Warm New Year greetings to all our readers!!! We hope this year brings relief and progress to humanity. BJIT remains committed to delivering on its challenge of consistently showcasing and disseminating novel researches pertaining to computing applications and capable of altering the quality of human life. It is a matter of great privilege for me to unveil before you the forty sixth issue i.e. volume 15 number 01 of the “International Journal of Information Technology” [An official Journal of Bharati Vidyapeeth’s Institute of Computer Applications and Management (BVICAM), New Delhi] with acronym BJIT. The issue is live on the Springer content platform SpringerLink and available to the prospective readers through Springer CS package globally.

Throughout the world, nations have started recognizing that Information Technology (IT) is now acting as a catalyst in speeding up the detection, correlation, pattern learning and in improving the quality of human life. Recent advancements in IT have touched almost every conceivable area of human life. Its degree of pervasiveness, in day-to-day life, is rapidly increasing, every new day. On the backdrop of this, BJIT has accepted the challenge to consistently showcase, disseminate and institutionalize the rapidly changing huge knowledgebase globally, with authenticity and accuracy, having special focus on the new researches pertaining to IT applications for improving the quality of day-to-day life.

Current research has expanded volumes as well as dimensions in almost all fields of human endeavor. Applications of information technology have successfully been applied in almost every field. Volume 15 Number 01 presents a compilation of 50 papers in the field of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning. These manuscripts were chosen out of over 500 manuscripts, that span a broad variety of topics from various emerging areas of Information Technology and Computer Science, especially addressing current research problems related to spectrum sensing, network attack, classification, robust resource provisioning, factored language model, ensemble learning and healthcare IoT applications; to name a few.

Last decade has witnessed exponential growth in image-based applications. The first manuscript in this issue “ An improvised CNN model for fake image detection”, Yasir Hamid et al. evaluates novel computer vision models based on Convolution Neural Networks for fake image detection. The second manuscript “TConvRec: temporal convolutional-recurrent fusion model with additional pattern learning”, Brijendra Singh et al. propositions an intelligent prediction model based on convolutional recurrent fusion for performance optimization. The manuscript “Light Weight Gradient Ensemble Model for detecting network attack at the edge of the IoT network”, D. Santhadevi et al. implements a novel scheme for accurately predicting malware while controlling the computational expenses. The next manuscript “A real-time correlation model between lung sounds & clinical data for asthmatic patients”, Divya Singh et al. outlines a novel, correlation engine design which correlates individual clinical data with lung sounds .The next manuscript, “Power and area optimized adaptive Viterbi decoder for high speed communication applications”, Namratha et al. proposes a novel architecture for the area and power-efficient adaptive Viterbi decoder. The manuscript, “ Knowledge graph enrichment from clinical narratives using NLP, NER, and biomedical ontologies for healthcare applications”, Anjali Thukral et al. prototypes a scheme for mapping clinical narratives to a Knowledge Graph (KG) so that vital clinical details as recommended by doctors can be used in healthcare applications. The current improvements in the average lifespan of a human being can be attributed to availability of varied healthcare initiatives. The manuscript “ An empirical investigation into the altering health perspectives in the internet of health things”, Nour Mahmoud Bahbouh et al. assesses varied recent healthcare applications and the advancements. The next manuscript “ Improvement in spectrum sensing of wireless regional area network with empirical mode decomposition”, Rahul Koshti et al. intends to propose a novel model to improve the performance of Wireless regional area network with Empirical mode decomposition. The manuscript, “Predicting Opinion Evolution based on Information Diffusion in Social Networks using a Hybrid Fuzzy based Approach”, Samson Ebenezar Uthirapathy et al. advises a new framework for analyzing both information diffusion and opinion evolution. The next manuscript “ A highly efficient implementation of fractional sample rate digital down converter on FPGA”, Debarshi Datta et al. propositions a reconfigurable digital down converter (DDC) to significantly lower the sampling frequency. The manuscript “An energy efficient robust resource provisioning based on improved PSO-ANN”, Ankita Srivastava et al. addresses to resolve the provisioning problem by scheduling the tasks to virtual machines (VMs). The manuscript “ Electrocardiogram signal classification using VGGNet: a neural network based classification model”, Agam Das Goswami et al. contends a novel ensemble-based classification model is proposed. The manuscript “A framework for vehicle quality evaluation based on interpretable machine learning”, Mohammad Alwadi et al. captures the nuances of a computational framework for evaluating the vehicle quality. The manuscript “Deep dilated CNN based image denoising”, Rashmi Chaurasiya et al. suggests a novel, mechanism for analyzing the effect of receptive field on image denoising. The manuscript “A novel multivariate approach for the detection of epileptic seizure using BCS-WELM”, Priya Das et al. delineates a novel weighted extreme learning machine (WELM) classifier for epilectic seizure detection. High-data rate applications consume high power. The manuscript “Design and implementation of high speed, low complexity FFT/IFFT processor using modified mixed radix-24–22–23 algorithm for high data rate applications”, C. A. Arun et. al. propagates a modified mixed radix algorithm with low complexity based Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) processor. The manuscript “Channel scheduling based interference lowering power efficient algorithm (CShILPeA) for the wireless body area network: design and performance analysis”, Shilpa Vikas Shinde et. al. captures a novel mechanism to mitigate interference. The manuscript “ Query intent recognition by integrating latent dirichlet allocation in conditional random field”, Nahida Shafi et. al. offers a multi-stage system to extract the representation of utterances from the word corpus. The manuscript “COVID-19 assessment using HMM cough recognition system”, Mohamed Hamidi et al. details a novel, Hidden Markov model based automatic speech recognition system. The manuscript “Simulation and excitation analysis of nano aperture-array for surface plasmon based memory applications”, Srujana Ramachandra et al. presents a mechanism for a Plasmon enabled optical memory device to achieve higher data transfer rates and data density. The manuscript “Development of greenhouse-application-specific wireless sensor node and graphical user interface”, Suman Lata et al. evaluates multi-sensor wireless node for greenhouse applications. The manuscript “A proposed hybrid clustering algorithm using K-means and BIRCH for cluster based cab recommender system (CBCRS)”, Supreet Kaur Mann et al. details a novel model to assist cab drivers in efficient passenger pickup. The manuscript “Dynamic characterization of functional brain connectivity network for mental workload condition using an effective network identifier”, Mangesh Ramaji Kose et al. develops an efficient, electroencephalogram based approach to analyze the dynamic mental workload condition of the human brain. The manuscript “A new approach for global task scheduling in volunteer computing systems”, Ehab Saleh et al. evaluates a novel global scheduling algorithm in a peer-to-peer volunteer network. The manuscript, “A big data smart agricultural system: recommending optimum fertilizers for crops”, Vuong M. Ngo et al. analyzes an electronic agricultural record to manage agricultural big data. Image encryption optimization is an open research challenge. The manuscript “An improved image encryption algorithm using a new byte-shuffled Henon map”, Madhu Sharma et al. investigates a novel byte-shuffling enhancement of chaotic maps for the same. The manuscript, “Investigations of standalone PV system with battery-super capacitor hybrid energy storage system for household applications”, K. Karunanithi et al. details a standalone Photovoltaic system for household applications. The manuscript “Binary particle swarm optimization based edge detection under weighted image sharpening filter”, Ankush Verma et al. evaluates an edge detection approach to deal with the challenge of incorrect edge detection. The next manuscript “Effective recognition of facial emotions using dual transfer learned feature vectors and support vector machine”, Swapna Subudhiray et al. recommends a novel mechanism for facial emotion classification. The manuscript “Study of drug assimilation in human system using physics informed neural networks”, Kanupriya Goswami et al. suggests a mathematical model for assimilation, distribution and elimination of drugs in the human body. The manuscript “Class balancing framework for credit card fraud detection based on clustering and similarity-based selection (SBS)”, Hadeel Ahmad et al. investigates a novel, hybrid mechanism for processing unbalanced data. The manuscript “Secure Authentication Framework for SDN-IoT network using Keccak-256 and Bliss-B algorithms”, Sahana D. S. et al. introduces an enhanced framework that improves security and delivers efficient services to entities. The manuscript “Bundle relaying scheme for network deployed using grey wolf optimization in delay tolerant networks”, Nidhi Sonkar et al. offers a mechanism to deploy static relay nodes to increase contact opportunity and forward the message. The manuscript “A deep reinforcement learning technique for bug detection in video games”, Geeta Rani et al. details about the design of the deep reinforcement neural learning-based model to detect bugs in a gaming environment. The manuscript “Lattice abstraction-based content summarization using baseline abstractive lexical chaining progress”, G. Bharathi Mohan et al. characterizes a corpus reader content analysis and then de-noises the contents by eliminating the nonstructural text in segmented sentences. The next manuscript “A spectral–spatial 3D-convolutional capsule network for hyperspectral image classification with limited training samples”, Deepak Kumar et al. replicates a capsule network to overcome the challenges of hyperspectral image clasification. The manuscript “A novel stock counting system for detecting lot numbers using Tesseract OCR”, Parkpoom Lertsawatwicha et al. outlays a novel mechanism for counting stock. The manuscript “Machine learning based workload balancing scheme for minimizing stress migration induced aging in multicore processors”, P. Jagadeesh Kumar et al. investigates a thermal estimation model and bases an aging-aware scheduler on the same. The manuscript “UML and NFR-framework based method for the analysis of the requirements of an information system”, Mohd. Arif et al. proposes a model for the analysis of both functional and non-functional software requirements. The manuscript “A supervised machine learning-based solution for efficient network intrusion detection using ensemble learning based on hyperparameter optimization”, Arindam Sarkar et al. empirically details a novel model for intrusion detection. The manuscript, “Extracting information and inferences from a large text corpus”, Sandhya Avasthi et al. emulates an incremental topic model to process large text data. The next manuscript “Design of optimal bidirectional long short term memory based predictive analysis and severity estimation model for diabetes mellitus”, R. Annamalai et al. simulates an optimal predictive analysis and severity estimation model for diabetes mellitus. The manuscript “ Joint energy and latency-sensitive computation and communication resource allocation for multi-access edge computing in a two-tier 5G HetNet”, Mobasshir Mahbub et al. suggests a novel mechanism for efficient computation and communication resource allocation for multi-access edge computing. The next manuscript “ Bell pepper leaf disease classification with LBP and VGG-16 based fused features and RF classifier”, Monu Bhagat et al. evaluates an approach for disease detection in big fields. The manuscript “Spoofing free fingerprint image enhancement”, H. Mohamed Khan et al. elaborates a fingerprint enhancement, object area detection and gabor-based ridge era model for spoof-free fingerprint image. The manuscript “Variations-tolerant low power wide fan-in OR logic domino circuit”, Ankur Kumar et al. evaluates a strategy for reducing delay and power variations for better noise immunity. Nature inspired algorithms are being extensively used to solve complex optimization problems. The manuscript “Spider monkey optimization method to design two channel quadrature mirror filter bank with linear phase”, Surendra Kumar Agrawal et al. explores a novel two channel linear phase quadrature mirror filter (QMF) bank by optimizing the filter tap weights of prototype filter. The next manuscript “Energy-efficient resource allocation with a combinatorial auction pricing mechanism”, Puja Prasad et al. outlays an auction-based approach to ensure truthful price discovery and maximize revenue. The manuscript “ Analysis of mimo optical wireless data center networks”, Anand Kumar Dixit et al. analyzes modelling of wireless optical data centres as Multiple Inputs, Multiple Outputs (MIMO) systems. The manuscript “A dual fuzzy with hybrid deep learning architecture based on CNN with hybrid metaheuristic algorithm for effective segmentation and classification”, Shafeen Nagoor et al. evaluates a hybrid deep-learning model for early tuberculosis diagnosis.

I am sure the contributions in this issue, which is an amalgamation of novel applications of computer science and information technology, shall pave way to improve our life and sustainability in the present environment. The manuscripts of the issue will not only enrich our readers’ knowledgebase but will also motivate many of the potential researchers to take up these challenging application areas and contribute effectively for the overall prosperity of the mankind.

As a matter of policy, all the manuscripts received and considered for the Journal, are double blind peer reviewed by at-least two independent referees. Our panel of expert referees’ posses a sound academic background and have a rich publication record in various prestigious journals representing Universities, Research Laboratories and other Institutions of repute, globally. Finalizing the constitution of the panel of referees, for double blind peer review(s) of the considered manuscripts, was a painstaking process, but it helped us to ensure that only the best, interesting and novel of the considered manuscripts are showcased and that too after undergoing multiple cycles of review, as required.

I thank the entire editorial board, members of the resident editorial team and our panel of experts in steering the considered manuscripts through multiple cycles of review and bringing out the best from the contributing authors. I thank my esteemed authors for having shown confidence in BJIT and considering it a platform to showcase and share their original research work. I would also wish to thank the authors whose papers could not have been published in this issue of the Journal, probably because of the minor shortcomings. However, I would like to encourage them to actively contribute for the forthcoming issues.

I will fail in my duty, if I do not thank the members of the team from the Springer, particularly Ms. Suvira Srivastav, Ms. Jeyapradha Saravanan, Ms. Bhuvaneswari Rangaswamy, Ms. Teena Bedi and Ms. Nidhi Chandok for their constant support in realizing the issue and presenting it before you.

The undertaken Quality Assurance Process involved a series of well-defined activities that, I trust, went a long way in ensuring the quality of the publication. Still, there is always a scope for improvement, and so, I request the contributors and readers to kindly mail us their criticism, suggestions and feedback at bjit@bvicam.ac.in, which will certainly be of immense value addition in further enhancing the quality of forthcoming issues.

M. N. Hoda,

Editor-in-Chief,

International Journal of Information Technology (BJIT).