Supervised machine learning based multi-task artificial intelligence classification of retinopathies

Artificial intelligence (AI) classification holds promise as a novel and affordable screening tool for clinical management of ocular diseases. Rural and underserved areas, which suffer from lack of access to experienced ophthalmologists may particularly benefit from this technology. Quantitative optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) imaging provides excellent capability to identify subtle vascular distortions, which are useful for classifying retinovascular diseases. However, application of AI for differentiation and classification of multiple eye diseases is not yet established. In this study, we demonstrate supervised machine learning based multi-task OCTA classification. We sought 1) to differentiate normal from diseased ocular conditions, 2) to differentiate different ocular disease conditions from each other, and 3) to stage the severity of each ocular condition. Quantitative OCTA features, including blood vessel tortuosity (BVT), blood vascular caliber (BVC), vessel perimeter index (VPI), blood vessel density (BVD), foveal avascular zone (FAZ) area (FAZ-A), and FAZ contour irregularity (FAZ-CI) were fully automatically extracted from the OCTA images. A stepwise backward elimination approach was employed to identify sensitive OCTA features and optimal-feature-combinations for the multi-task classification. For proof-of-concept demonstration, diabetic retinopathy (DR) and sickle cell retinopathy (SCR) were used to validate the supervised machine leaning classifier. The presented AI classification methodology is applicable and can be readily extended to other ocular diseases, holding promise to enable a mass-screening platform for clinical deployment and telemedicine.Comment: Supplemental material attached at the en

Hydrogen-rich syngas fermentation for bioethanol production using Sacharomyces cerevisiea

Bioethanol is an eco-friendly biofuel due to its merit that makes it a top-tier fuel. The present study emphasized on bioethanol production from hydrogen-rich syngas through fermentation using Sacharomyces cerevisiea. Syngas fermentation was performed in a tar free fermenter using a syngas mixture of 13.05% H2, 22.92% CO, 7.9% CO2, and 1.13% CH4, by volume. In the fermentation process, effects of various parameters including syngas impurity, temperature, pH, colony forming unit, total organic carbon and syngas composition were investigated. The yield of bioethanol was identified by Gas chromatography-Mass spectrometry analysis and further, it was confirmed by Nuclear magnetic resonance (1H) analysis. From GC-MS results, it is revealed that the concentration of bioethanol using Saccharomyces cerevisiae was 30.56 mmol from 1 L of syngas. Thus, hydrogen-rich syngas is suited for bioethanol production through syngas fermentation using Saccharomyces cerevisiae. This research may contribute to affordable and environment-friendly bioethanol-based energy to decrease the dependency on fossil fuels. © 2019 Hydrogen Energy Publications LL

Laser welding and cladding : the effects of defects on fatigue behaviour

The thesis focuses on weld defects in laser processed materials (for laser welding, laser hybrid arc welding and laser cladding) and their effect on the fatigue life of components. Component properties were studied with particular emphasis on the macro and micro surface geometry, weld defects and clad defects. The influence of these defects on fatigue life was analyzed by; the nominal and effective notch stress method, fatigue life prediction using Linear Elastic Fracture Mechanics (LEFM), fatigue testing, metallurgical analysis, fractography, elastic and elastic-plastic Finite Element Analysis (FEA). A simplified Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis was also carried out to better understand the formation of undercuts during the welding process. The main objective is to gain an understanding of the impact of laser weld and clad defects on the fatigue behaviour of components.In the first two papers, fatigue testing involving the bending of laser hybrid arc welded eccentric fillet joints was carried out. Based on measurements of the weld surface geometry the crack initiation location and the crack propagation path were studied, experimentally and in conjunction with FE stress analysis. The competing criteria of throat depth and stress raising by the weld toe radii and by the surface ripples are explained, showing that the topology of surface ripples can be critical to fatigue behaviour. LEFM analysis was conducted to study the effect of Lack of Fusion (LOF) on fatigue life. Cracking starts and propagates preferentially from the lower toe of the top surface for this eccentric weld, even in cases of LOF. In the third paper two-dimensional linear elastic FEA was carried out for laser welding of a high strength steel beam. The impact of the geometrical aspects of joint design and of the weld root geometry on the fatigue performance was studied. Critical geometrical aspects were classified and then studied by FE-analysis with respect to their impact on the fatigue behaviour. In the fourth paper the melt pool flow behaviour during the laser hybrid arc welding process was analyzed by CFD simulation. The melt velocity behind the keyhole was measured from high speed imaging as a starting value for the simulation. It was found that a high speed flow in the thin topmost layer of the melt transferred its momentum to an underlying flow which is faster than the welding speed and this delays the lifting of the depressed melt.In the fifth and sixth papers FEA of different macro stress fields and of stress raisers produced by defects was studied in laser clad surfaces for four different fatigue load conditions. Defects were categorized into zero-, one- and two-dimensional types. Pores intersecting or just beneath the surface initiated fatigue cracking, accompanied by two circular buckling patterns. For a four-point bending load involving a surface pore on a spherical rod, the critical range of azimuthal angle was identified to be 55º. The performance of as-clad surfaces was found to be governed by the sharpness of surface notches. Planar defects like hot cracks or LOF are most critical if oriented vertically, transverse to the bar axis. A generalized theory was established, showing that the combination of the macro stress field with the defect type, position and orientation, determines whether it is the most critical stress raiser.Godkänd; 2012; 20121105 (minala); DISPUTATION Ämne: Produktionsutveckling/Manufacturing Systems Engineering Opponent: Professor Stewart Williams, Welding Engineering and Laser Processing Centre, Cranfield University, Bedfordshire, UK Ordförande: Professor Alexander Kaplan, Institutionen för teknikvetenskap och matematik, Luleå tekniska universitet Tid: Fredag den 7 december 2012, kl 09.00 Plats: D770, Luleå tekniska universite

Laser welding and cladding : the effects of defects on fatigue behaviour

The thesis focuses on weld defects in laser processed materials (for laser welding, laser hybrid arc welding and laser cladding) and their effect on the fatigue life of components. Component properties were studied with particular emphasis on the macro and micro surface geometry, weld defects and clad defects. The influence of these defects on fatigue life was analyzed by; the nominal and effective notch stress method, fatigue life prediction using Linear Elastic Fracture Mechanics (LEFM), fatigue testing, metallurgical analysis, fractography, elastic and elastic-plastic Finite Element Analysis (FEA). A simplified Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis was also carried out to better understand the formation of undercuts during the welding process. The main objective is to gain an understanding of the impact of laser weld and clad defects on the fatigue behaviour of components.In the first two papers, fatigue testing involving the bending of laser hybrid arc welded eccentric fillet joints was carried out. Based on measurements of the weld surface geometry the crack initiation location and the crack propagation path were studied, experimentally and in conjunction with FE stress analysis. The competing criteria of throat depth and stress raising by the weld toe radii and by the surface ripples are explained, showing that the topology of surface ripples can be critical to fatigue behaviour. LEFM analysis was conducted to study the effect of Lack of Fusion (LOF) on fatigue life. Cracking starts and propagates preferentially from the lower toe of the top surface for this eccentric weld, even in cases of LOF. In the third paper two-dimensional linear elastic FEA was carried out for laser welding of a high strength steel beam. The impact of the geometrical aspects of joint design and of the weld root geometry on the fatigue performance was studied. Critical geometrical aspects were classified and then studied by FE-analysis with respect to their impact on the fatigue behaviour. In the fourth paper the melt pool flow behaviour during the laser hybrid arc welding process was analyzed by CFD simulation. The melt velocity behind the keyhole was measured from high speed imaging as a starting value for the simulation. It was found that a high speed flow in the thin topmost layer of the melt transferred its momentum to an underlying flow which is faster than the welding speed and this delays the lifting of the depressed melt.In the fifth and sixth papers FEA of different macro stress fields and of stress raisers produced by defects was studied in laser clad surfaces for four different fatigue load conditions. Defects were categorized into zero-, one- and two-dimensional types. Pores intersecting or just beneath the surface initiated fatigue cracking, accompanied by two circular buckling patterns. For a four-point bending load involving a surface pore on a spherical rod, the critical range of azimuthal angle was identified to be 55º. The performance of as-clad surfaces was found to be governed by the sharpness of surface notches. Planar defects like hot cracks or LOF are most critical if oriented vertically, transverse to the bar axis. A generalized theory was established, showing that the combination of the macro stress field with the defect type, position and orientation, determines whether it is the most critical stress raiser.Godkänd; 2012; 20121105 (minala); DISPUTATION Ämne: Produktionsutveckling/Manufacturing Systems Engineering Opponent: Professor Stewart Williams, Welding Engineering and Laser Processing Centre, Cranfield University, Bedfordshire, UK Ordförande: Professor Alexander Kaplan, Institutionen för teknikvetenskap och matematik, Luleå tekniska universitet Tid: Fredag den 7 december 2012, kl 09.00 Plats: D770, Luleå tekniska universite

A study of the fatigue behaviour of laser and hybrid laser welds

This licentiate thesis focuses on the fatigue cracking behaviour of laser and hybrid laser-MAG welded structures. Beside the welding process and the resulting weld, several topics related to fatigue of welded structures are treated such as; macro and micro surface geometry, weld defects and their influence on fatigue performance of welded structures, fatigue analysis by the nominal and effective notch stress method, fatigue life prediction using LEFM (Linear Elastic Fracture Mechanics), fatigue testing, metallurgical analysis, elastic and elastic-plastic finite element analysis. The main objective is to gain understanding of the impact of weld defects and weld shape details on the fatigue behaviour of laser and hybrid laser welded joints. The first paper is a literature survey which compiled useful information regarding fracture and fatigue analysis of various welded joints. In the second paper fatigue testing by bending of laser hybrid welded eccentric fillet joints was carried out. The weld surface geometry was measured and studied in order to understand the crack initiation mechanisms. The crack initiation location and the crack propagation path were studied and compared to Finite Element stress analysis, taking into account the surface macro- and micro-geometry. Based on the nominal stress approach, SN-curves were designed for laser hybrid welded eccentric fillet joints. The competing criteria of throat depth and stress raising by the weld toe radii and by the surface ripples are explained, showing that surface ripples can be critical.The third paper is the continuation of the second paper, but studying the fatigue crack propagation of laser hybrid welded eccentric fillet joints. Microscopic analysis was carried out to identify internal weld defects. Nominal and effective notch stress analysis was carried out to compare standardized values. LEFM analysis was conducted for this joint geometry for four point bending load in order to study the effect of LOF on fatigue life. In good agreement between simulation and metallurgy, cracking starts and propagates from the lower toe, but for certain geometries alternatively from the weld bead or upper toe, even in case of Lack of Fusion, as was well be explained. Improved understanding of the crack propagation for these geometrical conditions was obtained and in turn illustrated. Lack of fusion surprisingly was not critical and only slightly lowered the fatigue life. Two dimensional linear elastic finite element analyses is carried out in the fourth paper on laser welding of a beamer in order to study the impact of geometrical aspects of the joint design and of the weld root on the fatigue performance. Critical geometrical aspects were classified and then studied by FE-analysis with respect to their impact on the fatigue behaviour. Stress comparison of full 15 mm and partial 6 mm weld penetration of the beam was done by varying the toe and root geometry to identify the critical details. Generalization of the knowledge by new methods was an important aspect, particularly to apply the findings for other joints. Together the papers provide better understanding of fatigue behaviour for complex geometries and are therefore suitable guidelines for improved weld design.Godkänd; 2009; 20091117 (minala); LICENTIATSEMINARIUM Ämnesområde: Produktionsutveckling/Manufacturing Systems Engineering Examinator: Professor Alexander Kaplan, Luleå tekniska universitet Tid: Onsdag den 16 december 2009 kl 15.00 Plats: E 243, Luleå tekniska universite

About GaDS and PJGD

PanAfrican Journal of Governance and Development (PJGD) is a peer-reviewed interdisciplinary journal of Jimma University that publishes editorials, research articles, book reviews, commentaries, and notes. PJGD offers a platform of expression of new scientific inquiries to intellectuals of the world in general and Africa & Ethiopia, in particular, to reflect on how governance and development can be promoted, strengthened, and consolidated. The biannual edition is published in February and August of each year. This is APC Free Journal

Quantitative Analysis and Automated Classification of Retinal Images

Retina is a complex sensory tissue located at the back of the eye, often considered crucial for diagnosis of systematic diseases and retinopathies. Therefore, quantitative retinal imaging and developing imaging biomarkers are of great scientific and clinical interest. In current literature, color fundus photography has been most commonly used for eye disease screening, diagnosis and treatment assessment, but the spatial resolution and image contrast are limited to reveal subtle distortions in early stages of eye diseases. Other imaging modalities such as scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (SLO) and adaptive optics (AO) imaging systems are unable to differentiate individual retinal neural layers and vascular plexuses. In recent years, optical coherence tomography (OCT) has been extensively employed for depth-resolved examination of morphological abnormalities due to its unprecedented capability to differentiate individual functional layers. Adding power to the OCT, OCT angiography (OCTA) is a new imaging modality that provides high resolution blood flow information in individual retina plexuses. However, since it is a new imaging modality, quantitative OCTA analysis and investigative studies are required to standardize objective interpretation of clinical outcomes. In this dissertation, extensive studies have been conducted to investigate OCTA features for quantitative analysis and objective classification of different retinopathies. Within the overarching scope of this dissertation, new OCTA imaging biomarkers were developed, strategies for artery-vein (AV) classification in OCTA were demonstrated, and the OCTA features were demonstrated and validated for diagnostic analysis and machine learning based automated classification of retinal diseases. Utilizing the developed OCTA imaging biomarkers, AV classification techniques and AI based classification tools demonstrated in this dissertation can be beneficial in providing diagnostic support to ophthalmologists and efficient clinical screening of different types of retinopathies