Evaluating the Relationship between Mandibular Third Molar and Mandibular Canal with Semiautomatic Segmentation: A Pilot Study on CBCT Datasets

Inferior alveolar nerve injury is the main complication in mandibular third molar surgery. In this context, cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) has become of crucial importance in evaluating the relationship between mandibular third molar and inferior alveolar nerve. Due to the growing interest in preoperative planning in oral surgery, several post-processing techniques have been implemented to obtain three-dimensional reconstructions of a volume of interest. In the present study, segmentation techniques were retrospectively applied to CBCT images in order to evaluate whether post-processing could offer better visualization of the structures of interest. Forty CBCT examinations performed for inferior third molar impaction were analyzed. Segmentation and volumetric reconstructions were performed. A dataset composed of multiplanar reconstructions for each study case, including segmented images, was submitted for evaluation to two oral surgeons, two general practitioners and four residents in oral surgery. The visualization of root morphology, canal course, and the relationship with mandibular cortical bone on both native CBCT and segmented images were assessed. Inter-rater agreement showed values of intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) above 0.8 for all the examined parameters. Oral surgeons presented higher ICC values (p < 0.05). Segmented images can improve preoperative evaluation of the third molar and its relationship with the surrounding anatomical structures compared to native CBCT images. Further evaluation is needed to validate these preliminary results.

Optimization based Tuberculosis Image Segmentation by Ant Colony Heuristic Method

Tuberculosis (TB) is a worldwide health crisis and is the second primary infectious disease that causes death next to human immunodeficiency virus. In this work, an attempt has been made to detect the presence of bacilli in sputum smears. The smear images recorded under standard image acquisition protocol are subjected to hybrid Ant Colony Optimization (ACO)-morphological based segmentation procedure. This method is able to retain the shape of bacilli in TB images. The segmented images are validated with ground truth using overlap, distance and probability-based measures. Significant shape-based features such as area, perimeter, compactness, shape factor and tortuosity are extracted from the segmented images. It is observed that this method preserves more edges, detects the presence of bacilli and facilitates direct segmentation with reduced number of redundant searches to generate edges. Thus this hybrid segmentation technique aid in the diagnostic relevance of TB images in identifying the objects present in them.

Optimization based Tuberculosis Image Segmentation by Ant Colony Heuristic Method

Tuberculosis (TB) is a worldwide health crisis and is the second primary infectious disease that causes death next to human immunodeficiency virus. In this work, an attempt has been made to detect the presence of bacilli in sputum smears. The smear images recorded under standard image acquisition protocol are subjected to hybrid Ant Colony Optimization (ACO)-morphological based segmentation procedure. This method is able to retain the shape of bacilli in TB images. The segmented images are validated with ground truth using overlap, distance and probability-based measures. Significant shape-based features such as area, perimeter, compactness, shape factor and tortuosity are extracted from the segmented images. It is observed that this method preserves more edges, detects the presence of bacilli and facilitates direct segmentation with reduced number of redundant searches to generate edges. Thus this hybrid segmentation technique aid in the diagnostic relevance of TB images in identifying the objects present in them.

Improving a neural network model for semantic segmentation of images of monitored objects in aerial photographs

This paper considers a model of the neural network for semantically segmenting the images of monitored objects on aerial photographs. Unmanned aerial vehicles monitor objects by analyzing (processing) aerial photographs and video streams. The results of aerial photography are processed by the operator in a manual mode; however, there are objective difficulties associated with the operator's handling a large number of aerial photographs, which is why it is advisable to automate this process. Analysis of the models showed that to perform the task of semantic segmentation of images of monitored objects on aerial photographs, the U-Net model (Germany), which is a convolutional neural network, is most suitable as a basic model. This model has been improved by using a wavelet layer and the optimal values of the model training parameters: speed (step) ‒ 0.001, the number of epochs ‒ 60, the optimization algorithm ‒ Adam. The training was conducted by a set of segmented images acquired from aerial photographs (with a resolution of 6,000×4,000 pixels) by the Image Labeler software in the mathematical programming environment MATLAB R2020b (USA). As a result, a new model for semantically segmenting the images of monitored objects on aerial photographs with the proposed name U-NetWavelet was built. The effectiveness of the improved model was investigated using an example of processing 80 aerial photographs. The accuracy, sensitivity, and segmentation error were selected as the main indicators of the model's efficiency. The use of a modified wavelet layer has made it possible to adapt the size of an aerial photograph to the parameters of the input layer of the neural network, to improve the efficiency of image segmentation in aerial photographs; the application of a convolutional neural network has allowed this process to be automatic.

Rotation Estimation and Segmentation for Patterned Image Vision Inspection

Pattern images can be segmented in a template unit for efficient fabric vision inspection; however, segmentation criteria critically affect the segmentation and defect detection performance. To get the undistorted criteria for rotated images, rotation estimation of absolute angle needs to be proceeded. Given that conventional rotation estimations do not satisfy both rotation errors and computation times, patterned fabric defects are detected using manual visual methods. To solve these problems, this study proposes the application of segmentation reference point candidate (SRPC), generated based on a Euclidean distance map (EDM). SRPC is used to not only extract criteria points but also estimate rotation angle. The rotation angle is predicted using the orientation vector of SRPC instead of all pixels to reduce estimation times. SRPC-based image segmentation increases the robustness against the rotation angle and defects. The separation distance value for SRPC area distinction is calculated automatically. The performance of the proposed method is similar to state-of-the-art rotation estimation methods, with a suitable inspection time in actual operations for patterned fabric. The similarity between the segmented images is better than conventional methods. The proposed method extends the target of vision inspection on plane fabric to checked or striped pattern.

Confirmation of Calcium Phosphate Cement Biodegradation after Jawbone Augmentation around Dental Implants Using Three-Dimensional Visualization and Segmentation Software

The use of autologous bone graft for oral rehabilitation of bone atrophy is considered the gold standard. However, the available grafts do not allow a fast loading of dental implants, as they require a long healing time before full functionality. Innovative bioactive materials provide an easy-to-use solution to this problem. The current study shows the feasibility of calcium phosphate cement paste (Paste-CPC) in the sinus. Long implants were placed simultaneously with the cement paste, and provisional prosthetics were also mounted in the same sessions. Final prosthetics and the full loading took place within the same week. Furthermore, the study shows for the first time the possibility to monitor not only healing progression using Cone Beam Computer tomography (CBCT) but also material retention, over two years, on a case study example. The segmented images showed a 30% reduction of the cement size and an increased mineralized tissue in the sinus. Mechanical testing was performed qualitatively using reverse torque after insertion and cement solidification to indicate clinical feasibility. Both functional and esthetic satisfaction remain unchanged after one year. This flowable paste encourages the augmentation procedure with less invasive measure through socket of removed implants. However, this limitation can be addressed in future studies.

An Optimized Approach for Prostate Image Segmentation Using K-Means Clustering Algorithm with Elbow Method

Prostate cancer disease is one of the common types that cause men’s prostate damage all over the world. Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) expressed by type-II is an extremely attractive style for imaging-based diagnosis of prostate cancer. Clinically, photodynamic therapy (PDT) is used as noninvasive therapy in treatment of several cancers and some other diseases. This paper aims to segment or cluster and analyze pixels of histological and near-infrared (NIR) prostate cancer images acquired by PSMA-targeting PDT low weight molecular agents. Such agents can provide image guidance to resection of the prostate tumors and permit for the subsequent PDT in order to remove remaining or noneradicable cancer cells. The color prostate image segmentation is accomplished using an optimized image segmentation approach. The optimized approach combines the k-means clustering algorithm with elbow method that can give better clustering of pixels through automatically determining the best number of clusters. Clusters’ statistics and ratio results of pixels in the segmented images show the applicability of the proposed approach for giving the optimum number of clusters for prostate cancer analysis and diagnosis.

A deep learning framework for quantitative analysis of actin microridges

Microridges are evolutionarily conserved actin-rich protrusions present on the apical surface of the squamous epithelial cells. In zebrafish epidermal cells, microridges form self-evolving patterns due to the underlying actomyosin network dynamics. However, their morphological and dynamic characteristics have remained poorly understood owing to lack of automated segmentation methods. We achieved ~97% pixel-level accuracy with the deep learning microridge segmentation strategy enabling quantitative insights into their bio-physical-mechanical characteristics. From the segmented images, we estimated an effective microridge persistence length as ~0.61μm. We discovered the presence of mechanical fluctuations and found relatively greater stresses stored within patterns of yolk than flank, indicating distinct regulation of their actomyosin networks. Furthermore, spontaneous formations and positional fluctuations of actin clusters within microridge influenced pattern rearrangements over short length/time-scales. Our framework allows large-scale spatiotemporal analysis of microridges during epithelial development and probing of their responses to chemical and genetic perturbations to unravel the underlying patterning mechanisms.

Assessing the validity of a cross-platform retinal image segmentation tool in normal and diseased retina

Comparing automated retinal layer segmentation using proprietary software (Heidelberg Spectralis HRA + OCT) and cross-platform Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) segmentation software (Orion). Image segmentations of normal and diseased (iAMD, DME) eyes were performed using both softwares and then compared to the ‘gold standard’ of manual segmentation. A qualitative assessment and quantitative (layer volume) comparison of segmentations were performed. Segmented images from the two softwares were graded by two masked graders and in cases with difference, a senior retina specialist made a final independent decisive grading. Cross-platform software was significantly better than the proprietary software in the segmentation of NFL and INL layers in Normal eyes. It generated significantly better segmentation only for NFL in iAMD and for INL and OPL layers in DME eyes. In normal eyes, all retinal layer volumes calculated by the two softwares were moderate-strongly correlated except OUTLY. In iAMD eyes, GCIPL, INL, ONL, INLY, TRV layer volumes were moderate-strongly correlated between softwares. In eyes with DME, all layer volume values were moderate-strongly correlated between softwares. Cross-platform software can be used reliably in research settings to study the retinal layers as it compares well against manual segmentation and the commonly used proprietary software for both normal and diseased eyes.

Generic Wrapper Based Model using Haralick Features for Silk Fabric Defect Classification

Quality control unit of fabric industry looks for the effective defect detection methodology. The research is required to be done in this area to develop such solution. Various models based on combination of suitable feature extraction, selection and classification approaches need to be experimented out for the same. This paper attempts to experiment and provide such models mainly based on generic wrapper based selection approaches. Widely used broader range of Haralick features are prominently used for detection and classification of defects in this research. It also attempts to identify the suitability of these features based on segmented images provided as an input. The research has been carried on TILDA Dataset consisting of 800 Silk Fabric Images with eight different defects present on it and each carrying 100 images per defect. Models generated using generic wrapper based approach has also been compared with the Gabor Transforms. Then identification of suitable Haralick Features for particular type of defects has been carried out. In this 68% classification accuracy has been achieved using generic wrapper method and 40 % accuracy has been achieved using Gabor Transform with respect to fourteen Haralick Features and seven types of defects.