Metaheuristic Optimization-Based Feature Selection for Imagery and Arithmetic Tasks: An fNIRS Study.

In recent decades, the brain-computer interface (BCI) has emerged as a leading area of research. The feature selection is vital to reduce the dataset's dimensionality, increase the computing effectiveness, and enhance the BCI's performance. Using activity-related features leads to a high classification rate among the desired tasks. This study presents a wrapper-based metaheuristic feature selection framework for BCI applications using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). Here, the temporal statistical features (i.e., the mean, slope, maximum, skewness, and kurtosis) were computed from all the available channels to form a training vector. Seven metaheuristic optimization algorithms were tested for their classification performance using a k-nearest neighbor-based cost function: particle swarm optimization, cuckoo search optimization, the firefly algorithm, the bat algorithm, flower pollination optimization, whale optimization, and grey wolf optimization (GWO). The presented approach was validated based on an available online dataset of motor imagery (MI) and mental arithmetic (MA) tasks from 29 healthy subjects. The results showed that the classification accuracy was significantly improved by utilizing the features selected from the metaheuristic optimization algorithms relative to those obtained from the full set of features. All of the abovementioned metaheuristic algorithms improved the classification accuracy and reduced the feature vector size. The GWO yielded the highest average classification rates (p < 0.01) of 94.83 ± 5.5%, 92.57 ± 6.9%, and 85.66 ± 7.3% for the MA, MI, and four-class (left- and right-hand MI, MA, and baseline) tasks, respectively. The presented framework may be helpful in the training phase for selecting the appropriate features for robust fNIRS-based BCI applications.

Tracking of a Fixed-Shape Moving Object Based on the Gradient Descent Method.

Tracking moving objects is one of the most promising yet the most challenging research areas pertaining to computer vision, pattern recognition and image processing. The challenges associated with object tracking range from problems pertaining to camera axis orientations to object occlusion. In addition, variations in remote scene environments add to the difficulties related to object tracking. All the mentioned challenges and problems pertaining to object tracking make the procedure computationally complex and time-consuming. In this paper, a stochastic gradient-based optimization technique has been used in conjunction with particle filters for object tracking. First, the object that needs to be tracked is detected using the Maximum Average Correlation Height (MACH) filter. The object of interest is detected based on the presence of a correlation peak and average similarity measure. The results of object detection are fed to the tracking routine. The gradient descent technique is employed for object tracking and is used to optimize the particle filters. The gradient descent technique allows particles to converge quickly, allowing less time for the object to be tracked. The results of the proposed algorithm are compared with similar state-of-the-art tracking algorithms on five datasets that include both artificial moving objects and humans to show that the gradient-based tracking algorithm provides better results, both in terms of accuracy and speed.

Brain Tumor/Mass Classification Framework Using Magnetic-Resonance-Imaging-Based Isolated and Developed Transfer Deep-Learning Model.

With the advancement in technology, machine learning can be applied to diagnose the mass/tumor in the brain using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This work proposes a novel developed transfer deep-learning model for the early diagnosis of brain tumors into their subclasses, such as pituitary, meningioma, and glioma. First, various layers of isolated convolutional-neural-network (CNN) models are built from scratch to check their performances for brain MRI images. Then, the 22-layer, binary-classification (tumor or no tumor) isolated-CNN model is re-utilized to re-adjust the neurons' weights for classifying brain MRI images into tumor subclasses using the transfer-learning concept. As a result, the developed transfer-learned model has a high accuracy of 95.75% for the MRI images of the same MRI machine. Furthermore, the developed transfer-learned model has also been tested using the brain MRI images of another machine to validate its adaptability, general capability, and reliability for real-time application in the future. The results showed that the proposed model has a high accuracy of 96.89% for an unseen brain MRI dataset. Thus, the proposed deep-learning framework can help doctors and radiologists diagnose brain tumors early.

Photovoltaic Panels Classification Using Isolated and Transfer Learned Deep Neural Models Using Infrared Thermographic Images.

Defective PV panels reduce the efficiency of the whole PV string, causing loss of investment by decreasing its efficiency and lifetime. In this study, firstly, an isolated convolution neural model (ICNM) was prepared from scratch to classify the infrared images of PV panels based on their health, i.e., healthy, hotspot, and faulty. The ICNM occupies the least memory, and it also has the simplest architecture, lowest execution time, and an accuracy of 96% compared to transfer learned pre-trained ShuffleNet, GoogleNet, and SqueezeNet models. Afterward, ICNM, based on its advantages, is reused through transfer learning to classify the defects of PV panels into five classes, i.e., bird drop, single, patchwork, horizontally aligned string, and block with 97.62% testing accuracy. This proposed approach can identify and classify the PV panels based on their health and defects faster with high accuracy and occupies the least amount of the system's memory, resulting in savings in the PV investment.

The Effect of Oligo(Ethylene Oxide) Side Chains: A Strategy to Improve Contrast and Switching Speed in Electrochromic Polymers.

Solution-processable electrochromic polymers (ECPs) with high performance are urgently needed for extensive applications. Nevertheless, they suffer from slow switching speed because of low ionic conductivities. Herein, we present an effective strategy to improve the contrast and switching speed in ECPs via facile side-chain engineering. A novel electrochromic thieno[3,2-b]thiophene-based polymer (PmOTTBTD) is designed and successfully synthesized by introducing oligo(ethylene oxide) side chains with high ionic conductivity. Compared to the counterpart POTTBTD without modification by oligo(ethylene oxide) chains, PmOTTBTD demonstrates nearly double contrast (42 % vs. 24 %) with a fast oxidation switching process that just takes half of the time when detected under 400 nm, as well as much higher coloration efficiencies (e. g. 239.04 cm2 C-1 vs. 226.26 cm2 C-1 @ 400 nm and 314.04 cm2 C-1 vs. 174.00 cm2 C-1 @ 650∼700 nm). Besides, PmOTTBTD exhibits excellent stability with negligible decay after 3000 cycles. Our work suggests a facile strategy that could be adopted to realize high-performance ECPs via molecular design tuning.

Vacuum-Drying Processed Micrometer-Thick Stable CsPbBr3 Perovskite Films with Efficient Blue-To-Green Photoconversion.

Metal halide perovskite materials have attracted great attention owing to their fascinating optoelectronic characteristics and low cost fabrication via facile solution processing. One of the potential applications of these materials is to employ them as color-conversion layers (CCLs) for visible blue light to achieve full-color displays. However, obtaining thick perovskite films to realize complete color conversion is a key challenge. Here, the fabrication of micrometer-level thick CsPbBr3 perovskite films is presented through a facile vacuum drying approach. An efficient green photoconversion is realized in a 3.8 µm thick film from blue light @ 463 nm. For a back luminance of 1000 cd m-2 , the brightness of the resulting green emission can reach as high as 200 cd m-2 . Furthermore, only ≈2% of decay in brightness is observed when the films are tested after 18 days of exposure to ambient environment. In addition, a potential design is also proposed for full-color displays with perovskite materials incorporated as CCLs.

Enhancing Alzheimer's disease diagnosis and staging: a multistage CNN framework using MRI.

This study addresses the pervasive and debilitating impact of Alzheimer's disease (AD) on individuals and society, emphasizing the crucial need for timely diagnosis. We present a multistage convolutional neural network (CNN)-based framework for AD detection and sub-classification using brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). After preprocessing, a 26-layer CNN model was designed to differentiate between healthy individuals and patients with dementia. After detecting dementia, the 26-layer CNN model was reutilized using the concept of transfer learning to further subclassify dementia into mild, moderate, and severe dementia. Leveraging the frozen weights of the developed CNN on correlated medical images facilitated the transfer learning process for sub-classifying dementia classes. An online AD dataset is used to verify the performance of the proposed multistage CNN-based framework. The proposed approach yielded a noteworthy accuracy of 98.24% in identifying dementia classes, whereas it achieved 99.70% accuracy in dementia subclassification. Another dataset was used to further validate the proposed framework, resulting in 100% performance. Comparative evaluations against pre-trained models and the current literature were also conducted, highlighting the usefulness and superiority of the proposed framework and presenting it as a robust and effective AD detection and subclassification method.

BU-DLNet: Breast Ultrasonography-Based Cancer Detection Using Deep-Learning Network Selection and Feature Optimization.

Early detection of breast lesions and distinguishing between malignant and benign lesions are critical for breast cancer (BC) prognosis. Breast ultrasonography (BU) is an important radiological imaging modality for the diagnosis of BC. This study proposes a BU image-based framework for the diagnosis of BC in women. Various pre-trained networks are used to extract the deep features of the BU images. Ten wrapper-based optimization algorithms, including the marine predator algorithm, generalized normal distribution optimization, slime mold algorithm, equilibrium optimizer (EO), manta-ray foraging optimization, atom search optimization, Harris hawks optimization, Henry gas solubility optimization, path finder algorithm, and poor and rich optimization, were employed to compute the optimal subset of deep features using a support vector machine classifier. Furthermore, a network selection algorithm was employed to determine the best pre-trained network. An online BU dataset was used to test the proposed framework. After comprehensive testing and analysis, it was found that the EO algorithm produced the highest classification rate for each pre-trained model. It produced the highest classification accuracy of 96.79%, and it was trained using only a deep feature vector with a size of 562 in the ResNet-50 model. Similarly, the Inception-ResNet-v2 had the second highest classification accuracy of 96.15% using the EO algorithm. Moreover, the results of the proposed framework are compared with those in the literature.

Enhancing Skin Lesion Detection: A Multistage Multiclass Convolutional Neural Network-Based Framework.

The early identification and treatment of various dermatological conditions depend on the detection of skin lesions. Due to advancements in computer-aided diagnosis and machine learning approaches, learning-based skin lesion analysis methods have attracted much interest recently. Employing the concept of transfer learning, this research proposes a deep convolutional neural network (CNN)-based multistage and multiclass framework to categorize seven types of skin lesions. In the first stage, a CNN model was developed to classify skin lesion images into two classes, namely benign and malignant. In the second stage, the model was then used with the transfer learning concept to further categorize benign lesions into five subcategories (melanocytic nevus, actinic keratosis, benign keratosis, dermatofibroma, and vascular) and malignant lesions into two subcategories (melanoma and basal cell carcinoma). The frozen weights of the CNN developed-trained with correlated images benefited the transfer learning using the same type of images for the subclassification of benign and malignant classes. The proposed multistage and multiclass technique improved the classification accuracy of the online ISIC2018 skin lesion dataset by up to 93.4% for benign and malignant class identification. Furthermore, a high accuracy of 96.2% was achieved for subclassification of both classes. Sensitivity, specificity, precision, and F1-score metrics further validated the effectiveness of the proposed multistage and multiclass framework. Compared to existing CNN models described in the literature, the proposed approach took less time to train and had a higher classification rate.

OptEF-BCI: An Optimization-Based Hybrid EEG and fNIRS-Brain Computer Interface.

Multimodal data fusion (electroencephalography (EEG) and functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS)) has been developed as an important neuroimaging research field in order to circumvent the inherent limitations of individual modalities by combining complementary information from other modalities. This study employed an optimization-based feature selection algorithm to systematically investigate the complementary nature of multimodal fused features. After preprocessing the acquired data of both modalities (i.e., EEG and fNIRS), the temporal statistical features were computed separately with a 10 s interval for each modality. The computed features were fused to create a training vector. A wrapper-based binary enhanced whale optimization algorithm (E-WOA) was used to select the optimal/efficient fused feature subset using the support-vector-machine-based cost function. An online dataset of 29 healthy individuals was used to evaluate the performance of the proposed methodology. The findings suggest that the proposed approach enhances the classification performance by evaluating the degree of complementarity between characteristics and selecting the most efficient fused subset. The binary E-WOA feature selection approach showed a high classification rate (94.22 ± 5.39%). The classification performance exhibited a 3.85% increase compared with the conventional whale optimization algorithm. The proposed hybrid classification framework outperformed both the individual modalities and traditional feature selection classification (p < 0.01). These findings indicate the potential efficacy of the proposed framework for several neuroclinical applications.

WBM-DLNets: Wrapper-Based Metaheuristic Deep Learning Networks Feature Optimization for Enhancing Brain Tumor Detection.

This study presents wrapper-based metaheuristic deep learning networks (WBM-DLNets) feature optimization algorithms for brain tumor diagnosis using magnetic resonance imaging. Herein, 16 pretrained deep learning networks are used to compute the features. Eight metaheuristic optimization algorithms, namely, the marine predator algorithm, atom search optimization algorithm (ASOA), Harris hawks optimization algorithm, butterfly optimization algorithm, whale optimization algorithm, grey wolf optimization algorithm (GWOA), bat algorithm, and firefly algorithm, are used to evaluate the classification performance using a support vector machine (SVM)-based cost function. A deep-learning network selection approach is applied to determine the best deep-learning network. Finally, all deep features of the best deep learning networks are concatenated to train the SVM model. The proposed WBM-DLNets approach is validated based on an available online dataset. The results reveal that the classification accuracy is significantly improved by utilizing the features selected using WBM-DLNets relative to those obtained using the full set of deep features. DenseNet-201-GWOA and EfficientNet-b0-ASOA yield the best results, with a classification accuracy of 95.7%. Additionally, the results of the WBM-DLNets approach are compared with those reported in the literature.

An Isolated CNN Architecture for Classification of Finger-Tapping Tasks Using Initial Dip Images: A Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Study.

This work investigates the classification of finger-tapping task images constructed for the initial dip duration of hemodynamics (HR) associated with the small brain area of the left motor cortex using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). Different layers (i.e., 16-layers, 19-layers, 22-layers, and 25-layers) of isolated convolutional neural network (CNN) designed from scratch are tested to classify the right-hand thumb and little finger-tapping tasks. Functional t-maps of finger-tapping tasks (thumb, little) were constructed for various durations (0.5 to 4 s with a uniform interval of 0.5 s) for the initial dip duration using a three gamma functions-based designed HR function. The results show that the 22-layered isolated CNN model yielded the highest classification accuracy of 89.2% with less complexity in classifying the functional t-maps of thumb and little fingers associated with the same small brain area using the initial dip. The results further demonstrated that the active brain area of the two tapping tasks from the same small brain area are highly different and well classified using functional t-maps of the initial dip (0.5 to 4 s) compared to functional t-maps generated for delayed HR (14 s). This study shows that the images constructed for initial dip duration can be helpful in the future for fNIRS-based diagnosis or cortical analysis of abnormal cerebral oxygen exchange in patients.

Correlation-Filter-Based Channel and Feature Selection Framework for Hybrid EEG-fNIRS BCI Applications.

The proposed study is based on a feature and channel selection strategy that uses correlation filters for brain-computer interface (BCI) applications using electroencephalography (EEG)-functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) brain imaging modalities. The proposed approach fuses the complementary information of the two modalities to train the classifier. The channels most closely correlated with brain activity are extracted using a correlation-based connectivity matrix for fNIRS and EEG separately. Furthermore, the training vector is formed through the identification and fusion of the statistical features of both modalities (i.e., slope, skewness, maximum, skewness, mean, and kurtosis) The constructed fused feature vector is passed through various filters (including ReliefF, minimum redundancy maximum relevance, chi-square test, analysis of variance, and Kruskal-Wallis filters) to remove redundant information before training. Traditional classifiers such as neural networks, support-vector machines, linear discriminant analysis, and ensembles were used for the purpose of training and testing. A publicly available dataset with motor imagery information was used for validation of the proposed approach. Our findings indicate that the proposed correlation-filter-based channel and feature selection framework significantly enhances the classification accuracy of hybrid EEG-fNIRS. The ReliefF-based filter outperformed other filters with the ensemble classifier with a high accuracy of 94.77 ± 4.26%. The statistical analysis also validated the significance (p < 0.01) of the results. A comparison of the proposed framework with the prior findings was also presented. Our results show that the proposed approach can be used in future EEG-fNIRS-based hybrid BCI applications.

Artificial neural network models: implementation of functional near-infrared spectroscopy-based spontaneous lie detection in an interactive scenario.

Deception is an inevitable occurrence in daily life. Various methods have been used to understand the mechanisms underlying brain deception. Moreover, numerous efforts have been undertaken to detect deception and truth-telling. Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) has great potential for neurological applications compared with other state-of-the-art methods. Therefore, an fNIRS-based spontaneous lie detection model was used in the present study. We interviewed 10 healthy subjects to identify deception using the fNIRS system. A card game frequently referred to as a bluff or cheat was introduced. This game was selected because its rules are ideal for testing our hypotheses. The optical probe of the fNIRS was placed on the subject's forehead, and we acquired optical density signals, which were then converted into oxy-hemoglobin and deoxy-hemoglobin signals using the Modified Beer-Lambert law. The oxy-hemoglobin signal was preprocessed to eliminate noise. In this study, we proposed three artificial neural networks inspired by deep learning models, including AlexNet, ResNet, and GoogleNet, to classify deception and truth-telling. The proposed models achieved accuracies of 88.5%, 88.0%, and 90.0%, respectively. These proposed models were compared with other classification models, including k-nearest neighbor, linear support vector machines (SVM), quadratic SVM, cubic SVM, simple decision trees, and complex decision trees. These comparisons showed that the proposed models performed better than the other state-of-the-art methods.

Wide-Humidity Range Applicable, Anti-Freezing, and Healable Zwitterionic Hydrogels for Ion-Leakage-Free Iontronic Sensors.

Hydrogels have entered the spotlight for applications in soft electronics. It is essential and challenging to obtain hydrogels that can function properly under varying environmental circumstances, that is, 30-90% relative humidity (RH) and -20 to 40 °C due to their intrinsic nature to lose and absorb water upon variations in humidity and temperature. In this work, a green solvent, solketal, is introduced into poly 3-dimethyl-2-(2-methylprop-2-enoyloxy)ethyl azaniumyl propane-1-sulfonate (poly(DMAPS)) zwitterionic hydrogels. Compared to glycerol, solketal endows hydrogels with greater possibility for further modification as well as improved water content and mechanical performance consistency over 30-90% RH. Encouragingly, the optimized hydrogel demonstrates its unique merits as a dielectric layer in iontronic sensors, featuring non-leaky ions, high sensitivity (1100 kPa-1 ), wide humidity, and temperature range applicability. A wide-humidity range healable and stretchable electrode is attained by combining the hydrogel substrate with Ag paste. A full-device healable and highly-sensitive sensor is developed. This study is a pioneering work that tackles the broad humidity range applicability issue of hydrogels, and demonstrates the ion-leakage-free ionic skins with zwitterionic dielectrics. The outcomes of the study will considerably promote advancements in the fields of hydrogel electronics and iontronic sensors.

Improving the Performance of Red Organic Light-Emitting Transistors by Utilizing a High-k Organic/Inorganic Bilayer Dielectric.

Integration of electrical switching and light emission in a single unit makes organic light-emitting transistors (OLETs) highly promising multifunctional devices for next-generation active-matrix flat-panel displays and related applications. Here, high-performance red OLETs are fabricated in a multilayer configuration that incorporates a zirconia (ZrOx)/cross-linked poly(vinyl alcohol) (C-PVA) bilayer as a dielectric. The developed organic/inorganic bilayer dielectric renders high dielectric constant as well as improved dielectric/semiconductor interface quality, contributing to enhanced carrier mobility and high current density. In addition, an efficient red phosphorescent organic emitter doped in a bihost system is employed as the emitting layer for an effective exciton formation and light generation. Consequently, our optimized red OLETs displayed a high brightness of 16 470 cd m-2 and a peak external quantum efficiency of 11.9% under a low gate and source-drain voltage of -24 V. To further boost the device performance, an electron-blocking layer is introduced for ameliorated charge-carrier balance and hence suppressed exciton-charge quenching, which resulted in an improved maximum brightness of 20 030 cd m-2. We anticipate that the new device optimization approaches proposed in this work would spur further development of efficient OLETs with high brightness and curtailed efficiency roll-off.

Lag Synchronization of Noisy and Nonnoisy Multiple Neurobiological Coupled FitzHugh-Nagumo Networks with and without Delayed Coupling.

This paper presents a methodology for synchronizing noisy and nonnoisy multiple coupled neurobiological FitzHugh-Nagumo (FHN) drive and slave neural networks with and without delayed coupling, under external electrical stimulation (EES), external disturbance, and variable parameters for each state of both FHN networks. Each network of neurons was configured by considering all aspects of real neurons communications in the brain, i.e., synapse and gap junctions. Novel adaptive control laws were developed and proposed that guarantee the synchronization of FHN neural networks in different configurations. The Lyapunov stability theory was utilized to analytically derive the sufficient conditions that ensure the synchronization of the FHN networks. The effectiveness and robustness of the proposed control laws were shown through different numerical simulations.

Asymmetrically Enhanced Coplanar-Electrode Electroluminescence for Information Encryption and Ultrahighly Stretchable Displays.

Traditional alternating-current-driven electroluminescent (AC-EL) devices adopting a sandwich structure are commonly used in solid-state lighting and displays, while the emerging coplanar-electrode alternating-current-driven light-emitting variants manifest excellent application prospects in intelligent, multifunctional, and full-color displays, and sensing purposes. In this work, an asymmetrically enhanced coplanar-electrode AC-EL device with a universal and straightforward architecture is designed based on the impedance adjustment strategy. This newly devised asymmetric structure extends the functionalities of the coplanar-electrode AC-EL devices by overcoming the bottlenecks of complicated patterning procedures and high driving voltages of symmetric configuration. The developed device design enables a new type of information encryption and ultrahighly stretchable patterned displays. Notably, the novel encryption appliances demonstrate feasible encryption/decryption features, multiple encryptions, and practical applicability; the biaxially stretchable display devices achieve the highest tensile performance in the field of stretchable electroluminescent pattern displays, and outperform the ultrahighly stretchable sandwich devices in terms of simple patterning process, higher brightness, wider color gamut, and long-term stability. The proposed configuration opens up new avenues for AC-EL devices toward a plethora of smart applications in wearable electronics with intelligent displays, dynamic interaction of human-machine interface, and soft robotics.

A Hybrid Data-Driven Approach for Multistep Ahead Prediction of State of Health and Remaining Useful Life of Lithium-Ion Batteries.

In this paper, a novel multistep ahead predictor based upon a fusion of kernel recursive least square (KRLS) and Gaussian process regression (GPR) is proposed for the accurate prediction of the state of health (SoH) and remaining useful life (RUL) of lithium-ion batteries. The empirical mode decomposition is utilized to divide the battery capacity into local regeneration (intrinsic mode functions) and global degradation (residual). The KRLS and GPR submodels are employed to track the residual and intrinsic mode functions. For RUL, the KRLS predicted residual signal is utilized. The online available experimental battery aging data are used for the evaluation of the proposed model. The comparison analysis with other methodologies (i.e., GPR, KRLS, empirical mode decomposition with GPR, and empirical mode decomposition with KRLS) reveals the distinctiveness and superiority of the proposed approach. For 1-step ahead prediction, the proposed method tracks the trajectory with the root mean square error (RMSE) of 0.2299, and the increase of only 0.2243 RMSE is noted for 30-step ahead prediction. The RUL prediction using residual signal shows an increase of 3 to 5% in accuracy. This proposed methodology is a prospective approach for an efficient battery health prognostic.

A Robust Computer-Aided Automated Brain Tumor Diagnosis Approach Using PSO-ReliefF Optimized Gaussian and Non-Linear Feature Space.

Brain tumors are among the deadliest diseases in the modern world. This study proposes an optimized machine-learning approach for the detection and identification of the type of brain tumor (glioma, meningioma, or pituitary tumor) in brain images recorded using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The Gaussian features of the image are extracted using speed-up robust features (SURF), whereas its non-linear features are obtained using KAZE, owing to their high performance against rotation, scaling, and noise problems. To retrieve local-level information, all brain MRI images are segmented into an 8 × 8 pixel grid. To enhance the accuracy and reduce the computational time, the variance-based k-means clustering and PSO-ReliefF algorithms are employed to eliminate the redundant features of the brain MRI images. Finally, the performance of the proposed hybrid optimized feature vector is evaluated using various machine learning classifiers. An accuracy of 96.30% is obtained with 169 features using a support vector machine (SVM). Furthermore, the computational time is also reduced to 1 min compared to the non-optimized features used for training of the SVM. The findings are also compared with previous research, demonstrating that the suggested approach might assist physicians and doctors in the timely detection of brain tumors.