Graph-Based Audio Classification Using Pre-Trained Models and Graph Neural Networks.

Sound classification plays a crucial role in enhancing the interpretation, analysis, and use of acoustic data, leading to a wide range of practical applications, of which environmental sound analysis is one of the most important. In this paper, we explore the representation of audio data as graphs in the context of sound classification. We propose a methodology that leverages pre-trained audio models to extract deep features from audio files, which are then employed as node information to build graphs. Subsequently, we train various graph neural networks (GNNs), specifically graph convolutional networks (GCNs), GraphSAGE, and graph attention networks (GATs), to solve multi-class audio classification problems. Our findings underscore the effectiveness of employing graphs to represent audio data. Moreover, they highlight the competitive performance of GNNs in sound classification endeavors, with the GAT model emerging as the top performer, achieving a mean accuracy of 83% in classifying environmental sounds and 91% in identifying the land cover of a site based on its audio recording. In conclusion, this study provides novel insights into the potential of graph representation learning techniques for analyzing audio data.

Automatic Detection of Focal Cortical Dysplasia Using MRI: A Systematic Review.

Focal cortical dysplasia (FCD) is a congenital brain malformation that is closely associated with epilepsy. Early and accurate diagnosis is essential for effectively treating and managing FCD. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-one of the most commonly used non-invasive neuroimaging methods for evaluating the structure of the brain-is often implemented along with automatic methods to diagnose FCD. In this review, we define three categories for FCD identification based on MRI: visual, semi-automatic, and fully automatic methods. By conducting a systematic review following the PRISMA statement, we identified 65 relevant papers that have contributed to our understanding of automatic FCD identification techniques. The results of this review present a comprehensive overview of the current state-of-the-art in the field of automatic FCD identification and highlight the progress made and challenges ahead in developing reliable, efficient methods for automatic FCD diagnosis using MRI images. Future developments in this area will most likely lead to the integration of these automatic identification tools into medical image-viewing software, providing neurologists and radiologists with enhanced diagnostic capabilities. Moreover, new MRI sequences and higher-field-strength scanners will offer improved resolution and anatomical detail for precise FCD characterization. This review summarizes the current state of automatic FCD identification, thereby contributing to a deeper understanding and the advancement of FCD diagnosis and management.

A Novel Method for Objective Selection of Information Sources Using Multi-Kernel SVM and Local Scaling.

Advancement on computer and sensing technologies has generated exponential growth in the data available for the development of systems that support decision-making in fields such as health, entertainment, manufacturing, among others. This fact has made that the fusion of data from multiple and heterogeneous sources became one of the most promising research fields in machine learning. However, in real-world applications, to reduce the number of sources while maintaining optimal system performance is an important task due to the availability of data and implementation costs related to processing, implementation, and development times. In this work, a novel method for the objective selection of relevant information sources in a multimodality system is proposed. This approach takes advantage of the ability of multiple kernel learning (MKL) and the support vector machines (SVM) classifier to perform an optimal fusion of data by assigning weights according to their discriminative value in the classification task; when a kernel is designed for representing each data source, these weights can be used as a measure of their relevance. Moreover, three algorithms for tuning the Gaussian kernel bandwidth in the classifier prediction stage are introduced to reduce the computational cost of searching for an optimal solution; these algorithms are an adaptation of a common technique in unsupervised learning named local scaling. Two real application tasks were used to evaluate the proposed method: the selection of electrodes for a classification task in Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) systems and the selection of relevant Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) sequences for detection of breast cancer. The obtained results show that the proposed method allows the selection of a small number of information sources.