Customer segmentation according to load-shape profiles using smart meter data is an increasingly important application to vital the planning and operation of energy systems and to enable citizens’participation in the...Customer segmentation according to load-shape profiles using smart meter data is an increasingly important application to vital the planning and operation of energy systems and to enable citizens’participation in the energy transition.This study proposes an innovative multi-step clustering procedure to segment customers based on load-shape patterns at the daily and intra-daily time horizons.Smart meter data is split between daily and hourly normalized time series to assess monthly,weekly,daily,and hourly seasonality patterns separately.The dimensionality reduction implicit in the splitting allows a direct approach to clustering raw daily energy time series data.The intraday clustering procedure sequentially identifies representative hourly day-unit profiles for each customer and the entire population.For the first time,a step function approach is applied to reduce time series dimensionality.Customer attributes embedded in surveys are employed to build external clustering validation metrics using Cramer’s V correlation factors and to identify statistically significant determinants of load-shape in energy usage.In addition,a time series features engineering approach is used to extract 16 relevant demand flexibility indicators that characterize customers and corresponding clusters along four different axes:available Energy(E),Temporal patterns(T),Consistency(C),and Variability(V).The methodology is implemented on a real-world electricity consumption dataset of 325 Small and Medium-sized Enterprise(SME)customers,identifying 4 daily and 6 hourly easy-to-interpret,well-defined clusters.The application of the methodology includes selecting key parameters via grid search and a thorough comparison of clustering distances and methods to ensure the robustness of the results.Further research can test the scalability of the methodology to larger datasets from various customer segments(households and large commercial)and locations with different weather and socioeconomic conditions.展开更多
Soilcrete is a composite material of soil and cement that is highly valued in the construction industry.Accurate measurement of its mechanical properties is essential,but laboratory testing methods are expensive,timec...Soilcrete is a composite material of soil and cement that is highly valued in the construction industry.Accurate measurement of its mechanical properties is essential,but laboratory testing methods are expensive,timeconsuming,and include inaccuracies.Machine learning(ML)algorithms provide a more efficient alternative for this purpose,so after assessment with a statistical extraction method,ML algorithms including back-propagation neural network(BPNN),K-nearest neighbor(KNN),radial basis function(RBF),feed-forward neural networks(FFNN),and support vector regression(SVR)for predicting the uniaxial compressive strength(UCS)of soilcrete,were proposed in this study.The developed models in this study were optimized using an optimization technique,gradient descent(GD),throughout the analysis(direct optimization for neural networks and indirect optimization for other models corresponding to their hyperparameters).After doing laboratory analysis,data pre-preprocessing,and data-processing analysis,a database including 600 soilcrete specimens was gathered,which includes two different soil types(clay and limestone)and metakaolin as a mineral additive.80%of the database was used for the training set and 20%for testing,considering eight input parameters,including metakaolin content,soil type,superplasticizer content,water-to-binder ratio,shrinkage,binder,density,and ultrasonic velocity.The analysis showed that most algorithms performed well in the prediction,with BPNN,KNN,and RBF having higher accuracy compared to others(R^(2)=0.95,0.95,0.92,respectively).Based on this evaluation,it was observed that all models show an acceptable accuracy rate in prediction(RMSE:BPNN=0.11,FFNN=0.24,KNN=0.05,SVR=0.06,RBF=0.05,MAD:BPNN=0.006,FFNN=0.012,KNN=0.008,SVR=0.006,RBF=0.009).The ML importance ranking-sensitivity analysis indicated that all input parameters influence theUCS of soilcrete,especially the water-to-binder ratio and density,which have themost impact.展开更多
In today’s digital world,the Internet of Things(IoT)plays an important role in both local and global economies due to its widespread adoption in different applications.This technology has the potential to offer sever...In today’s digital world,the Internet of Things(IoT)plays an important role in both local and global economies due to its widespread adoption in different applications.This technology has the potential to offer several advantages over conventional technologies in the near future.However,the potential growth of this technology also attracts attention from hackers,which introduces new challenges for the research community that range from hardware and software security to user privacy and authentication.Therefore,we focus on a particular security concern that is associated with malware detection.The literature presents many countermeasures,but inconsistent results on identical datasets and algorithms raise concerns about model biases,training quality,and complexity.This highlights the need for an adaptive,real-time learning framework that can effectively mitigate malware threats in IoT applications.To address these challenges,(i)we propose an intelligent framework based on Two-step Deep Reinforcement Learning(TwStDRL)that is capable of learning and adapting in real-time to counter malware threats in IoT applications.This framework uses exploration and exploitation phenomena during both the training and testing phases by storing results in a replay memory.The stored knowledge allows the model to effectively navigate the environment and maximize cumulative rewards.(ii)To demonstrate the superiority of the TwStDRL framework,we implement and evaluate several machine learning algorithms for comparative analysis that include Support Vector Machines(SVM),Multi-Layer Perceptron,Random Forests,and k-means Clustering.The selection of these algorithms is driven by the inconsistent results reported in the literature,which create doubt about their robustness and reliability in real-world IoT deployments.(iii)Finally,we provide a comprehensive evaluation to justify why the TwStDRL framework outperforms them in mitigating security threats.During analysis,we noted that our proposed TwStDRL scheme achieves an average performance of 99.45%across accuracy,precision,recall,and F1-score,which is an absolute improvement of roughly 3%over the existing malware-detection models.展开更多
One in every eight men in the US is diagnosed with prostate cancer,making it the most common cancer in men.Gleason grading is one of the most essential diagnostic and prognostic factors for planning the treatment of p...One in every eight men in the US is diagnosed with prostate cancer,making it the most common cancer in men.Gleason grading is one of the most essential diagnostic and prognostic factors for planning the treatment of prostate cancer patients.Traditionally,urological pathologists perform the grading by scoring the morphological pattern,known as the Gleason pattern,in histopathology images.However,thismanual grading is highly subjective,suffers intra-and inter-pathologist variability and lacks reproducibility.An automated grading system could be more efficient,with no subjectivity and higher accuracy and reproducibility.Automated methods presented previously failed to achieve sufficient accuracy,lacked reproducibility and depended on high-resolution images such as 40×.This paper proposes an automated Gleason grading method,ProGENET,to accurately predict the grade using low-resolution images such as 10×.This method first divides the patient’s histopathology whole slide image(WSI)into patches.Then,it detects artifacts and tissue-less regions and predicts the patch-wise grade using an ensemble network of CNN and transformer models.The proposed method adapted the International Society of Urological Pathology(ISUP)grading system and achieved 90.8%accuracy in classifying the patches into healthy and Gleason grades 1 through 5 using 10×WSI,outperforming the state-of-the-art accuracy by 27%.Finally,the patient’s grade was determined by combining the patch-wise results.The method was also demonstrated for 4−class grading and binary classification of prostate cancer,achieving 93.0%and 99.6%accuracy,respectively.The reproducibility was over 90%.Since the proposedmethod determined the grades with higher accuracy and reproducibility using low-resolution images,it is more reliable and effective than existing methods and can potentially improve subsequent therapy decisions.展开更多
Software Defined Network(SDN)and Network Function Virtualization(NFV)technology promote several benefits to network operators,including reduced maintenance costs,increased network operational performance,simplified ne...Software Defined Network(SDN)and Network Function Virtualization(NFV)technology promote several benefits to network operators,including reduced maintenance costs,increased network operational performance,simplified network lifecycle,and policies management.Network vulnerabilities try to modify services provided by Network Function Virtualization MANagement and Orchestration(NFV MANO),and malicious attacks in different scenarios disrupt the NFV Orchestrator(NFVO)and Virtualized Infrastructure Manager(VIM)lifecycle management related to network services or individual Virtualized Network Function(VNF).This paper proposes an anomaly detection mechanism that monitors threats in NFV MANO and manages promptly and adaptively to implement and handle security functions in order to enhance the quality of experience for end users.An anomaly detector investigates these identified risks and provides secure network services.It enables virtual network security functions and identifies anomalies in Kubernetes(a cloud-based platform).For training and testing purpose of the proposed approach,an intrusion-containing dataset is used that hold multiple malicious activities like a Smurf,Neptune,Teardrop,Pod,Land,IPsweep,etc.,categorized as Probing(Prob),Denial of Service(DoS),User to Root(U2R),and Remote to User(R2L)attacks.An anomaly detector is anticipated with the capabilities of a Machine Learning(ML)technique,making use of supervised learning techniques like Logistic Regression(LR),Support Vector Machine(SVM),Random Forest(RF),Naïve Bayes(NB),and Extreme Gradient Boosting(XGBoost).The proposed framework has been evaluated by deploying the identified ML algorithm on a Jupyter notebook in Kubeflow to simulate Kubernetes for validation purposes.RF classifier has shown better outcomes(99.90%accuracy)than other classifiers in detecting anomalies/intrusions in the containerized environment.展开更多
Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency(LSCD)is an eye disease that can cause corneal opacity and vascularization.In its advanced stage it can lead to a degree of visual impairment.It involves the changing in the semispherical sh...Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency(LSCD)is an eye disease that can cause corneal opacity and vascularization.In its advanced stage it can lead to a degree of visual impairment.It involves the changing in the semispherical shape of the cornea to a drooping shape to downwards direction.LSCD is hard to be diagnosed at early stages.The color and texture of the cornea surface can provide significant information about the cornea affected by LSCD.Parameters such as shape and texture are very crucial to differentiate normal from LSCD cornea.Although several medical approaches exist,most of them requires complicated procedure and medical devices.Therefore,in this paper,we pursued the development of a LSCD detection technique(LDT)utilizing image processing methods.Early diagnosis of LSCD is very crucial for physicians to arrange for effective treatment.In the proposed technique,we developed a method for LSCD detection utilizing frontal eye images.A dataset of 280 eye images of frontal and lateral LSCD and normal patients were used in this research.First,the cornea region of both frontal and lateral images is segmented,and the geometric features are extracted through the automated active contour model and the spline curve.While the texture features are extracted using the feature selection algorithm.The experimental results exhibited that the combined features of the geometric and texture will exhibit accuracy of 95.95%,sensitivity of 97.91% and specificity of 94.05% with the random forest classifier of n=40.As a result,this research developed a Limbal stem cell deficiency detection system utilizing features’fusion using image processing techniques for frontal and lateral digital images of the eyes.展开更多
Face recognition (FR) technology has numerous applications in artificial intelligence including biometrics, security,authentication, law enforcement, and surveillance. Deep learning (DL) models, notably convolutional ...Face recognition (FR) technology has numerous applications in artificial intelligence including biometrics, security,authentication, law enforcement, and surveillance. Deep learning (DL) models, notably convolutional neuralnetworks (CNNs), have shown promising results in the field of FR. However CNNs are easily fooled since theydo not encode position and orientation correlations between features. Hinton et al. envisioned Capsule Networksas a more robust design capable of retaining pose information and spatial correlations to recognize objects morelike the brain does. Lower-level capsules hold 8-dimensional vectors of attributes like position, hue, texture, andso on, which are routed to higher-level capsules via a new routing by agreement algorithm. This provides capsulenetworks with viewpoint invariance, which has previously evaded CNNs. This research presents a FR model basedon capsule networks that was tested using the LFW dataset, COMSATS face dataset, and own acquired photos usingcameras measuring 128 × 128 pixels, 40 × 40 pixels, and 30 × 30 pixels. The trained model outperforms state-ofthe-art algorithms, achieving 95.82% test accuracy and performing well on unseen faces that have been blurred orrotated. Additionally, the suggested model outperformed the recently released approaches on the COMSATS facedataset, achieving a high accuracy of 92.47%. Based on the results of this research as well as previous results, capsulenetworks perform better than deeper CNNs on unobserved altered data because of their special equivarianceproperties.展开更多
Proactive Semantic Interference (PSI) and failure to recover from PSI (frPSI), are novel constructs assessed by the LASSI-L. These measures are sensitive to cognitive changes in early Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) a...Proactive Semantic Interference (PSI) and failure to recover from PSI (frPSI), are novel constructs assessed by the LASSI-L. These measures are sensitive to cognitive changes in early Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and preclinical AD determined by Aβ load using PET. The goal of this study was to compare a new computerized version of the LASSI-L (LASSI-Brief Computerized) to the standard paper-and-pencil version of the test. In this study, we examined 110 cognitively unimpaired (CU) older adults and 79 with amnestic MCI (aMCI) who were administered the paper-and-pencil form of the LASSI-L. Their performance was compared with 62 CU older adults and 52 aMCI participants examined using the LASSI-BC. After adjustment for covariates (degree of initial learning, sex, education, and language of evaluation) both the standard and computerized versions distinguished between aMCI and CU participants. The performance of CU and aMCI groups using either form was relatively commensurate. Importantly, an optimal combination of Cued B2 recall and Cued B1 intrusions on the LASSI-BC yielded an area under the ROC curve of .927, a sensitivity of 92.3% and specificity of 88.1%, relative to an area under the ROC curve of .815, a sensitivity of 72.5%, and a specificity of 79.1% obtained for the paper-and-pencil LASSI-L. Overall, the LASSI-BC was comparable, and in some ways, superior to the paper-and-pencil LASSI-L. Advantages of the LASSI-BC include a more standardized administration, suitability for remote assessment, and an automated scoring mechanism that can be verified by a built-in audio recording of responses.展开更多
This study examines blockchain technologies and their pivotal role in the evolving Metaverse,shedding light on topics such as how to invest in cryptocurrency,the mechanics behind crypto mining,and strategies to effect...This study examines blockchain technologies and their pivotal role in the evolving Metaverse,shedding light on topics such as how to invest in cryptocurrency,the mechanics behind crypto mining,and strategies to effectively buy and trade cryptocurrencies.While it contextualises the common queries of"why is crypto crashing?"and"why is crypto down?",the research transcends beyond the frequent market fluctuations to unravel how cryptocurrencies fundamentally work and the step-by-step process on how to create a cryptocurrency.Contrasting existing literature,this comprehensive investigation encompasses both the economic and cybersecurity risks inherent in the blockchain and fintech spheres.Through an interdisciplinary approach,the research transitions from the fundamental principles of fintech investment strategies to the overarching implications of blockchain within the Metaverse.Alongside exploring machine learning potentials in financial sectors and risk assessment methodologies,the study critically assesses whether developed or developing nations are poised to reap greater benefits from these technologies.Moreover,it probes into both enduring and dubious crypto projects,drawing a distinct line between genuine blockchain applications and Ponzi-like schemes.The conclusion resolutely affirms the staying power of blockchain technologies,underlined by a profound exploration of their intrinsic value and a reflective commentary by the author on the potential risks confronting individual investors.展开更多
Analyzing big data, especially medical data, helps to provide good health care to patients and face the risks of death. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on public health worldwide, emphasizing the ne...Analyzing big data, especially medical data, helps to provide good health care to patients and face the risks of death. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on public health worldwide, emphasizing the need for effective risk prediction models. Machine learning (ML) techniques have shown promise in analyzing complex data patterns and predicting disease outcomes. The accuracy of these techniques is greatly affected by changing their parameters. Hyperparameter optimization plays a crucial role in improving model performance. In this work, the Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithm was used to effectively search the hyperparameter space and improve the predictive power of the machine learning models by identifying the optimal hyperparameters that can provide the highest accuracy. A dataset with a variety of clinical and epidemiological characteristics linked to COVID-19 cases was used in this study. Various machine learning models, including Random Forests, Decision Trees, Support Vector Machines, and Neural Networks, were utilized to capture the complex relationships present in the data. To evaluate the predictive performance of the models, the accuracy metric was employed. The experimental findings showed that the suggested method of estimating COVID-19 risk is effective. When compared to baseline models, the optimized machine learning models performed better and produced better results.展开更多
Global security threats have motivated organizations to adopt robust and reliable security systems to ensure the safety of individuals and assets.Biometric authentication systems offer a strong solution.However,choosi...Global security threats have motivated organizations to adopt robust and reliable security systems to ensure the safety of individuals and assets.Biometric authentication systems offer a strong solution.However,choosing the best security system requires a structured decision-making framework,especially in complex scenarios involving multiple criteria.To address this problem,we develop a novel quantum spherical fuzzy technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution(QSF-TOPSIS)methodology,integrating quantum mechanics principles and fuzzy theory.The proposed approach enhances decision-making accuracy,handles uncertainty,and incorporates criteria relationships.Criteria weights are determined using spherical fuzzy sets,and alternatives are ranked through the QSFTOPSIS framework.This comprehensive multi-criteria decision-making(MCDM)approach is applied to identify the optimal gate security system for an organization,considering critical factors such as accuracy,cost,and reliability.Additionally,the study compares the proposed approach with other established MCDM methods.The results confirm the alignment of rankings across these methods,demonstrating the robustness and reliability of the QSF-TOPSIS framework.The study identifies the infrared recognition and identification system(IRIS)as the most effective,with a score value of 0.5280 and optimal security system among the evaluated alternatives.This research contributes to the growing literature on quantum-enhanced decision-making models and offers a practical framework for solving complex,real-world problems involving uncertainty and ambiguity.展开更多
The rapid increase in the number of Internet of Things(IoT)devices,coupled with a rise in sophisticated cyberattacks,demands robust intrusion detection systems.This study presents a holistic,intelligent intrusion dete...The rapid increase in the number of Internet of Things(IoT)devices,coupled with a rise in sophisticated cyberattacks,demands robust intrusion detection systems.This study presents a holistic,intelligent intrusion detection system.It uses a combined method that integrates machine learning(ML)and deep learning(DL)techniques to improve the protection of contemporary information technology(IT)systems.Unlike traditional signature-based or singlemodel methods,this system integrates the strengths of ensemble learning for binary classification and deep learning for multi-class classification.This combination provides a more nuanced and adaptable defense.The research utilizes the NF-UQ-NIDS-v2 dataset,a recent,comprehensive benchmark for evaluating network intrusion detection systems(NIDS).Our methodological framework employs advanced artificial intelligence techniques.Specifically,we use ensemble learning algorithms(Random Forest,Gradient Boosting,AdaBoost,and XGBoost)for binary classification.Deep learning architectures are also employed to address the complexities of multi-class classification,allowing for fine-grained identification of intrusion types.To mitigate class imbalance,a common problem in multi-class intrusion detection that biases model performance,we use oversampling and data augmentation.These techniques ensure equitable class representation.The results demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed hybrid ML-DL system.It achieves significant improvements in intrusion detection accuracy and reliability.This research contributes substantively to cybersecurity by providing a more robust and adaptable intrusion detection solution.展开更多
Healthcare networks are transitioning from manual records to electronic health records,but this shift introduces vulnerabilities such as secure communication issues,privacy concerns,and the presence of malicious nodes...Healthcare networks are transitioning from manual records to electronic health records,but this shift introduces vulnerabilities such as secure communication issues,privacy concerns,and the presence of malicious nodes.Existing machine and deep learning-based anomalies detection methods often rely on centralized training,leading to reduced accuracy and potential privacy breaches.Therefore,this study proposes a Blockchain-based-Federated Learning architecture for Malicious Node Detection(BFL-MND)model.It trains models locally within healthcare clusters,sharing only model updates instead of patient data,preserving privacy and improving accuracy.Cloud and edge computing enhance the model’s scalability,while blockchain ensures secure,tamper-proof access to health data.Using the PhysioNet dataset,the proposed model achieves an accuracy of 0.95,F1 score of 0.93,precision of 0.94,and recall of 0.96,outperforming baseline models like random forest(0.88),adaptive boosting(0.90),logistic regression(0.86),perceptron(0.83),and deep neural networks(0.92).展开更多
Remote sensing plays a pivotal role in environmental monitoring,disaster relief,and urban planning,where accurate scene classification of aerial images is essential.However,conventional convolutional neural networks(C...Remote sensing plays a pivotal role in environmental monitoring,disaster relief,and urban planning,where accurate scene classification of aerial images is essential.However,conventional convolutional neural networks(CNNs)struggle with long-range dependencies and preserving high-resolution features,limiting their effectiveness in complex aerial image analysis.To address these challenges,we propose a Hybrid HRNet-Swin Transformer model that synergizes the strengths of HRNet-W48 for high-resolution segmentation and the Swin Transformer for global feature extraction.This hybrid architecture ensures robust multi-scale feature fusion,capturing fine-grained details and broader contextual relationships in aerial imagery.Our methodology begins with preprocessing steps,including normalization,histogram equalization,and noise reduction,to enhance input data quality.The HRNet-W48 backbone maintains high-resolution feature maps throughout the network,enabling precise segmentation,while the Swin Transformer leverages hierarchical self-attention to model long-range dependencies efficiently.By integrating these components,our model achieves superior performance in segmentation and classification tasks compared to traditional CNNs and standalone transformer models.We evaluate our approach on two benchmark datasets:UC Merced and WHU-RS19.Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed hybrid model outperforms existing methods,achieving state-of-the-art accuracy while maintaining computational efficiency.Specifically,it excels in preserving fine spatial details and contextual understanding,critical for applications like land-use classification and disaster assessment.展开更多
Urdu,a prominent subcontinental language,serves as a versatile means of communication.However,its handwritten expressions present challenges for optical character recognition(OCR).While various OCR techniques have bee...Urdu,a prominent subcontinental language,serves as a versatile means of communication.However,its handwritten expressions present challenges for optical character recognition(OCR).While various OCR techniques have been proposed,most of them focus on recognizing printed Urdu characters and digits.To the best of our knowledge,very little research has focused solely on Urdu pure handwriting recognition,and the results of such proposed methods are often inadequate.In this study,we introduce a novel approach to recognizing Urdu pure handwritten digits and characters using Convolutional Neural Networks(CNN).Our proposed method utilizes convolutional layers to extract important features from input images and classifies them using fully connected layers,enabling efficient and accurate detection of Urdu handwritten digits and characters.We implemented the proposed technique on a large publicly available dataset of Urdu handwritten digits and characters.The findings demonstrate that the CNN model achieves an accuracy of 98.30%and an F1 score of 88.6%,indicating its effectiveness in detecting and classifyingUrdu handwritten digits and characters.These results have far-reaching implications for various applications,including document analysis,text recognition,and language understanding,which have previously been unexplored in the context of Urdu handwriting data.This work lays a solid foundation for future research and development in Urdu language detection and processing,opening up new opportunities for advancement in this field.展开更多
Environmental transition can potentially influence cardiovascular health.Investigating the relationship between such transition and heart disease has important applications.This study uses federated learning(FL)in thi...Environmental transition can potentially influence cardiovascular health.Investigating the relationship between such transition and heart disease has important applications.This study uses federated learning(FL)in this context and investigates the link between climate change and heart disease.The dataset containing environmental,meteorological,and health-related factors like blood sugar,cholesterol,maximum heart rate,fasting ECG,etc.,is used with machine learning models to identify hidden patterns and relationships.Algorithms such as federated learning,XGBoost,random forest,support vector classifier,extra tree classifier,k-nearest neighbor,and logistic regression are used.A framework for diagnosing heart disease is designed using FL along with other models.Experiments involve discriminating healthy subjects from those who are heart patients and obtain an accuracy of 94.03%.The proposed FL-based framework proves to be superior to existing techniques in terms of usability,dependability,and accuracy.This study paves the way for screening people for early heart disease detection and continuous monitoring in telemedicine and remote care.Personalized treatment can also be planned with customized therapies.展开更多
Inertial Sensor-based Daily Activity Recognition(IS-DAR)requires adaptable,data-efficient methods for effective multi-sensor use.This study presents an advanced detection system using body-worn sensors to accurately r...Inertial Sensor-based Daily Activity Recognition(IS-DAR)requires adaptable,data-efficient methods for effective multi-sensor use.This study presents an advanced detection system using body-worn sensors to accurately recognize activities.A structured pipeline enhances IS-DAR by applying signal preprocessing,feature extraction and optimization,followed by classification.Before segmentation,a Chebyshev filter removes noise,and Blackman window-ing improves signal representation.Discriminative features-Gaussian Mixture Model(GMM)with Mel-Frequency Cepstral Coefficients(MFCC),spectral entropy,quaternion-based features,and Gammatone Cepstral Coefficients(GCC)-are fused to expand the feature space.Unlike existing approaches,the proposed IS-DAR system uniquely inte-grates diverse handcrafted features using a novel fusion strategy combined with Bayesian-based optimization,enabling a more accurate and generalized activity recognition.The key contribution lies in the joint optimization and fusion of features via Bayesian-based subset selection,resulting in a compact and highly discriminative feature representation.These features are then fed into a Convolutional Neural Network(CNN)to effectively detect spatial-temporal patterns in activity signals.Testing on two public datasets-IM-WSHA and ENABL3S-achieved accuracy levels of 93.0%and 92.0%,respectively.The integration of advanced feature extraction methods with fusion and optimization techniques significantly enhanced detection performance,surpassing traditional methods.The obtained results establish the effectiveness of the proposed IS-DAR system for deployment in real-world activity recognition applications.展开更多
Image processing plays a vital role in various fields such as autonomous systems,healthcare,and cataloging,especially when integrated with deep learning(DL).It is crucial in medical diagnostics,including the early det...Image processing plays a vital role in various fields such as autonomous systems,healthcare,and cataloging,especially when integrated with deep learning(DL).It is crucial in medical diagnostics,including the early detection of diseases like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD),which claimed 3.2 million lives in 2015.COPD,a life-threatening condition often caused by prolonged exposure to lung irritants and smoking,progresses through stages.Early diagnosis through image processing can significantly improve survival rates.COPD encompasses chronic bronchitis(CB)and emphysema;CB particularly increases in smokers and generally affects individuals between 50 and 70 years old.It damages the lungs’air sacs,reducing oxygen transport and causing symptoms like coughing and shortness of breath.Treatments such as beta-agonists and inhaled steroids are used to manage symptoms and prolong lung function.Moreover,COVID-19 poses an additional risk to individuals with CB due to its impact on the respiratory system.The proposed system utilizes convolutional neural networks(CNN)to diagnose CB.In this system,CNN extracts essential and significant features from X-ray modalities,which are then fed into the neural network.The network undergoes training to recognize patterns and make accurate predictions based on the learned features.By leveraging DL techniques,the system aims to enhance the precision and reliability of CB detection.Our research specifically focuses on a subset of 189 lung disease images,carefully selected for model evaluation.To further refine the training process,various data augmentation and noise removal techniques are implemented.These techniques significantly enhance the quality of the training data,improving the model’s robustness and generalizability.As a result,the diagnostic accuracy has improved from 98.6%to 99.2%.This advancement not only validates the efficacy of our proposed model but also represents a significant improvement over existing literature.It highlights the potential of CNN-based approaches in transforming medical diagnostics through refined image analysis,learning capabilities,and automated feature extraction.展开更多
The fracture energy of fiber-reinforced concrete(FRC)affects the durability and structural performance of concrete elements.Advancements in experimental studies have yet to overcome the challenges of estimating fractu...The fracture energy of fiber-reinforced concrete(FRC)affects the durability and structural performance of concrete elements.Advancements in experimental studies have yet to overcome the challenges of estimating fracture energy,as the process remains time-intensive and costly.Therefore,machine learning techniques have emerged as powerful alternatives.This study aims to investigate the performance of machine learning techniques to predict the fracture energy of FRC.For this purpose,500 data points,including 8 input parameters that affect the fracture energy of FRC,are collected fromthree-point bending tests and employed to train and evaluate themachine learning techniques.The findings showed that Gaussian process regression(GPR)outperforms all other models in terms of predictive accuracy,achieving the highest R2 of 0.93 and the lowest RMSE of 13.91 during holdout cross-validation.It is then followed by support vector regression(SVR)and extreme gradient boosting regression(XGBR),whereas K-nearest neighbours(KNN)and random forest regression(RFR)show the weakest predictions.The superiority of GPR is further reinforced in a 5-fold cross-validation,where it consistently delivers an average R2 above 0.96 and ranks highest in overall predictive performance.Empirical testing with additional sample sets validates GPR’s model on the key mix parameter’s impact on fracture energy,cementing its claim.The Fly-Ash cement exhibits the greatest fracture energy due to superior fiber-matrix interaction,whereas the glass fiber dominates energy absorption amongst the other types of fibers.In addition,increasing the water-to-cement(W/C)ratio from 0.30 to 0.50 yields a significant improvement in fracture energy,which aligns well with the machine learning predictions.Similarly,loading rate positively correlates with fracture energy,highlighting the strain-rate sensitivity of FRC.This work is the missing link to integrate experimental fracture mechanics and computational intelligence,optimally and reasonably predicting and refining the fracture energy of FRC.展开更多
Challenges in land use and land cover(LULC)include rapid urbanization encroaching on agricultural land,leading to fragmentation and loss of natural habitats.However,the effects of urbanization on LULC of different cro...Challenges in land use and land cover(LULC)include rapid urbanization encroaching on agricultural land,leading to fragmentation and loss of natural habitats.However,the effects of urbanization on LULC of different crop types are less concerned.The study assessed the impacts of LULC changes on agriculture and drought vulnerability in the Aguascalientes region,Mexico,from 1994 to 2024,and predicted the LULC in 2034 using remote sensing data,with the goals of sustainable land management and climate resilience strategies.Despite increasing urbanization and drought,the integration of satellite imagery and machine learning models in LULC analysis has been underutilized in this region.Using Landsat imagery,we assessed crop attributes through indices such as normalized difference vegetation index(NDVI),normalized difference water index(NDWI),normalized difference moisture index(NDMI),and vegetation condition index(VCI),alongside watershed delineation and spectral features.The random forest model was applied to classify LULC,providing insights into both historical and future trends.Results indicated a significant decline in vegetation cover(109.13 km^(2))from 1994 to 2024,accompanied by an increase in built-up land(75.11 km^(2))and bare land(67.13 km^(2)).Projections suggested a further decline in vegetation cover(41.51 km^(2))and continued urban land expansion by 2034.The study found that paddy crops exhibited the highest values,while common bean and maize performed poorly.Drought analysis revealed that mildly dry areas in 2004 became severely dry in 2024,highlighting the increasing vulnerability of agriculture to climate change.The study concludes that sustainable land management,improved water resource practices,and advanced monitoring techniques are essential to mitigate the adverse effects of LULC changes on agricultural productivity and drought resilience in the area.These findings contribute to the understanding of how remote sensing can be effectively used for long-term agricultural planning and environmental sustainability.展开更多
基金supported by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation under Projects PID2022-137680OB-C32 and PID2022-139187OB-I00.
文摘Customer segmentation according to load-shape profiles using smart meter data is an increasingly important application to vital the planning and operation of energy systems and to enable citizens’participation in the energy transition.This study proposes an innovative multi-step clustering procedure to segment customers based on load-shape patterns at the daily and intra-daily time horizons.Smart meter data is split between daily and hourly normalized time series to assess monthly,weekly,daily,and hourly seasonality patterns separately.The dimensionality reduction implicit in the splitting allows a direct approach to clustering raw daily energy time series data.The intraday clustering procedure sequentially identifies representative hourly day-unit profiles for each customer and the entire population.For the first time,a step function approach is applied to reduce time series dimensionality.Customer attributes embedded in surveys are employed to build external clustering validation metrics using Cramer’s V correlation factors and to identify statistically significant determinants of load-shape in energy usage.In addition,a time series features engineering approach is used to extract 16 relevant demand flexibility indicators that characterize customers and corresponding clusters along four different axes:available Energy(E),Temporal patterns(T),Consistency(C),and Variability(V).The methodology is implemented on a real-world electricity consumption dataset of 325 Small and Medium-sized Enterprise(SME)customers,identifying 4 daily and 6 hourly easy-to-interpret,well-defined clusters.The application of the methodology includes selecting key parameters via grid search and a thorough comparison of clustering distances and methods to ensure the robustness of the results.Further research can test the scalability of the methodology to larger datasets from various customer segments(households and large commercial)and locations with different weather and socioeconomic conditions.
基金The support of Prince Sultan University for paying the Article Processing Charge(APC)of this publication and their support.Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University Researchers Supporting Project number(PNURSP2025R300).
文摘Soilcrete is a composite material of soil and cement that is highly valued in the construction industry.Accurate measurement of its mechanical properties is essential,but laboratory testing methods are expensive,timeconsuming,and include inaccuracies.Machine learning(ML)algorithms provide a more efficient alternative for this purpose,so after assessment with a statistical extraction method,ML algorithms including back-propagation neural network(BPNN),K-nearest neighbor(KNN),radial basis function(RBF),feed-forward neural networks(FFNN),and support vector regression(SVR)for predicting the uniaxial compressive strength(UCS)of soilcrete,were proposed in this study.The developed models in this study were optimized using an optimization technique,gradient descent(GD),throughout the analysis(direct optimization for neural networks and indirect optimization for other models corresponding to their hyperparameters).After doing laboratory analysis,data pre-preprocessing,and data-processing analysis,a database including 600 soilcrete specimens was gathered,which includes two different soil types(clay and limestone)and metakaolin as a mineral additive.80%of the database was used for the training set and 20%for testing,considering eight input parameters,including metakaolin content,soil type,superplasticizer content,water-to-binder ratio,shrinkage,binder,density,and ultrasonic velocity.The analysis showed that most algorithms performed well in the prediction,with BPNN,KNN,and RBF having higher accuracy compared to others(R^(2)=0.95,0.95,0.92,respectively).Based on this evaluation,it was observed that all models show an acceptable accuracy rate in prediction(RMSE:BPNN=0.11,FFNN=0.24,KNN=0.05,SVR=0.06,RBF=0.05,MAD:BPNN=0.006,FFNN=0.012,KNN=0.008,SVR=0.006,RBF=0.009).The ML importance ranking-sensitivity analysis indicated that all input parameters influence theUCS of soilcrete,especially the water-to-binder ratio and density,which have themost impact.
基金supported by Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University Researchers Supporting Project number(PNURSP2025R104)Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University,Riyadh,Saudi Arabia。
文摘In today’s digital world,the Internet of Things(IoT)plays an important role in both local and global economies due to its widespread adoption in different applications.This technology has the potential to offer several advantages over conventional technologies in the near future.However,the potential growth of this technology also attracts attention from hackers,which introduces new challenges for the research community that range from hardware and software security to user privacy and authentication.Therefore,we focus on a particular security concern that is associated with malware detection.The literature presents many countermeasures,but inconsistent results on identical datasets and algorithms raise concerns about model biases,training quality,and complexity.This highlights the need for an adaptive,real-time learning framework that can effectively mitigate malware threats in IoT applications.To address these challenges,(i)we propose an intelligent framework based on Two-step Deep Reinforcement Learning(TwStDRL)that is capable of learning and adapting in real-time to counter malware threats in IoT applications.This framework uses exploration and exploitation phenomena during both the training and testing phases by storing results in a replay memory.The stored knowledge allows the model to effectively navigate the environment and maximize cumulative rewards.(ii)To demonstrate the superiority of the TwStDRL framework,we implement and evaluate several machine learning algorithms for comparative analysis that include Support Vector Machines(SVM),Multi-Layer Perceptron,Random Forests,and k-means Clustering.The selection of these algorithms is driven by the inconsistent results reported in the literature,which create doubt about their robustness and reliability in real-world IoT deployments.(iii)Finally,we provide a comprehensive evaluation to justify why the TwStDRL framework outperforms them in mitigating security threats.During analysis,we noted that our proposed TwStDRL scheme achieves an average performance of 99.45%across accuracy,precision,recall,and F1-score,which is an absolute improvement of roughly 3%over the existing malware-detection models.
基金supported by Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University Researchers Supporting Project number(PNURSP2025R104),Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University,Riyadh,Saudi Arabia.
文摘One in every eight men in the US is diagnosed with prostate cancer,making it the most common cancer in men.Gleason grading is one of the most essential diagnostic and prognostic factors for planning the treatment of prostate cancer patients.Traditionally,urological pathologists perform the grading by scoring the morphological pattern,known as the Gleason pattern,in histopathology images.However,thismanual grading is highly subjective,suffers intra-and inter-pathologist variability and lacks reproducibility.An automated grading system could be more efficient,with no subjectivity and higher accuracy and reproducibility.Automated methods presented previously failed to achieve sufficient accuracy,lacked reproducibility and depended on high-resolution images such as 40×.This paper proposes an automated Gleason grading method,ProGENET,to accurately predict the grade using low-resolution images such as 10×.This method first divides the patient’s histopathology whole slide image(WSI)into patches.Then,it detects artifacts and tissue-less regions and predicts the patch-wise grade using an ensemble network of CNN and transformer models.The proposed method adapted the International Society of Urological Pathology(ISUP)grading system and achieved 90.8%accuracy in classifying the patches into healthy and Gleason grades 1 through 5 using 10×WSI,outperforming the state-of-the-art accuracy by 27%.Finally,the patient’s grade was determined by combining the patch-wise results.The method was also demonstrated for 4−class grading and binary classification of prostate cancer,achieving 93.0%and 99.6%accuracy,respectively.The reproducibility was over 90%.Since the proposedmethod determined the grades with higher accuracy and reproducibility using low-resolution images,it is more reliable and effective than existing methods and can potentially improve subsequent therapy decisions.
基金This work was funded by the Deanship of Scientific Research at Jouf University under Grant Number(DSR2022-RG-0102).
文摘Software Defined Network(SDN)and Network Function Virtualization(NFV)technology promote several benefits to network operators,including reduced maintenance costs,increased network operational performance,simplified network lifecycle,and policies management.Network vulnerabilities try to modify services provided by Network Function Virtualization MANagement and Orchestration(NFV MANO),and malicious attacks in different scenarios disrupt the NFV Orchestrator(NFVO)and Virtualized Infrastructure Manager(VIM)lifecycle management related to network services or individual Virtualized Network Function(VNF).This paper proposes an anomaly detection mechanism that monitors threats in NFV MANO and manages promptly and adaptively to implement and handle security functions in order to enhance the quality of experience for end users.An anomaly detector investigates these identified risks and provides secure network services.It enables virtual network security functions and identifies anomalies in Kubernetes(a cloud-based platform).For training and testing purpose of the proposed approach,an intrusion-containing dataset is used that hold multiple malicious activities like a Smurf,Neptune,Teardrop,Pod,Land,IPsweep,etc.,categorized as Probing(Prob),Denial of Service(DoS),User to Root(U2R),and Remote to User(R2L)attacks.An anomaly detector is anticipated with the capabilities of a Machine Learning(ML)technique,making use of supervised learning techniques like Logistic Regression(LR),Support Vector Machine(SVM),Random Forest(RF),Naïve Bayes(NB),and Extreme Gradient Boosting(XGBoost).The proposed framework has been evaluated by deploying the identified ML algorithm on a Jupyter notebook in Kubeflow to simulate Kubernetes for validation purposes.RF classifier has shown better outcomes(99.90%accuracy)than other classifiers in detecting anomalies/intrusions in the containerized environment.
基金funded by the Deanship of Scientific Research at Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University through the Fast-track Research Funding Program.
文摘Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency(LSCD)is an eye disease that can cause corneal opacity and vascularization.In its advanced stage it can lead to a degree of visual impairment.It involves the changing in the semispherical shape of the cornea to a drooping shape to downwards direction.LSCD is hard to be diagnosed at early stages.The color and texture of the cornea surface can provide significant information about the cornea affected by LSCD.Parameters such as shape and texture are very crucial to differentiate normal from LSCD cornea.Although several medical approaches exist,most of them requires complicated procedure and medical devices.Therefore,in this paper,we pursued the development of a LSCD detection technique(LDT)utilizing image processing methods.Early diagnosis of LSCD is very crucial for physicians to arrange for effective treatment.In the proposed technique,we developed a method for LSCD detection utilizing frontal eye images.A dataset of 280 eye images of frontal and lateral LSCD and normal patients were used in this research.First,the cornea region of both frontal and lateral images is segmented,and the geometric features are extracted through the automated active contour model and the spline curve.While the texture features are extracted using the feature selection algorithm.The experimental results exhibited that the combined features of the geometric and texture will exhibit accuracy of 95.95%,sensitivity of 97.91% and specificity of 94.05% with the random forest classifier of n=40.As a result,this research developed a Limbal stem cell deficiency detection system utilizing features’fusion using image processing techniques for frontal and lateral digital images of the eyes.
基金Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University Riyadh,Saudi Arabia with Researchers Supporting Project Number:PNURSP2024R234.
文摘Face recognition (FR) technology has numerous applications in artificial intelligence including biometrics, security,authentication, law enforcement, and surveillance. Deep learning (DL) models, notably convolutional neuralnetworks (CNNs), have shown promising results in the field of FR. However CNNs are easily fooled since theydo not encode position and orientation correlations between features. Hinton et al. envisioned Capsule Networksas a more robust design capable of retaining pose information and spatial correlations to recognize objects morelike the brain does. Lower-level capsules hold 8-dimensional vectors of attributes like position, hue, texture, andso on, which are routed to higher-level capsules via a new routing by agreement algorithm. This provides capsulenetworks with viewpoint invariance, which has previously evaded CNNs. This research presents a FR model basedon capsule networks that was tested using the LFW dataset, COMSATS face dataset, and own acquired photos usingcameras measuring 128 × 128 pixels, 40 × 40 pixels, and 30 × 30 pixels. The trained model outperforms state-ofthe-art algorithms, achieving 95.82% test accuracy and performing well on unseen faces that have been blurred orrotated. Additionally, the suggested model outperformed the recently released approaches on the COMSATS facedataset, achieving a high accuracy of 92.47%. Based on the results of this research as well as previous results, capsulenetworks perform better than deeper CNNs on unobserved altered data because of their special equivarianceproperties.
文摘Proactive Semantic Interference (PSI) and failure to recover from PSI (frPSI), are novel constructs assessed by the LASSI-L. These measures are sensitive to cognitive changes in early Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and preclinical AD determined by Aβ load using PET. The goal of this study was to compare a new computerized version of the LASSI-L (LASSI-Brief Computerized) to the standard paper-and-pencil version of the test. In this study, we examined 110 cognitively unimpaired (CU) older adults and 79 with amnestic MCI (aMCI) who were administered the paper-and-pencil form of the LASSI-L. Their performance was compared with 62 CU older adults and 52 aMCI participants examined using the LASSI-BC. After adjustment for covariates (degree of initial learning, sex, education, and language of evaluation) both the standard and computerized versions distinguished between aMCI and CU participants. The performance of CU and aMCI groups using either form was relatively commensurate. Importantly, an optimal combination of Cued B2 recall and Cued B1 intrusions on the LASSI-BC yielded an area under the ROC curve of .927, a sensitivity of 92.3% and specificity of 88.1%, relative to an area under the ROC curve of .815, a sensitivity of 72.5%, and a specificity of 79.1% obtained for the paper-and-pencil LASSI-L. Overall, the LASSI-BC was comparable, and in some ways, superior to the paper-and-pencil LASSI-L. Advantages of the LASSI-BC include a more standardized administration, suitability for remote assessment, and an automated scoring mechanism that can be verified by a built-in audio recording of responses.
基金supported by the PETRAS National Centre of Excellence for IoT Systems Cybersecurity,which has been funded by the UK EPSRC[under grant number EP/S035362/1]the Software Sustainability Institute[grant number:EP/S021779/1]by the Cisco Research Centre[grant number CG1525381].
文摘This study examines blockchain technologies and their pivotal role in the evolving Metaverse,shedding light on topics such as how to invest in cryptocurrency,the mechanics behind crypto mining,and strategies to effectively buy and trade cryptocurrencies.While it contextualises the common queries of"why is crypto crashing?"and"why is crypto down?",the research transcends beyond the frequent market fluctuations to unravel how cryptocurrencies fundamentally work and the step-by-step process on how to create a cryptocurrency.Contrasting existing literature,this comprehensive investigation encompasses both the economic and cybersecurity risks inherent in the blockchain and fintech spheres.Through an interdisciplinary approach,the research transitions from the fundamental principles of fintech investment strategies to the overarching implications of blockchain within the Metaverse.Alongside exploring machine learning potentials in financial sectors and risk assessment methodologies,the study critically assesses whether developed or developing nations are poised to reap greater benefits from these technologies.Moreover,it probes into both enduring and dubious crypto projects,drawing a distinct line between genuine blockchain applications and Ponzi-like schemes.The conclusion resolutely affirms the staying power of blockchain technologies,underlined by a profound exploration of their intrinsic value and a reflective commentary by the author on the potential risks confronting individual investors.
文摘Analyzing big data, especially medical data, helps to provide good health care to patients and face the risks of death. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on public health worldwide, emphasizing the need for effective risk prediction models. Machine learning (ML) techniques have shown promise in analyzing complex data patterns and predicting disease outcomes. The accuracy of these techniques is greatly affected by changing their parameters. Hyperparameter optimization plays a crucial role in improving model performance. In this work, the Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithm was used to effectively search the hyperparameter space and improve the predictive power of the machine learning models by identifying the optimal hyperparameters that can provide the highest accuracy. A dataset with a variety of clinical and epidemiological characteristics linked to COVID-19 cases was used in this study. Various machine learning models, including Random Forests, Decision Trees, Support Vector Machines, and Neural Networks, were utilized to capture the complex relationships present in the data. To evaluate the predictive performance of the models, the accuracy metric was employed. The experimental findings showed that the suggested method of estimating COVID-19 risk is effective. When compared to baseline models, the optimized machine learning models performed better and produced better results.
文摘Global security threats have motivated organizations to adopt robust and reliable security systems to ensure the safety of individuals and assets.Biometric authentication systems offer a strong solution.However,choosing the best security system requires a structured decision-making framework,especially in complex scenarios involving multiple criteria.To address this problem,we develop a novel quantum spherical fuzzy technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution(QSF-TOPSIS)methodology,integrating quantum mechanics principles and fuzzy theory.The proposed approach enhances decision-making accuracy,handles uncertainty,and incorporates criteria relationships.Criteria weights are determined using spherical fuzzy sets,and alternatives are ranked through the QSFTOPSIS framework.This comprehensive multi-criteria decision-making(MCDM)approach is applied to identify the optimal gate security system for an organization,considering critical factors such as accuracy,cost,and reliability.Additionally,the study compares the proposed approach with other established MCDM methods.The results confirm the alignment of rankings across these methods,demonstrating the robustness and reliability of the QSF-TOPSIS framework.The study identifies the infrared recognition and identification system(IRIS)as the most effective,with a score value of 0.5280 and optimal security system among the evaluated alternatives.This research contributes to the growing literature on quantum-enhanced decision-making models and offers a practical framework for solving complex,real-world problems involving uncertainty and ambiguity.
文摘The rapid increase in the number of Internet of Things(IoT)devices,coupled with a rise in sophisticated cyberattacks,demands robust intrusion detection systems.This study presents a holistic,intelligent intrusion detection system.It uses a combined method that integrates machine learning(ML)and deep learning(DL)techniques to improve the protection of contemporary information technology(IT)systems.Unlike traditional signature-based or singlemodel methods,this system integrates the strengths of ensemble learning for binary classification and deep learning for multi-class classification.This combination provides a more nuanced and adaptable defense.The research utilizes the NF-UQ-NIDS-v2 dataset,a recent,comprehensive benchmark for evaluating network intrusion detection systems(NIDS).Our methodological framework employs advanced artificial intelligence techniques.Specifically,we use ensemble learning algorithms(Random Forest,Gradient Boosting,AdaBoost,and XGBoost)for binary classification.Deep learning architectures are also employed to address the complexities of multi-class classification,allowing for fine-grained identification of intrusion types.To mitigate class imbalance,a common problem in multi-class intrusion detection that biases model performance,we use oversampling and data augmentation.These techniques ensure equitable class representation.The results demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed hybrid ML-DL system.It achieves significant improvements in intrusion detection accuracy and reliability.This research contributes substantively to cybersecurity by providing a more robust and adaptable intrusion detection solution.
基金funded by the Northern Border University,Arar,KSA,under the project number“NBU-FFR-2025-3555-07”.
文摘Healthcare networks are transitioning from manual records to electronic health records,but this shift introduces vulnerabilities such as secure communication issues,privacy concerns,and the presence of malicious nodes.Existing machine and deep learning-based anomalies detection methods often rely on centralized training,leading to reduced accuracy and potential privacy breaches.Therefore,this study proposes a Blockchain-based-Federated Learning architecture for Malicious Node Detection(BFL-MND)model.It trains models locally within healthcare clusters,sharing only model updates instead of patient data,preserving privacy and improving accuracy.Cloud and edge computing enhance the model’s scalability,while blockchain ensures secure,tamper-proof access to health data.Using the PhysioNet dataset,the proposed model achieves an accuracy of 0.95,F1 score of 0.93,precision of 0.94,and recall of 0.96,outperforming baseline models like random forest(0.88),adaptive boosting(0.90),logistic regression(0.86),perceptron(0.83),and deep neural networks(0.92).
基金supported by the ITP(Institute of Information&Communications Technology Planning&Evaluation)-ICAN(ICT Challenge and Advanced Network of HRD)(ITP-2025-RS-2022-00156326,33)grant funded by the Korea government(Ministry of Science and ICT)the Deanship of Research and Graduate Studies at King Khalid University for funding this work through the Large Group Project under grant number(RGP2/568/45)the Deanship of Scientific Research at Northern Border University,Arar,Saudi Arabia,for funding this research work through the Project Number"NBU-FFR-2025-231-03".
文摘Remote sensing plays a pivotal role in environmental monitoring,disaster relief,and urban planning,where accurate scene classification of aerial images is essential.However,conventional convolutional neural networks(CNNs)struggle with long-range dependencies and preserving high-resolution features,limiting their effectiveness in complex aerial image analysis.To address these challenges,we propose a Hybrid HRNet-Swin Transformer model that synergizes the strengths of HRNet-W48 for high-resolution segmentation and the Swin Transformer for global feature extraction.This hybrid architecture ensures robust multi-scale feature fusion,capturing fine-grained details and broader contextual relationships in aerial imagery.Our methodology begins with preprocessing steps,including normalization,histogram equalization,and noise reduction,to enhance input data quality.The HRNet-W48 backbone maintains high-resolution feature maps throughout the network,enabling precise segmentation,while the Swin Transformer leverages hierarchical self-attention to model long-range dependencies efficiently.By integrating these components,our model achieves superior performance in segmentation and classification tasks compared to traditional CNNs and standalone transformer models.We evaluate our approach on two benchmark datasets:UC Merced and WHU-RS19.Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed hybrid model outperforms existing methods,achieving state-of-the-art accuracy while maintaining computational efficiency.Specifically,it excels in preserving fine spatial details and contextual understanding,critical for applications like land-use classification and disaster assessment.
文摘Urdu,a prominent subcontinental language,serves as a versatile means of communication.However,its handwritten expressions present challenges for optical character recognition(OCR).While various OCR techniques have been proposed,most of them focus on recognizing printed Urdu characters and digits.To the best of our knowledge,very little research has focused solely on Urdu pure handwriting recognition,and the results of such proposed methods are often inadequate.In this study,we introduce a novel approach to recognizing Urdu pure handwritten digits and characters using Convolutional Neural Networks(CNN).Our proposed method utilizes convolutional layers to extract important features from input images and classifies them using fully connected layers,enabling efficient and accurate detection of Urdu handwritten digits and characters.We implemented the proposed technique on a large publicly available dataset of Urdu handwritten digits and characters.The findings demonstrate that the CNN model achieves an accuracy of 98.30%and an F1 score of 88.6%,indicating its effectiveness in detecting and classifyingUrdu handwritten digits and characters.These results have far-reaching implications for various applications,including document analysis,text recognition,and language understanding,which have previously been unexplored in the context of Urdu handwriting data.This work lays a solid foundation for future research and development in Urdu language detection and processing,opening up new opportunities for advancement in this field.
基金funded by Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University Researchers Supporting Project number(PNURSP2025R104),Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University,Riyadh,Saudi Arabia.
文摘Environmental transition can potentially influence cardiovascular health.Investigating the relationship between such transition and heart disease has important applications.This study uses federated learning(FL)in this context and investigates the link between climate change and heart disease.The dataset containing environmental,meteorological,and health-related factors like blood sugar,cholesterol,maximum heart rate,fasting ECG,etc.,is used with machine learning models to identify hidden patterns and relationships.Algorithms such as federated learning,XGBoost,random forest,support vector classifier,extra tree classifier,k-nearest neighbor,and logistic regression are used.A framework for diagnosing heart disease is designed using FL along with other models.Experiments involve discriminating healthy subjects from those who are heart patients and obtain an accuracy of 94.03%.The proposed FL-based framework proves to be superior to existing techniques in terms of usability,dependability,and accuracy.This study paves the way for screening people for early heart disease detection and continuous monitoring in telemedicine and remote care.Personalized treatment can also be planned with customized therapies.
基金funded by the Open Access Initiative of the University of Bremen and the DFG via SuUB BremenThe authors extend their appreciation to the Deanship of Research and Graduate Studies at King Khalid University for funding thiswork through Large Group Project under grant number(RGP.2/568/45)The authors extend their appreciation to the Deanship of Scientific Research at Northern Border University,Arar,KSA for funding this research work through the Project Number“NBU-FFR-2025-231-04”.
文摘Inertial Sensor-based Daily Activity Recognition(IS-DAR)requires adaptable,data-efficient methods for effective multi-sensor use.This study presents an advanced detection system using body-worn sensors to accurately recognize activities.A structured pipeline enhances IS-DAR by applying signal preprocessing,feature extraction and optimization,followed by classification.Before segmentation,a Chebyshev filter removes noise,and Blackman window-ing improves signal representation.Discriminative features-Gaussian Mixture Model(GMM)with Mel-Frequency Cepstral Coefficients(MFCC),spectral entropy,quaternion-based features,and Gammatone Cepstral Coefficients(GCC)-are fused to expand the feature space.Unlike existing approaches,the proposed IS-DAR system uniquely inte-grates diverse handcrafted features using a novel fusion strategy combined with Bayesian-based optimization,enabling a more accurate and generalized activity recognition.The key contribution lies in the joint optimization and fusion of features via Bayesian-based subset selection,resulting in a compact and highly discriminative feature representation.These features are then fed into a Convolutional Neural Network(CNN)to effectively detect spatial-temporal patterns in activity signals.Testing on two public datasets-IM-WSHA and ENABL3S-achieved accuracy levels of 93.0%and 92.0%,respectively.The integration of advanced feature extraction methods with fusion and optimization techniques significantly enhanced detection performance,surpassing traditional methods.The obtained results establish the effectiveness of the proposed IS-DAR system for deployment in real-world activity recognition applications.
文摘Image processing plays a vital role in various fields such as autonomous systems,healthcare,and cataloging,especially when integrated with deep learning(DL).It is crucial in medical diagnostics,including the early detection of diseases like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD),which claimed 3.2 million lives in 2015.COPD,a life-threatening condition often caused by prolonged exposure to lung irritants and smoking,progresses through stages.Early diagnosis through image processing can significantly improve survival rates.COPD encompasses chronic bronchitis(CB)and emphysema;CB particularly increases in smokers and generally affects individuals between 50 and 70 years old.It damages the lungs’air sacs,reducing oxygen transport and causing symptoms like coughing and shortness of breath.Treatments such as beta-agonists and inhaled steroids are used to manage symptoms and prolong lung function.Moreover,COVID-19 poses an additional risk to individuals with CB due to its impact on the respiratory system.The proposed system utilizes convolutional neural networks(CNN)to diagnose CB.In this system,CNN extracts essential and significant features from X-ray modalities,which are then fed into the neural network.The network undergoes training to recognize patterns and make accurate predictions based on the learned features.By leveraging DL techniques,the system aims to enhance the precision and reliability of CB detection.Our research specifically focuses on a subset of 189 lung disease images,carefully selected for model evaluation.To further refine the training process,various data augmentation and noise removal techniques are implemented.These techniques significantly enhance the quality of the training data,improving the model’s robustness and generalizability.As a result,the diagnostic accuracy has improved from 98.6%to 99.2%.This advancement not only validates the efficacy of our proposed model but also represents a significant improvement over existing literature.It highlights the potential of CNN-based approaches in transforming medical diagnostics through refined image analysis,learning capabilities,and automated feature extraction.
基金Prince Sultan University for their supportPrincess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University Researchers Supporting Project number(PNURSP2025R300)supported via funding from Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University project number(PSAU/2025/R/1447).
文摘The fracture energy of fiber-reinforced concrete(FRC)affects the durability and structural performance of concrete elements.Advancements in experimental studies have yet to overcome the challenges of estimating fracture energy,as the process remains time-intensive and costly.Therefore,machine learning techniques have emerged as powerful alternatives.This study aims to investigate the performance of machine learning techniques to predict the fracture energy of FRC.For this purpose,500 data points,including 8 input parameters that affect the fracture energy of FRC,are collected fromthree-point bending tests and employed to train and evaluate themachine learning techniques.The findings showed that Gaussian process regression(GPR)outperforms all other models in terms of predictive accuracy,achieving the highest R2 of 0.93 and the lowest RMSE of 13.91 during holdout cross-validation.It is then followed by support vector regression(SVR)and extreme gradient boosting regression(XGBR),whereas K-nearest neighbours(KNN)and random forest regression(RFR)show the weakest predictions.The superiority of GPR is further reinforced in a 5-fold cross-validation,where it consistently delivers an average R2 above 0.96 and ranks highest in overall predictive performance.Empirical testing with additional sample sets validates GPR’s model on the key mix parameter’s impact on fracture energy,cementing its claim.The Fly-Ash cement exhibits the greatest fracture energy due to superior fiber-matrix interaction,whereas the glass fiber dominates energy absorption amongst the other types of fibers.In addition,increasing the water-to-cement(W/C)ratio from 0.30 to 0.50 yields a significant improvement in fracture energy,which aligns well with the machine learning predictions.Similarly,loading rate positively correlates with fracture energy,highlighting the strain-rate sensitivity of FRC.This work is the missing link to integrate experimental fracture mechanics and computational intelligence,optimally and reasonably predicting and refining the fracture energy of FRC.
基金supported by the Deanship of Research and Graduate Studies at the King Khalid University(RGP2/287/46)the Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University Researchers Supporting Project(PNURSP2025R733)+1 种基金the Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University Research Supporting Project(RSPD2025R787)the King Saud University,Saudi Arabia.
文摘Challenges in land use and land cover(LULC)include rapid urbanization encroaching on agricultural land,leading to fragmentation and loss of natural habitats.However,the effects of urbanization on LULC of different crop types are less concerned.The study assessed the impacts of LULC changes on agriculture and drought vulnerability in the Aguascalientes region,Mexico,from 1994 to 2024,and predicted the LULC in 2034 using remote sensing data,with the goals of sustainable land management and climate resilience strategies.Despite increasing urbanization and drought,the integration of satellite imagery and machine learning models in LULC analysis has been underutilized in this region.Using Landsat imagery,we assessed crop attributes through indices such as normalized difference vegetation index(NDVI),normalized difference water index(NDWI),normalized difference moisture index(NDMI),and vegetation condition index(VCI),alongside watershed delineation and spectral features.The random forest model was applied to classify LULC,providing insights into both historical and future trends.Results indicated a significant decline in vegetation cover(109.13 km^(2))from 1994 to 2024,accompanied by an increase in built-up land(75.11 km^(2))and bare land(67.13 km^(2)).Projections suggested a further decline in vegetation cover(41.51 km^(2))and continued urban land expansion by 2034.The study found that paddy crops exhibited the highest values,while common bean and maize performed poorly.Drought analysis revealed that mildly dry areas in 2004 became severely dry in 2024,highlighting the increasing vulnerability of agriculture to climate change.The study concludes that sustainable land management,improved water resource practices,and advanced monitoring techniques are essential to mitigate the adverse effects of LULC changes on agricultural productivity and drought resilience in the area.These findings contribute to the understanding of how remote sensing can be effectively used for long-term agricultural planning and environmental sustainability.