Signals, Volume 5, Issue 2 (June 2024) – 4 articles

Confusion emotion in a learning environment can motivate the learner, but prolonged confusion hinders the learning process. Recognizing confused learners is possible; nevertheless, finding them requires a lot of time and effort. Due to certain restrictions imposed by the settings of an online learning environment, the recognition of confused students is a big challenge for educators. Therefore, novel technologies are necessary to handle such crucial difficulties. Lately, Electroencephalography (EEG)-based emotion recognition systems have been rising in popularity in the domain of Education Technology. Such systems have been utilized to recognize the confusion emotion of learners. Numerous studies have been conducted to recognize confusion emotion through this system since 2013, and because of this, a systematic review of the methodologies, feature sets, and utilized classifiers is a timely necessity. This article presents the findings of the review conducted to achieve this requirement. We summarized the published literature in terms of the utilized datasets, feature preprocessing, feature types for model training, and deployed classifiers in terms of shallow machine learning and deep learning-based algorithms. Moreover, the article presents a comparison of the prediction accuracies of the classifiers and illustrates the existing research gaps in confusion emotion recognition systems. Future study directions for potential research are also suggested to overcome existing gaps. Full article

The swift advancement of quantum computing devices holds the potential to create robust machines that can tackle an extensive array of issues beyond the scope of conventional computers. Consequently, quantum computing machines create new risks at a velocity and scale never seen before, especially with regard to encryption. Lattice-based cryptography is regarded as post-quantum cryptography’s future and a competitor to a quantum computer attack. Thus, there are several advantages to lattice-based cryptographic protocols, including security, effectiveness, reduced energy usage and speed. In this work, we study the learning with errors (LWE) problem and the cryptosystems that are based on the LWE problem and, in addition, we present a new efficient variant of LWE cryptographic scheme. Full article

Dynamic mode decomposition (DMD) is a powerful tool for separating the background and foreground in videos. This algorithm decomposes a video into dynamic modes, called DMD modes, to facilitate the extraction of the near-zero mode, which represents the stationary background. Simultaneously, it captures the evolving motion in the remaining modes, which correspond to the moving foreground components. However, when applied to noisy video, this separation leads to degradation of the background and foreground components, primarily due to the noise-induced degradation of the DMD mode. This paper introduces a novel noise removal method for the DMD mode in noisy videos. Specifically, we formulate a minimization problem that reduces the noise in the DMD mode and the reconstructed video. The proposed problem is solved using an algorithm based on the plug-and-play alternating direction method of multipliers (PnP-ADMM). We applied the proposed method to several video datasets with different levels of artificially added Gaussian noise in the experiment. Our method consistently yielded superior results in quantitative evaluations using peak-signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR) and structural similarity (SSIM) compared to naive noise removal methods. In addition, qualitative comparisons confirmed that our method can restore higher-quality videos than the naive methods. Full article

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) remains a fundamental technique in materials science, offering invaluable insights into the chemical states and electronic structure of a material. However, the interpretation of XPS spectra can be complex, requiring deep expertise and often sophisticated curve-fitting methods. In this study, we present a novel approach to the analysis of XPS data, integrating the utilization of large language models (LLMs), specifically OpenAI’s GPT-3.5/4 Turbo to provide insightful guidance during the data analysis process. Working in the framework of the CIRCE-NAPP beamline at the CELLS ALBA Synchrotron facility where data are obtained using ambient pressure X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (APXPS), we implement robust curve-fitting techniques on APXPS spectra, highlighting complex cases including overlapping peaks, diverse chemical states, and noise presence. Post curve fitting, we engage the LLM to facilitate the interpretation of the fitted parameters, leaning on its extensive training data to simulate an interaction corresponding to expert consultation. The manuscript presents also a real use case utilizing GPT-4 and Meta’s LLaMA-2 and describes the integration of the functionality into the TANGO control system. Our methodology not only offers a fresh perspective on XPS data analysis, but also introduces a new dimension of artificial intelligence (AI) integration into scientific research. It showcases the power of LLMs in enhancing the interpretative process, particularly in scenarios wherein expert knowledge may not be immediately available. Despite the inherent limitations of LLMs, their potential in the realm of materials science research is promising, opening doors to a future wherein AI assists in the transformation of raw data into meaningful scientific knowledge. Full article