Thermal images were processed by the following steps: de-trend processing, primary edge detection based on Sobel approximation, and further edge separation based on k-means clustering.
Images were processed by FiJi software.
The images were processed by ZEN software and/or Imaris software.
Images were processed by Agisoft PhotoScan software and georeferencing was ensured with 20 Ground Control Points (GCP) and 18 check points certifying accuracy assessment.
All HS-AFM images were processed by a low-pass filter with different cut-off frequencies (Fig. 1a, 2.0 nm, Fig. 1b e, 4.0 nm, Fig. 2a, 3.7 nm, Fig. 3a, 2.0 nm, Fig. 3d, 3.4 nm, Fig. 4c, 2.5 nm, Fig. 4d, 3.5 nm) to suppress spike noises and enhance image features.
The calculation of the fluorescence images were processed by ImageJ.
Gel images were processed by ImageJ (National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, USA) [25].
The two corresponding images were processed by an automated peak-find routine to identify the molecules.
The images were processed by flattening using Pico view software (Molecular Imaging Inc., Ann Arbor, MI, USA).
The acquired AFM images were processed by flattening along the x and y directions to improve the image quality.
Digital images were processed by Elizabeth England in 2017 and 2018, with the support of a National Digital Stewardship Residency grant, funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services in 2017.
