Wind-Induced Response Characteristics of a Tall Building from GPS and Accelerometer Measurements

The main objectives of the research are to characterize the wind-induced resonant and slowly-varying (quasi-static) responses of a tall building under ambient wind excitations based on GPS measurements. The equipment used includes two sets of orthogonally aligned accelerometers, two GPS receivers and an ultrasonic anemometer. The natural frequencies of the wind-induced vibration of the tall building are determined by carrying out spectral analysis of the measured time series of acceleration. The time series are also used to estimate the structural damping with the random decrement technique (RDT). The results show that GPS can be effectively used to measure the resonant and slowly-varying responses of tall buildings with 3D mode shapes under wind excitations. The results from the GPS and the accelerometers agree well with each other in both the time and frequency domains.

Synergy of inside doped metals–Outside coated graphene to enhance hydrogen storage in magnesium-based alloys

Grain growth of magnesium(Mg)and its hydride is one of the main reasons for kinetic and capacity degradation during the hydrogen absorption and desorption cycles.To solve this problem,herein we propose a novel method involving synergistic effect of inside embedded metals and outside coated graphene to limit the growth of Mg and its hydride grains.The graphene coated Mg-Y-Al alloys were selected as a model system for demonstrating this positive effect where the Mg_(91)Y_(3)Al_(6)alloy was first prepared by rapidly solidified method and then high-pressure milled with 5 wt%graphene upon 5 MPa hydrogen gas for obtaining in-situ formed YAl_(2)and YH_(3)embedded in the MgH_(2)matrix with graphene shell(denoted as MgH_(2)-Y-Al@GR).In comparison to pure MgH_(2),the obtained MgH_(2)-Y-Al@GR composites deliver much better kinetics and more stable cyclic performance.For instance,the MgH_(2)-Y-Al@GR can release about 6.1 wt%H_(2)within 30 min at 300℃ but pure MgH_(2)only desorbs∼1.5 wt%H_(2).The activation energy for desorption of MgH_(2)-Y-Al@GR samples is calculated to be 75.3±9.1 kJ/mol that is much lower than approximately 160 kJ/mol for pure MgH_(2).Moreover,its capacity retention is promoted from∼57%of pure MgH_(2)to∼84%after 50th cycles without obvious particle agglomeration and grain growth.The synergistic effect of outside graphene coating with inside embedded metals which could provide a huge number of active sites for catalysis as well as inhibit the grain growth of Mg and its hydride is believed to be responsible for these.

超滑聚酯纤维膜及其抗污染性能

以聚对苯二甲酸乙二醇酯(PET)纤维膜为基底,利用聚多巴胺(PDA)对膜表面进行活化,通过溶胶凝胶法在膜表面构筑二氧化硅(SiO_(2))纳米粗糙结构,进一步降低其表面能并灌注润滑油,制备得到超滑聚酯纤维膜(PET-SLIPS)。在PDA作用下,SiO_(2)纳米粒子均匀分布在膜表面,并且与基底结合牢固,在超声作用或轻度物理摩擦下,表现出良好的稳定性。SiO_(2)纳米级粗糙结构特点使其具有优异的润滑油锁定能力,PET-SLIPS在受到水流剪切或物理磨损后,表面接触角基本不变,润滑层稳定性良好。这种具有流动性的润滑层可抑制与之不互溶的液体与膜基底接触,使污染物易被冲洗去除,赋予PET-SLIPS优异的疏液性;与PET原膜相比,PET-SLIPS油水分离效率和抗污染性都得到明显提升,同时表现出良好的抗生物黏附性能。这种超滑膜在膜分离等方面具有良好的应用前景。

Analysis of the Quality of Daily DEM Generation with Geosynchronous InSAR

Up-to-date digital elevation model(DEM)products are essential in many fields such as hazards mitigation and urban management.Airborne and low-earth-orbit(LEO)space-borne interferometric synthetic aperture radar(InSAR)has been proven to be a valuable tool for DEM generation.However,given the limitations of cost and satellite repeat cycles,it is difficult to generate or update DEMs very frequently(e.g.,on a daily basis)for a very large area(e.g.,continental scale or greater).Geosynchronous synthetic aperture radar(GEOSAR)satellites fly in geostationary earth orbits,allowing them to observe the same ground area with a very short revisit time(daily or shorter).This offers great potential for the daily DEM generation that is desirable yet thus far impossible with space-borne sensors.In this work,we systematically analyze the quality of daily GEOSAR DEM.The results indicate that the accuracy of a daily GEOSAR DEM is generally much lower than what can be achieved with typical LEO synthetic aperture radar(SAR)sensors;therefore,it is important to develop techniques to mitigate the effects of errors in GEOSAR DEM generation.

On stress-forecasting strategy of earthquakes from stress buildup,stress shadow and stress transfer(SSS) based on numerical approach

Global Positioning System （GPS） and Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar （InSAR）, used for monitoring crust deformation, are found to be very promising in earthquake prediction subject to stress-forecasting. However, it is recognized that unless we can give reasonable explanations of these curious precursory phenomena that continue to be serendipitously observed from time to time, such high technology of GPS or InSAR is difficult to be efficiently used. Therefore, a proper model revealing the relation between earthquake evolution and stress variation, such as the phenomena of stress buildup, stress shadow and stress transfer （SSS）, is crucial to the GPS or InSAR based earthquake prediction. Here we address this question through a numerical approach of earthquake development using an intuitive physical model with a map-like configuration of discontinuous fault system. The simulation provides a physical basis for the principle of stress-forecasting of earthquakes based on SSS and for the application of GPS or InSAR in earthquake prediction. The observed SSS associated phenomena with images of stress distribution during the failure process can be continuously simulated. It is shown that the SSS are better indicators of earthquake precursors than that of seismic foreshocks, suggesting a predictability of earthquakes based on stress-forecasting strategy.

A review of methods for mitigating ionospheric artifacts in differential SAR interferometry

Interferometric synthetic aperture radar(InSAR)has been widely used to measure ground displacements related to geophysical and anthropic activities over the past three decades.Satellite SAR systems use microwave signals that interact with the ionosphere when they travel through it during the imaging processes.In this context,ionospheric variations can significantly contaminate SAR imagery,which in turn affects spaceborne InSAR measurements.This bias also leads to a decrease in the coherence and accuracy of InSAR measurements,especially for the low-frequency SAR systems.In this paper,we give an overview of the latest methods for mitigating the ionospheric contributions in InSAR,including Faraday rotation method,azimuth shift method,and range split-spectrum method,and only focus on the single pair of InSAR interferograms.The current challenges and future perspectives are outlined at the end of this paper.

Gas permeation properties of a metallic ion-cross-linked PIM-1 thin-film composite membrane supported on a UV-cross-linked porous substrate

Metallic ion-cross-linked polymer of intrinsic microporosity(PIM-1) thin-film composite(TFC) membranes supported on an ultraviolet(UV)-cross-linked porous substrate were fabricated. The UV-cross-linked porous substrate was prepared via polymerization-induced phase separation. The PIM-1 TFC membranes were fabricated via a dip-coating procedure. Metallic ion-cross-linked PIM-1 TFC membranes were fabricated by hydrolyzing the PIM-1 TFC membrane in an alkali solution and then cross-linking it in a multivalent metallic ion solution. The pore size and porous structures were evaluated by low-temperature N_2 adsorption–desorption analysis. The membrane structure was investigated by field-emission scanning electron microscopy. The effects of heat treatment and pore-forming additives on the gas permeance of the UV-cross-linked porous substrate are reported. The effects of different pre-coating treatments on the gas permeance of the metallic ion-cross-linked PIM-1 TFC membrane are also discussed. The metallic ion-crosslinked PIM-1 TFC membrane displayed high CO_2/N_2 selectivity(23) and good CO_2 permeance(1058 GPU).

NONNEGATIVITY OF SOLUTIONS OF NONLINEAR FRACTIONAL DIFFERENTIAL-ALGEBRAIC EQUATIONS

Nonlinear fractional differential-algebraic equations often arise in simulating integrated circuits with superconductors. How to obtain the nonnegative solutions of the equations is an important scientific problem. As far as we known, the nonnegativity of solutions of the nonlinear fractional differential-algebraic equations is still not studied. In this article, we investigate the nonnegativity of solutions of the equations. Firstly, we discuss the existence of nonnegative solutions of the equations, and then we show that the nonnegative solution can be approached by a monotone waveform relaxation sequence provided the initial iteration is chosen properly. The choice of initial iteration is critical and we give a method of finding it. Finally, we present an example to illustrate the efficiency of our method.

Partial pore blockage and polymer chain rigidification phenomena in PEO/ZIF-8 mixed matrix membranes synthesized by in situ polymerization

Nanostructured zeolitic imidazolate frameworks(ZIF-8) was incorporated into the mixture of poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether acrylate(PEGMEA) and pentaerythritol triacrylate(PETA) to synthesize mixed matrix membranes(MMMs) by in situ polymerization for CO_2/CH_4 separation. The solvent-free polymerization between PEGMEA and PETA was induced by UV light with 1-hydroxylcyclohexyl phenyl ketone as initiator. The chemical structural characterization was performed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The morphology was characterized by scanning electron microscope. The average chain-to-chain distance of the polymer chains in MMMs was investigated by X-ray diffraction. The thermal property was evaluated by differential scanning calorimetry. The CH_4 and CO_2 gas transport properties of MMMs are reported. The relationship between gas permeation–separation performances or physical properties and ZIF-8 loading is also discussed. However, the permeation–separation performance was not improved in Robeson upper bound plot compared with original polymer membrane as predicted. The significant partial pore blockage and polymer rigidification effect around the ZIFs confirmed by the increase in glass temperature and the decrease in the d-spacing, were mainly responsible for the failure in performance improvement, which offset the high diffusion induced by porous ZIF-8.

Neural Stem Cells Transfected with Leukemia Inhibitory Factor Promote Neuroprotection in a Rat Model of Cerebral Ischemia

Leukemia inhibitory factor(LIF) contributes to the neuroprotection by neural stem cells(NSCs) after ischemic stroke. Our aim was to explore whether LIFtransfected NSCs(LIF-NSCs) can ameliorate brain injury and promote neuroprotection in a rat model of cerebral ischemia. To accomplish this goal, we transfected NSCs with a lentivirus carrying the LIF gene to stably overexpress LIF. The LIF-NSCs reduced caspase 3 activation under conditions of oxygen-glucose deprivation in vitro.Transient cerebral ischemia was induced in rats by 2 h of middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAo), and LIF-NSCs were intravenously injected at 6 h post-ischemia. LIF-NSC treatment reduced the infarction volume and improved neurological recovery. Moreover, LIF-NSCs improved glial cell regeneration and ameliorated white matter injuryin the MCAo rats. The NSCs acted as carriers and increased the expression of LIF in the lesions to protect against cerebral infarction, suggesting that LIF-NSCs could be a potential treatment for cerebral infarction.

Ultrapermeable membranes based on connected cluster of hollow polydimethylsiloxane nanoparticles for gas separation

Mixed matrix membranes(MMMs)with the performance between the matrix and the filler is a promising strategy for membranes with excellent gas permeability-selectivity.In this study,the hollow polydimethylsiloxane nanoparticles were synthesized and then incorporated with the poly(oxide ethylene)monomer and tri-functional cross-linker to form mixed matrix membranes by in situ poly-merization.The hollow nanoparticles formed the independent closed nanocavities in membranes,which enhanced the gas permeability contributed by both the improved diffusivity and solubility.At high loading,the hollow polydimethylsiloxane nanoparticle was converted into the continuous phase with the cross-linked poly(oxide ethylene)as the dispersed phase.Gases preferred to permeate through the connected cluster of hollow polydimethylsiloxane nanoparticles,finally leading to ultrahigh gas per-meabilities far going beyond the instinct values of polydimethylsiloxane and the cross-linked poly(oxide ethylene).The optimized membrane with 34 wt%hollow nanoparticles loadings exhibited ultrahigh permeabilities with the values of 44186 Barrer for CO_(2) and 11506 Barrer for O_(2),accompanied with a CO_(2)/N_(2) selectivity of 9.9 and an O_(2)/N_(2) selectivity of 2.6,which exceeded the 2008 Robeson upper bound for O_(2)/N_(2) and located at the 2008 Robeson upper bound for CO_(2)/N_(2).

SAR image despeckling with a multilayer perceptron neural network

Speckle noise in synthetic-aperture radar (SAR) images severely hindersremote sensing applications;therefore, the appropriate removal ofspeckle noise is crucial. This paper elaborates on the multilayerperceptron (MLP) neural-network model for SAR image despeckling byusing a time series of SAR images. Unlike other filtering methods thatuse only a single radar intensity image to derive their parameters andfilter that single image, this method can be trained using archivedimages over an area of interest to self-learn the intensitycharacteristics of image patches and then adaptively determine theweights and thresholds by using a neural network for imagedespeckling. Several hidden layers are designed for feedforwardnetwork training, and back-propagation stochastic gradient descent isadopted to reduce the error between the target output and neuralnetwork output. The parameters in the network are automaticallyupdated in the training process. The greatest advantage of MLP is thatonce the despeckling parameters are determined, they can be used toprocess not only new images in the same area but also images incompletely different locations. Tests with images from TerraSAR-X inselected areas indicated that MLP shows satisfactory performance withrespect to noise reduction and edge preservation. The overall imagequality obtained using MLP was markedly higher than that obtainedusing numerous other filters. In comparison with other recentlydeveloped filters, this method yields a slightly higher image quality,and it demonstrates the powerful capabilities of computer learningusing SAR images, which indicate the promising prospect of applyingMLP to SAR image despeckling.

Smart light-responsive hierarchical metal organic frameworks constructed mixed matrix membranes for efficient gas separation

One type of new light-responsive hierarchical metal organic framework(MOF) has been successfully prepared using Co(NO_(3))_(3)·6H_(2)O as the metal salt and 4,4’-azobenzenedicarboxylic acid as the ligand by microwave method for the first time. It is found that MOF [Co(Az DC)] exhibits a light-responsive characteristic to SO_(2)adsorption due to the presence of azo group from the ligand. The light-responsive hierarchical MOFs are incorporated into Matrimid■ 5218(PI) matrix to prepare mixed matrix membranes(MMMs) for gas separation application. The morphology, crystallinity, chain mobility and thermal stability of MMMs are explored. Results show that Co(Az DC) may elevate both the CO_(2)(SO_(2)) permeability and CO_(2)(SO_(2))/N_(2)selectivity of the MMMs. In particular,the Co(Az DC) doped MMMs exhibit the significantly improved CO_(2)(SO_(2))/N_(2)selectivity from 33(123) for PI control membrane to 78(420) for MMMs, overcoming the 2008 Robeson upper bound for CO_(2)/N_(2)system. Sizesieving effect of Co(Az DC) with pore size 0.35 nm enhances the selectivity, while the –N=N– group from Co(Az DC) shows affinity to CO_(2)molecular rather than N_(2), also elevating selectivity of MMMs. In brief, enhanced selectivity of high-performance membrane is attributed to incorporation of Co(Az DC) particles, which displays synergistic effects both in size-sieving and CO_(2)-philic interaction for CO_(2)/N_(2)separation. Smart highly selective interface is constructed in MMMs by switching the configuration of MOFs from cis to trans. The SO_(2)permeability and SO_(2)/N_(2)selectivity of MMMs are investigated under both visible light and ultraviolet light states, and the SO_(2)/N_(2)separation performance under visible light is notably improved in comparison with that under ultraviolet light state.