still too small; but it is clear that reconstruction methods provide insights into macular circuitry not obtainable by other techniques. The results demonstrate a morphological basis for interactions between adjacent receptive fields, through feedback-feedforward connections, during preprocessing of linear acceleratory information by the maculas. While the methods are currently being tested using vestibular maculas as the model system, it is clear that the technology is applicable to any tissue that can be physically or optically sectioned. ROSS software has already been implemented for reconstructing objects from tissues studied by confocal and by transmitted light microscopy, and research into magnetic resonance imaging-computational tomography combined visualization are underway.
Document ID
20020037618
Acquisition Source
Ames Research Center
Document Type
Preprint (Draft being sent to journal)
Authors
Ross, Muriel D.
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA United States)
Date Acquired
August 20, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1995
Subject Category
Life Sciences (General)
Meeting Information
Meeting: National Center for Toxicological Research
Location: Little Rock, AR
Country: United States
Start Date: April 25, 1995
End Date: April 27, 1995
Funding Number(s)
PROJECT: RTOP 199-40-12-01
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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