This book provides a unified exposition of local-stereological methods developed within the last 15 years. The object of local stereology is to draw inference about quantitative parameters of spatial structures which can be regarded as neighbourhoods of points, called reference points. The model example is a biological cell which can be regarded as a neighbourhood of its nucleus. In local stereology, information from sections through the reference point is used. Only very weak assumptions are needed for the structure under study. For instance, specific cell shape assumptions are not necessary.In order to reach a broader audience, the book has been written not only for specialists in stereology, integral geometry and geometric measure theory. In particular, Chapter 1 is an elementary introduction to stereology and the book contains about 75 illustrations. The theory of local steroelogy involves, however, advanced mathematical tools, which constitute an important part of the book.Local-stereological methods are now in world-wide use in the microscopical study of biological tissue, and this invaluable book also contains a description of how the local methods are used in practice.

This book provides a unified exposition of local-stereological methods developed within the last 15 years. The object of local stereology is to draw inference about quantitative parameters of spatial structures which can be regarded as neighbourhoods of points, called reference points. The model example is a biological cell which can be regarded as a neighbourhood of its nucleus. In local stereology, information from sections through the reference point is used. Only very weak assumptions are needed for the structure under study. For instance, specific cell shape assumptions are not necessary.In order to reach a broader audience, the book has been written not only for specialists in stereology, integral geometry and geometric measure theory. In particular, Chapter 1 is an elementary introduction to stereology and the book contains about 75 illustrations. The theory of local steroelogy involves, however, advanced mathematical tools, which constitute an important part of the book.Local-stereological methods are now in world-wide use in the microscopical study of biological tissue, and this invaluable book also contains a description of how the local methods are used in practice.

This update to Peter R. Mouton's pioneering work provides bioscientists with the concepts needed in order to apply the principles and practices of unbiased stereology to research involving biological tissues. Mouton starts with a brief explanation of the history and theory of the process before defining the terms, concepts, and tools of unbiased stereological procedures. He compares and contrasts the procedures with less-exacting approaches to quantitative analysis of biological structure using specific examples from biomedical literature. The book incorporates existing best practices with new methodologies, such as the Rare Event Protocol, while simplifying the dense, often difficult literature on the Subject to show the utility and importance of unbiased stereology. This clear, insightful guide goes a step further than other books on this Subject by demonstrating not only how to use unbiased stereology but also how to interpret and present the results. Written by the official U.S. representative to the International Society for Stereology, this is the most complete, up-to-date resource on the science of unbiased stereology. Those new to bioscience research as well as experienced practitioners will find that Mouton's explanations are the perfect companion for stereology courses and workshops.

vi on geometric probability is included, students can be expected to create a few simple programs like those shown, but for other geometries. I am indebted to Tom Hare for critical reviews of the material and an endless enthusiasm to debate and derive stereological relationships; to John Matzka at Plenum Press for patiently instructing me in the intricacies of typesetting; to Chris Russ for helping to program many of these measurement techniques; and especially to Helen Adams, both for her patience with my creative fever to write yet another book, and for pointing out that the title, which I had intended to contrast to "theoretical stereology," can also be understood as the antonym of "impractical stereology." John C. Russ Raleigh,NC July, 1986 Chapter 1: Statistics 1 Accuracy and precision 1 The mean and standard deviation 5 Distributions 7 Comparison 13 Correlation 18 Nonlinear fitting 19 Chapter 2: Image Types 23 Planar sections 23 Projected images 25 Finite sections 28 Space-filling structures and dispersed phases 29 Types of images and contrast mechanisms 31 Sampling 32 Chapter 3: Manual Methods 35 Volume fraction 35 Surface density 38 Contiguity 41 Mean intercept length 42 Line density 43 Grain size determination 55 Curvature 48 Reticles to aid counting 49 Magnification and units 51 Chapter4: Size Distributions 53 Intercept length in spheres 53 Nonspherical shapes 57 Corrections for finite section thickness 59 Lamellae 61 Measurement of profile size 62 Nonspherical particles 69 vii Contents viii Chapter 5: Computer Metlwds 73

Setting out the principles of stereology from a statistical viewpoint, this book focuses on both basic theory and practical implications. The authors discuss ways to effectively communicate statistical issues to clients, draw attention to common methodological errors, and provide references to essential literature. The first full text on design-based stereology opens with a review of classical and modern stereology, followed by a treatment of mathematical foundations and then on to core techniques. The final chapters discuss implementing techniques in practical sampling designs, summarize understanding of the variance of stereological estimators, and describe open problems for further research. The book also details isotropic, vertical or local sampling designs for estimating stereological parameters such as volume, surface area, particle number and spatial distribution. This extensive text offers support to statistical consultants using examples, applications and unique Advice to Consultants sections. It contains numerous literature references, bibliographic notes and nearly 150 illustrations.

The Second International Congress for Stereology, again, has brought together scientists from very diverse discipl ines for discussion of problems concerning the recognition of three-dimensional structure, problems which confront those who study materials, rocks, biological systems or heavenly bodies. The program was organized into sessions each dealing with a special type of structural problem regardless of systems in the study of which these problems occur. Since all natural sciences have similar structural questions to investigate, discourses among biologists, metallurgists etc. were intense. Subject areas were not separated during the Congress. No concurrent sessions were held. Each participant had the opportunity to hear every paper. This re sulted in an unusually high attendance. During the last session, after five and a half days of intense work almost half the participants were still present in the lecture hall. Each of us was fascinated with what he was able to learn from fellow stereologists who studied different sectors of nature. Friendshipswere establ ished across oceans and across discipl inary boundaries. Each session was introduced by a key-note lecture didactical, meth odological and theoretical in nature. These key-note lectures can be recognized in this volume by their greater length, 12 pages being allotted to each key-note speaker. Collectively they constitute al most a textbook of stereology. Contributed papers in each problem category deal with appl ications.