Three Dimensional Nonlinear Statistical Modeling Framework for Morphological Analysis

This dissertation describes a novel three-dimensional (3D) morphometric analysis framework for building statistical shape models and identifying shape differences between populations. This research generalizes the use of anatomical atlases on more complex anatomy as in case of irregular, flat bones, and bones with deformity and irregular bone growth. The foundations for this framework are: 1) Anatomical atlases which allow the creation of homologues anatomical models across populations; 2) Statistical representation for output models in a compact form to capture both local and global shape variation across populations; 3) Shape Analysis using automated 3D landmarking and surface matching. The proposed framework has various applications in clinical, forensic and physical anthropology fields. Extensive research has been published in peer-reviewed image processing, forensic anthropology, physical anthropology, biomedical engineering, and clinical orthopedics conferences and journals. The forthcoming discussion of existing methods for morphometric analysis, including manual and semi-automatic methods, addresses the need for automation of morphometric analysis and statistical atlases. Explanations of these existing methods for the construction of statistical shape models, including benefits and limitations of each method, provide evidence of the necessity for such a novel algorithm. A novel approach was taken to achieve accurate point correspondence in case of irregular and deformed anatomy. This was achieved using a scale space approach to detect prominent scale invariant features. These features were then matched and registered using a novel multi-scale method, utilizing both coordinate data as well as shape descriptors, followed by an overall surface deformation using a new constrained free-form deformation. Applications of output statistical atlases are discussed, including forensic applications for the skull sexing, as well as physical anthropology applications, such as asymmetry in clavicles. Clinical applications in pelvis reconstruction and studying of lumbar kinematics and studying thickness of bone and soft tissue are also discussed

Virtual anthropology? Reliability of three-dimensional photogrammetry as a forensic anthropology measurement and documentation technique

Establishing the identity of unknown remains is a vital role of forensic anthropology. While establishing identity is generally straightforward due to conventional methods of identification like DNA analysis, sometimes these methods are not applicable in the case of remains that are heavily skeletonized, severely decomposed or severely charred. In such instances, a forensic anthropologist will be called upon. The role of the forensic anthropologist is to aid in the identification of remains when conventional methods such as DNA and fingerprinting are not applicable. They may also be required to collaborate with other experts like forensic odontologists in order to attain a positive identification. A number of methods are available to the anthropologist that can aid in achieving identification: comparative radiography, nonimaged records, craniofacial superimposition, dental comparison and craniofacial reconstruction. All the methods except nonimaged records require imaging, either in two dimensions or three dimensions. Three-dimensional imaging is quickly becoming a vital tool for reconstruction, comparison, and analysis in forensic science. It has found applications in road accident reconstruction, facial reconstruction, comparison of patterned injuries to the injury-inflicting instruments, and anthropometry. The main three-dimensional imaging methods utilized in the forensic field are photogrammetry, laser scanning and radiological scanning (computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)), with forensic three-dimensional/computer aided design (3D/CAD)-supported photogrammetry being the method that is primarily used due to its low cost, rapid results, does not need expertise to operate, has no radiation risks and, above all, the record is permanent. Regardless of this, CT and MRI are more established methods and are widely used in a variety of industries. The purpose of this paper is to compare and contrast the three-dimensional imaging methods currently employed in forensic science on the basis of reliability, reproducibility, and accuracy; with an ultimate aim of validating photogrammetry as an analytical and documentation method of forensic science

A Survey on Artificial Intelligence Techniques for Biomedical Image Analysis in Skeleton-Based Forensic Human Identification

This paper represents the first survey on the application of AI techniques for the analysis of biomedical images with forensic human identification purposes. Human identification is of great relevance in today’s society and, in particular, in medico-legal contexts. As consequence, all technological advances that are introduced in this field can contribute to the increasing necessity for accurate and robust tools that allow for establishing and verifying human identity. We first describe the importance and applicability of forensic anthropology in many identification scenarios. Later, we present the main trends related to the application of computer vision, machine learning and soft computing techniques to the estimation of the biological profile, the identification through comparative radiography and craniofacial superimposition, traumatism and pathology analysis, as well as facial reconstruction. The potentialities and limitations of the employed approaches are described, and we conclude with a discussion about methodological issues and future research.Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and UniversitiesEuropean Union (EU) PGC2018-101216-B-I00Regional Government of Andalusia under grant EXAISFI P18-FR-4262Instituto de Salud Carlos IIIEuropean Union (EU) DTS18/00136European Commission H2020-MSCA-IF-2016 through the Skeleton-ID Marie Curie Individual Fellowship 746592Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities-CDTI, Neotec program 2019 EXP-00122609/SNEO-20191236European Union (EU)Xunta de Galicia ED431G 2019/01European Union (EU) RTI2018-095894-B-I0

TEACHING OLD CALIPERS NEW TRICKS: USING CRANIOMETRICS FOR ANCESTRY ADMIXTURE ESTIMATION VIA FUZZY MATH

Cranial measurements have been a cornerstone of physical anthropology since its formation as a discipline in the early 1900s. However, most other ancestry determination methods come with a significant epistemological issue: they differentiate individuals into discrete categories without accounting for the issue of admixture. Advances in data mining and analysis techniques can now be used to help resolve this issue through soft computing, also known as “fuzzy math”. This type of advanced computational math requires specialized knowledge in computer programming, statistics, and data analysis techniques unless one is using computer programs specially designed to run these analyses. This project compiled a database from multiple open-source craniometrics data and utilized prepared packages within the R statistical environment to find a valid soft computing method for fuzzy ancestry determination that does not require extensive knowledge in computer programming or data mining. Exploration of database demographics notes an excess of White-identified individuals, and when tested, this demographic skew impacts the ability of the given package to return valid results. The package chosen was valid using the compiled database. Exploration of causes for the invalid results, including a significant White skew in the underlying database due to accessibility of metric databases, overfitting, and the inherent issues of admixture on craniometric research, are explored, and future directions discussed

Gender determination based on ct cranium measurements of adults in Hospital USM

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine gender based on cranial measurements using Computed Tomography of adult. This study has not yet been done in this population. The measurements include the Glabello- Occipital Length (GOL), Basion- Nasion Length (BNL), Basion- Bregma length (BBL), Nasion- Bregma cord i.e. Frontal Chord (FRC), Bregma- Lambda i.e. Parietal Chord (PAC), Lambda- Opisthion i.e. Occipital Chord (OCC), Diploeic space 1 cm in front of the Bregma (DBB) and 1 cm behind lambda (DBL). Methods: A sample size of 180 adult patients in Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia who underwent CT head were included in this study. The age taken was between the range of 18 years old and above. Images were reviewed in bone window. Results: The mean of glabello-occipital length, basion-nasion length, basion-bregma length, nasion - Bregma cord, Bregma- Lambda, Lambda- Opisthion and Diploeic space 1cm below lambda were statistically different between male and female. There was positive linear relationship for Glabello- Occipital Length, Basion- Bregma Length and Nasion Bregma cord between height and weight. Meanwhile Basion- Nasion Length only has a significant relationship with height. Conclusion: For this population, this study as well as other studies support for correlation in between certain cranial morphometry measurements with gender, height and weight. Thus, it might help to assist the future forensic radiology medicine using CT cranium to determine the gender, height and weight of patient or deceased

Ancestral determination from foramen magnum

Ancestry estimation is a crucial part of the biological profile creation in forensic anthropology. Without proper classification of ancestry, other aspects of the biological profile, such as stature, can be affected. Several techniques are used by forensic anthropologists to determine ancestry of unidentified remains. Some anthropologists believe the cranium to be an excellent indicator of ancestry (Rhine 1990). The focus of this research was to determine the utility of the foramen magnum region on the cranial base as a positive indicator of ancestry. Previous studies have explored the effectiveness of using the cranial base’s occipital condyles for ancestry assignment of an individual. Holland (1986a) studied the Terry Collection, housed at the Smithsonian, to develop five multiple-regression equations. Using the same measurements as Holland (1986a) for the current research, four modern skeletal collections consisting principally of whites, blacks, and Hispanics were documented and measured. A total of 465 cranial bases comprised the sample. The hypothesis of this research stated correlations exist between the shape of the foramen magnum and ancestry of an individual. The null hypothesis stated ancestral groups are not visually and metrically different from each other. Localized changes on the cranial base have occurred. The Maximum Distance between Occipital Condyles increased in length and the Maximum Interior Distance between Occipital Condyles decreased in length. Five different foramen magnum shape categories were defined to classify each foramen magnum: Arrowhead, Circle, Diamond, Egg, and Oval. No correlations were found between foramen magnum shapes and positive assignment of ancestry or sex. However, the Egg shaped foramen magnum has the potential to be used as an eliminating non-metric characteristic for Hispanics; no individuals of presumed Hispanic ancestry possessed an Egg shaped foramen magnum. A Pearson’s chi-square showed a significant relationship between blacks, whites, and Hispanics, and foramen magnum shape (p = 0.05). Metric variation of the foramen magnum width among blacks, whites, and Hispanics is significant (p = 0.05). Also, variation between sexes was significant in eight of the 12 measurements (p = 0.05). Ultimately, the null hypothesis for shape variation could not be rejected, while the null hypothesis for metric variation could be accepted

Proton-pump inhibitor use is associated with a broad spectrum of neurological adverse events including impaired hearing, vision, and memory.

Proton-pump inhibitors, PPIs, are considered effective therapy for stomach acid suppression due to their irreversible inhibition of the hydrogen/potassium pump in the gastric parietal cells. They are widely prescribed and are considered safe for over-the-counter use. Recent studies have shown an association between PPI use and Alzheimer dementia, while others have disputed that connection. We analyzed over ten million United States Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System reports, including over forty thousand reports containing PPIs, and provided evidence of increased propensity for memory impairment among PPI reports when compared to histamine-2 receptor antagonist control group. Furthermore, we found significant associations of PPI use with a wide range of neurological adverse reactions including, migraine, several peripheral neuropathies, and visual and auditory neurosensory abnormalities

Measurement of normal ocular volume by the use of computed tomography

Background: Reduction or increase in ocular volume may indicate ocular pathology. Unfortunately the reference values utilized for ocular volume had been that of non-Africans. It is therefore pertinent to have a reference value of normal for Africans.Objective: To document the computer tomography (CT) scan measured ocular volume in Benin City, which may serve as a reference for African.Materials and Methods: The ocular volume of 200 consecutive ‘normal’ patients (400 eyes) who had CT scan done (using Somatom AR.T, CT scanner, and Siemens) was calculated. The dimensions were obtained at mid-ocular axial slices with maximum anterior-posterior dimension and maximum size of the eye lens.Result: The mean (mean ± 2 SD) ocular volume for both eyes was 5282.23 mm3±1755.13 mm3 (right eye was 5264.26 mm3 ± 1781.12 mm3; left eye was 5300.20 mm3 ± 1771.57 mm3). The mean ocular volumes was different for either eyeball and sex (in males the right eye was 5289.80 mm3, left eye was 5224.31 mm3; while in females the right eye was 5338.18 mm3, left eye was 5240.79 mm3). Ocular volume correlated with the patients’ ages P = 0.006 for the right eye, P = 0.008 for the left eye and P = 0.006 for total eyeball volume.Conclusion: Ocular volume correlated positively with the age of the patients to about 50 years after which some reduction was observed. We noted that males had slightly larger eyeballs in comparison to females, although not at statistical significant level.Key words: Computed tomography, CT, eye volume, ocular volum