Serverless Architecture for Data Processing and Detecting Anomalies with the Mars Express MARSIS Instrument
David Pacios, José Luis Vazquez-Poletti, Beatriz Sánchez-Cano, Rafael Moreno-Vozmediano, Nikolaos Schetakis, Luis Vazquez, and Dmitrij V. Titov
Published 2023 June 16 • © 2023. The Author(s). Published by the American Astronomical Society.
The Astronomical Journal, Volume 166, Number 1
Citation David Pacios et al 2023 AJ 166 19
DOI 10.3847/1538-3881/acd18d
The Astronomical Journal, Volume 166, Number 1
Citation David Pacios et al 2023 AJ 166 19
Abstract:
The Mars Advanced Radar for Subsurface and Ionosphere Sounding (MARSIS) on board Mars Express has been sampling the topside ionosphere of Mars since mid-2005. The analysis of the main reflection (nadir) of the ionosphere through the ionograms provided by the MARSIS instrument is typically performed manually due to the high noise level in the lower frequencies. This task, which involves pattern recognition, turns out to be unfeasible for the >2 million ionograms available at the European Planetary Science Archive. In the present contribution, we propose a modular architecture based on serverless computing (a paradigm that stands on the cloud) for optimal processing of these ionograms. In particular, we apply serverless computing to detect oblique echoes in the ionosphere, which are nonnadir reflections produced when MARSIS is sounding regions above or nearby crustal magnetic fields, where the ionosphere loses the spherical symmetry. Oblique echoes are typically observed at similar frequencies to the nadir reflections but at different times delays, sometimes even overlaying the nadir reflection. Oblique echoes are difficult to analyze with the standard technique due to their nonconstant and highly variable appearance, but they harbor essential information on the state of the ionosphere over magnetized regions. In this work we compare the proposed serverless architecture with two local alternatives while processing a representative data subset and finally provide a study by means of cost and performance.
Exploring Deep Learning Models on GPR Data: A Comparative Study of AlexNet and VGG on a Dataset from Archaeological Sites
Merope Manataki, Nikos Papadopoulos, Nikolaos Schetakis, and Alessio Di Iorio
Remote Sens. 2023, 15(12), 3193;
Received: 10 May 2023 / Revised: 8 June 2023 / Accepted: 16 June 2023 / Published: 20 June 2023
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Remote Sensing in Cultural Heritage Research II)
DOI https://doi.org/10.3390/rs15123193(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Remote Sensing in Cultural Heritage Research II)
Abstract:
This comparative study evaluates the performance of three popular deep learning architectures, AlexNet, VGG-16, and VGG-19, on a custom-made dataset of GPR C-scans collected from several archaeological sites. The introduced dataset has 15,000 training images and 3750 test images assigned to three classes: Anomaly, Noise, and Structure. The aim is to assess the performance of the selected architectures applied to the custom dataset and examine the potential gains of using deeper and more complex architectures. Further, this study aims to improve the training dataset using augmentation techniques. For the comparisons, learning curves, confusion matrices, precision, recall, and f1-score metrics are employed. The Grad-CAM technique is also used to gain insights into the models’ learning. The results suggest that using more convolutional layers improves overall performance. Further, augmentation techniques can also be used to increase the dataset volume without causing overfitting. In more detail, the best-obtained model was trained using VGG-19 architecture and the modified dataset, where the training samples were raised to 60,000 images through augmentation techniques. This model reached a classification accuracy of 94.12% on an evaluation set with 170 unseen data.
EYE-Sense: empowering remote sensing with machine learning for socio-economic analysis
Konstantinos Stavrakakis, David Pacios, Napoleon Papoutsakis, Nikolaos Schetakis, Paolo Bonfini, Thomas Papakosmas, Betty Charalampopoulou, José Luis Vázquez-Poletti, Alessio Di Iorio
Proceedings Volume 12786, Ninth International Conference on Remote Sensing and Geoinformation of the Environment (RSCy2023); 127860D (2023)
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2681739Abstract:
EYE-Sense is a Web-GIS platform which allows for easy access to valuable socio-economic insights from Earth Observation (EO) data by offering a code-less approach. The platform enables users to access various EO parameters, such as atmospheric and water quality indexes, and night-light activity. Moreover, the platform's pre-trained computer vision models (Faster-RCNN, Mask-RCNN, and YOLO) empower users to detect objects such as, e.g., airplanes, ships, containers, and beach umbrellas, to address specific user-based tasks. To provide cost-efficiency, scalability, flexibility, and easy maintenance, EYE-sense adopts a serverless architecture, leading to up to 50.4% processing cost reduction when compared to traditional server-based solutions. By bridging the gap between data gathering and processing, EYE-Sense extends the reach of Earth observation data to a broader audience.
Three-tier quick-response code: Applications for encoded text and counterfeit prevention system
Sara Ignacio-Cerrato,
David Pacios,
José Miguel Ezquerro Rodriguez,
José Luis Vázquez-Poletti,
Nikolaos Schetakis,
Konstantinos Stavrakakis,
Alessio Di Iorio,
María Estefanía Avilés Mariño
MethodsX Received 6 December 2023; Accepted 24 January 2024
Available online 29 January 2024
2215-0161/© 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mex.2024.102585Abstract:
This paper introduces a novel approach for encoding information in PDF documents or similar files. The proposed encoding involves a dual-step method: firstly, the information is encoded in base64, and subsequently, it is uploaded in a user-selected color, while the rest of the colors contain dummy information. Merging of the encoded segments results in a single QR code. The Literature Review subsection investigates the usage of similar methods for information encoding, followed by a comparison of the luminance of the generated QR code with theoretical expectations. Finally, diverse use cases are presented.
The proposed methodology is presented:
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Compare the results obtained from the theorical approximation with those acquired in the merged QR code.
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Use cases: encoding text sample to obtain a counterfeit system.
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Results, contributions, and future work.
A serverless computing architecture for Martian aurora detection with the Emirates Mars Mission
David Pacios, José Luis Vázquez-Poletti, Dattaraj B. Dhuri, Dimitra Atri, Rafael Moreno-Vozmediano, Robert J. Lillis, Nikolaos Schetakis, Jorge Gómez-Sanz, Alessio Di Iorio & Luis Vázquez
Scientific Reports volume 14, Article number: 3029 (2024)
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-53492-4Abstract:
Remote sensing technologies are experiencing a surge in adoption for monitoring Earth’s environment, demanding more efficient and scalable methods for image analysis. This paper presents a new approach for the Emirates Mars Mission (Hope probe); A serverless computing architecture designed to analyze images of Martian auroras, a key aspect in understanding the Martian atmosphere. Harnessing the power of OpenCV and machine learning algorithms, our architecture offers image classification, object detection, and segmentation in a swift and cost-effective manner. Leveraging the scalability and elasticity of cloud computing, this innovative system is capable of managing high volumes of image data, adapting to fluctuating workloads. This technology, applied to the study of Martian auroras within the HOPE Mission, not only solves a complex problem but also paves the way for future applications in the broad field of remote sensing.
Quantum Machine Learning for Credit Scoring
Nikolaos Schetakis, Davit Aghamalyan, Michael Boguslavsky, Agnieszka Rees, Marc Rakotomalala and Paul Robert Griffin
SMathematics 2024, 12(9), 1391
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/math12091391Abstract:
This study investigates the integration of quantum circuits with classical neural networks for enhancing credit scoring for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). We introduce a hybrid quantum–classical model, focusing on the synergy between quantum and classical rather than comparing the performance of separate quantum and classical models. Our model incorporates a quantum layer into a traditional neural network, achieving notable reductions in training time. We apply this innovative framework to a binary classification task with a proprietary real-world classical credit default dataset for SMEs in Singapore. The results indicate that our hybrid model achieves efficient training, requiring significantly fewer epochs (350) compared to its classical counterpart (3500) for a similar predictive accuracy. However, we observed a decrease in performance when expanding the model beyond 12 qubits or when adding additional quantum classifier blocks. This paper also considers practical challenges faced when deploying such models on quantum simulators and actual quantum computers. Overall, our quantum–classical hybrid model for credit scoring reveals its potential in industry, despite encountering certain scalability limitations and practical challenges.
Optimized data management with color multiplexing in QR codes
Sara Ignacio-Cerrato, David Pacios, José Miguel Ezquerro Rodriguez, José Luis Vázquez-Poletti, María Estefanía Avilés Mariño, Konstantinos Stavrakakis, Alessio Di Iorio and Nikolaos Schetakis
Physica Scripta, Volume 99, Number 10
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1088/1402-4896/ad729fAbstract:
This study integrates colorimetry and computation by identifying their commonalities to develop a novel encryption system centered around color, specifically using QR codes. We propose an approach that multiplexes QR codes of varying colors, each containing distinct information. A key is generated to encapsulate user-specific data and identify the QR code with authentic information. We develop serverless architectures to facilitate rapid encryption and decryption processes. The system’s performance and efficiency are evaluated through two architectures: a sequential system implemented on Google Colab and a distributed system utilizing AWS Lambda serverless architecture. Metrics such as NPCR (Number of Pixels Change Rate), UACI (Unified Average Changing Intensity) and key space analysis, indicative of the system’s robustness, are analyzed according to existing literature. In addition, the cost of this serverless technology is evaluated in comparison to cloud and local. Our findings demonstrate that the serverless architecture offers a viable and efficient solution for coding. The implications of this research extend across various sectors, including defense, healthcare, and everyday digital interactions, presenting a scalable and secure alternative for data encryption and communication.
Evaluating the role of generative AI and color patterns in the dissemination of war imagery and disinformation on social media
Estibaliz García-Huete1, Sara Ignacio-Cerrato, David Pacios3, José Luis Vázquez-Poletti, María José Pérez-Serrano,Andrea Donofrio, Clemente Cesarano, Nikolaos Schetakis and Alessio Di Iorio
Frontiers in Artificial Intelligence 7:1457247
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/frai.2024.1457247Abstract:
This study explores the evolving role of social media in the spread of misinformation during the Ukraine-Russia conflict, with a focus on how artificial intelligence (AI) contributes to the creation of deceptive war imagery. Specifically, the research examines the relationship between color patterns (LUTs) in war-related visuals and their perceived authenticity, highlighting the economic, political, and social ramifications of such manipulative practices. AI technologies have significantly advanced the production of highly convincing, yet artificial, war imagery, blurring the line between fact and fiction. An experimental project is proposed to train a generative AI model capable of creating war imagery that mimics real-life footage. By analyzing the success of this experiment, the study aims to establish a link between specific color patterns and the likelihood of images being perceived as authentic. This could shed light on the mechanics of visual misinformation and manipulation. Additionally, the research investigates the potential of a serverless AI framework to advance both the generation and detection of fake news, marking a pivotal step in the fight against digital misinformation. Ultimately, the study seeks to contribute to ongoing debates on the ethical implications of AI in information manipulation and to propose strategies to combat these challenges in the digital era.
Integrating media sentiment with traditional economic indicators: a study on PMI, CCI, and employment during COVID-19 period in Poland
Iwona Kaczmarek, Adam Iwaniak, Grzegorz Chrobak & Jan K. Kazak
Journal of Computational Social Science Volume 8, article number 40, (2025)
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42001-025-00375-xAbstract:
Global crises, such as wars or the COVID-19 pandemic, underscore the need for real-time economic monitoring. Traditional economic indicators often fall short, prompting the exploration of alternative data sources, including online and social media content. This study examines the relationship between media sentiment in press articles and traditional economic indicators: the Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI), Consumer Confidence Index (CCI), and average employment in the enterprise sector. We evaluate four pre-trained natural language processing models for sentiment analysis to assess their applicability. The analysis also explores the impact of time shifts in media reporting on the correlation between sentiment scores and economic indicators. Results reveal that a + 24-day shift in article dates produces the strongest correlation with PMI, suggesting media sentiment can predict changes in PMI with a lead time of about 3.5 weeks. Further analysis shows a positive correlation between sentiment scores and the CCI with a + 6-day shift, indicating media sentiment may signal changes in consumer confidence approximately one week in advance. Additionally, a + 70-day shift reveals that media sentiment can predict changes in average employment in the enterprise sector up to 10 weeks before they are officially recorded. These findings highlight the potential of media sentiment as an early indicator of economic trends, emphasizing the importance of considering time dynamics in such analyses. The study demonstrates that sentiment analysis offers valuable insights into economic trends through media reporting, potentially aiding in more timely economic forecasting and decision-making.
Power Theft Detection in Smart Grids Using Quantum Machine Learning
Konstantinos Blazakis, Nikolaos Schetakis, Mahmoud M. Badr, Davit Aghamalyan, Konstantinos Stavrakakis, Georgios Stavrakakis
IEEE Access, vol. 13, pp. 61511-61525, 2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1109/access.2025.3558143Abstract:
Electricity theft can lead to enormous economic losses and cause operational and security problems for electricity networks and utilities. Most current research has focused on electricity theft detection in the consumption sector. However, the high penetration rate of distributed generation (DG) can lead to an increase in power theft attacks in this sector via smart meter manipulation. This study is an extension of prior works focused on electricity theft detection in the consumption and generation domains of a smart grid environment with DG. This study proposes a novel electricity theft detection framework based on quantum machine learning (QML). The elegant field of QML has been used to demonstrate that data classification becomes more efficient in higher-dimensional spaces. An extensive numerical study was conducted to determine the type of QML architecture that can perform well and efficiently in electricity theft detection cases. The technique presented here has not yet been extensively studied in the domain of energy theft detection. Extensive experiments were conducted to assess this approach, and an accuracy of 0.87 was achieved with respect to the classical consumption domain, whereas an accuracy of 0.977 was achieved with respect to the net metering domain.
Quantum neural networks with data re-uploading for urban traffic time series forecasting
Konstantinos Blazakis, Nikolaos Schetakis, Mahmoud M. Badr, Davit Aghamalyan, Konstantinos Stavrakakis, Georgios Stavrakakis
Scientific Reports volume 15, Article number: 19400 (2025)
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-04546-8Abstract:
Accurate traffic forecasting plays a crucial role in modern Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS), as it enables real-time traffic flow management, reduces congestion, and improves the overall efficiency of urban transportation networks. With the rise of Quantum Machine Learning (QML), it has emerged a new paradigm possessing the potential to enhance predictive capabilities beyond what classical machine learning models can achieve. In the present work we pursue a heuristic approach to explore the potential of QML, and focus on a specific transport issue. In particular, as a case study we investigate a traffic forecast task for a major urban area in Athens (Greece), for which we possess high-resolution data. In this endeavor we explore the application of Quantum Neural Networks (QNN), and, notably, we present the first application of quantum data re-uploading in the context of transport forecasting. This technique allows quantum models to better capture complex patterns, such as traffic dynamics, by repeatedly encoding classical data into a quantum state. Aside from providing a prediction model, we spend considerable effort in comparing the performance of our hybrid quantum-classical neural networks with classical deep learning approaches. We observe that, in fully connected network settings, hybrid quantum-classical models consistently underperform, with median scores approximately 10% worse than their purely classical counterparts across different configurations. In contrast, recursive architectures with data re-uploading show the opposite trend: hybrid models achieved up to 5% better median scores under comparable complexity settings. Additionally, these hybrid models converged in fewer training epochs, indicating improved training efficiency. Our results show that hybrid models achieve competitive accuracy with state-of-the-art classical methods, especially when the number of qubits and re-uploading blocks is increased. While the classical models demonstrate lower computational demands, we provide evidence that increasing the complexity of the quantum model improves predictive accuracy. These findings indicate that QML techniques, and specifically the data re-uploading approach, hold promise for advancing traffic forecasting models and could be instrumental in addressing challenges inherent in ITS environments.
