title: Automatic counting of fungiform papillae by shape using cross-correlation.
abstract: The determination of the number of fungiform papillae (FP) on the human tongue is important for taste sensitivity studies. Most of the time, the counting of the FP is done manually. In this paper we propose a novel algorithm to count the FP using shape characteristics measured by cross-correlation. The accuracy of the algorithm is evaluated by counting the FP manually on the same images and then doing a statistical analysis. A Poisson regression model is fitted using maximum likelihood. The result is that the algorithm counts are very similar to the human experts. Another advantage of the algorithm is its facility of use, velocity and that it can work on a plain tongue image, without the need to stain the tongue as is usual in manual counting.
authors.affiliation: Basic Sciences Institute, University of Veracruz, Dr. Rafael Sánchez Altamirano S/N. Carr. Xalapa-Las Trancas, 91192 Xalapa, Veracruz, México. Electronic address: erendiraeva@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Eréndira
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Valencia
authors.affiliation: Center for Research in Artificial Intelligence, University of Veracruz, Sebastián Camacho No. 5, Centro, 91000 Xalapa, Veracruz, México.
authors.forename: Homero V
authors.initials: HV
authors.lastname: Ríos
authors.affiliation: Basic Sciences Institute, University of Veracruz, Dr. Rafael Sánchez Altamirano S/N. Carr. Xalapa-Las Trancas, 91192 Xalapa, Veracruz, México.
authors.forename: Iñigo
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Verdalet
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Statistics and Computing, University of Veracruz, Av. Xalapa Esq. Manuel Ávila Camacho s/n, CP, 91020 Xalapa, Veracruz, México.
authors.forename: Jesús
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hernández
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Statistics and Computing, University of Veracruz, Av. Xalapa Esq. Manuel Ávila Camacho s/n, CP, 91020 Xalapa, Veracruz, México.
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Juárez
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Nutrition-Xalapa, University of Veracruz, Medico y Odontólogos S/N, 91020 Xalapa, Veracruz, México.
authors.forename: Rosa
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Herrera
authors.affiliation: Basic Sciences Institute, University of Veracruz, Dr. Rafael Sánchez Altamirano S/N. Carr. Xalapa-Las Trancas, 91192 Xalapa, Veracruz, México.
authors.forename: Erik R
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Silva
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000465:Algorithms; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010363:Pattern Recognition, Automated / Q000379:methods*; D014059:Tongue / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Automated counting; Fungiform papillae; Machine vision; Pattern analysis