Densely connected convolutional networks-based COVID-19 screening model

The extensively utilized tool to detect novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is a real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). However, RT-PCR kits are costly and consume critical time, around 6 to 9 hours to classify the subjects as COVID-19(+) or COVID-19(-). Due to the less sensitivity of RT-PCR, it suffers from high false-negative results. To overcome these issues, many deep learning models have been implemented in the literature for the early-stage classification of suspected subjects. To handle the sensitivity issue associated with RT-PCR, chest CT scans are utilized to classify the suspected subjects as COVID-19 (+), tuberculosis, pneumonia, or healthy subjects. The extensive study on chest CT scans of COVID-19 (+) subjects reveals that there are some bilateral changes and unique patterns. But the manual analysis from chest CT scans is a tedious task. Therefore, an automated COVID-19 screening model is implemented by ensembling the deep transfer learning models such as Densely connected convolutional networks (DCCNs), ResNet152V2, and VGG16. Experimental results reveal that the proposed ensemble model outperforms the competitive models in terms of accuracy, f-measure, area under curve, sensitivity, and specificity.

     

Dehazing of remote sensing images using improved restoration model based dark channel prior

Haze degrades visual information of remotely sensed images. Therefore, haze removal is a demanding and significant task for visual multispectral information improvement. The existing haze removal techniques utilize different restrictions and before restoring hazy images in an efficient manner. The review of existing haze removal methods demonstrates that the haze-free images suffer from colour distortion and halo artefacts problems. To solve these issues, an improved restoration model based dark channel prior is proposed in this paper. The proposed technique has redefined transmission map, with the aim to reduce the colour distortion problem. The modified joint trilateral filter is also utilized to improve the coarse estimated atmospheric veil. The experimental results reveal that the proposed approach provides visually significant haze-free images and also preserves the significant detail.     

Flank wear prediction of ceramic tools in hard turning

Due to technical and economical factors, hard turning is competing successfully with the grinding process in the industries. Many practical applications require components to be hardened in order to improve their wear behavior. Higher productivity and good surface quality are the requirements of the modern industries. However, tool wear is the major problem in hard turning. The tool wear models, used to assess the performance of hard turning process, play an important role in predicting the surface quality. So, in the present work, an attempt has been made to develop an analytical tool wear model for the mixed ceramic inserts during the hard turning of bearing steel incorporating abrasion, adhesion, and diffusion wear mechanisms. The new model developed can reliably be used to assess the wear of the mixed ceramic tools within the domain of the parameters. It has been observed that tool wear is increasing with the increase in cutting speed, feed, and effective rake angle. However, it has been found to be slightly decreasing with the increase in nose radius. The proposed model was validated by conducting experiments. It could be seen that the model was capable of predicting the flank wear using the cutting parameters and tool geometry.     

Image dehazing using window-based integrated means filter

Multimedia Tools and Applications - Image acquisition is generally susceptible to poor environmental conditions such as fog, smog, haze, etc. However, designing an efficient image dehazing...     

Optimization of Tool Geometry and Cutting Parameters for Hard Turning

In the hard-turning process, tool geometry and cutting conditions determine the time and cost of production which ultimately affect the quality of the final product. So reliable models and methods are required for the prediction of the output performance of the process. In the present work, experimental investigation has been conducted to see the effect of the tool geometry (effective rake angle and nose radius) and cutting conditions (cutting speed and feed) on the surface finish during the hard turning of the bearing steel. First- and second-order mathematical models were developed in terms of machining parameters by using the response surface methodology on the basis of the experimental results. The surface roughness prediction model has been optimized to obtain the surface roughness values by using genetic algorithms. The genetic algorithm program gives minimum values of surface roughness and their respective optimal conditions.     

Performance improvement of hard turning with solid lubricants

Product quality is one of the most important criteria for the assessment of hard turning process. However, in view of the high temperatures developed in hard turning process, the surface quality deteriorates due to the tool wear. Because of the strict environmental restrictions on the use of cutting fluids, new cutting techniques are required to be investigated to reduce the tool wear. In the present work, the use of solid lubricants during hard turning has been explored while machining bearing steel with mixed ceramic inserts at different cutting conditions and tool geometry. Results show considerable improvement in the surface finish with the use of solid lubricants. Due to the presence of solid lubricants, there is a decrease of surface roughness values from 8 to 15% as compared to dry hard turning.     

Improved occupancy grid mapping in specular environment

This paper addresses the improved method for sonar sensor modeling which reduces the specular reflection uncertainty in the occupancy grid. Such uncertainty reduction is often required in the occupancy grid mapping where the false sensory information can lead to poor performance. Here, a novel algorithm is proposed which is capable of discarding the unreliable sonar sensor information generated due to specular reflection. Further, the inconsistency estimation in sonar measurement has been evaluated and eliminated by fuzzy rules based model. To achieve the grid map with improved accuracy, the sonar information is further updated by using a Bayesian approach. In this paper the approach is experimented for the office environment and the model is used for grid mapping. The experimental results show 6.6% improvement in the global grid map and it is also found that the proposed approach is consuming nearly 16.5% less computation time as compared to the conventional approach of occupancy grid mapping for the indoor environments.     

Electrocardiogram beat classification using empirical mode decomposition and multiclass directed acyclic graph support vector machine

In this paper, a classifier motivated from statistical learning theory, i.e., support vector machine, with a new approach based on multiclass directed acyclic graph has been proposed for classification of four types of electrocardiogram signals. The motivation for selecting Directed Acyclic Graph Support Vector Machine (DAGSVM) is to have more accurate classifier with less computational cost. Empirical mode decomposition and subsequently singular value decomposition have been used for computing the feature vector matrix. Further, fivefold cross-validation and particle swarm optimization have been used for optimal selection of SVM model parameters to improve the performance of DAGSVM. A comparison has been made between proposed algorithm and other two classifiers, i.e., K-Nearest Neighbor (KNN) and Artificial Neural Network (ANN). The DAGSVM has yielded an average accuracy of 98.96% against 95.83% and 96.66% for the KNN and the ANN, respectively. The results obtained clearly confirm the superiority of the DAGSVM approach over other classifiers.     

A Post-Processing Algorithm for Boosting Contrast of MRI Images

Low contrast of Magnetic Resonance (MR) images limits the visibility of subtle structures and adversely affects the outcome of both subjective and automated diagnosis. State-of-the-art contrast boosting techniques intolerably alter inherent features of MR images. Drastic changes in brightness features, induced by post-processing are not appreciated in medical imaging as the grey level values have certain diagnostic meanings. To overcome these issues this paper proposes an algorithm that enhance the contrast of MR images while preserving the underlying features as well. This method termed as Power-law and Logarithmic Modification-based Histogram Equalization (PLMHE) partitions the histogram of the image into two sub histograms after a power-law transformation and a log compression. After a modification intended for improving the dispersion of the sub-histograms and subsequent normalization, cumulative histograms are computed. Enhanced grey level values are computed from the resultant cumulative histograms. The performance of the PLMHE algorithm is compared with traditional histogram equalization based algorithms and it has been observed from the results that PLMHE can boost the image contrast without causing dynamic range compression, a significant change in mean brightness, and contrast-overshoot.