pwc-archive/papers-with-abstracts huggingface dataset:
LUMINA-Net: Low-light Upgrade through Multi-stage Illumination and Noise Adaptation Network for Image Enhancement
Authors: Namrah Siddiqua, Kim Suneung
Date: 2025-02-21 00:00:00
Tasks: Image Enhancement, Low-Light Image Enhancement, SSIM

Low-light image enhancement (LLIE) is a crucial task in computer vision aimed to enhance the visual fidelity of images captured under low-illumination conditions. Conventional methods frequently struggle to mitigate pervasive shortcomings such as noise, over-exposure, and color distortion thereby precipitating a pronounced degradation in image quality. To address these challenges, we propose LUMINA-Net an advanced deep learning framework designed specifically by integrating multi-stage illumination and reflectance modules. First, the illumination module intelligently adjusts brightness and contrast levels while meticulously preserving intricate textural details. Second, the reflectance module incorporates a noise reduction mechanism that leverages spatial attention and channel-wise feature refinement to mitigate noise contamination. Through a comprehensive suite of experiments conducted on LOL and SICE datasets using PSNR, SSIM and LPIPS metrics, surpassing state-of-the-art methodologies and showcasing its efficacy in low-light image enhancement.
FD-LSCIC: Frequency Decomposition-based Learned Screen Content Image Compression
Authors: Shiqi Jiang, Hui Yuan, Shuai Li, Huanqiang Zeng, Sam Kwong
Date: 2025-02-21 00:00:00
Tasks: Image Compression, MS-SSIM, Quantization, SSIM

The learned image compression (LIC) methods have already surpassed traditional techniques in compressing natural scene (NS) images. However, directly applying these methods to screen content (SC) images, which possess distinct characteristics such as sharp edges, repetitive patterns, embedded text and graphics, yields suboptimal results. This paper addresses three key challenges in SC image compression: learning compact latent features, adapting quantization step sizes, and the lack of large SC datasets. To overcome these challenges, we propose a novel compression method that employs a multi-frequency two-stage octave residual block (MToRB) for feature extraction, a cascaded triple-scale feature fusion residual block (CTSFRB) for multi-scale feature integration and a multi-frequency context interaction module (MFCIM) to reduce inter-frequency correlations. Additionally, we introduce an adaptive quantization module that learns scaled uniform noise for each frequency component, enabling flexible control over quantization granularity. Furthermore, we construct a large SC image compression dataset (SDU-SCICD10K), which includes over 10,000 images spanning basic SC images, computer-rendered images, and mixed NS and SC images from both PC and mobile platforms. Experimental results demonstrate that our approach significantly improves SC image compression performance, outperforming traditional standards and state-of-the-art learning-based methods in terms of peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR) and multi-scale structural similarity (MS-SSIM).
Optimized Pap Smear Image Enhancement: Hybrid PMD Filter-CLAHE Using Spider Monkey Optimization
Authors: Ach Khozaimi, Isnani Darti, Syaiful Anam, Wuryansari Muharini Kusumawinahyu
Date: 2025-02-21 00:00:00
Tasks: Image Enhancement

Pap smear image quality is crucial for cervical cancer detection. This study introduces an optimized hybrid approach that combines the Perona-Malik Diffusion (PMD) filter with contrast-limited adaptive histogram equalization (CLAHE) to enhance Pap smear image quality. The PMD filter reduces the image noise, whereas CLAHE improves the image contrast. The hybrid method was optimized using spider monkey optimization (SMO PMD-CLAHE). BRISQUE and CEIQ are the new objective functions for the PMD filter and CLAHE optimization, respectively. The simulations were conducted using the SIPaKMeD dataset. The results indicate that SMO outperforms state-of-the-art methods in optimizing the PMD filter and CLAHE. The proposed method achieved an average effective measure of enhancement (EME) of 5.45, root mean square (RMS) contrast of 60.45, Michelson's contrast (MC) of 0.995, and entropy of 6.80. This approach offers a new perspective for improving Pap smear image quality.
Reinforcement Learning for Ultrasound Image Analysis A Comprehensive Review of Advances and Applications
Authors: Maha Ezzelarab, Midhila Madhusoodanan, Shrimanti Ghosh, Geetika Vadali, Jacob Jaremko, Abhilash Hareendranathan
Date: 2025-02-20 00:00:00
Tasks: Decision Making, Deep Reinforcement Learning, Diagnostic, image-classification, Image Classification, Image Enhancement, Image Segmentation, Reinforcement Learning (RL), Semantic Segmentation, Sequential Decision Making, Video Summarization

Over the last decade, the use of machine learning (ML) approaches in medicinal applications has increased manifold. Most of these approaches are based on deep learning, which aims to learn representations from grid data (like medical images). However, reinforcement learning (RL) applications in medicine are relatively less explored. Medical applications often involve a sequence of subtasks that form a diagnostic pipeline, and RL is uniquely suited to optimize over such sequential decision-making tasks. Ultrasound (US) image analysis is a quintessential example of such a sequential decision-making task, where the raw signal captured by the US transducer undergoes a series of signal processing and image post-processing steps, generally leading to a diagnostic suggestion. The application of RL in US remains limited. Deep Reinforcement Learning (DRL), that combines deep learning and RL, holds great promise in optimizing these pipelines by enabling intelligent and sequential decision-making. This review paper surveys the applications of RL in US over the last decade. We provide a succinct overview of the theoretic framework of RL and its application in US image processing and review existing work in each aspect of the image analysis pipeline. A comprehensive search of Scopus filtered on relevance yielded 14 papers most relevant to this topic. These papers were further categorized based on their target applications image classification, image segmentation, image enhancement, video summarization, and auto navigation and path planning. We also examined the type of RL approach used in each publication. Finally, we discuss key areas in healthcare where DRL approaches in US could be used for sequential decision-making. We analyze the opportunities, challenges, and limitations, providing insights into the future potential of DRL in US image analysis.
Compact Latent Representation for Image Compression (CLRIC)
Authors: Ayman A. Ameen, Thomas Richter, André Kaup
Date: 2025-02-20 00:00:00
Tasks: Image Compression

Current image compression models often require separate models for each quality level, making them resource-intensive in terms of both training and storage. To address these limitations, we propose an innovative approach that utilizes latent variables from pre-existing trained models (such as the Stable Diffusion Variational Autoencoder) for perceptual image compression. Our method eliminates the need for distinct models dedicated to different quality levels. We employ overfitted learnable functions to compress the latent representation from the target model at any desired quality level. These overfitted functions operate in the latent space, ensuring low computational complexity, around $25.5$ MAC/pixel for a forward pass on images with dimensions $(1363 \times 2048)$ pixels. This approach efficiently utilizes resources during both training and decoding. Our method achieves comparable perceptual quality to state-of-the-art learned image compression models while being both model-agnostic and resolution-agnostic. This opens up new possibilities for the development of innovative image compression methods.
Denoising, segmentation and volumetric rendering of optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) image using deep learning techniques: a review
Authors: Kejie Chen, Xiaochun Yang, Jing Na, Wenbo Wang
Date: 2025-02-20 00:00:00
Tasks: 3D Volumetric Reconstruction, Denoising, Diagnostic

Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) is a non-invasive imaging technique widely used to study vascular structures and micro-circulation dynamics in the retina and choroid. OCTA has been widely used in clinics for diagnosing ocular disease and monitoring its progression, because OCTA is safer and faster than dye-based angiography while retaining the ability to characterize micro-scale structures. However, OCTA data contains many inherent noises from the devices and acquisition protocols and suffers from various types of artifacts, which impairs diagnostic accuracy and repeatability. Deep learning (DL) based imaging analysis models are able to automatically detect and remove artifacts and noises, and enhance the quality of image data. It is also a powerful tool for segmentation and identification of normal and pathological structures in the images. Thus, the value of OCTA imaging can be significantly enhanced by the DL-based approaches for interpreting and performing measurements and predictions on the OCTA data. In this study, we reviewed literature on the DL models for OCTA images in the latest five years. In particular, we focused on discussing the current problems in the OCTA data and the corresponding design principles of the DL models. We also reviewed the state-of-art DL models for 3D volumetric reconstruction of the vascular networks and pathological structures such as the edema and distorted optic disc. In addition, the publicly available dataset of OCTA images are summarized at the end of this review. Overall, this review can provide valuable insights for engineers to develop novel DL models by utilizing the characteristics of OCTA signals and images. The pros and cons of each DL methods and their applications discussed in this review can be helpful to assist technicians and clinicians to use proper DL models for fundamental research and disease screening.
Display Field-Of-View Agnostic Robust CT Kernel Synthesis Using Model-Based Deep Learning
Authors: Hemant Kumar Aggarwal, Antony Jerald, Phaneendra K. Yalavarthy, Rajesh Langoju, Bipul Das
Date: 2025-02-19 00:00:00
Tasks: Computed Tomography (CT)

In X-ray computed tomography (CT) imaging, the choice of reconstruction kernel is crucial as it significantly impacts the quality of clinical images. Different kernels influence spatial resolution, image noise, and contrast in various ways. Clinical applications involving lung imaging often require images reconstructed with both soft and sharp kernels. The reconstruction of images with different kernels requires raw sinogram data and storing images for all kernels increases processing time and storage requirements. The Display Field-of-View (DFOV) adds complexity to kernel synthesis, as data acquired at different DFOVs exhibit varying levels of sharpness and details. This work introduces an efficient, DFOV-agnostic solution for image-based kernel synthesis using model-based deep learning. The proposed method explicitly integrates CT kernel and DFOV characteristics into the forward model. Experimental results on clinical data, along with quantitative analysis of the estimated modulation transfer function using wire phantom data, clearly demonstrate the utility of the proposed method in real-time. Additionally, a comparative study with a direct learning network, that lacks forward model information, shows that the proposed method is more robust to DFOV variations.
Pulmonary Tuberculosis Edge Diagnosis System Based on MindSpore Framework: Low-cost and High-precision Implementation with Ascend 310 Chip
Authors: Haoyu Li
Date: 2025-02-15 00:00:00
Tasks: Diagnostic, Edge-computing

Pulmonary Tuberculosis (PTB) remains a major challenge for global health, especially in areas with poor medical resources, where access to specialized medical knowledge and diagnostic tools is limited. This paper presents an auxiliary diagnosis system for pulmonary tuberculosis based on Huawei MindSpore framework and Ascend310 edge computing chip. Using MobileNetV3 architecture and Softmax cross entropy loss function with momentum optimizer. The system operates with FP16 hybrid accuracy on the Orange pie AIPro (Atlas 200 DK) edge device and performs well. In the test set containing 4148 chest images, the model accuracy reached 99.1\% (AUC = 0.99), and the equipment cost was controlled within \$150, providing affordable AI-assisted diagnosis scheme for primary care.
Context-Aware Doubly-Robust Semi-Supervised Learning
Authors: Clement Ruah, Houssem Sifaou, Osvaldo Simeone, Bashir Al-Hashimi
Date: 2025-02-21 00:00:00

The widespread adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) in next-generation communication systems is challenged by the heterogeneity of traffic and network conditions, which call for the use of highly contextual, site-specific, data. A promising solution is to rely not only on real-world data, but also on synthetic pseudo-data generated by a network digital twin (NDT). However, the effectiveness of this approach hinges on the accuracy of the NDT, which can vary widely across different contexts. To address this problem, this paper introduces context-aware doubly-robust (CDR) learning, a novel semi-supervised scheme that adapts its reliance on the pseudo-data to the different levels of fidelity of the NDT across contexts. CDR is evaluated on the task of downlink beamforming where it outperforms previous state-of-the-art approaches, providing a 24% loss decrease when compared to doubly-robust (DR) semi-supervised learning in regimes with low labeled data availability.
Ultrasound Phase Aberrated Point Spread Function Estimation with Convolutional Neural Network: Simulation Study
Authors: Wei-Hsiang Shen, Yu-an Lin, Meng-Lin Li
Date: 2025-02-21 00:00:00
Tasks: Neural Network simulation

Ultrasound imaging systems rely on accurate point spread function (PSF) estimation to support advanced image quality enhancement techniques such as deconvolution and speckle reduction. Phase aberration, caused by sound speed inhomogeneity within biological tissue, is inevitable in ultrasound imaging. It distorts the PSF by increasing sidelobe level and introducing asymmetric amplitude, making PSF estimation under phase aberration highly challenging. In this work, we propose a deep learning framework for estimating phase-aberrated PSFs using U-Net and complex U-Net architectures, operating on RF and complex k-space data, respectively, with the latter demonstrating superior performance. Synthetic phase aberration data, generated using the near-field phase screen model, is employed to train the networks. We evaluate various loss functions and find that log-compressed B-mode perceptual loss achieves the best performance, accurately predicting both the mainlobe and near sidelobe regions of the PSF. Simulation results validate the effectiveness of our approach in estimating PSFs under varying levels of phase aberration.
On Performance of LoRa Fluid Antenna Systems
Authors: Gaoze Mu, Yanzhao Hou, Kai-Kit Wong, Mingjie Chen, Qimei Cui, Xiaofeng Tao, Ping Zhang
Date: 2025-02-21 00:00:00

This paper advocates a fluid antenna system (FAS) assisting long-range communication (LoRa-FAS) for Internet-of-Things (IoT) applications. Our focus is on pilot sequence overhead and placement for FAS. Specifically, we consider embedding pilot sequences within symbols to reduce the equivalent symbol error rate (SER), leveraging the fact that the pilot sequences do not convey source information and correlation detection at the LoRa receiver needs not be performed across the entire symbol. We obtain closed-form approximations for the probability density function (PDF) and cumulative distribution function (CDF) of the FAS channel, assuming perfect channel state information (CSI). Moreover, the approximate SER, hence the bit error rate (BER), of the proposed LoRa-FAS is derived. Simulation results indicate that substantial SER gains can be achieved by FAS within the LoRa framework, even with a limited size of FAS. Furthermore, our analytical results align well with that of the Clarke's exact spatial correlation model. Finally, the correlation factor for the block correlation model should be selected as the proportion of the exact correlation matrix's eigenvalues greater than $1$.
Holographic Joint Communications and Sensing With Cramer-Rao Bounds
Authors: Chandan Kumar Sheemar, Wali Ullah Khan, George Alexandropoulos, Jorge Querol, Symeon Chatzinotas
Date: 2025-02-21 00:00:00

Joint Communication and Sensing (JCAS) technology facilitates the seamless integration of communication and sensing functionalities within a unified framework, enhancing spectral efficiency, reducing hardware complexity, and enabling simultaneous data transmission and environmental perception. This paper explores the potential of holographic JCAS systems by leveraging reconfigurable holographic surfaces (RHS) to achieve high-resolution hybrid holographic beamforming while simultaneously sensing the environment. As the holographic transceivers are governed by arbitrary antenna spacing, we first derive exact Cram\'er-Rao Bounds (CRBs) for azimuth and elevation angles to rigorously characterize the three-dimensional (3D) sensing accuracy. To optimize the system performance, we propose a novel weighted multi-objective problem formulation that aims to simultaneously maximize the communication rate and minimize the CRBs. However, this formulation is highly non-convex due to the inverse dependence of the CRB on the optimization variables, making the solution extremely challenging. To address this, we propose a novel algorithmic framework based on the Majorization-Maximization (MM) principle, employing alternating optimization to efficiently solve the problem. The proposed method relies on the closed-form surrogate functions that majorize the original objective derived herein, enabling tractable optimization. Simulation results are presented to validate the effectiveness of the proposed framework under diverse system configurations, demonstrating its potential for next-generation holographic JCAS systems.
Applications of wavelet transform in classification of local field potential recorded from the rat brain in conditioned place preference paradigm
Authors: AmirAli Kalbasi, Mahdi Aliyari Shoorehdeli, Shole Jamali, Abbas Haghparast
Date: 2025-02-21 00:00:00
Tasks: Classification, Hippocampus, Multi-Label Classification, MUlTI-LABEL-ClASSIFICATION

This study investigates the multi-label classification of Local Field Potential (LFP) data from the hippocampus (HIP) and nucleus accumbens (NAc) in the rat brain, focusing on reward responses using the Conditioned Place Preference (CPP) paradigm. Rats were conditioned with saline, morphine, and food rewards, and LFP recordings were conducted from both HIP and NAc during pre- and post-tests. The LFP data were classified into four categories: treatment types, test phases, recording channels, and chamber positions within the CPP setup. Features were extracted using Continuous Wavelet Transform (CWT), Wavelet Coherence, and Wavelet Scattering. Classification was performed via Decision Trees, Multilayer Perceptrons, and Support Vector Machines. Notably, in the Food group, HIP and combined HIP-NAc features yielded the highest classification accuracy for CPP chambers, whereas NAc features excelled in the Morphine group. Employing wavelet scattering, an 80% classification accuracy was achieved across treatment groups, test phases, and channels. Exceptionally high classification accuracies were observed for Food-post-test-HIP (99.75%) and Morphine-post-test-NAc (99.58%). The study reveals that NAc activity is pivotal for morphine-induced CPP, whereas HIP and HIP-NAc connectivity are crucial for food-induced CPP. The proposed methodology provides a novel avenue for precisely classifying LFP data, shedding light on neural circuit activities underlying behavioral responses.
Graph-Based Deep Learning on Stereo EEG for Predicting Seizure Freedom in Epilepsy Patients
Authors: Artur Agaronyan, Syeda Abeera Amir, Nunthasiri Wittayanakorn, John Schreiber, Marius G. Linguraru, William Gaillard, Chima Oluigbo, Syed Muhammad Anwar
Date: 2025-02-21 00:00:00
Tasks: Deep Learning, EEG, Graph Neural Network

Predicting seizure freedom is essential for tailoring epilepsy treatment. But accurate prediction remains challenging with traditional methods, especially with diverse patient populations. This study developed a deep learning-based graph neural network (GNN) model to predict seizure freedom from stereo electroencephalography (sEEG) data in patients with refractory epilepsy. We utilized high-quality sEEG data from 15 pediatric patients to train a deep learning model that can accurately predict seizure freedom outcomes and advance understanding of brain connectivity at the seizure onset zone. Our model integrates local and global connectivity using graph convolutions with multi-scale attention mechanisms to capture connections between difficult-to-study regions such as the thalamus and motor regions. The model achieved an accuracy of 92.4% in binary class analysis, 86.6% in patient-wise analysis, and 81.4% in multi-class analysis. Node and edge-level feature analysis highlighted the anterior cingulate and frontal pole regions as key contributors to seizure freedom outcomes. The nodes identified by our model were also more likely to coincide with seizure onset zones. Our findings underscore the potential of new connectivity-based deep learning models such as GNNs for enhancing the prediction of seizure freedom, predicting seizure onset zones, connectivity analysis of the brain during seizure, as well as informing AI-assisted personalized epilepsy treatment planning.
Optimised Design of a Current Mirror in 150 nm GaAs Technology
Authors: Lua Ying Qian, Chia Chao Kang, Tan Jian Ding, Mohammad Arif Sobhan Bhuiyan, Khairun Nisa Minhad, Mahdi H. Miraz
Date: 2025-02-21 00:00:00

The Current Mirror (CM) is a basic building block commonly used in analogue and mixed-signal integrated circuits. Its significance lies in its ability to replicate and precisely regulate the current, making it crucial in various applications such as amplifiers, filters and data converters. Recently, there has been a growing need for smaller and more energy-efficient Radio Frequency (RF) devices due to the advancements in wireless communication, the Internet of Things (IoT) and portable electronics. This research aims to propose an improved and optimised CM design focusing on compactness and energy-efficient operation. Through a comprehensive methodology involving transistor sizing, biasing techniques, load resistance selection, frequency response stabilisation and noise analysis, the proposed high swing CM design achieves a gain of at least 6.005 dB, a reduced power consumption of 91.17 mW, a wide bandwidth of 22.60 kHz and improved linearity as well as accuracy through precise current matching and minimised mismatch. This optimised CM design will further boost the realisation of compact and lower power RF devices, contributing to the advancement of analogue circuit design techniques and enhancing system performance, accuracy and reliability.