Convolutional Neural Network Architecture Research Articles

Interpreting CNN predictions using conditional Generative Adversarial Networks

We propose a novel method that trains a conditional Generative Adversarial Network (GAN) to generate visual explanations of a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN). Specifically, a conditional GAN (cGAN) is trained with information on how the CNN processes an image when making predictions. The approach poses two main challenges, namely how to represent this information in a form feedable to a cGAN and how to effectively use the representation to train the explanation model. To tackle these challenges, we devised an appropriate representation of CNN architectures by cumulatively averaging intermediate grad-CAM interpretation maps. In the model, Spatial Feature Transform (SFT) layers are used to feed the CNN representations to the GAN. Experimental results show that our approach learned the general aspects of CNNs and was agnostic to datasets and CNN architectures. The study includes both qualitative and quantitative evaluations and compares the proposed GANs with state-of-the-art approaches. We found that both the initial and final layers of CNNs are equally crucial for explaining CNNs. We believe training a GAN to explain CNNs would open doors for improved interpretations by leveraging fast-paced deep learning advancements. The code used for experimentation is publicly available at https://github.com/Akash-guna/Explain-CNN-With-GANS

Mask-Shift-Inference: A novel paradigm for domain generalization

Domain Generalization (DG) focuses on the Out-Of-Distribution (OOD) generalization, which is able to learn a robust model that generalizes the knowledge acquired from the source domain to the unseen target domain. However, due to the existence of the domain shift, domain-invariant representation learning is challenging. Guided by fine-grained knowledge, we propose a novel paradigm Mask-Shift-Inference (MSI) for DG based on the architecture of Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN). Different from relying on a series of constraints and assumptions for model optimization, this paradigm novelly shifts the focus to feature channels in the latent space for domain-invariant representation learning. We put forward a two-branch working mode of a main module and multiple domain-specific sub-modules. The latter can only achieve good prediction performance in its own specific domain but poor predictions in other source domains, which provides the main module with the fine-grained knowledge guidance and contributes to the improvement of the cognitive ability of MSI. Firstly, during the forward propagation of the main module, the proposed MSI accurately discards unstable channels based on spurious classifications varying across domains, which have domain-specific prediction limitations and are not conducive to generalization. In this process, a progressive scheme is adopted to adaptively increase the masking ratio according to the training progress to further reduce the risk of overfitting. Subsequently, our paradigm enters the compatible shifting stage before the formal prediction. Based on maximizing semantic retention, we implement the domain style matching and shifting through the simple transformation through Fourier transform, which can explicitly and safely shift the target domain back to the source domain whose style is closest to it, requiring no additional model updates and reducing the domain gap. Eventually, the paradigm MSI enters the formal inference stage. The updated target domain is predicted in the main module trained in the previous stage with the benefit of familiar knowledge from the nearest source domain masking scheme. Our paradigm is logically progressive, which can intuitively exclude the confounding influence of domain-specific spurious information along with mitigating domain shifts and implicitly perform semantically invariant representation learning, achieving robust OOD generalization. Extensive experimental results on PACS, VLCS, Office-Home and DomainNet datasets verify the superiority and effectiveness of the proposed method.

Revealing CNN Architectures via Side-Channel Analysis in Dataflow-based Inference Accelerators

Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) are widely used in various domains, including image recognition, medical diagnosis and autonomous driving. Recent advances in dataflow-based CNN accelerators have enabled CNN inference in resource-constrained edge devices. These dataflow accelerators utilize inherent data reuse of convolution layers to process CNN models efficiently. Concealing the architecture of CNN models is critical for privacy and security. This paper evaluates memory-based side-channel information to recover CNN architectures from dataflow-based CNN inference accelerators. The proposed attack exploits spatial and temporal data reuse of the dataflow mapping on CNN accelerators and architectural hints to recover the structure of CNN models. Experimental results demonstrate that our proposed side-channel attack can recover the structures of popular CNN models, namely Lenet, Alexnet, VGGnet16, and YOLOv2.

Enhancing geotechnical damage detection with deep learning: a convolutional neural network approach.

Most natural disasters result from geodynamic events such as landslides and slope collapse. These failures cause catastrophes that directly impact the environment and cause financial and human losses. Visual inspection is the primary method for detecting failures in geotechnical structures, but on-site visits can be risky due to unstable soil. In addition, the body design and hostile and remote installation conditions make monitoring these structures inviable. When a fast and secure evaluation is required, analysis by computational methods becomes feasible. In this study, a convolutional neural network (CNN) approach to computer vision is applied to identify defects in the surface of geotechnical structures aided by unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and mobile devices, aiming to reduce the reliance on human-led on-site inspections. However, studies in computer vision algorithms still need to be explored in this field due to particularities of geotechnical engineering, such as limited public datasets and redundant images. Thus, this study obtained images of surface failure indicators from slopes near a Brazilian national road, assisted by UAV and mobile devices. We then proposed a custom CNN and low complexity model architecture to build a binary classifier image-aided to detect faults in geotechnical surfaces. The model achieved a satisfactory average accuracy rate of 94.26%. An AUC metric score of 0.99 from the receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve and matrix confusion with a testing dataset show satisfactory results. The results suggest that the capability of the model to distinguish between the classes 'damage' and 'intact' is excellent. It enables the identification of failure indicators. Early failure indicator detection on the surface of slopes can facilitate proper maintenance and alarms and prevent disasters, as the integrity of the soil directly affects the structures built around and above it.

Early Poplar (Populus) Leaf-Based Disease Detection through Computer Vision, YOLOv8, and Contrast Stretching Technique.

Poplar (Populus) trees play a vital role in various industries and in environmental sustainability. They are widely used for paper production, timber, and as windbreaks, in addition to their significant contributions to carbon sequestration. Given their economic and ecological importance, effective disease management is essential. Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs), particularly adept at processing visual information, are crucial for the accurate detection and classification of plant diseases. This study introduces a novel dataset of manually collected images of diseased poplar leaves from Uzbekistan and South Korea, enhancing the geographic diversity and application of the dataset. The disease classes consist of "Parsha (Scab)", "Brown-spotting", "White-Gray spotting", and "Rust", reflecting common afflictions in these regions. This dataset will be made publicly available to support ongoing research efforts. Employing the advanced YOLOv8 model, a state-of-the-art CNN architecture, we applied a Contrast Stretching technique prior to model training in order to enhance disease detection accuracy. This approach not only improves the model's diagnostic capabilities but also offers a scalable tool for monitoring and treating poplar diseases, thereby supporting the health and sustainability of these critical resources. This dataset, to our knowledge, will be the first of its kind to be publicly available, offering a valuable resource for researchers and practitioners worldwide.

The Performance of Convolutional Neural Network Architecture in Classification

The Performance of Convolutional Neural Network Architecture in Classification

Towards Understanding Cat Vocalizations: A Novel Cat Sound Classification Model Based on Vision Transformers

Animal sound perception systems are highly developed compared to humans, crucial for survival in natural environments, with some species possessing specialized sensory capabilities such as vision, hearing, touch, and environmental awareness. Understanding animal sounds not only aids in their own communication and survival but also benefits humans in various fields including security, natural disaster prediction, ecological research, bioacoustics, precision agriculture, and search and rescue operations. Motivated by this fact, this study investigated the classification of cat sounds using deep learning models based on Vision Transformer (ViT) and Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) architectures. Cat vocalizations, represented as mel-spectrograms, were classified using models trained on a diverse dataset of cat sounds. Experimental results demonstrated the superiority of the proposed model based on Microsoft’s BERT Pre-Training of Image Transformers (BEiT) over the state-of-the-art as it obtained an exceptional accuracy of 96.95%. Additionally, it was observed that the proposed models based on ViT outperformed CNN-based models, highlighting the efficacy of transformer architectures in capturing complex patterns within audio data. These findings underscore the potential of ViT architectures in decoding animal communication systems and advancing wildlife conservation efforts.

Dynamic K-Decay Learning Rate Optimization for Deep Convolutional Neural Network to Estimate the State of Charge for Electric Vehicle Batteries

This paper introduces a novel convolutional neural network (CNN) architecture tailored for state of charge (SoC) estimation in battery management systems (BMS), accompanied by an advanced optimization technique to enhance training efficiency. The proposed CNN architecture comprises multiple one-dimensional convolutional (Conv1D) layers followed by batch normalization and one-dimensional max-pooling (MaxPooling1D) layers, culminating in dense layers for regression-based SoC prediction. To improve training effectiveness, we introduce an advanced dynamic k-decay learning rate scheduling method. This technique dynamically adjusts the learning rate during training, responding to changes in validation loss to fine-tune the training process. Experimental validation was conducted on various drive cycles, including the dynamic stress test (DST), Federal Urban Driving Schedule (FUDS), Urban Dynamometer Driving Schedule (UDDS), United States 2006 Supplemental Federal Test Procedure (US06), and Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Cycle (WLTC), spanning four temperature conditions (−5 °C, 5 °C, 25 °C, 45 °C). Notably, the test error of DST and US06 drive cycles, the CNN with optimization achieved a mean absolute error (MAE) of 0.0091 and 0.0080, respectively at 25 °C, and a root mean square error (RMSE) of 0.013 and 0.0095, respectively. In contrast, the baseline CNN without optimization yielded higher MAE and RMSE values of 0.011 and 0.014, respectively, on the same drive cycles. Additionally, training time with the optimization technique was significantly reduced, with a recorded time of 324.14 s compared to 648.59 s for the CNN without optimization at room temperature. These results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed CNN architecture combined with advanced dynamic learning rate scheduling in accurately predicting SoC across various battery types and drive cycles. The optimization technique not only improves prediction accuracy but also substantially reduces training time, highlighting its potential for enhancing battery management systems in electric vehicle applications.

Lung Cancer Classification Using Combination Of Efficientnet And Visual Geometry Group Algorithm

Lung cancer is one of the leading causes of mortality All around the world. It is classified into three main types: Adenocarcinoma of the lung (ACA), Non-small cell lung cancer (N), and Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the lung (SCC). Lung Cancer Classification is crucial on development of effective treatments. This study aims to improve the accuracy of lung cancer classification through the integration of a hybrid model, which combines two Convolutional Neural Networks architectures, namely EfficientNet-B7 and VGG-16. A set of histopathology images was subjected to testing, with the data split into three categories: 60% for training, 30% for validation, and 10% for testing. Prior to use, each image underwent a preprocessing process, wherein it was resized to 256x256 pixels. The model test results achieved an accuracy, precision, recall, and F1-score of 98.73%, which is superior to the EfficientNet-B7 base model. The findings of this study demonstrate the potential of hybrid models to improve accuracy in lung cancer classification. The utilization of hybrid models has the potential to contribute significantly to the beginning diagnosis and appropriate Lung Cancer Therapies. Future research will focus on improving the model through the application of image segmentation techniques and expanding the scope of classification to other types of lung cancer. Optimization of the hybrid model architecture using novel techniques such as the attention mechanism or transfer learning will be conducted to improve the efficiency and accuracy of the model. Additionally, a system that can be integrated into clinical practice will be developed

CINNAMON-GUI: Revolutionizing Pap Smear Analysis with CNN-Based Digital Pathology Image Classification

Background Medical imaging has seen significant advancements through machine learning, particularly convolutional neural networks (CNNs). These technologies have transformed the analysis of pathological images, enhancing the accuracy of diagnosing and classifying cellular anomalies. Digital pathology methodologies, including image analysis, have improved cervical cancer diagnostics. However, existing commercial platforms are often costly and restrictive, limiting customization and scalability. Methods CINNAMON-GUI is an open-source digital pathology tool based on CNNs for classifying Pap smear images. Transitioning to a Shiny app in Python, it offers enhanced user interface and interactivity. The application supports dynamic web interactions, advanced features for image analysis, and state-of-the-art CNN models tailored for digital pathology. Key features include intuitive UI components, real-time image and plot generation, memory-efficient data handling, and robust training capabilities with customizable CNN architectures. The tool also integrates with Labelme for defining regions of interest and allows testing on external biospecimens. Results Model A (seed 42, 100 epochs) and Model B (same architecture with adjusted augmentation parameters) were compared. Model A stabilized with training accuracy around 0.88 and validation accuracy around 0.913. Model B showed improved performance with training accuracy around 0.91 and validation accuracy around 0.95. Feature mapping highlighted critical morphological aspects, improving classification accuracy. Model B reduced misclassification errors significantly compared to Model A. Conclusions CINNAMON-GUI demonstrates the potential of an open-source platform in digital pathology, providing transparency and collaborative opportunities. The tool enhances diagnostic accuracy through feature map analysis and optimized CNN training. Future development aims to extend its application to other cancer types, leveraging its dynamic and user-friendly interface for broader use in diagnostics.

Performance of convolutional neural network (CNN) and performance influencing factors for wood species classification of Lepidobalanus growing in Korea

This study aimed to investigate the performance and factors affecting the species classification of convolutional neural network (CNN) architecture using whole-part and earlywood-part cross-sectional datasets of six Korean Quercus species. The accuracy of species classification for each condition was analyzed using the datasets, data augmentation, and optimizers—stochastic gradient descent (SGD), adaptive moment estimation (Adam), and root mean square propagation (RMSProp)—based on a CNN architecture with three to four convolutional layers. The model trained with the augmented dataset yielded significantly superior results in terms of classification accuracy compared to the model trained with the non-augmented dataset. The augmented dataset was the only factor affecting classification accuracy in the final five epochs. In contrast, four factors in the entire epoch, such as the Adam and SGD optimizers and the earlywood-part and whole-part datasets, affected species classification. The arrangement of earlywood vessels, broad rays, and axial parenchyma was identified as a major influential factor in the CNN species classification using gradient-weighted class activation mapping (Grad-CAM) analysis. The augmented whole-part dataset with the Adam optimizer achieved the highest classification accuracy of 85.7% during the final five epochs of the test phase.

Recognition of Organic Waste Objects Based on Vision Systems Using Attention Convolutional Neural Networks Models

Purpose: High population growth and increasing consumption patterns have resulted in significant organic waste production. The public often does not understand the correct way to deal with the problem of organic waste, including public awareness regarding the need for its management. Therefore, a system is needed to recognize waste objects based on various types. Currently, much research in this field has been studying object recognition, for example, the implementation of the Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN) model. However, there are still various challenges that must be addressed, including objects with diverse visual characteristics such as form, size, color, and physical condition. This research focuses on developing a system that enhances object recognition of waste, specifically organic waste, using an Attention Convolutional Neural Network (ACNN). By integrating attention mechanisms into the CNN model, this study addresses the challenges of recognizing waste objects with diverse visual characteristics. The proposed system seeks to improve the accuracy and efficiency of organic waste identification, which is crucial for advancing waste management practices and reducing environmental impact. Methods: This research combines a CNN architecture with an attention mechanism to create a better object detection environment called Attention-CNN (ACNN). The ACNN architecture employed consists of one layer input, three convoluted layers, three max-pooling layers, one attention layer, one flattened layer, four dropout layers, and two dense layers arranged in a certain way. Result: The research result shows that the model CNN with attention mechanism (ACNN) was slightly better at 86.93% than the standard model of CNN, which accounted for 86.70% in accuracy. Novelty: In general, the current use of CNN architecture to address waste object recognition problems typically employs standard architectures, resulting in lower accuracy for complex waste objects. In contrast, our research integrates attention mechanisms into the CNN architecture (ACNN), enhancing the model's ability to focus on relevant features of waste objects. This leads to improved recognition accuracy and robustness against visual variability. This distinction is important as it overcomes the limitations of standard CNN models in handling visually diverse and complex waste objects, thereby highlighting the novelty and contribution of our research.

Hybrid Feature Mammogram Analysis: Detecting and Localizing Microcalcifications Combining Gabor, Prewitt, GLCM Features, and Top Hat Filtering Enhanced with CNN Architecture.

Breast cancer is a prevalent malignancy characterized by the uncontrolled growth of glandular epithelial cells, which can metastasize through the blood and lymphatic systems. Microcalcifications, small calcium deposits within breast tissue, are critical markers for early detection of breast cancer, especially in non-palpable carcinomas. These microcalcifications, appearing as small white spots on mammograms, are challenging to identify due to potential confusion with other tissues. This study hypothesizes that a hybrid feature extraction approach combined with Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) can significantly enhance the detection and localization of microcalcifications in mammograms. The proposed algorithm employs Gabor, Prewitt, and Gray Level Co-occurrence Matrix (GLCM) kernels for feature extraction. These features are input to a CNN architecture designed with maxpooling layers, Rectified Linear Unit (ReLU) activation functions, and a sigmoid response for binary classification. Additionally, the Top Hat filter is used for precise localization of microcalcifications. The preprocessing stage includes enhancing contrast using the Volume of Interest Look-Up Table (VOI LUT) technique and segmenting regions of interest. The CNN architecture comprises three convolutional layers, three ReLU layers, and three maxpooling layers. The training was conducted using a balanced dataset of digital mammograms, with the Adam optimizer and binary cross-entropy loss function. Our method achieved an accuracy of 89.56%, a sensitivity of 82.14%, and a specificity of 91.47%, outperforming related works, which typically report accuracies around 85-87% and sensitivities between 76 and 81%. These results underscore the potential of combining traditional feature extraction techniques with deep learning models to improve the detection and localization of microcalcifications. This system may serve as an auxiliary tool for radiologists, enhancing early detection capabilities and potentially reducing diagnostic errors in mass screening programs.

Breast cancer diagnostics by the intelligent analysis of white blood cells’ interaction with target cancer cells using convolutional neural networks

Interaction of immune system and cancer cells plays a crucial role in defining the physical and chemical characteristics of the tumor microenvironment. Consequently, monitoring and analyzing these interactions may prove essential for cancer diagnosis and prognosis. While standard techniques assessing cellular interaction are technically complicated and usually expensive, engineering solutions can be employed to introduce novel methods and effective techniques. In this paper, we presented a new blood-based breast cancer hallmark for people suspected of breast tumor disease (BTD) by time-lapse microscopy imaging from the interaction between the patient’s blood and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell lines. The detection protocol is based on the quantifying invasion of the WBCs to the breast cancer cell line. Many cytological, molecular, and immunofluorescent assays were carried out to approve the hypothesis. Blood immune cells showed meaningful invasion patterns to breast cancer cell lines in reverse correlation by the cancerous stage of the patients. Hence, we believe that the immune system is cognizant of the neoplastic nature of breast tumor disease. To eliminate all the human-related limitations, a convolutional neural network (CNN) architecture was used for invasion recognition. The proposed CNN architecture showed an accuracy of approximately 86%, making it a reliable, fast, and easy way for intelligent detection of invasion patterns to decide on the tumor stage. Results made us present the hypothesis that people with more aggressive breast cancer tumors have less strong immune cells to invade cancer cells which could be a start in the clinical use of the cellular-based immune system for cancer investigation. As WBCs were isolated from the blood with no pre-processing, this method would shed new light as a simple complementary method for better clarification of tumor nature.

Modeling fission gas release at the mesoscale using multiscale DenseNet regression with attention mechanism and inception blocks

Mesoscale simulations of fission gas release (FGR) in nuclear fuel provide a powerful tool for understanding how microstructure evolution impacts FGR, but they are computationally intensive. In this study, we present an alternate, data-driven approach, using deep learning to predict instantaneous FGR flux from 2D simulated nuclear fuel microstructure images. Four convolutional neural network (CNN) architectures with multiscale regression are trained and evaluated on simulated FGR data generated using a hybrid phase field/cluster dynamics model. All four networks show high predictive power, with R2 values above 98%. The best performing network combines a Convolutional Block Attention Module (CBAM) and InceptionNet mechanisms to provide superior accuracy (mean absolute percentage error of 4.4%), training stability, and robustness on very low instantaneous FGR flux values. The trained model demonstrates the utility of deep learning in this context, but has no validity outside the 2D model and conditions used to generate the training data.

Skin Cancer Diagnosis With Multi-Level Classification

Skin cancer arises from the uncontrolled proliferation of abnormal skin cells, primarily triggered by exposure to the harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays of the sun and the utilization of UV tanning beds. This condition poses a heightened risk due to its potential to progress into blood cancer and lead to rapid fatality. Extensive research efforts have been dedicated to advancing the treatment of this perilous ailment. This paper presents a system designed for the examination and diagnosis of pigmented skin lesions and melanoma. The system incorporates a supervised classification algorithm that combines Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) and Deep Neural Network (DNN) architectures with feature extraction techniques. It operates in two distinct stages: the initial stage classifies images into two categories, namely benign or malignant, while the subsequent stage further categorizes the images into one of three classes: basal cell carcinomas, squamous cell carcinomas, or melanoma. Consequently, the comprehensive system addresses four classes, namely benign, basal cell carcinomas, squamous cell carcinomas, and melanoma. This work contributes to the system's design in three significant ways. Firstly, it implements multiple iterations to select the most optimal images, resulting in the highest classification accuracy. Secondly, it employs various statistical methods to identify the most pertinent features, thereby enhancing the classifier's accuracy by focusing on the most informative features for the classification task. Lastly, a two-stage classification approach is implemented, employing two distinct classifiers at different levels within the overall system. Despite the inherent complexity of the real-world problem, the overall system attains a commendable level of classification accuracy. Following rigorous experimentation, the study identifies the top three models. Each approach culminates in a classifier for each stage. The first approach, utilizing a deep learning classifier, achieves an accuracy of 81.82% in the initial cancer discrimination stage and 58.33% in the subsequent stage. The second approach, employing a machine learning classifier, attains an accuracy of 74.63% in the first stage and 64.41% in the second stage. The third approach, utilizing a linear regression classifier, achieves an accuracy of 98% in the first stage and 90% in the second stage. These results underscore the significance of feature selection in influencing model accuracy and suggest the potential for further optimization.

Enhanced skin cancer diagnosis using optimized CNN architecture and checkpoints for automated dermatological lesion classification

Skin cancer stands as one of the foremost challenges in oncology, with its early detection being crucial for successful treatment outcomes. Traditional diagnostic methods depend on dermatologist expertise, creating a need for more reliable, automated tools. This study explores deep learning, particularly Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs), to enhance the accuracy and efficiency of skin cancer diagnosis. Leveraging the HAM10000 dataset, a comprehensive collection of dermatoscopic images encompassing a diverse range of skin lesions, this study introduces a sophisticated CNN model tailored for the nuanced task of skin lesion classification. The model’s architecture is intricately designed with multiple convolutional, pooling, and dense layers, aimed at capturing the complex visual features of skin lesions. To address the challenge of class imbalance within the dataset, an innovative data augmentation strategy is employed, ensuring a balanced representation of each lesion category during training. Furthermore, this study introduces a CNN model with optimized layer configuration and data augmentation, significantly boosting diagnostic precision in skin cancer detection. The model’s learning process is optimized using the Adam optimizer, with parameters fine-tuned over 50 epochs and a batch size of 128 to enhance the model’s ability to discern subtle patterns in the image data. A Model Checkpoint callback ensures the preservation of the best model iteration for future use. The proposed model demonstrates an accuracy of 97.78% with a notable precision of 97.9%, recall of 97.9%, and an F2 score of 97.8%, underscoring its potential as a robust tool in the early detection and classification of skin cancer, thereby supporting clinical decision-making and contributing to improved patient outcomes in dermatology.

An intelligent skin cancer detection system using two-level multi-column convolutional neural network architecture

An intelligent skin cancer detection system using two-level multi-column convolutional neural network architecture

Using convolutional neural networks to count parrot nest-entrances on photographs from the largest known colony of Psittaciformes.

Counting animal populations is fundamental to understand ecological processes. Counts make it possible to estimate the size of an animal population at specific points in time, which is essential information for understanding demographic change. However, in the case of large populations, counts are time-consuming, particularly if carried out manually. Here, we took advantage of convolutional neural networks (CNN) to count the total number of nest-entrances in 222 photographs covering the largest known Psittaciformes (Aves) colony in the world. We conducted our study at the largest Burrowing Parrot Cyanoliseus patagonus colony, located on a cliff facing the Atlantic Ocean in the vicinity of El Cóndor village, in north-eastern Patagonia, Argentina. We also aimed to investigate the distribution of nest-entrances along the cliff with the colony. For this, we used three CNN architectures, U-Net, ResUnet, and DeepLabv3. The U-Net architecture showed the best performance, counting a mean of 59,842 Burrowing Parrot nest-entrances across the colony, with a mean absolute error of 2.7 nest-entrances over the testing patches, measured as the difference between actual and predicted counts per patch. Compared to a previous study conducted at El Cóndor colony more than 20 years ago, the CNN architectures also detected noteworthy differences in the distribution of the nest-entrances along the cliff. We show that the strong changes observed in the distribution of nest-entrances are a measurable effect of a long record of human-induced disturbance to the Burrowing Parrot colony at El Cóndor. Given the paramount importance of the Burrowing Parrot colony at El Cóndor, which concentrates 71% of the world's population of this species, we advocate that it is imperative to reduce such a degree of disturbance before the parrots reach the limit of their capacity of adaptation.

A sophisticated approach to soil productivity detection using a convolutional neural network-based model

India is primarily an agricultural country where the quality of land is crucial for the livelihoods and well-being of its people. The agricultural sector plays a significant role in shaping the current state of the nation's economy. Therefore, it is essential to regularly evaluate our understanding of soil properties, such as its type, texture, color, and moisture content. Many developing countries lack sufficient knowledge and awareness about soil development. Understanding soil behavior helps farmers predict crop performance, monitor nutrient movement, and recognize soil limitations. Traditional methods for classifying soil in laboratories require significant time, staff, and financial resources. In this study, various image features, such as color, particle size, and texture, were randomly extracted and combined to predict soil fertility based on its sand, clay, and silt content using the AlexNet-CNN algorithm. We collected soil images using mobile cameras from regions such as Purulia, Hooghly, Bankura, and Burdwan to build a useful soil image dataset. The research focuses on categorizing productive and unproductive soil using convolutional neural network architectures, such as AlexNet and VGG16. Compared to previous studies, our proposed model showed better performance in terms of precision and recall. This study presents an efficient new convolutional neural network architecture for classifying soil images.