Optimized image segmentation using an improved reptile search algorithm with Gbest operator for multi-level thresholding

Abstract Image segmentation using bi-level thresholds works well for straightforward scenarios; however, dealing with complex images that contain multiple objects or colors presents considerable computational difficulties. Multi-level thresholding is crucial for these situations, but it also introdu...

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Main Authors: Laith Abualigah, Nada Khalil Al-Okbi, Saleh Ali Alomari, Mohammad H. Almomani, Sahar Moneam, Maryam A. Yousif, Vaclav Snasel, Kashif Saleem, Aseel Smerat, Absalom E. Ezugwu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-04-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-96429-1
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author Laith Abualigah
Nada Khalil Al-Okbi
Saleh Ali Alomari
Mohammad H. Almomani
Sahar Moneam
Maryam A. Yousif
Vaclav Snasel
Kashif Saleem
Aseel Smerat
Absalom E. Ezugwu
author_facet Laith Abualigah
Nada Khalil Al-Okbi
Saleh Ali Alomari
Mohammad H. Almomani
Sahar Moneam
Maryam A. Yousif
Vaclav Snasel
Kashif Saleem
Aseel Smerat
Absalom E. Ezugwu
author_sort Laith Abualigah
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Image segmentation using bi-level thresholds works well for straightforward scenarios; however, dealing with complex images that contain multiple objects or colors presents considerable computational difficulties. Multi-level thresholding is crucial for these situations, but it also introduces a challenging optimization problem. This paper presents an improved Reptile Search Algorithm (RSA) that includes a Gbest operator to enhance its performance. The proposed method determines optimal threshold values for both grayscale and color images, utilizing entropy-based objective functions derived from the Otsu and Kapur techniques. Experiments were carried out on 16 benchmark images, which included COVID-19 scans along with standard color and grayscale images. A thorough evaluation was conducted using metrics such as the fitness function, peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR), structural similarity index measure (SSIM), and the Friedman ranking test. The results indicate that the proposed algorithm seems to surpass existing state-of-the-art methods, demonstrating its effectiveness and robustness in multi-level thresholding tasks.
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institution OA Journals
issn 2045-2322
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publishDate 2025-04-01
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spelling doaj-art-0c10c436e1ef4c2da2e1bb314e797c022025-08-20T02:16:06ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-04-0115114510.1038/s41598-025-96429-1Optimized image segmentation using an improved reptile search algorithm with Gbest operator for multi-level thresholdingLaith Abualigah0Nada Khalil Al-Okbi1Saleh Ali Alomari2Mohammad H. Almomani3Sahar Moneam4Maryam A. Yousif5Vaclav Snasel6Kashif Saleem7Aseel Smerat8Absalom E. Ezugwu9Computer Science Department, Al Al-Bayt UniversityDepartment of Computer Science, College of Science for Women, University of BaghdadFaculty of Information Technology, Jadara University Department of Mathematics, Facility of Science, The Hashemite UniversityDepartment of Computer Science, College of Science for Women, University of BaghdadDepartment of Computer Science, College of Science for Women, University of BaghdadFaculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, VŠB-Technical University of OstravaDepartment of Computer Science & Engineering, College of Applied Studies & Community Service, King Saud UniversityFaculty of Educational Sciences, Al-Ahliyya Amman UniversityUnit for Data Science and Computing, North-West UniversityAbstract Image segmentation using bi-level thresholds works well for straightforward scenarios; however, dealing with complex images that contain multiple objects or colors presents considerable computational difficulties. Multi-level thresholding is crucial for these situations, but it also introduces a challenging optimization problem. This paper presents an improved Reptile Search Algorithm (RSA) that includes a Gbest operator to enhance its performance. The proposed method determines optimal threshold values for both grayscale and color images, utilizing entropy-based objective functions derived from the Otsu and Kapur techniques. Experiments were carried out on 16 benchmark images, which included COVID-19 scans along with standard color and grayscale images. A thorough evaluation was conducted using metrics such as the fitness function, peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR), structural similarity index measure (SSIM), and the Friedman ranking test. The results indicate that the proposed algorithm seems to surpass existing state-of-the-art methods, demonstrating its effectiveness and robustness in multi-level thresholding tasks.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-96429-1Medical imagesImage segmentationMulti-level thresholdReptile search algorithmOtsu method, Kapur method
spellingShingle Laith Abualigah
Nada Khalil Al-Okbi
Saleh Ali Alomari
Mohammad H. Almomani
Sahar Moneam
Maryam A. Yousif
Vaclav Snasel
Kashif Saleem
Aseel Smerat
Absalom E. Ezugwu
Optimized image segmentation using an improved reptile search algorithm with Gbest operator for multi-level thresholding
Scientific Reports
Medical images
Image segmentation
Multi-level threshold
Reptile search algorithm
Otsu method, Kapur method
title Optimized image segmentation using an improved reptile search algorithm with Gbest operator for multi-level thresholding
title_full Optimized image segmentation using an improved reptile search algorithm with Gbest operator for multi-level thresholding
title_fullStr Optimized image segmentation using an improved reptile search algorithm with Gbest operator for multi-level thresholding
title_full_unstemmed Optimized image segmentation using an improved reptile search algorithm with Gbest operator for multi-level thresholding
title_short Optimized image segmentation using an improved reptile search algorithm with Gbest operator for multi-level thresholding
title_sort optimized image segmentation using an improved reptile search algorithm with gbest operator for multi level thresholding
topic Medical images
Image segmentation
Multi-level threshold
Reptile search algorithm
Otsu method, Kapur method
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-96429-1
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