Sigma Scan is a program that allows you to take basic measurements from digitized images. These can be used to analyze traits statistically. There are some studies which do not lend themselves to statistical analysis, however it is important to quantify biological data whenever possible. Anatomical data has often been treated anecdotally. This is a fancy way of saying that no accurate measurements were taken. I will try to show you how to use this program to generate accurate measurements of microscopic features. These measurements can then be analyzed statistically.

The first example will deal with the measurement of the Diameter and Area of large Vessel Members in wood. We will use the "Feret Diameter" which converts the area into a perfect circle and then computes the diameter of that circle. This is useful when circular structures are deformed by internal pressures or by the pressure generated by the sectioning process. Other measurements are possible and we will explore these later.

To Start the program,

Click the Sigma Scan Icon on the Desktop

   or  

Click Start -> Programs -> Jandel Scientific -> Sigma Scan

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