An Improved Video Object Segmentation and Tracking based on Features using Threshold Filtering Technique

Video object segmentation and tracking is significant research topic in a video surveillance application. Recently, many researches has been developed for video object segmentation and detection, however, the video object segmentation based on features like shape, texture, intensity was not efficiently performed. In this paper, an Improved Threshold Filtered Video Object Detection and Tracking (ITFVODT) framework is designed for efficient video object segmentation based on their features like shape, texture, intensity and tracking of moving objects. ITFVODT framework initially takes video file as input. Then, ITFVODT framework segments the video frames based on shape, texture, intensity of image. After the object segmentation, filtering technique is applied for tracking the video objects. Filtering technique is used in ITFVODT framework for improving the video quality by reducing mean square error. Finally, ITFVODT framework performed the video objects detection task with help of Thresholding technique which in turn improves the video object detection accuracy. The proposed ITFVODT framework using video images obtained from Internet Archive 501(c) (3) for conducting experiment. The performance of ITFVODT framework is tested with the metrics such as object segmentation accuracy, Peak Signal to Noise Ratio, object tracking accuracy, Mean Square Error and object detection accuracy of moving video object frames. Experimental analysis shows that the ITFVODT framework is able to improve the video object segmentation accuracy by 12% and also improve video object detection accuracy by 17% when compared to the state-of-the-art works

Optimisation of gestational age estimates in low-income settings

Accurate estimates of gestational age are fundamental to the provision of obstetric care, helping to facilitate appropriate antenatal care schedules and the identification and management of high-risk pregnancies. At a population level, accurate estimates of gestational age are required for the global reporting of obstetric and neonatal outcomes, for example, the rates of pre-term birth, and are a key component of strategies to reduce neonatal morbidity and mortality. Early pregnancy ultrasound is considered the most accurate way to determine gestational age and is undertaken as part of routine care in high-income settings. However, despite the recommendation from the World Health Organisation that all women receive at least one ultrasound prior to 24 weeks’ gestation, this remains unavailable to the majority of women in low-income settings. Instead, gestational age is derived from the last menstrual period or by measurement of the symphysis fundal height, methods known to be considerably less accurate. There are a number of barriers to the widespread provision of ultrasound as part of routine care in low- and middle- income settings, not least the lack of trained practitioners. Although effective, the length and complexity of many previous training programmes has been prohibitive, with practitioners struggling to secure cover for their clinical duties in order to provide or attend training. Furthermore, few initiatives have explored the widespread implementation of these programmes and how they may be sustained within pre-existing healthcare structures. Ultrasound determination of gestational age relies on the assumption that the size of the fetus is consistent with its age and is therefore best performed prior to 14 weeks’ gestation, when natural variation in fetal size is least apparent. Unfortunately, the majority of women in low- and middle- income countries do not seek antenatal care until later and would therefore require dating by different biometric parameters. In high-income settings the gold standard would be a combination of measurements, however there are concerns about the time investment required to develop such skills. The work in this Thesis explores the development of a novel strategy to optimise estimates of gestational age in Malawi, through the development and implementation of a bespoke education package to teach midwives how to date pregnancies using ultrasound measurement of the fetal femur length. A systematic review investigated the previous initiatives that had been undertaken to train practitioners in low- and middle- income countries to determine gestational age using ultrasound, finding major inconsistences in the current provision of ultrasound training and highlighting the need for a more consistent and robust approach. Less than half of the programmes met international recommendations for the delivery of safe and sustainable training, and many had not considered how ultrasound may be integrated into clinical practice thereafter. The evidence synthesised went on to inform the development of a new programme, where it was hypothesised that ultrasound-naive midwives could be taught to date pregnancies using fetal femur length. Pilot work helped to shape and refine the programme, which was delivered by local teams across six sites in Malawi in 2021. All but one midwife completed the course, with all demonstrating significant increases in their knowledge, confidence, and practical skills, achieving the criteria specified for competency within the specified two weeks. Skills were sustained at a 3-month follow up, and of the images submitted for remote image review, over 87% were deemed acceptable. These results suggest that femur length is a sufficiently simple measurement to be taught effectively over a short timescale, making it a potentially viable option for the upscale of ultrasound to date pregnancies in this setting. A mixed methods study, run by the wider collaborative group, evaluated the implementation of ultrasound into routine services, however the work in this Thesis focused more specifically on the provision of the programme itself. Outcomes were reported in the context of an implementation framework, providing valuable insight into factors influencing the longterm sustainability of such endeavours. It is clear this is an important area for ongoing research. In conclusion, this Thesis proposes that measurement of fetal femur length should be considered a potential option for the determination of gestational age in low- and middle- income settings. Not only is it considerably more accurate than the current standard of care, but midwives with no prior experience of ultrasound can be trained to perform these measurements, confidently and competently, after just two weeks of training, a substantially shorter training duration than many previous initiatives. Although many implementation challenges persist, this programme provides a potentially more sustainable means by which to provide a greater number of women more accurate estimates of gestational age