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In this paper, we propose a novel contour search algorithm (CSA) for image processing. Its efficacy is evaluated through a comparative analysis with established techniques such as Canny Edge and Snakes: Active contour models, utilizing infrared thermography (IRT) images. Based on the new CSA, we investigate the influence of different pulse shapes on the IRT post-processing methodology, particularly focusing on the thermal shock response spectrum (TSRS), using two different heat sources: xenon flash lamps and a laser. Moreover, this allows for a more precise quantitative comparison of the TSRS with existing IRT post-processing techniques, including pulse phase thermography and thermal signal reconstruction, concerning the detection of defects in composite materials, particularly in carbon fiber-reinforced polymer. A quantitative comparison was performed using the Tanimoto criterion and signal-to-noise ratio. A more detailed analysis is conducted to identify inherent limitations and potential benefits of the new TSRS methodology. We further investigate and experimentally confirm our previous finding on the qualitative correlation between the one-dimensional thermal N-layer model and test data from the TSRS optimization process for defect determination. This correlation can eliminate the time-consuming optimization step, making TSRS a more attractive alternative to common IRT methods and enhancing the quantitative description of defects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Slow motion is a popular video editing tool used to enhance short-form videos (e.g., reels, stories, GIFs), which are commonly found in media entertainment and marketing communications. This research shows that slow motion increases the virality (e.g., likes, votes, views) of short-form videos and boosts brand liking, choice, and willingness to pay. The effect occurs because slow motion enhances the hedonic component of the viewing experience via processing fluency. By documenting how the success of slow motion is subject to moderators, this work shows marketers, entertainment producers, and everyday people how to use slow motion more effectively. Across a large-scale field data set and six experiments, the authors highlight that slow motion is especially effective when applied to short-form videos that are inherently pleasant and that involve complex movements that are difficult to perceive at regular speed. However, even simple movements benefit from slow motion when content creators zoom in on subtle movements to increase complexity. Moreover, slow motion is more effective when viewers engage in less elaborate processing. Finally, the authors show that the perceived disfluency of fast-motion editing is effective at boosting brand evaluations when viewers desire excitement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Smart machine tools must be able to recognise the materials they interact with, in order to independently decide on what actions to be taken whenever needed. The purpose of this research is to offer a generic method to automate material identification and classification task utilising image processing and machine learning techniques so as to improve the cognitive capabilities of machine tools. A dataset of four material surfaces; Copper, Aluminium, Stainless Steel, and Bronze is generated and the RGB data are extracted. These colour channels are utilised as input features to train the machine learning algorithms. Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) and other classification methods like Support Vector Machine (SVM), Decision Trees, and k-Nearest Neighbour are also used to classify material images based on the generated dataset. A unique generalised technique, based on CNN, has been proposed to accurately recognise and categorise round surfaced materials during machining. The accuracy achieved by the classifier has reached 100% during training and testing. Test images are used to confirm the proposed methodology's capability to distinguish between materials based on various illumination environments and camera positions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The scanning electron microscope (SEM) recordings of dynamic nano-electromechanical systems (NEMS) are difficult to analyze due to the noise caused by low frame rate, insufficient resolution, and blurriness induced by applied electric potentials. Here, we develop an image processing platform enhanced by the physics of the underlying system to track the motion of buckling NEMS structures in the presence of high noise levels. The algorithm is composed of an image filter, two data filters, and a nonlinear regression model, which utilizes the expected form of the physical solution. The method was applied to the recordings of a NEMS beam about 150 nm wide, undergoing intra- and inter-well post-buckling states with a transition rate of approximately 0.5 Hz. The algorithm can track the dynamical motion of the NEMS and capture the dependency of deflection amplitude on the compressive force on the beam. With the help of the proposed algorithm, the transition from inter-well to intra-well motion is clearly resolved for buckling NEMS imaged under SEM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Purpose: Size-specific dose estimates (SSDE) have been introduced into computed tomography (CT) dosimetry to tailor patients' unique sizes to facilitate accurate CT radiation dose quantification and optimization. The purpose of this study was to develop and validate an automated algorithm for the determination of patient size (effective diameter) and SSDE. Materials and Methods: A MATLAB platform was used to develop software of algorithms based on image segmentation techniques to automate the calculation of patient size and SSDE. The algorithm was used to automatically estimate the individual size and SSDE of four CT dose index phantoms and 80 CT images of pediatric patients comprising head, thorax, and abdomen scans. For validation, the American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) manual methods were used to determine the patient's size and SSDE for the same subjects. The accuracy of the proposed algorithm in size and SSDE calculation was evaluated for agreement with the AAPM's estimations (manual) using Bland-Altman's agreement and Pearson's correlation coefficient. The normalized error, system bias, and limits of agreement (LOA) between methods were derived. Results: The results demonstrated good agreement and accuracy between the automated and AAPM's patient size estimations with an error rate of 1.9% and 0.27% on the patient and phantoms study, respectively. A 1% percentage difference was found between the automated and manual (AAPM) SSDE estimates. A strong degree of correlation was seen with a narrow LOA between methods for clinical study (r > 0.9771) and phantom study (r > 0.9999). Conclusion: The proposed automated algorithm provides an accurate estimation of patient size and SSDE with negligible error after validation. Keywords: Algorithm, automation, body size, computed tomography scan, image segmentation, pediatric, radiation dosage, size-specific dose estimate, Author(s): Muhammad Kabir Abdulkadir (corresponding author) [1,2]; Noor Diyana Osman [1]; Anusha Achuthan [3]; Radin A. Nasirudin [1]; Muhammad Zabidi Ahmad [1]; Noor Hasyima Mat Zain [1]; Ibrahim Lutfi Shuaib [...]

Recently, several studies have used deep convolutional neural networks (DCNN) for plant disease classification based on leaf symptoms images. Most of these studies use the PlantVillage dataset, which contains simple images with simple backgrounds. This has led to classifiers achieving high accuracy in academic settings but underperforming in practical scenarios where images taken by farmers are much more complex. In this paper, we propose a data augmentation (DA) method that transforms simple images from the PlantVillage dataset into more complex images, thereby bridging the gap between academic results and practical performance. Our technique focuses on making the images more realistic by generating images containing multiple leaves and complex backgrounds, such as soil. To evaluate the impact of our proposed method, we trained DCNN models using various augmentation methods and tested them on a dataset containing highly complex images comparable to those taken by farmers, posing a substantial challenge. The experimental results showed that models trained on images generated by our method outperformed traditional data augmentation methods, such as geometric transformations. Moreover, our method is competitive with Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) without requiring any training phase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deepfakes represent a class of synthetic media crafted with the aid of advanced deep learning techniques that exhibit an unparalleled degree of authenticity. The rapid advancement in Artificial Intelligence (AI) has contributed to an increase in the prevalence of deepfakes on the internet, consequently amplifying the spread of misinformation among the public. Consequently, the detection of deepfakes has become a pressing concern. In this context, we put forth a comprehensive framework for deepfake video detection, which is built upon three distinct layers. The first layer, termed as the RGB features extraction layer, is designed to identify potential signs of forgery within the spatial domain of analogous video frames. The second layer, known as the GAN features extraction layer, focuses on the extraction of forgery fingerprints in the high-frequency region. This layer is specifically engineered to detect the fingerprints left by the Generative Adversarial Network (GAN) process in fake videos and the traces of the imaging process in genuine videos. The third and final layer, referred to as the facial region intra-frame inconsistency feature extraction layer, is dedicated to uncovering the anomalies associated with the manipulation process. This is achieved by extracting features from both the inner and outer regions of the manipulated portion of a frame. The extensive experimental evaluations have underscored the superior performance of proposed approach in comparison to existing state-of-the-art methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Detecting glucose levels is crucial for diabetes patients as it enables timely and effective management, preventing complications and promoting overall health. In this endeavor, we have designed a novel, affordable point-of-care diagnostic device utilizing microfluidic principles, a smartphone camera, and established laboratory colorimetric methods for accurate glucose estimation. Our proposed microfluidic device comprises layers of adhesive poly-vinyl films stacked on a poly methyl methacrylate (PMMA) base sheet, with micro-channel contours precision-cut using a cutting printer. Employing the gold standard glucose-oxidase/peroxidase reaction on this microfluidic platform, we achieve enzymatic glucose determination. The resulting colored complex, formed by phenol and 4-aminoantipyrine in the presence of hydrogen peroxide generated during glucose oxidation, is captured at various glucose concentrations using a smartphone camera. Raw images are processed and utilized as input data for a 2-D convolutional neural network (CNN) deep learning classifier, demonstrating an impressive 95% overall accuracy against new images. The glucose predictions done by CNN are compared with ISO 15197:2013/2015 gold standard norms. Furthermore, the classifier exhibits outstanding precision, recall, and F1 score of 94%, 93%, and 93%, respectively, as validated through our study, showcasing its exceptional predictive capability. Next, a user-friendly smartphone application named "GLUCOLENS AI" was developed to capture images, perform image processing, and communicate with cloud server containing the CNN classifier. The developed CNN model can be successfully used as a pre-trained model for future glucose concentration predictions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Because surface texture is nearly the sole indicator of pavement functional properties and highly correlated with critical operational characteristics of roadways like traffic noise and safety, the change in pavement surface texture because of traffic loadings and environment has to be evaluated routinely. There are numerous direct or indirect evaluation techniques in the market. However, most of these methods have some limitations like requiring lane closure or being expensive. In this study, a 2D image processing method was established to estimate the surface mean texture depth (MTD) of chip sealed pavements. We produced chip sealed pavement samples in the laboratory with different aggregate type, shape, and size ranging between 2 and 19 mm to cover wide range of live conditions. Two well-known conventional test methods, Sand Patch (SP) and Hydrotimer (HT), were used to determine MTDs of chip seal samples. Subsequently numerous photos were taken on surface of the samples with a camera for 2-D image processing that was done based on surface void ratio (SVR) approach. With the image processing, SVR of all samples were determined. At the point of whether there is a relationship or not, correlation analysis was made between the MTDs obtained with SP and HT and the data obtained by SVR approach with the artificial neural network method. The results show that the proposed SVR approach construed on 2D image processing method can be a reliable alternative to evaluate the surface texture of pavements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Purpose Methods Results Conclusions Pneumonia, a major infectious cause of morbidity and mortality among children worldwide, is typically diagnosed using low‐dose pediatric chest X‐ray [CXR (chest radiography)]. In pediatric CXR images, bone occlusion leads to a risk of missed diagnosis. Deep learning–based bone‐suppression networks relying on training data have enabled considerable progress to be achieved in bone suppression in adult CXR images; however, these networks have poor generalizability to pediatric CXR images because of the lack of labeled pediatric CXR images (i.e., bone images vs. soft‐tissue images). Dual‐energy subtraction imaging approaches are capable of producing labeled adult CXR images; however, their application is limited because they require specialized equipment, and they are infrequently employed in pediatric settings. Traditional image processing–based models can be used to label pediatric CXR images, but they are semiautomatic and have suboptimal performance.We developed an efficient labeling approach for fine‐tuning pediatric CXR bone‐suppression networks capable of automatically suppressing bone structures in CXR images for pediatric patients without the need for specialized equipment and technologist training.Three steps were employed to label pediatric CXR images and fine‐tune pediatric bone‐suppression networks: distance transform–based bone‐edge detection, traditional image processing–based bone suppression, and fully automated pediatric bone suppression. In distance transform–based bone‐edge detection, bone edges were automatically detected by predicting bone‐edge distance‐transform images, which were then used as inputs in traditional image processing. In this processing, pediatric CXR images were labeled by obtaining bone images through a series of traditional image processing techniques. Finally, the pediatric bone‐suppression network was fine‐tuned using the labeled pediatric CXR images. This network was initially pretrained on a public adult dataset comprising 240 adult CXR images (A240) and then fine‐tuned and validated on 40 pediatric CXR images (P260_40labeled) from our customized dataset (named P260) through five‐fold cross‐validation; finally, the network was tested on 220 pediatric CXR images (P260_220unlabeled dataset).The distance transform–based bone‐edge detection network achieved a mean boundary distance of 1.029. Moreover, the traditional image processing–based bone‐suppression model obtained bone images exhibiting a relative Weber contrast of 93.0%. Finally, the fully automated pediatric bone‐suppression network achieved a relative mean absolute error of 3.38%, a peak signal‐to‐noise ratio of 35.5 dB, a structural similarity index measure of 98.1%, and a bone‐suppression ratio of 90.1% on P260_40labeled.The proposed fully automated pediatric bone‐suppression network, together with the proposed distance transform–based bone‐edge detection network, can automatically acquire bone and soft‐tissue images solely from CXR images for pediatric patients and has the potential to help diagnose pneumonia in children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Automatic font generation aims to streamline the design process by creating new fonts with minimal style references. This technology significantly reduces the manual labour and costs associated with traditional font design. Image‐to‐image translation has been the dominant approach, transforming font images from a source style to a target style using a few reference images. However, this framework struggles to fully decouple content from style, particularly when dealing with significant style shifts. Despite these limitations, image‐to‐image translation remains prevalent due to two main challenges faced by conditional generative models: (1) inability to handle unseen characters and (2) difficulty in providing precise content representations equivalent to the source font. Our approach tackles these issues by leveraging recent advancements in Chinese character representation research to pre‐train a robust content representation model. This model not only handles unseen characters but also generalizes to non‐existent ones, a capability absent in traditional image‐to‐image translation. We further propose a Transformer‐based Style Filter that not only accurately captures stylistic features from reference images but also handles any combination of them, fostering greater convenience for practical automated font generation applications. Additionally, we incorporate content loss with commonly used pixel‐ and perceptual‐level losses to refine the generated results from a comprehensive perspective. Extensive experiments validate the effectiveness of our method, particularly its ability to handle unseen characters, demonstrating significant performance gains over existing state‐of‐the‐art methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We propose that the ring structure found by the Event Horizon Telescope Collaboration (EHTC) as the black hole shadow of Sgr A* is an artefact caused by the bumpy point spread function (PSF) of the EHT 2017 data. The imaging using sparse u-v  data requires detailed scrutiny of the PSF. The estimated shadow diameter (⁠|$\mathrm{48.7\pm 7~\mu \rm as}$|⁠) is equal to the spacing between the main beam and the first sidelobe of the PSF (⁠|$\mathrm{49.09~\mu \rm as}$|⁠), which immediately suggests a potential problem in the deconvolution of the PSF. We show that the ring image can be derived from non-ring simulated data sets (noise only; point source) with a narrow field-of-view (FOV) and an assumed self-calibration, suggesting that the EHT 2017 u-v  coverage is insufficient for reliable imaging. The EHTC analysis, based on calibrations with assumptions about the source's size and properties, selected the final image by prioritizing the appearance rate of a similar structure from a large imaging parameter space over data consistency. Our independent analysis with conventional hybrid mapping reveals an elongated east–west structure, consistent with previous observations. We believe it to be more reliable than the EHTC image, owing to half the residuals in normalized visibility amplitude. The eastern half is brighter, possibly due to a Doppler boost from the rapidly rotating disc. We hypothesize that our image shows a portion of the accretion disc from about 2 to a few R S (where R S is the Schwarzschild radius) away from the black hole, rotating with nearly |$\mathrm{60~{{\ \rm per\ cent}}}$| of the speed of light and viewed from an angle of 40°−45°. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Advancements in infrastructure management have significantly benefited from automatic pavement crack detection systems, relying on image processing enhanced by high‐resolution imaging and machine learning. However, image and motion blur substantially challenge the accuracy of crack detection and analysis. Nevertheless, research on mitigating motion blur remains sparse. This study introduces an effective image processing system adept at deblurring and segmentation, employing a generative adversarial network (GAN) with UNet as the generator and Wasserstein GAN with Gradient Penalty (WGAN‐gp) as the loss function. This approach performs exceptionally in deblurring pavement crack images and improves segmentation accuracy. Models were trained with sharp and artificially blurred images, with WGAN‐gp surpassing other loss functions in effectiveness. This research innovatively suggests assessing deblurring quality through segmentation accuracy in addition to peak signal‐to‐noise ratio (PSNR) and structural similarity (SSIM), revealing that PSNR and SSIM may not fully capture deblurring effectiveness for pavement crack images. An extensive evaluation of various generators, including UNet, lightweight UNet, TransUNet, DeblurGAN, DeblurGAN‐v2, and MIMO‐UNet, identifies the superior performance of UNet on simulated motion blur. Validation with actual motion‐blurred images confirms the effectiveness of the proposed model. These findings demonstrate that GAN‐based models have great potential in overcoming motion blur challenges in pavement crack detection systems, marking a notable advancement in the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Facial expression recognition system is an advanced technology that allows machines to recognize human emotions based on their facial expressions. In order to develop a robust prediction model, this research work proposes three distinct architectural models to produce a facial expression prediction system that looks like this: The first model is on using a support vector machine to carry out a classification task. As a follow-up to the second model, an attempt was made to create a Convolution Neural Network (CNN) using the VGG-NET (Visual Geometry Group Network). Following analysis of the results, an attempt was made to enhance the outcome using the third model, which used convolutional sequential layers linked to seven distinct expressions, and an inference was drawn based on loss and accuracy metric behavior. We will use a dataset of human picture facial images in this research, which has more than 35500 facial photographs and represents seven different types of facial expressions. We will analyze our data and make every effort to remove as much noise as we can before feeding that information to our model. We use the confusion matrix to assess the model's performance after it has been implemented effectively. To demonstrate the effectiveness of our model architecture, we will generate bar graphs and scatter plots for each model to display model loss and accuracy. The output of this model is visualized with actual class and predictive class and the result has a graphical representation for each and every output facial Images which makes our recognition system user-friendly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diffusion models are increasingly applied in low‐light image enhancement tasks due to their exceptional capability to model data distributions, but most current methods focus only on the original pixel space and neglect the potential of Fourier frequency information. In this article, SFDiff is proposed, a novel low‐light image enhancement method that integrates Fourier frequency information into the diffusion process. Specifically, Fourier transforms are applied at both the image and feature levels to separately enhance the amplitude and phase components, which restores global illumination degradation and positional information. Then a Spatial‐Frequency Fusion (SFF) block is used to fully integrate and interact with the information across spatial and frequency domains. Since illumination degradation is primarily manifested in the amplitude component, a loss function based on maximum likelihood learning is employed to constrain the amplitude component at each step of the sampling process, ensuring that the reverse process maintains an optimal trajectory. Owing to the streamlined network design and the fact that the Fourier transform requires no extra parameters, SFDiff achieves a reduction in parameters of over 35%$35\%$ compared to several state‐of‐the‐art (SOTA) diffusion models and delivers high‐quality enhancement results on multiple real‐world datasets. The code is available at https://github.com/MrWan001/SFDiff. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the emergence of computer‐aided diagnostic (CAD) systems, the speed of histopathological image analysis and the accuracy of cancer detection have considerably improved. However, the appearance of histopathological slides can vary depending on the consistency of tissue thickness, stain concentrations, and equipment, thus affecting the judgment of CAD systems. This study proposes a palette‐based colour normalization method for histopathology images is proposed to solve the problem of colour differences between histopathology images. The method builds a graphical user interface based on an improved palette generation algorithm and colour transfer definitions, through which the user can complete the corresponding colour modification to achieve colour normalization. The evaluation of the metrics on histopathological images shows that our method is able to achieve higher image quality and better preservation of structural information of the source image compared with four other colour normalization algorithms. The peak signal‐to‐noise ratio values obtained by the proposed method on two publicly available datasets were 24.1914 and 21.3666, and the structural similarity index matrix values were 0.9871 and 0.9760. The proposed method provides new ideas for the development and design of CAD systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aiming at the problem of low detection accuracy caused by overlapping occlusion and noise disturbance, a contraband detection algorithm for X‐ray security inspection images based on global semantic enhancement is proposed to achieve accurate contraband target detection by enhancing global semantic information. First, the disturbance suppression module is used to weaken the noise disturbance at different positions by local suppression and aggregate finer detail information. Then, the parallel cascade search module is used to capture long‐range dependencies and strengthen the representation of global semantic information, which helps the model identify contraband under overlapping occlusion. Finally, the contribution of different features is adaptively adjusted through the feature‐weighted fusion module, which promotes the effective fusion of multi‐scale features and improves the accuracy of model detection. The method in this article has been extensively evaluated and experimented on three mainstream benchmark datasets: SIXray, OPIXray, and PIDray. The mAPs of three datasets reach 93.5%, 91.9%, and 85.9%, respectively. The experimental results fully demonstrate that the method in this article has better performance compared with the latest method, which can meet the practical application requirements of real‐time target detection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The surface quality of aluminium alloy castings is crucial to quality control. Aiming to address the challenges of limited samples and extensive computation in deep learning‐based surface defect detection for aluminium alloy castings, this paper proposes a surface defect detection method based on data enhancement and the Casting Real‐Time DEtection TRansformer. First, to tackle the issue of small sample sizes and uneven distribution in surface defect data sets of aluminium alloy castings, ECA‐MetaAconC Deep Convolution Generative Adversarial Networks is proposed for generating defects with fewer samples and employ the image augmentation (IMGAUG) library for sample enhancement. Second, building upon the Real‐Time DEtection TRansformer (RT‐DETR), a lightweight partial‐rep convolution is designed to decrease the network's parameter count. Simultaneously, the Deformable attention module and the DRBC3 module are introduced to enhance the neck network, thereby improving the model's capability to capture information and enhancing its detection performance. Compared to RT‐DETR, this method reduces the number of model parameters by 38.7%, increases mAP by 1.5%, and achieves a frame rate that is 1.58 times higher than the original model. The experimental results demonstrate that this method can effectively and accurately detect surface defects in aluminium alloy castings, satisfying industrial requirements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research work presents a novel secured spatial steganography algorithm consisting of three stages. In the first stage, a secret message is divided into three parts, each is encrypted using a tan logistic map encryption key with a unique seed value. In the second stage, the encrypted parts are transformed into quick response codes, serving as a layer of channel coding. Subsequently, the quick response codes are decoded back into bit‐streams. To enhance security, a uniquely‐seeded Mersenne Twister key is generated and employed to apply DNA coding onto each bit‐stream. The resulting bit‐streams are then embedded in the least significant bits of the RGB channels of a cover image. Finally, the RGB channels are merged to form a single stego image. A comprehensive set of experimental analyses is conducted to evaluate the performance of the proposed secure steganography algorithm. The experimental results demonstrate the algorithm's robustness against various attacks and its ability to achieve high embedding capacity while maintaining imperceptibility. The proposed algorithm offers a promising solution for secure information hiding in the spatial domain, with potential applications in areas such as data transmission, digital forensics, and covert communication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To effectively address common issues such as cattle being obscured by fences and images prone to colour shifts and high brightness in a ranch setting, this paper proposes an algorithm for counting cows based on multi‐scale perception and image correlation. The algorithm first adjusts the model output scale to enhance cattle detection under current conditions. It incor‐porates efficient Partial Convolution (PConv) to replace 3 × 3 convolutions in the Neck segment of the YOLOv7 network, boost‐ing computational speed and reducing complexity. To streamline feature fusion, Dynamic Head (DyHead) unifies multiple at‐tentional operations in the Neck segment, enhancing efficiency. Additionally, it introduces a novel bounding box similarity metric Minimum Point DioU (MPDIoU) based on minimum point distance, encompassing factors from existing loss functions, while simplifying computations. Experimental results demonstrate the algorithm significantly improves detection, achieving 98.8% accuracy, 99.0% recall, and a 92.1% mAP value. Compared with mainstream SOTA models, Precision increases by 0.4%, Recall by 2.0%, and mAP value by 2.2%. Model size decreases by 23.9%, parameter count by 23.0%, and computational load by 6.1%. the algorithm shows improvements across all indices, meeting the challenge of real‐time cattle counting in ranches under complex conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The technology for face‐to‐sketch synthesis transforms optical face images into a sketch‐style format. However, traditional style losses are insufficient to discern the modal differences between optical and sketch domain images, leading to unclear images. At the same time, generated images lack clarity due to traditional approaches' disregard for high‐frequency texture. To address these issues, a modality separation approach for facial sketch synthesis is proposed. First, a modality separation structure is proposed, using a quicksort algorithm to merge features of optical and sketch images as target modality (positive samples), ensuring the generated images' feature distribution matches real sketches. By controlling the Euclidean distance between generated images (anchors) and both target and filtered modality (positive and negative samples), irrelevant information is effectively filtered out. Next, an edge‐promoting module feeds processed blurry sketch images into the discriminator to enhance robustness. Lastly, a detail optimization module uses Laplacian filtering to extract high‐frequency texture from optical face images for local enhancement. Experimental validation on CUHK, AR, and XM2VTS datasets shows that this method outperforms mainstream sketch face synthesis methods in terms of Fréchet inception distance and learned perceptual image patch similarity, producing more realistic and natural images with richer texture details. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the advent of the digital era, millions of facial images are shared online daily, posing severe privacy threats. Generative face anonymization (GFA) methods generate virtual faces to conceal original identities, protecting sensitive information while preserving utility. However, deep learning based user identity linkage (UIL) methods can link similar faces to the same identity and leverage the linked profiles for malicious purposes, including localization and behaviour prediction. These UIL methods pose a significant challenge to the diversity of virtual faces, a challenge that existing GFA methods have not adequately addressed. To address this research gap, we propose Style Diversification‐based Generative Face Anonymization (SD‐GFA), a framework that generates virtual faces with diverse identities and high visual quality. SD‐GFA features an equalized control module to balance input faces and user‐specified keys, a face generation module with a re‐connection strategy for high‐quality synthesis, and a maximum probability simulation module to enhance diversity. Our experiments demonstrate that SD‐GFA effectively mitigates linkage risk by improving the diversity of virtual faces, while also enhancing their utility and visual quality. This study provides a robust solution to enhance the security of anonymized faces shared on the internet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In response to the inadequate utilization of prior information in current mural inpainting processes, leading to issues such as semantically unreliable inpaintings and the presence of artifacts in the inpainting area, a Dunhuang mural inpainting method based on reference guidance and multi‐scale feature fusion is proposed. First, the simulated broken mural, the mask image, and the reference mural are input into the model to complete the multi‐level embedding of patches and align the multi‐scale fine‐grained features of damaged murals and reference murals. Following the patch embedding module, a hybrid residual module is added based on hybrid attention to fully extract mural features. In addition, by continuing the residual concatenation of outputs of the hierarchical embedding module improves the ability of the model to represent deeper features, and improves the robustness and generalisation of the model. Second, the encoded features are fed into the decoder to generate decoded features. Finally, the convolutional tail is employed to propagate them and complete the mural painting. Experimental validation on the Dunhuang mural dataset demonstrates that, compared to other algorithms, this model exhibits higher evaluation metrics in the inpainting of extensively damaged murals and demonstrates overall robustness. In terms of visual effects, the results of this model in the inpainting process exhibit finer textures, richer semantic information, more coherent edge structures, and a closer resemblance to authentic murals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coal Mining enterprises deploy numerous monitoring devices to ensure safe and efficient production using target detection technologies. However, deploying deep detection models on edge devices poses challenges due to high computational loads, impacting detection speed and accuracy. A mining target detection dataset has been created to address these issues, featuring key targets in coal mining scenes such as miners, safety helmets, and coal gangue. A model is proposed to improve real‐time performance for edge mining detection tasks. Detection performance is enhanced by incorporating a Pixel‐wise Normalization Spatial Attention Module (PN‐SAM) into the MobileNet‐v3 bneck structure and replacing the h‐swish activation function with Mish, providing more prosperous gradient information transfer. The proposed model, YOLO‐v4‐LSAM, shows a 3.2% mAP improvement on the VOC2012 dataset and a 2.4% improvement on the mining target dataset compared to YOLO‐v4‐Tiny, demonstrating its effectiveness in mining environments. These enhancements enable more accurate and efficient detection in resource‐constrained edge environments, contributing to safer and more reliable monitoring in coal mining operations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The application of medical image segmentation technology enables accurate localization of human tissues, providing doctors with a reliable foundation for diagnosis. While deep learning methods have proven effective in this task, most current approaches rely on a single prediction framework, which overlooks Edge semantic features and results in flawed texture features. Moreover, existing supervised methods face challenges due to limited availability of high‐quality annotations in the field of medical imaging. In this article, a Semi‐supervised Contextual Cognitive Augmentation‐based Cross‐teaching Network is proposed. A Contextual Cognitive Enhancement Module is introduced consisting of two components: data augmentation and information extraction. The data augmentation component provides multi‐level data distribution by incorporating diverse perturbation strategies such as Discrete Cosine Transform and Gaussian noise. The information extraction component employs the Comprehensive Information Extraction module, which consists of Global Perception Information Extraction module and Multi‐channel Information Extraction module to extract perceptual information from images and enhance interaction between image channels, respectively. Additionally, a cross‐teaching strategy is adopted and a hybrid loss function is utilized to encourage knowledge sharing among the networks, leveraging the advantages of dual networks for improved performance. Experimental results demonstrate significant enhancements in multiclass medical image segmentation compared to several state‐of‐the‐art single‐framework networks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deep learning has made significant progress in the field of low‐light image enhancement. However, challenges remain, such as the substantial parameter consumption required for effective image enhancement. Inspired by multi‐scale geometric transformations in image detail enhancement, a novel model called the fixed‐directional filters network is proposed. Fixed‐directional filters network takes the original image as input and employs multiple branches for parallel processing. One branch uses conventional convolutional layers to extract features from the original image, while the other branches apply non‐linear mapping layers based on wavelet transforms. These wavelet transform branches capture the multi‐scale information of the image by combining different directions and convolutional kernels and utilize a trainable custom gamma mapping layer for non‐linear modulation to enhance specific regions of the image. The feature maps processed by each branch are merged through concatenation operations and then passed through convolutional layers to output the enhanced image. Using trainable mapping functions alone to enhance details significantly reduces the reliance on convolutional layers, effectively lowering the model's parameter count to only 13k parameters. Additionally, experiments demonstrate that fixed‐directional filters network significantly improves image quality, particularly in capturing image details and enhancing image contrast. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Image steganography aims to hide secret data in the cover media for covert communication. Though many deep‐learning‐based image steganography methods have been presented, these approaches suffer from the inefficiency of building long‐distance connections between the cover and secret images, leading to noticeable modification traces and poor steganalysis resistance. To improve the visual imperceptibility of generated stego images, it is essential to establish a global correlation between the cover and secret images. In this way, the secret image can be dispersed throughout the cover image globally. To bridge this gap, a novel image steganography framework called HiiT is proposed, which takes advantage of CNN and Transformer to learn both the local and global pixel correlation in image hiding. Specifically, a new Transformer structure called Inception Transformer is proposed, which incorporates the Inception Net in the attention‐based Transformer architecture. The Inception Net can learn different scaled image features using multiple convolution kernels, while the attention mechanism can learn the global pixel correlation. By this, the proposed Inception Transformer learns the long‐distance pixel dependency between the cover and secret images. Furthermore, we propose a 'Skip Connection' mechanism in the proposed Inception Transformer, which merges the low‐level visual features and high‐level semantic features and achieves better model performance. In detail, The HiiT generates higher‐quality stego images with 45.46 PSNR and 0.9915 SSIM. Besides, accurately restored secret images achieve 47.27 PSNR and 0.9952 SSIM. Extensive experimental results show the proposed HiiT significantly improves the image‐hiding performance compared with state‐of‐the‐art methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The non‐local imaging characteristics of computational ghost imaging (CGI) make it widely used in the field of information security. However, the information processing method based on traditional CGI has some problems in the process of multi‐image encryption, such as low efficiency and unsatisfactory reconstruction quality. Therefore, this article proposes to use wavelet transform and singular value decomposition technology to help computational ghost imaging to efficiently complete the coding and encryption of multiple images, and use alternating direction multiplier method (ADMM) in the process of image restoration to carry out high‐quality reconstruction of the original encrypted image. The results show that the scheme has good reconstruction effect, strong security and robustness even at a low sampling rate. It provides some reference for digital watermarking technology and cryptography. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Invertible colour‐to‐grey algorithms protect the colour of an image against illegal usage and distribution. These schemes hide the colour information into a grayscale version of the image, making colour recovery without proper authorization challenging. A previous study proposed the incorporation of content security by distorting the protected image to hinder illegal structure restoration. This work addresses the limitations of this method, significantly improving both processing time and the quality of the recovered colour image. Specifically, processing times are reduced from 45 h to 9 s, and the mean PSNR value is increased by up to 2.23 dB. Furthermore, this proposal achieves competitive results compared to existing approaches that do not implement content security, obtaining mean peak signal‐to‐noise ratio (PSNR) and structural similarity index measure (SSIM) values above 42.32 dB and 0.992, respectively. Finally, quantitative results are supported by visual comparisons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Image hiding is a task that embeds secret images in digital images without being detected. The performance of image hiding has been greatly improved by using the invertible neural network. However, current image hiding methods are less robust in the face of Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG) compression. The secret image cannot be extracted from the stego image after JPEG compression of the stego image. Some methods show good robustness for some certain JPEG compression quality factors but poor robustness for other common JPEG compression quality factors. An image‐hiding network (RIHINNet) that is robust to all common JPEG compression quality factors is proposed. First of all, the loss function is redesigned; thus, the secret image is hidden as much as possible in the area that is less likely to be changed after JPEG compression. Second, the classifier is designed, which can help the model to select the extractor according to the range of JPEG compression degree. Finally, the interval robustness of the secret image extraction is improved through the design of a denoising module. Experimental results show that this RIHINNet outperforms other state‐of‐the‐art image‐hiding methods in the face of JPEG compressed noise with random compression quality factors, with more than 10 dB peak signal‐to‐noise ratio improvement in secret image recovery on ImageNet, COCO and DIV2K datasets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, convolutional neural networks have significantly advanced the field of computer vision by automatically extracting features from image data. CNNs enable the modeling of complex and abstract image features using learnable filters, eliminating the need for manual feature extraction. However, combining feature maps obtained from CNNs with different approaches can lead to more complex and interpretable inferences, thereby enhancing model performance and generalizability. In this study, we propose a new method called RGB angle rotation to effectively obtain feature maps from RGB images. Our method rotates color channels at different angles and uses the angle information between channels to generate new feature maps. We then investigate the effects of integrating models trained with these feature maps into an ensemble architecture. Experimental results on the CIFAR-10 dataset show that using the proposed method in the ensemble model results in performance increases of 9.10 and 8.42% for the B and R channels, respectively, compared to the original model, while the effect of the G channel is very limited. For the CIFAR-100 dataset, the proposed method resulted in a 17.09% improvement in ensemble model performance for the R channel, a 5.06% increase for the B channel, and no significant improvement for the G channel compared to the original model. Additionally, we compared our method with traditional feature extraction methods like scale-invariant feature transform and local binary pattern and observed higher performance. In conclusion, it has been observed that the proposed RGB angle rotation method significantly impacts model performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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In this study, we developed a residue number system (RNS), a numeral system consisting of an arbitrary number of pairwise coprime integers representing a specific integer by its value. We discovered that this system reduced the runtime or training speed of image processing. In addition, we observed that the characteristic operations of the core functions of the decentralized congruential system derived from the proposed system reduced the overall execution time or training speed of image processing. Both the speed of calculation and the properties of the congruential system ensured the accuracy and security of information after distributed processing. Overall, this approach enabled the use of different algorithms on microdevices while ensuring confidentiality. In summary, we developed a system capable of increasing the operation speed of image processing by 50% through core function precomputation, with a modified image data input, a modified core function, and a reverse core function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Quantitative disease resistance (QR) is a complex, dynamic trait that is most reliably quantified in field-grown crops. Traditional disease assessments offer limited potential to disentangle the contributions of different components to overall QR at critical crop developmental stages. Yet, a better functional understanding of QR could greatly support a more targeted, knowledge-based selection for QR and improve predictions of seasonal epidemics. Image-based approaches together with advanced image processing methodologies recently emerged as valuable tools to standardize relevant disease assessments, increase measurement throughput, and describe diseases along multiple dimensions. Results: We present a simple, affordable, and easy-to-operate imaging set-up and imaging procedure for in-field acquisition of wheat leaf image sequences. The development of Septoria tritici blotch and leaf rusts was monitored over time via robust methods for symptom detection and segmentation, spatial alignment of images, symptom tracking, and leaf- and symptom characterization. The average accuracy of the spatial alignment of images in a time series was approximately 5 pixels (~ 0.15 mm). Leaf-level symptom counts as well as individual symptom property measurements revealed stable patterns over time that were generally in excellent agreement with visual impressions. This provided strong evidence for the robustness of the methodology to variability typically inherent in field data. Contrasting patterns in the number of lesions resulting from separate infection events and lesion expansion dynamics were observed across wheat genotypes. The number of separate infection events and average lesion size contributed to different degrees to overall disease intensity, possibly indicating distinct and complementary mechanisms of QR. Conclusions: The proposed methodology enables rapid, non-destructive, and reproducible measurement of several key epidemiological parameters under field conditions. Such data can support decomposition and functional understanding of QR as well as the parameterization, fine-tuning, and validation of epidemiological models. Details of pathogenesis can translate into specific symptom phenotypes resolvable using time series of high-resolution RGB images, which may improve biological understanding of plant-pathogen interactions as well as interactions in disease complexes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ability to detect threats quickly is crucial for survival. Primates, including humans, have been shown to identify snakes quickly and accurately due to their evolutionary history. However, it is unclear which visual features humans and primates detect as threat targets. Several studies have suggested that snake scales possess potent visual features. My previous study demonstrated that removing snake scales through digital image processing reduces attention directed toward snakes. Here, I conducted a visual search task using luminance- and contrast-adjusted photographs of snakes and salamanders in monkeys that had never seen these real reptiles and amphibians. This study demonstrates that the presence or absence of snake scales is responsible for the rapid detection of target animals. The monkeys quickly detected one snake photograph from the eight salamander photographs than vice versa. However, when the same salamanders were clothed with snake scales using image processing, the difference in detection speed between snakes and salamanders disappeared. These results are consistent with the snake-detection theory that snakes were a strong selective pressure favoring modifications in the primate visual system that allow them to detect snakes more quickly or reliably. This strongly suggests that primates' snake detection depends on the snake-scale shapes, which are both snake-specific and common to all snakes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Honeycomb-structured materials are extensively utilised in both commercial and military aircraft. The occurrence of manufacturing defects and operational damage has emerged as a significant safety concern, consequently elevating the necessity for non-destructive testing (NDT) to identify flaws and damage during aircraft operation and maintenance. In addition to merely detecting defects, it is crucial to accurately characterise or classify them. In this paper, the honeycomb sandwich samples were designed and manufactured from two CFRP face-sheets and Nomex core with thick resin containing nano clay 30B mixed with ultrasonic coverage. Defects were placed into carbon sheets, resin, and core materials. An NDT technique based on infrared thermography was applied, along with PCA image processing, which automatically categorises prevalent defects found in honeycomb materials. These defects encompass debonding, adhesive issues, and fractures within the honeycomb core. Thermography results showed that defects such as delamination, core fracture, lack of adhesion, and resin inhomogeneity can be identified, especially with high accuracy using PCA image processing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This is a prospective case-control study investigated the factors influencing ultra-early visual acuity and quality after Small Incision Lenticule Extraction (SMILE) surgery, with a specific focus on the morphology and distribution of "black clefts" observed in posterior lenticule laser scanning images. A total of 174 patients who underwent SMILE surgery were included, and their preoperative ocular clinical parameters, visual quality indicators, and posterior lenticule laser scanning images were analyzed. The morphological features of black clefts were calculated using image processing techniques. Univariate and multivariate logistic analyses were conducted to identify factors impacting ultra-early visual acuity recovery, while correlation analysis was used to explore the association between black cleft morphology and postoperative visual quality. The results showed that although patients experienced significant visual acuity improvement one day after surgery, 26% had poor early recovery. Postoperative visual quality parameters were significantly lower, while the Object Scatter Index (OSI) was higher compared to preoperative values. Patients with poor visual recovery had a higher number of irregular black clefts in their laser scanning images. Logistic regression analysis revealed that intraoperative morphological parameters of black clefts were independent factors influencing early postoperative visual acuity recovery. Additionally, correlation analysis demonstrated a negative correlation between black cleft morphology and postoperative visual quality parameters, and a positive correlation with OSI. In conclusion, the morphology and distribution of black clefts during SMILE surgery significantly affect ultra-early postoperative visual acuity and quality, with increased variability in black cleft area leading to higher OSI, thereby impacting visual quality recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Foxtail millet is an important minor cereal crop rich in nutrients. Due to the small size of its seeds, there is little information on the diversity of its seed structure among germplasms, limiting the identification of genes controlling seed development and germination. This paper utilized X-ray computed tomography (CT) scanning technology and deep learning models to reveal the microstructure of foxtail millet seeds, gaining insights into their internal features, distribution, and composition. A total of 100 foxtail millet varieties were scanned with X-ray computed tomography to obtain 3D reconstruction images and slices. Pre-processing steps were adopted to improve image segmentation accuracy, including noise reduction, rotation, contrast enhancement, and brightness enhancement. The experiment revealed that traditional OpenCV image processing methods failed to achieve precise segmentation, whereas deep learning models exhibited outstanding performance in segmenting seed CT slice images. We compared UNet, PSPNet, and DeepLabV3 models, selected different backbones and optimizers based on the dataset, and continuously adjusted learning rates and maximum training epochs to train the models. Results demonstrated that VGG16-UNet achieved an accuracy of 99.19% on the foxtail millet seed CT slice image dataset, outperforming PSPNet and DeepLabV3 models. Compared to ResNet-UNet, VGG16-UNet shows an improvement of approximately 3.18% in accuracy, demonstrating superior performance in accurately segmenting the inner glume, outer glume, embryo, and endosperm under various adhesion conditions. Accurate segmentation of foxtail millet CT images enables analysis of embryo size, endosperm size, and glume thickness, which impact germination, growth, and nutrition. This study fills a gap in small grain structure research, offering insights to optimize agriculture and molecular breeding for improved yield and quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Preclinical high-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems offer a diverse array of MRI techniques, providing rich multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) platforms for studying numerous biological parameters. mpMRI platforms prove particularly indispensable when investigating tumors that exhibit profound intratumoral heterogeneity, such as breast cancer. A thoughtful comprehension of the origins of intratumoral heterogeneity is imperative for the judicious assessment of new targeted therapies and treatment interventions. Furthermore, when data from mpMRI are complemented with data from other in vivo imaging modalities, such as positron emission tomography (PET), and correlated with data from ex vivo modalities, such as matrix-assisted laser desorption imaging mass spectrometry (MALDI IMS), the in vivo parameters can be further elucidated at a molecular level and microscopic scale. Nevertheless, extracting meaningful scientific insights from such complex datasets necessitates the utilization of machine learning (ML) approaches to discern region-specific radiomic features. The development of correlative, multimodal imaging (CMI) workflows, such as one incorporating MRI, PET and MALDI IMS, is inherently challenging, given the many technological and methodological challenges related to multimodal data acquisition as well as the physiological limitations of the laboratory mice of the investigation. Standardization efforts in image acquisition and processing are required to increase the reproducibility and translatability of CMI data. To address the challenges of developing standardized CMI workflows and stimulate dialog regarding this area of need, we present a practical workflow to investigate tumor heterogeneity in breast cancer xenografts across various spatial scales. Our workflow entails simultaneous functional MRI and PET acquisitions in living mice, followed by correlation with post-imaging MALDI IMS and histologic data. Additionally, we propose data preprocessing steps for potential ML applications. We illustrate the feasibility of this workflow through two examples, showcasing its effectiveness in comparing in vivo and ex vivo images to evaluate tumor metabolism and hypoxia in mice with breast cancer xenografts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose Acquisition and validation methods Data format and usage notes Potential applications Evaluating deformable image registration (DIR) algorithms is vital for enhancing algorithm performance and gaining clinical acceptance. However, there is a notable lack of dependable DIR benchmark datasets for assessing DIR performance except for lung images. To address this gap, we aim to introduce our comprehensive liver computed tomography (CT) DIR landmark dataset library. This dataset is designed for efficient and quantitative evaluation of various DIR methods for liver CTs, paving the way for more accurate and reliable image registration techniques.Forty CT liver image pairs were acquired from several publicly available image archives and authors’ institutions under institutional review board (IRB) approval. The images were processed with a semi‐automatic procedure to generate landmark pairs: (1) for each case, liver vessels were automatically segmented on one image; (2) landmarks were automatically detected at vessel bifurcations; (3) corresponding landmarks in the second image were placed using two deformable image registration methods to avoid algorithm‐specific biases; (4) a comprehensive validation process based on quantitative evaluation and manual assessment was applied to reject outliers and ensure the landmarks’ positional accuracy. This workflow resulted in an average of ∼56 landmark pairs per image pair, comprising a total of 2220 landmarks for 40 cases. The general landmarking accuracy of this procedure was evaluated using digital phantoms and manual landmark placement. The landmark pair target registration errors (TRE) on digital phantoms were 0.37 ± 0.26 and 0.55 ± 0.34 mm respectively for the two selected DIR algorithms used in our workflow, with 97% of landmark pairs having TREs below 1.5 mm. The distances from the calculated landmarks to the averaged manual placement were 1.27 ± 0.79 mm.All data, including image files and landmark information, are publicly available at Zenodo (https://zenodo.org/records/13738577). Instructions for using our data can be found on our GitHub page at https://github.com/deshanyang/Liver‐DIR‐QA.The landmark dataset generated in this work is the first collection of large‐scale liver CT DIR landmarks prepared on real patient images. This dataset can provide researchers with a dense set of ground truth benchmarks for the quantitative evaluation of DIR algorithms within the liver. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Fruit colour diversity within different ripening stages confers ornamental value for pepper plants. Using images can be helpful in analysing the fruit colour‐related genetic diversity and enable selecting accessions for ornamental purposes by avoiding subjectiveness. This study aimed to evaluate the phenotypic diversity among accessions of ornamental pepper using image processing techniques to identify fruit colours. Photos from 40 fruits from each of 12 accessions were captured by a camera from a smartphone. Separate channels and colour indices were extracted from the images to analyse the accessions using both dendrogram and principal components analysis. Dendrogram analysis allowed separating accessions with predominance of dark fruits from those whose fruits showed lighter and more vivid colours, with a cophenetic correlation coefficient of 0.811. The VARI and NGRDI vegetation indices were efficient in discriminating fruits with a predominance of green colour, and the BGI could be used to discriminate accessions with predominantly reddish‐brown fruits. The proposed method can be used in small‐scale breeding programs for accurately assessing the development of varieties regarding their fruit colour diversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) is recognized as a high-precision method for nucleic acid quantification, extensively utilized in biomedical research and clinical diagnostics. This technique employs microfluidic technology to partition the nucleic acid-containing reaction mixture into discrete droplets for amplification, achieving absolute quantification by identifying and enumerating the number of fluorescent droplets. The accuracy of droplet quantification is pivotal to the success of the assay. However, current image-processing tools are operationally complex, and commercial instruments are costly. Moreover, the designed algorithms exhibit a need for enhanced accuracy and are often restricted to use by trained personnel with specific microscopy equipment. In response to these challenges, we introduce an automated device (A-MMD), capable of detecting fluorescent droplets in ddPCR images captured by multiple microscopes. The device integrates three distinct algorithms tailored for the image processing of Laser Scanning Confocal Microscopy (LSCM), inverted microscopy, and self-assembled microscopy. Experimental validation using λ DNA demonstrated a 100.00% identification rate for positive droplets across all three image types, and the average identification rates for total droplets being 99.27% for LSCM, 98.96% for inverted microscopy, and 99.08% for self-assembled microscopy. Furthermore, the A-MMD is equipped with a user-friendly interface (UI) that streamlines the operational process, enabling non-specialists to efficiently perform droplet detection tasks. Our device not only has good environmental adaptability and identification accuracy, but also significantly reduces costs and operational complexity. It offers an economical, efficient, and user-friendly solution for ddPCR image analysis, thereby further propelling the advancement and application of nucleic acid detection technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The grading of products is important in many ways. One of the important activities after harvesting agricultural products is product grading based on shape and color dimensions. This activity in the agricultural transformation industries, Bas Controller, improves various processes on fruits and vegetables with the same dimensions, which improves the storage conditions of the product, creates added value for the farmer, and gives the consumer the power to choose. The main focus of this study is the application of image processing in the field of identification and classification of fruits. It is an application that has received much less attention than other applications of image processing. The proposed systems presented in this article, are software solutions based on image processing techniques, including histogram matching techniques, for detection, Sable edge detection algorithms, Private edge and Kenny edge, Otsu threshold limit, and clustering method It is an automatic mean and classification of different degrees of fruit. In addition, it has been mentioned more about the examination and description of product grading and clustering methods, that by using the proposed application hardware and its connection with the software, a big step can be taken in product quality grading. This method can be used in product classification and packaging. The accuracy rate for peaches, lemons, apples, and tomatoes is 94.58%, 88.23%, 70%, and 93.33%, respectively. The best accuracy for all 20 sample levels is for peach fruit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper focuses on the seasonal oil accumulation in traditional and super-high density (SHD) olive plantations and its modelling employing image-based linear models. For these purposes, at 7-10-day intervals, fruit samples (cultivar Arbequina, Fasola, Frantoio, Koroneiki, Leccino, Maiatica) were pictured and images segmented to extract the Red (R), Green (G), and Blue (B) mean pixel values which were re-arranged in 35 RGB-derived colorimetric indexes (CIs). After imaging, the samples were crushed and oil concentration was determined (NIR). The analysis of the correlation between oil and CIs revealed a differential hysteretic behavior depending on the covariates (CI and cultivar). The hysteresis area (Hyst) was then quantified and used to rank the CIs under the hypothesis that CIs with the maximum or minimum Hyst had the highest correlation coefficient and were the most suitable predictors within a general linear model. The results show that the predictors selected according to Hyst-based criteria had high accuracy as determined using a Global Performance Indicator (GPI) accounting for various performance metrics (R 2, RSME, MAE). The use of a general linear model here presented is a new computational option integrating current methods mostly based on artificial neural networks. RGB-based image phenotyping can effectively predict key quality traits in olive fruit supporting the transition of the olive sector towards a digital agriculture domain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Somatostatin receptor (SSR) targeting radiotracer 68Ga-DOTATATE is used for Positron Emission Tomography (PET)/Computed Tomography (CT) imaging to assess patients with Pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma (PPGL), rare types of Neuroendocrine tumor (NET) which can metastasize thereby becoming difficult to quantify. The goal of this study is to develop an artificial intelligence (AI) model for automated lesion segmentation on whole-body 3D DOTATATE-PET/CT and to automate the tumor burden calculation. 132 68Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT scans from 38 patients with metastatic and inoperable PPGL, were split into 70, and 62 scans, from 20, and 18 patients for training, and test sets, respectively. The training set was further divided into patient-stratified 5 folds for cross-validation. 3D-full resolution nnUNet configuration was trained with 5-fold cross-validation. The model's detection performance was evaluated at both scan and lesion levels for the PPGL test set and two other clinical cohorts with NET (n = 9) and olfactory neuroblastoma (ONB, n = 5). Additionally, quantitative statistical analysis of PET parameters including SUVmax, total lesion uptake (TLU), and total tumor volume (TTV), was conducted. Results: The nnUNet AI model achieved an average 5-fold validation dice similarity coefficient of 0.84 at the scan level. The model achieved dice similarity coefficients (DSC) of 0.88, 0.6, and 0.67 at the scan level, the sensitivity of 86%, 61.13%, and 61.64%, and a positive predictive value of 89%, 74%, and 86.54% at the lesion level for the PPGL test, NET and ONB cohorts, respectively. For PPGL cohorts, smaller lesions with low uptake were missed by the AI model (p < 0.001). Anatomical region-based failure analysis showed most of the false negative and false positive lesions within the liver for all the cohorts, mainly due to the high physiologic liver background activity and image noise on 68Ga- DOTATATE PET scans. Conclusions: The developed deep learning-based AI model showed reliable performance for automated segmentation of metastatic PPGL lesions on whole-body 68Ga-DOTATATE-PET/CT images, which may be beneficial for tumor burden estimation for objective evaluation during therapy follow-up. https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT03206060, https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04086485, https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05012098. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ferroelectric photoelectric devices show promising applications in artificial vision systems. However, this type of devices used in artificial vision systems exhibits low photoresponsivity and this limited cyclability of photocurrents, which hinders the progress of artificial vision systems. In this study, an artificial vision system is constructed with high photoresponsivity, fast photoresponse speed, and high read/write speed based on the Pd/PbZr0.4Ti0.6O3/La0.3Sr0.7MnO3/LaAlO3 ferroelectric photomemristor. The high optical response (18.86 nanoamperes) and read/write speeds (50 nanoseconds) of the device significantly improve the robustness and speed of the neuromorphic visual system while reducing power consumption for recognition. The artificial vision system developed in this study provides excellent real‐time image processing capabilities, including edge detection and classification with 100% accuracy for musical key patterns, and it is expected to offer great potential for the development of high‐performance self‐powered artificial vision systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Jujube is susceptible to biotic and abiotic adversity stresses resulting in abnormal phenotypic defects. Therefore, abnormal phenotype fruits should be removed during postharvest sorting to increase added value. An improved maximum horizontal diameter linear regression (MHD‐LR) method for size grading of jujube prior to detection of abnormal phenotypic defects was developed. The accuracy of the MHD‐LR model is 95%, with an error of only 0.95 mm. In addition, a method for detecting abnormal phenotypic defects in jujube was established. It can effectively and accurately classify seven kinds of jujube phenotypes (regular, irregular, wrinkled, moldy, hole‐broken, skin‐broken, and scarred). The data augmentation method based on linear interpolation can effectively expand the dataset with a variance of only 0.0006. Support vector machine‐decision tree (SVMDT), logistic regression, back propagation neural network, and long short‐term memory network models were established to classify jujube samples with different phenotypes, with accuracies of 99.57%, 99.00%, 99.14%, and 99.29%, respectively. The results showed that the SVMDT model had higher accuracy and explainability. This research is expected to provide a new method to improve the precise classification of abnormal phenotypic defects in postharvest jujube. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The residue number system is widely used in cryptography, digital signal processing, image processing systems, and other areas where high-performance computing is required. One of the main tools used in the residue number system is the Akushsky core function. However, its use is limited due to the existence of so-called critical cores. This study aims to develop Akushsky core functions that effectively eliminate the occurrence of critical cores, thereby enhancing their applicability in real-world scenarios. We introduce a fundamental approach to critical core detection that reduces the average time for critical core detection by 99.48% compared to the brute force algorithm. The results of our analysis indicate not only a substantial improvement in the speed of core detection but also an enhancement in the overall performance of systems utilizing the Akushsky core function. Our findings provide important insights into optimizing residue number systems and encourage further exploration into advanced computational techniques within this domain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rise of complex high-rise buildings has made building management increasingly challenging, especially the nighttime supervision of university laboratories. Idle occupation increases the risk of accidents and undermines campus sustainability. Effective occupancy detection is essential for optimizing campus building safety and energy efficiency. Environmental sensors for occupancy detection offer limited coverage and are costly, making them unsuitable for campuses. Surveillance cameras, as part of campus infrastructure, provide wide coverage. On this basis, we designed a detection algorithm that uses light brightness to assess nighttime building use. Experimental results showed that the algorithm achieves an average accuracy of 98.67%, enabling large-scale nighttime occupancy detection without the need for installing additional sensors, significantly improving the efficiency of campus building management. In addition, to address the limitations of indoor space representation in geographic information system (GIS) management models, this paper developed a comprehensive 3D GIS model based on a "building–floor–room" hierarchical structure, utilizing oblique photogrammetry and laser scanning technology. This study combined the detection results with real-world 3D data for visualization, providing a new perspective for the 3D spatiotemporal refinement of complex high-rise buildings, and providing a reference framework for the detection and analysis of other types of building environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]