Fingerprint Identification With Shallow Multifeature View Classifier

This article presents an efficient fingerprint identification system that implements an initial classification for search-space reduction followed by minutiae neighbor-based feature encoding and matching. The current state-of-the-art fingerprint classification methods use a deep convolutional neural network (DCNN) to assign confidence for the classification prediction, and based on this prediction, the input fingerprint is matched with only the subset of the database that belongs to the predicted class. It can be observed for the DCNNs that as the architectures deepen, the farthest layers of the network learn more abstract information from the input images that result in higher prediction accuracies. However, the downside is that the DCNNs are data hungry and require lots of annotated (labeled) data to learn generalized network parameters for deeper layers. In this article, a shallow multifeature view CNN (SMV-CNN) fingerprint classifier is proposed that extracts: 1) fine-grained features from the input image and 2) abstract features from explicitly derived representations obtained from the input image. The multifeature views are fed to a fully connected neural network (NN) to compute a global classification prediction. The classification results show that the SMV-CNN demonstrated an improvement of 2.8% when compared to baseline CNN consisting of a single grayscale view on an open-source database. Moreover, in comparison with the state-of-the-art residual network (ResNet-50) image classification model, the proposed method performs comparably while being less complex and more efficient during training. The result of classification-based fingerprint identification has shown that the search space is reduced by over 50% without degradation of identification accuracies.

Uncertainty Assisted Robust Tuberculosis Identification With Bayesian Convolutional Neural Networks

Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease that can lead towards death if left untreated. TB detection involves extraction of complex TB manifestation features such as lung cavity, air space consolidation, endobronchial spread, and pleural effusions from chest x-rays (CXRs). Deep learning based approach named convolutional neural network (CNN) has the ability to learn complex features from CXR images. The main problem is that CNN does not consider uncertainty to classify CXRs using softmax layer. It lacks in presenting the true probability of CXRs by differentiating confusing cases during TB detection. This paper presents the solution for TB identification by using Bayesian-based convolutional neural network (B-CNN). It deals with the uncertain cases that have low discernibility among the TB and non-TB manifested CXRs. The proposed TB identification methodology based on B-CNN is evaluated on two TB benchmark datasets, i.e., Montgomery and Shenzhen. For training and testing of proposed scheme we have utilized Google Colab platform which provides NVidia Tesla K80 with 12 GB of VRAM, single core of 2.3 GHz Xeon Processor, 12 GB RAM and 320 GB of disk. B-CNN achieves 96.42% and 86.46% accuracy on both dataset, respectively as compared to the state-of-the-art machine learning and CNN approaches. Moreover, B-CNN validates its results by filtering the CXRs as confusion cases where the variance of B-CNN predicted outputs is more than a certain threshold. Results prove the supremacy of B-CNN for the identification of TB and non-TB sample CXRs as compared to counterparts in terms of accuracy, variance in the predicted probabilities and model uncertainty.

High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC)-Based Surgical Telementoring System Using Shallow Convolutional Neural Network

Surgical telementoring systems have gained lots of interest, especially in remote locations. However, bandwidth constraint has been the primary bottleneck for efficient telementoring systems. This study aims to establish an efficient surgical telementoring system, where the qualified surgeon (mentor) provides real-time guidance and technical assistance for surgical procedures to the on-spot physician (surgeon). High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC/H.265)-based video compression has shown promising results for telementoring applications. However, there is a trade-off between the bandwidth resources required for video transmission and quality of video received by the remote surgeon. In order to efficiently compress and transmit real-time surgical videos, a hybrid lossless-lossy approach is proposed where surgical incision region is coded in high quality whereas the background region is coded in low quality based on distance from the surgical incision region. For surgical incision region extraction, state-of-the-art deep learning (DL) architectures for semantic segmentation can be used. However, the computational complexity of these architectures is high resulting in large training and inference times. For telementoring systems, encoding time is crucial; therefore, very deep architectures are not suitable for surgical incision extraction. In this study, we propose a shallow convolutional neural network (S-CNN)-based segmentation approach that consists of encoder network only for surgical region extraction. The segmentation performance of S-CNN is compared with one of the state-of-the-art image segmentation networks (SegNet), and results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed network. The proposed telementoring system is efficient and explicitly considers the physiological nature of the human visual system to encode the video by providing good overall visual impact in the location of surgery. The results of the proposed S-CNN-based segmentation demonstrated a pixel accuracy of 97% and a mean intersection over union accuracy of 79%. Similarly, HEVC experimental results showed that the proposed surgical region-based encoding scheme achieved an average bitrate reduction of 88.8% at high-quality settings in comparison with default full-frame HEVC encoding. The average gain in encoding performance (signal-to-noise) of the proposed algorithm is 11.5 dB in the surgical region. The bitrate saving and visual quality of the proposed optimal bit allocation scheme are compared with the mean shift segmentation-based coding scheme for fair comparison. The results show that the proposed scheme maintains high visual quality in surgical incision region along with achieving good bitrate saving. Based on comparison and results, the proposed encoding algorithm can be considered as an efficient and effective solution for surgical telementoring systems for low-bandwidth networks.

Decomposition of Some Skarn-Rock Samples in Neutral and Basic Molten Potassium Nitrate for the Extraction and Determination of Iron

Five skarn -rock samples were heated with KNO3 and with a solution of 5% KOH in KNO3 for 2 h at 450°C. The decomposed samples were cooled, dissolved in water and filtered. Iron was extracted from each residue as well as from the original samples by hot conc. HCl , and determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy. These results were compared with the known (X-ray fluorescence) total iron content of the original samples. The amount of iron extracted with HCl from the skarn samples was 3-11% lower, while that extracted after heating with KNO3 alone was 2-4% lower, than the amount present according to the X-ray fluorescence results. However, the amount of iron extracted from the samples treated with a solution of KOH in KNO3 was comparable to that determined by X-ray fluorescence.

A Study of Chemical Reactions in Molten Sodium Hydrogen Sulfate Potassium Hydrogen Sulfate Eutectic. V. The Reactions of Eleven Acetates

The reactions of the acetates of lithium, sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, strontium, barium, manganese, cobalt, zinc and lead with molten sodium hydrogen sulfate-potassium hydrogen sulfate eutectic were investigated by means of thermogravimetry, differential thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction, mass spectral and infrared methods. In these acid-base reactions, the metal acetates were found to be converted into the corresponding metal sulfates, and acetic acid was the volatile product of each reaction. The temperatures and stoichiometries of the reactions have been determined.

Molten Calcium Nitrate Tetrahydrate: Spectroscopy of Chromium(III), Cobalt(II), Nickel(II) and Copper(II) Nitrates and Some Complexes of Nickel(II) and Cobalt(III)

The hydrated nitrates of chromium(III), cobalt(II), nickel(II) and copper(II) dissolved in molten calcium nitrate tetrahydrate at 43°C to form clear coloured solutions. Their spectra, between 30000 and 11000 cm-1, showed maxima closely similar in wavenumber to those of the corresponding aqueous solutions, and indicated similar octahedral coordination by oxygen from the ligands. However, slightly higher molar absorption coefficients of the metal cations in the molten solutions than those of the aqueous solutions suggested the possibility of mixed coordination by both aqua and nitrato groups. Nickel(II) complexes were rapidly solvolysed in the melt but cobalt(III) displayed more varied behaviour, intriguingly different from those of their aqueous solutions.

Molten Potassium Pyrosulfate: Reactions of Lanthanum Metal and Six of Its Compounds

The reactions of lanthanum metal, La2O3, La(OH)3, La(NO3)3.6H2O, La2(CO3)3.3H2O, LaCl3 and LaCl3.7H2O with molten K2S2O7 were studied. The metal reacted with K2S2O7 to produce La2(SO4)3, K2SO4 and SO2. Lanthanum(III) oxide was converted into La2(SO4)3, as were La(OH)3, La(NO3)3.6H2O, La2(CO3)3.3H2O, LaCl3 and LaCl3.7H2O but with the evolution of H2O, NO2 + O2 + H2O, CO2 + H2O, Cl2 + SO2 + S and Cl2 + SO2 + H2O + HCl respectively. K2S2O7 was converted into K2SO4 in the reactions. Reaction pathways have been suggested to explain the final products. The temperatures and stoichiometries of the reactions have been established.

The Reactions of 11 Compounds of Copper, Silver and Chromium With the Molten Lithium-Sodium-Potassium Carbonate Eutectic

The reactions of Cu2Cl2, CuCl2, AgCl , AgNO3, CrCl2, CrCl3, Cr2O3, K2CrO4, K2Cr2O7, K2Cr3O10 and CrO3 with the molten lithium-sodium-potassium carbonate eutectic were investigated under argon as well as carbon dioxide atmospheres. Copper(I) and copper(II) chlorides reacted to produce CuO with the evolution of CO and CO2 respectively. The silver compounds reacted to produce silver metal and a mixture of O2 and CO2. Chromium(II) and chromium(III) chlorides and Cr2O3 were converted into alkali-metal chromate(III) species. Potassium chromate(VI) was found to be stable in the eutectic. Chromium(VI) oxide, dichromate(VI) and trichromate (VI) accepted oxide ions from the carbonate eutectic, and were ultimately converted into chromate(VI). Carbon dioxide was evolved in all the reactions of the chromium compounds; however, the CrCl2 reaction produced a mixture of CO and CO2. The temperature ranges of the reactions and their stoichiometries were established.

Molten Potassium Pyrosulfate: Reactions of Five Alkali-Metal Salts of Sulfur Oxo Acids

The reactions of five alkali-metal salts of sulfur oxo acids with molten K2S2O7 were investigated. Na2SO3, Na2S2O3, Na2S2O4, Na2S2O5 and K2S2O3 reacted with molten K2S2O7 to form sulfate, elemental sulfur and SO2 as the final reaction products. Reaction pathways have been postulated to explain the final products. The stoichiometries of the reactions have been determined.

A Study of Chemical Reactions in Molton Sodium-Potassium Hydrogen Sulfate Eutectic. IV. The Reaction of Eight Oxalates

The reactions of oxalates of ammonium, alkali metals (Li, Na and K) and alkaline earth metals (Mg, Ca, Sr and Ba ) with sodium-potassium hydrogen sulfate eutectic were investigated. Oxalic acid was found to be an intermediate product in all these reactions. Final products of the reactions as determined by thermogravimetry , differential thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction, infrared and 'wet' chemical methods consisted of a mixture of H2O, CO, CO2 and the corresponding metal sulfate. The stoichiometries of the reactions were elucidated.

Molten potassium pyrosulfate: the reactions of 12 alkali-metal halides

The oxidation-reduction reactions of 12 alkali-metal halides with molten potassium pyrosulfate were studied. Chlorides, bromides and iodides of sodium, potassium, rubidium and caesium were found to be oxidized to produce chlorine, bromine and iodine respectively. Sulfur dioxide was found to be the main reduction product. The reactions between chlorides and pyrosulfate were slow and incomplete, whereas reactions of bromides and iodides were fast and complete. The order of the oxidizability (reducing power) of the halides by pyrosulfate, the temperatures, and stoichiometries of the reactions have been determined.

The reactions of some compounds of manganese with molten lithium carbonate-sodium carbonate-potassium carbonate eutectic

The reactions of MnO, MnCl2, MnCO3, MnSO4, Mn2O3, Mn3O4, MnO2 and KMnO4 with molten lithium carbonate-sodium carbonate-potassium carbonate eutectic were studied under argon as well as carbon dioxide atmospheres. Final products for MnCl2 reaction consisted of a mixture of oxy anions, MnO2- and MnO32-, and those for MnCO3 were MnO32- and Mn2O52- as were for the reactions of MnSO4 and MnO2. Mn2O3 and Mn3O4 reacted to form the oxy anion, MnO2-. KMnO4 decomposed to form initially a mixture of Mn7O164- and MnO42-. These oxy anions reacted further with the eutectic to produce the oxy anion, MnOS32-. Three alkali metals were present as cationic species with the above manganese oxy anions in different ratios. The carbonate melt acted both as a reaction medium and as a Lux-Flood base, that is a donor of oxide ions evolving carbon dioxide which was partly reduced to carbon monoxide in the reactions involving manganese(II) compounds. The stoichiometries of these reactions have been suggested. Manganese(II) oxide was found to be unreactive with the carbonate eutectic.

Molten lithium nitrate-potassium nitrate eutectic: the reaction of chromium(II) chloride

The strong reducing agent chromium(II) chloride reacted rapidly in molten lithium nitrate-potassium nitrate, at or above the melting point of the eutectic, initially forming a dark-brown-black solution [probably containing chromium(III) and chromium(VI)] and gaseous nitrogen dioxide, but at 200�C giving a green precipitate (Cr2O3) and an orange solution of dichromate. Above 450�C, a further slow reaction converted both compounds into a yellow solution of chromate(VI) containing nitrite partly formed by thermal decomposition of the nitrate.

Molten potassium pyrosulfate: Reactions of metals

The reactions of the fist row transition metals and zinc with molten potassium pyrosulfate were investigated. It was found that Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu and Zn were oxidized to TiIV, VIV, CrIII, MnII, FeIII, CoII, NiII, CuII and Zn11 respectively and the reaction products of the pyrosulfate melt consisted of sulfate and sulfur dioxide. The stoichiometries of these reactions have been established.

Molten potassium pyrosulfate: the reactions of alkali metal oxides, peroxides, nitrites and nitrates

The reactions of lithium oxide, sodium peroxide, the nitrites of sodium and potassium, and the nitrates of lithium, sodium and potassium with molten potassium pyrosulfate were investigated. It was found that gaseous products of reactions of peroxide, nitrites and nitrates consisted of, respectively, oxygen, nitrogen dioxide plus nitric oxide, and nitrogen dioxide plus oxygen. Pyrosulfate, after accepting an oxide ion from each of the above oxyanions, was converted into sulfate. The range of temperatures and stoichiometries of these reactions have been established.

Molten potassium pyrosulfate: the reactions of alkali metal hydroxides, hydrogen carbonates and carbonates

The reactions of hydroxides of lithium, sodium and potassium; hydrogen carbonates of sodium and potassium and carbonates of lithium, sodium and potassium with molten potassium pyrosulfate were studied. It was found that during these Lux-Flood acid-base reactions, hydroxides, hydrogen carbonates and carbonates reacted with pyrosulfate to produce water, water plus carbon dioxide and carbon dioxide alone respectively, as the gaseous products. Pyrosulfate, after accepting oxide ions from these bases, was found in each case to be converted into sulfate. The temperatures and stoichiometries of these reactions have been established.

A study of chemical reactions in molten sodium-potassium hydrogen sulfate eutectic. III. The reactions of anions

The reactions of 11 inorganic anions added as their sodium or potassium salts to molten sodium-potassium hydrogen sulfate eutectic were studied and their stoichiometries elucidated. It was found that Na2CO3, NaNO2, KNO3, Na2SO3 and Na2S2O3 reacted with the melt to form water and CO2, NO+NO2, NO2+O2, SO2, S6+SO2 respectively. NaCl, KBr produced HCl and HBr while KI reaction products consisted of I2, SO2 and H2O; K2CrO4 and K2Cr2O7 were converted into H2CrO4 and H2Cr2O7 respectively. These acids decomposed to H2O, O2 and Cr2O3 which reacted further with the melt to produce H2O and Cr2(SO4)2,H2O. K2S2O8 was found to decompose thermally to O2 and K2S2O7 without reacting with the melt.

A Study of Chemical Reactions in Molten Sodium-Potassium Hydrogen Sulfate Eutectic. II. The Reactions of Metal Oxides

The reactions of sixteen metal oxides with molten sodium-potassium hydrogen sulfate eutectic were studied. It was found that Ag2O, MgO, ZnO, COO, NiO, CuO, Al2O3, Fe2O3 and V2O5 reacted with the melt to produce their respective melt-soluble cations, sulfate and water, while CaO, BaO, Cr2O3 and SnO2 reacted to form insoluble metal sulfates and water. Whereas manganese(IV) oxide reacted with the melt to produce manganese(III) sulfate, water and oxygen, tin(IV) oxide reacted to form tin(IV) sulfate, water and sulfur dioxide. The stoichiometries of these reactions have been determined.

A Study of Chemical Reactions in Molten Sodium-Potassium Bisulfate Eutectic. I. The Reactions of Metals

The reactions of 18 metals with molten sodium-potassium bisulfate eutectic were studied. Results obtained isothermally at 200�C indicated that Al, V and Au did not react with the melt; Na, Mg, Mn and Zn reacted to produce H2; Co, Ni, Cu, Ag, Sn, Hg and Pb produced SO2 and H2O; while Ti, Cr, Fe and Cd produced H2, H2O and SO2. Reactions in general were slow and, due to formation of a protective coating on the surface, metals reacted only partly, with the exception of Na, Cu, Ag and Zn which reacted and dissolved in the melt completely. Due to partial reactions mostly qualitative or semi-quantitative results were obtained and possible reaction stoichiometries have been suggested.

The reaction of barium chromate(V) with lithium-potassium nitrate eutectic melt

The reaction of barium chromate(v) with molten lithium-potassium nitrate eutectic was investigated and the stoichiometry of the reaction established. The results of this study indicate that nitryl ion, NO2+, is possibly an acidic/oxidizing species produced by the autoionization of nitrate ion when a nitrate melt functions as a reactive solvent.

The reactions of metal sulphides with molten potassium nitrate

The reactions of TiS2, VS, Cr2S3, MnS, FeS, CoS, NiS, CuS and ZnS with molten potassium nitrate were studied. In the melt, Ti, Ni, Cu and Zn metal cations exhibited acid-base reactions and were precipitated as metal oxides whereas V, Cr, Mn, Fe and Co metal cations showed oxidation-reduction as well as acid-base reactions and were converted into VO3-, CrO42-, MnO2, Fe2O3 and Co3O4 respectively. The sulphide sulphur in all cases was oxidized to sulphate and the nitrate melt was reduced to nitrite and oxides of nitrogen. The stoichiometries of these reactions have been established.