Latha Subbiah

Global blindness is substantially influenced by age-related macular degeneration (AMD). It significantly shortens people’s lives and severely impairs their visual acuity. AMD is becoming more common, requiring improved diagnostic and prognostic methods. Treatment efficacy and patient survival rates stand to benefit greatly from these upgrades. To improve AMD diagnosis in preprocessed retinal images, this study uses Grey Level Co-occurrence Matrix (GLCM) features for texture analysis. The selected GLCM features include contrast and dissimilarity. Notably, grayscale pixel values were also integrated into the analysis. Key factors such as contrast, correlation, energy, and homogeneity were identified as the primary focuses of the study. Various supervised machine learning (ML) and CNN techniques were employed on Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) image datasets. The impact of feature selection on model performance is evaluated by comparing all GLCM features, selected GLCM features, and grayscale pixel features. Models using GSF features showed low accuracy, with OCTID at 23% and Kermany at 54% for BC, and 23% and 53% for CNN. In contrast, GLCM features achieved 98% for OCTID and 73% for Kermany in RF, and 83% and 77% in CNN. SFGLCM features performed the best, achieving 98% for OCTID across both RF and CNN, and 77% for Kermany. Overall, SFGLCM and GLCM features outperformed GSF, improving accuracy, generalization, and reducing overfitting for AMD detection. The Python-based research demonstrates ML’s potential in ophthalmology to enhance patient outcomes.

This paper proposes new computational strategies to improve optical coherence tomography image quality for age-related macular degeneration identification. Integrated into an age-related macular degeneration detection system, these algorithms automate and improve the identification of abnormalities in optical coherence tomography images, aiding in the classification of normal and abnormal macular tissues. The research presents an innovative approach to detecting age-related macular degeneration related anomalies, combining texture analysis, statistical evaluation, and genetic algorithms for feature selection. Genetic algorithm optimization finds the best predictive characteristics by using in-depth texture analysis with the gray level co-occurrence matrix and comprehensive statistical research. Gray level co-occurrence matrix features are analyzed at four angles (0°, 45°, 90°, and 135°), with the random forest classifier trained using optimized features. The random forest classifier plays a vital role in both the training and testing phases, achieving no-table results: an error rate of 0% for selected features, 1.9% for all features, and 7.5% for no features, and an overall system classification accuracy of 100% for training data for all, while maintaining 92.458% 98.113%, 100% for testing data of no features, all features and selected features.

Plaque deposits in the carotid artery are the major cause of stroke and atherosclerosis. Ultrasound imaging is used as an early indicator of disease progression. Classification of the images to identify plaque presence and intima-media thickness (IMT) by machine learning algorithms requires features extracted from the images. A total of 361 images were used for feature extraction, which will assist in further classification of the carotid artery. This study presents the extraction of 65 features, which constitute of shape, texture, histogram, correlogram, and morphology features. Principal component analysis (PCA)-based feature selection is performed, and the 22 most significant features, which will improve the classification accuracy, are selected. Naive Bayes algorithm and dynamic learning vector quantization (DLVQ)-based machine learning classifications are performed with the extracted and selected features, and analysis is performed.

Stroke is one of the prominent causes of death in the recent days. The existence of susceptible plaque in the carotid artery can be used in ascertaining the possibilities of cardiovascular diseases and long-term disabilities. The imaging modality used for early screening of the disease is B-mode ultrasound image of the person in the artery area. The objective of this article is to give a widespread review of the imaging modes and methods used for studying the carotid artery for identifying stroke, atherosclerosis and related cardiovascular diseases. We encompass the review in methods used for artery wall tracking, intima–media, and lumen segmentation which will help in finding the extent of the disease. Due to the characteristics of the imaging modality used, the images have speckle noise which worsens the image quality. Adaptive homomorphic filtering with wavelet and contourlet transforms, Levy Shrink, gamma distribution were used for image denoising. Learning-based neural network approaches for denoising give better edge preservation. Domain knowledge-based segmentation approaches have proved to provide more accurate intima–media thickness measurements. There is a requirement of useful fully automatic segmentation approaches, 3D, 4D systems, and plaque motion analysis. Taking into consideration the image priors like geometry, imaging physics, intensity and temporal data, image analysis has to be performed. Encouragingly more research has focused on content-specific segmentation and classification techniques. With the evaluation of machine learning algorithms, classifying the image as with or without a fat deposit has gained better accuracy and sensitivity. Machine learning–based approaches like self-organizing map, k-nearest neighborhood and support vector machine achieve promising accuracy and sensitivity in classification. The literature reveals that there is more scope in identifying a patient-specific model in a fully automatic manner.

Enhancing the image to remove noise, preserving the useful features and edges are the most important tasks in image analysis. In this paper, Significant Cluster Identification for Maximum Edge Preservation (SCI-MEP), which works in parallel with clustering algorithms and improved efficiency of the machine learning aptitude, is proposed. Affinity propagation (AP) is a base method to obtain clusters from a learnt dictionary, with an adaptive window selection, which are then refined using SCI-MEP to preserve the semantic components of the image. Since only the significant clusters are worked upon, the computational time drastically reduces. The flexibility of SCI-MEP allows it to be integrated with any clustering algorithm to improve its efficiency. The method is tested and verified to remove Gaussian noise, rain noise and speckle noise from images. Our results have shown that SCI-MEP considerably optimizes the existing algorithms in terms of performance evaluation metrics.

Background: Carotid artery images indicate any presence of plaque content, which may lead to atherosclerosis and stroke. Early identification of the disease is possible by taking B-mode ultrasound images in the carotid artery. Speckle is the inherent noise content in the ultrasound images, which essentially needs to be minimized. Objective: The objective of the proposed method is to convert the multiplicative speckle noise into additive, after which the frequency transformations can be applied. Method: The method uses simple differentiation and integral calculus and is named variable gradient summation. It differs from the conventional homomorphic filter, by preserving the edge features to a great extent and better denoising. The additive image is subjected to wavelet decomposition and further speckle filtering with three different filters Non Local Means (NLM), Vectorial Total Variation (VTV) and Block Matching and 3D filtering (BM3D) algorithms. By this approach, the components dependent on the image are identified and the unwanted noise content existing in the high frequency portion of the image is removed. Results & Conclusion: Experiments conducted on a set of 300 B-mode ultrasound carotid artery images and the simulation results prove that the proposed method of denoising gives enhanced results as compared to the conventional process in terms of the performance evaluation methods like peak signal to noise ratio, mean square error, mean absolute error, root mean square error, structural similarity, quality factor, correlation and image enhancement factor.

Silver nitrous aqueous solution is used to biosynthesize Silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) through a green and easy way using tuber powder extracts of Curcuma Longa (C. longa). The aim is to model an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) using seven existing algorithms in MATLAB for forecasting the size of the silver nanoparticle with volume of both C. longa extraction and AgNO3, time of stirring and temperature of reaction as input functions. Several techniques including Quasi-Newton, Conjugate Gradient and Levenberg-Maquardt are employed for training the designed ANN model, a feed-forward backpropagation network with different combinations of architecture and transfer functions. Each algorithm is fashioned to obtain the best performance by calculating the Regression (R), Mean Square Error (MSE), Mean Absolute Error (MAE) and Error Sum of Squares (SSE), thereby comparing the results and propounding the optimum algorithm technique for the discussed application in nanoengineering. Finally, based on the findings, the optimum network is proposed through the simulation results.

This paper emphasizes the significance of prediction and estimation of the mechanical strength of 3D functional scaffolds before the manufacturing process. Prior evaluation of the mechanical strength and structural properties of the scaffold will reduce the cost fabrication and in fact ease up the designing process. Detailed analysis and investigation of various mechanical properties including shear stress equivalence have helped to estimate the effect of porosity and pore size on the functionality of the scaffold. The influence of variation in porosity was examined by computational approach via finite element analysis (FEA) and ANSYS application software. The results designate the adequate perspective of the evolutionary method for the regulation and optimization of the intricate engineering design process.

Limb damage can create severe disturbance in movement and operative abilities wherein the prosthetic rehabilitation has the potential to replace function and enhance the quality of life. This paper presents a humanlike prosthetic hand using such unique design concept of hand model using artificial bones, ligaments, and tendons controlled using Arduino. Amongst various platforms available, Arduino is known for its adaptability, adoration and low cost. The design of prosthetic hand has a unique structure with all carpal, metacarpal, and phalanges which are bones of the hand. These bones are attached to each other following the pattern of human hand using the polymeric rubber as a functioning ligament. Furthermore, this structure of finger is driven by tendons attached to all fingers and passes through the ligaments working as pulley resulting in more degrees of freedom. The motor can twitch the tendons to achieve the action of fingers. Thus the servos, controlled by an Arduino, are used to regulate the movement mechanism of the prosthetic hand.