Image super‐resolution via dynamic network

Convolutional neural networks depend on deep network architectures to extract accurate information for image super‐resolution.However,obtained information of these con-volutional neural networks cannot completely express predicted high‐quality images for complex scenes.A dynamic network for image super‐resolution(DSRNet)is presented,which contains a residual enhancement block,wide enhancement block,feature refine-ment block and construction block.The residual enhancement block is composed of a residual enhanced architecture to facilitate hierarchical features for image super‐resolution.To enhance robustness of obtained super‐resolution model for complex scenes,a wide enhancement block achieves a dynamic architecture to learn more robust information to enhance applicability of an obtained super‐resolution model for varying scenes.To prevent interference of components in a wide enhancement block,a refine-ment block utilises a stacked architecture to accurately learn obtained features.Also,a residual learning operation is embedded in the refinement block to prevent long‐term dependency problem.Finally,a construction block is responsible for reconstructing high‐quality images.Designed heterogeneous architecture can not only facilitate richer structural information,but also be lightweight,which is suitable for mobile digital devices.Experimental results show that our method is more competitive in terms of performance,recovering time of image super‐resolution and complexity.The code of DSRNet can be obtained at https://github.com/hellloxiaotian/DSRNet.

Dendritic tip selection during solidification of alloys:Insights from phase-field simulations

The effect of undercooling DT and the interface energy anisotropy parameter e4 on the shape of the equiaxed dendritic tip has been investigated by using a quantitative phase-field model for solidification of binary alloys.It was found that the tip radius r increases and the tip shape amplitude coefficient A4 decreases with the increase of the fitting range for all cases.The dendrite tip shape selection parameter sdecreases and then stabilizes with the increase of the fitting range,and sincreases with the increase of e4.The relationship between sand e4 follows a power-law function sµea 4,and a is independent of DT but dependent on the fitting range.Numerical results demonstrate that the predicted sis consistent with the curve of microscopic solvability theory(MST)for e4<0.02,and sobtained from our phase-field simulations is sensitive to the undercooling when e4 is fixed.

超声空化在船舶与海洋工程中的应用

Biofouling on ships and offshore structures has always been a difficult problem to solve,which not only jeopardizes the structural strength but also brings great economic losses.Ultrasonic cavitation is expected to solve this problem due to its characteristics of no damage to structures and no pollution.Starting from the phenomenon and mechanism of ultrasonic cleaning,this paper introduces the application of ultrasonic cavitation in ship,pipeline and oil cleaning as well as ballast water treatment.By reviewing the existing studies,limitations such as insufficient ultrasonic parameter studies,lack of uniform cleanliness standards,and insufficient cavitation studies are summarized to provide traceable research ideas for improving ultrasonic cavitation technology and to guide the expansion and improvement of its applications.

Comparative review of corrosion-resistant coatings on metal bipolar plates of proton exchange membrane fuel cells

In the realm of proton exchange membrane fuel cells(PEMFCs),the bipolar plates(BPs)are indispensable and serve pivotal roles in distributing reactant gases,collecting current,facilitating product water removal,and cooling the stack.Metal BPs,characterized by outstanding manufacturability,cost-effectiveness,higher power density,and mechanical strength,are emerging as viable alternatives to traditional graphite BPs.The foremost challenge for metal BPs lies in enhancing their corrosion resistance and conductivity under acidic conditions,necessitating the application of various coatings on their surfaces to ensure superior performance.This review summarizes and compares recent advancements in the research of eight distinct types of coatings for BPs in PEMFCs,including noble metal,carbide,ni-tride,and amorphous carbon(a-C)/metal compound composite coatings.The various challenges encountered in the manufacturing and fu-ture application of these coatings are also delineated.

Secure Tracking Control via Fixed-Time Convergent Reinforcement Learning for a UAV CPS

Dear Editor,This letter is concerned with the secure tracking control problem in the unmanned aerial vehicle(UAV) system by fixed-time convergent reinforcement learning(RL). By virtue of the zero-sum game,the false data injection(FDI) attacker and secure controller are viewed as game players.

An Enhanced GAN for Image Generation

Generative adversarial networks(GANs)with gaming abilities have been widely applied in image generation.However,gamistic generators and discriminators may reduce the robustness of the obtained GANs in image generation under varying scenes.Enhancing the relation of hierarchical information in a generation network and enlarging differences of different network architectures can facilitate more structural information to improve the generation effect for image generation.In this paper,we propose an enhanced GAN via improving a generator for image generation(EIGGAN).EIGGAN applies a spatial attention to a generator to extract salient information to enhance the truthfulness of the generated images.Taking into relation the context account,parallel residual operations are fused into a generation network to extract more structural information from the different layers.Finally,a mixed loss function in a GAN is exploited to make a tradeoff between speed and accuracy to generate more realistic images.Experimental results show that the proposed method is superior to popular methods,i.e.,Wasserstein GAN with gradient penalty(WGAN-GP)in terms of many indexes,i.e.,Frechet Inception Distance,Learned Perceptual Image Patch Similarity,Multi-Scale Structural Similarity Index Measure,Kernel Inception Distance,Number of Statistically-Different Bins,Inception Score and some visual images for image generation.

Current observation and analysis based on mooring systems in the Andaman Sea

The basic structure and intraseasonal evolution of currents in the southeastern Andaman Sea was analyzed based on data collected in 2017 from two subsurface moorings(C1 and C5).Periodic variation in the upper ocean currents of the Andaman Sea was investigated by combining observational and satellite data.Mooring observations show that rapid changes of current speed and direction occurred in May and June,with a significant increase in current velocity at the C1 mooring.In the second half of the year,southward flow dominated at the C1 mooring,and alternating northward and southward flows were evident at the C5 mooring during the same period but the northward flow prevailed in boreal winter.In addition,analysis of the power spectra of the upper currents revealed that the tidal period at both moorings is primarily semidiurnal with weaker energy than that of the low-frequency currents.The upper ocean currents at the C1 and C5 moorings exhibited intraseasonal variation of 30-60 d and 120 d,while the zonal current at the C1 mooring exhibited a notable period of approximately 180 d.Further analysis indicated that the variability of currents in the Andaman Sea is influenced primarily by equatorial Kelvin waves and Rossby wave packets.Moreover,our results suggest that equatorial Kelvin waves from the eastern Indian Ocean entered the Andaman Sea in the form of Wyrtki Jets and propagated primarily along two distinct pathways during the observation period.In addition to coastal boundary Kelvin waves,it was found that a branch of the Wyrtki Jet that directly enters the Andaman Sea and flows northward along the slope of the continental shelf,and reflected Rossby wave packets by topography.

Synthesis and microwave absorption performance of heat-treated RF/SiO_(2)aerogels

The well-designed composite with satisfactory electromagnetic microwave absorption at high temperatures remains a serious challenge.Herein,we fabricated a resorcinol-formaldehyde/silica dioxide composite aerogel(RF/SiO_(2))with a three-dimensional network structure using sol-gel,atmospheric pressure drying technique as well as heat-treated processes to achieve enhanced microwave absorption capabilities in the low frequency range.The pristine RF/SiO_(2)aerogel presented a typical micropores structure with a surface area,porous volume,and density of 146.82 m^(2)/g,62.40%,and 0.28 cm^(3)/g,respectively.Remarkably,the RF/SiO_(2)aerogel showed an effective absorption bandwidth of 3.56 GHz and a minimum reflection loss value of-46.10 d B at 2.25 mm after being heat-treated at 1500°C,while the maximum effective absorption bandwidth was 3.60 GHz at 2.30 mm.The intricate three-dimensional networks possessed remarkable impedance matching,multiple attenuation mechanisms,interfacial polarization,and dielectric loss,which were attributed to the exceptional ability to absorb electromagnetic microwaves.It offered a fresh approach to creating adaptable and effective microwave absorption materials in military defense.

Flexible capacitive pressure sensor based on interdigital electrodes with porous microneedle arrays for physiological signal monitoring

Flexible pressure sensors have many potential applications in the monitoring of physiological signals because of their good biocompatibil-ity and wearability.However,their relatively low sensitivity,linearity,and stability have hindered their large-scale commercial application.Herein,aflexible capacitive pressure sensor based on an interdigital electrode structure with two porous microneedle arrays(MNAs)is pro-posed.The porous substrate that constitutes the MNA is a mixed product of polydimethylsiloxane and NaHCO3.Due to its porous and interdigital structure,the maximum sensitivity(0.07 kPa-1)of a porous MNA-based pressure sensor was found to be seven times higher than that of an imporous MNA pressure sensor,and it was much greater than that of aflat pressure sensor without a porous MNA structure.Finite-element analysis showed that the interdigital MNA structure can greatly increase the strain and improve the sensitivity of the sen-sor.In addition,the porous MNA-based pressure sensor was found to have good stability over 1500 loading cycles as a result of its bilayer parylene-enhanced conductive electrode structure.Most importantly,it was found that the sensor could accurately monitor the motion of afinger,wrist joint,arm,face,abdomen,eye,and Adam’s apple.Furthermore,preliminary semantic recognition was achieved by monitoring the movement of the Adam’s apple.Finally,multiple pressure sensors were integrated into a 33 array to detect a spatial pressure distribu-×tion.Compared to the sensors reported in previous works,the interdigital electrode structure presented in this work improves sensitivity and stability by modifying the electrode layer rather than the dielectric layer.

Design of AI-Enhanced and Hardware-Supported Multimodal E-Skin for Environmental Object Recognition and Wireless Toxic Gas Alarm

Post-earthquake rescue missions are full of challenges due to the unstable structure of ruins and successive aftershocks.Most of the current rescue robots lack the ability to interact with environments,leading to low rescue efficiency.The multimodal electronic skin(e-skin)proposed not only reproduces the pressure,temperature,and humidity sensing capabilities of natural skin but also develops sensing functions beyond it—perceiving object proximity and NO2 gas.Its multilayer stacked structure based on Ecoflex and organohydrogel endows the e-skin with mechanical properties similar to natural skin.Rescue robots integrated with multimodal e-skin and artificial intelligence(AI)algorithms show strong environmental perception capabilities and can accurately distinguish objects and identify human limbs through grasping,laying the foundation for automated post-earthquake rescue.Besides,the combination of e-skin and NO2 wireless alarm circuits allows robots to sense toxic gases in the environment in real time,thereby adopting appropriate measures to protect trapped people from the toxic environment.Multimodal e-skin powered by AI algorithms and hardware circuits exhibits powerful environmental perception and information processing capabilities,which,as an interface for interaction with the physical world,dramatically expands intelligent robots’application scenarios.

A robust deformed convolutional neural network(CNN)for image denoising

Due to strong learning ability,convolutional neural networks(CNNs)have been developed in image denoising.However,convolutional operations may change original distributions of noise in corrupted images,which may increase training difficulty in image denoising.Using relations of surrounding pixels can effectively resolve this problem.Inspired by that,we propose a robust deformed denoising CNN(RDDCNN)in this paper.The proposed RDDCNN contains three blocks:a deformable block(DB),an enhanced block(EB)and a residual block(RB).The DB can extract more representative noise features via a deformable learnable kernel and stacked convolutional architecture,according to relations of surrounding pixels.The EB can facilitate contextual interaction through a dilated convolution and a novel combination of convolutional layers,batch normalisation(BN)and ReLU,which can enhance the learning ability of the proposed RDDCNN.To address long-term dependency problem,the RB is used to enhance the memory ability of shallow layer on deep layers and construct a clean image.Besides,we implement a blind denoising model.Experimental results demonstrate that our denoising model outperforms popular denoising methods in terms of qualitative and quantitative analysis.Codes can be obtained at https://github.com/hellloxiaotian/RDDCNN.

Topology Optimization of Stiffener Layout Design for Box Type Load-Bearing Component under Thermo-Mechanical Coupling

The structure optimization design under thermo-mechanical coupling is a difficult problem in the topology optimization field.An adaptive growth algorithm has become a more effective approach for structural topology optimization.This paper proposed a topology optimization method by an adaptive growth algorithm for the stiffener layout design of box type load-bearing components under thermo-mechanical coupling.Based on the stiffness diffusion theory,both the load stiffness matrix and the heat conduction stiffness matrix of the stiffener are spread at the same time to make sure the stiffener grows freely and obtain an optimal stiffener layout design.Meanwhile,the objectives of optimization are the minimization of strain energy and thermal compliance of the whole structure,and thermo-mechanical coupling is considered.Numerical studies for square shells clearly show the effectiveness of the proposed method for stiffener layout optimization under thermo-mechanical coupling.Finally,the method is applied to optimize the stiffener layout of box type load-bearing component of themachining center.The optimization results show that both the structural deformation and temperature of the load-bearing component with the growth stiffener layout,which are optimized by the adaptive growth algorithm,are less than the stiffener layout of shape‘#’stiffener layout.It provides a new solution approach for stiffener layout optimization design of box type load-bearing components under thermo-mechanical coupling.

Cross-linked polyelectrolyte reinforced SnO_(2)electron transport layer for robust flexible perovskite solar cells

SnO_(2)electron transport layer(ETL)is a vital component in perovskite solar cells(PSCs),due to its excellent photoelectric properties and facile fabrication process.In this study,we synthesized a water-soluble and adhesive polyelectrolyte with ethanolamine(EA)and poly-acrylic acid(PAA).The linear PAA was crosslinked by EA,forming a 3D network that stabilized the SnO_(2)nanoparticle dispersion.An organic–inorganic hybrid ETL is developed by introducing the cross-linked PAA-EA into SnO_(2)ETL,which prevents nano particle agglomeration and facilitates uniform SnO_(2)film formation with fewer defects.Additionally,the PAA-EA-modified SnO_(2)facilitated a uniform and compact perovskite film,enhancing the interface contact and carrier transport.Consequently,the PAA-EA-modified PSCs exhibited excellent PCE of 24.34%and 22.88%with high reproducibility for areas of 0.045 and 1.00 cm~2,respectively.Notably,owing to structure reinforce effect of PAA-EA in SnO_(2)ETL,flexible device demonstrated an impressive PCE of 23.34%while maintaining 90.1%of the initial PCE after 10,000 bending cycles with a bending radius of 5 mm.This successful approach of polyelectrolyte reinforced hybrid organic–inorganic ETL displays great potential for flexible,large-area PSCs application.

日本凋毛藻(Griffithsiajaponica)硫氧还蛋白基因及其编码的蛋白特征

从日本凋毛藻的表达序列标记 EST库中筛选到 2 条全长的编码硫氧还蛋白的 cDNA序列,分别命名为GjTRX1和GjTRX2。将这2条基因编码的蛋白序列与其它藻类(包括酵母)进行比较,结果表明不同物种及同一物种间TRX的相似性都较差,除GjTRX2编码的蛋白序列外,所有蛋白在活性位点序列 WCGPC处都完全保守。推测GjTRX1属于细胞质内分布的硫氧还蛋白。GjTRX1序列推导的蛋白二级结构单元与以往报道的传统上保守的TRX的二级结构单元类型一致,但是顺序有所不同。

Distribution of dinoflagellate cysts in Yellow Sea sediments

To investigate the distribution, abundance, and species composition of dinoflagellate cysts in the Yellow Sea, surface sediment samples were collected at 37 sites, including the Korean dump site. Twenty-one di- noflagellate cyst taxa were identified, with the assemblages dominated mainly by Spiniferites bulloideus, Operculodinium centrocarpum, and cyst of Alexandrium catenella/tarnarense type. A high frequency of O. centrocarpum in the Yellow Sea was observed for the first time, and it is likely that this can be attributed to the dynamics of the Yellow Sea Cold Water Mass and the Changjiang （Yangtze） River runoff. Total cyst concentrations ranged from 23 to 48 442 cysts/g dry weight, and high cyst concentrations were recorded adjacent to the dumping site. This result suggests that anthropogenic activities such as ocean dumping s- timulate the growth of dinoflagellates in the Yellow Sea, which in turn leads to high levels of dinoflagellate cyst production.

Progress of Chinese“Dove”and Future Studies on Flight Mechanism of Birds and Application System

This paper introduces the Chinese"Dove"——A practical application system of bird-mimetic air vehicles developed for more than a decade by the Institute of Flight Vehicle Innovation of Northwest Polytechnic University(NWPU)in China.Firstly,the main components,flight capability and flight verification of the Chinese"Dove"are presented.Then,the methods for the aerodynamic simulation and wind tunnel experiments are put forward.Secondly,the design of high-lift and high-thrust flexible flapping wings,a series of flapping mechanisms,gust-resistance layout and micro flight control/navigation system are presented.Some future studies on the application system of bionic micro air vehicles are given,including observation of natural flight creatures,aerodynamics in flight,mechanical and new material driving systems,structural mechanics,flight mechanics,and the information perception and intelligent decision-making control,which are related to research of flight bioinformatic perception and brain science.Finally,some application examples of complex flapping movements,active/passive deformation of bird wings,new low-energy motion-driven system,bionic intelligent decision-making and control/navigation are discussed.

Tailoring the mercaptan ligands for high performance inverted perovskite solar cells with efficiency exceeding 21%

Interface passivation engineering has been recognized as an effective way to simultaneously contribute to the optoelectronic characteristic and stability of perovskite solar cells(PSCs). Herein, a p-conjugated dual-ligand 1,4-phenylmercaptan(PHMT) is explored to rationally tailor the surface of perovskite film.The experimental and theoretical results show that the PHMT presents planar structure and obvious electron delocalization characteristics, which allow it to anchor on the surface of perovskite with a certain orientation, thereby promoting the transport of interface charge. Moreover, the two sulfhydryl groups in PHMT reduce the trap density of the perovskite film by passivating under-coordinated lead ions.Consequently, the PHMT-modified inverted device based on MAPbI_(3)(MA: methylammonium) achieves enhanced efficiency from 18.11%(control) to 21.11%, along with the ambient stability up to 3500 h.After being placed at 85 °C for 500 h or illuminated for 600 h, the modified device remains over 89%or 86% of initial efficiency. This discovery opens a new window for the choice of passivators to improve the performance of PSCs.

A self-healing liquid metal anode for lithium-ion batteries

The gallium-based liquid metal as one of the self-healing materials has gained wide attention, especially in the energy storage system. However, volume expansion with the ‘‘liquid-solid-liquid”transformation process still leads to un-controlled electrode failure, which stimulates the irreversibility of liquid metal and hinders their self-healing effect as the anode for lithium-ion batteries. Herein, the polypyrrole(PPy) with highly conductive and adhesive features is first introduced to fasten the liquid metal nanoparticles(gallium-tin alloy, EGaSn) in the integrated electrode and applied as the anode for lithium-ion batteries. A tightly PPy wrapped EGaSn nanoparticles structure is formed during the in-situ polymerization synthesis process, which effectively avoids the detachment of solid alloyed products. Based on the features of PPy, polyacrylic acid is added to facilitate strengthening the integrity of the electrode by constructing the hydrogen bond. The ‘‘dual-insurance” design endows the EGaSn to exhibit superior electrochemical kinetics and an astonishing self-healing effect. As a result, the customized anode displays superior cycling stability(499.8 mAh g^(-1) after 500 cycles at 1.0 A g^(-1))and rate capability(350 mAh g^(-1) at 2.0 A g^(-1)).This work enriches the electrode engineering technology of liquid metal nanoparticles and opens up a new way to customize the self-healing anode for lithium-ion batteries.

Preparation and pharmacokinetic study of fenofibrate cubic liquid crystalline

An LCC delivery system for Fenofibrate (Fen) was developed to improve its poorly oral bioavailability. Fen-LCC preparation methods were screened, and the prepared Fen-LCC was then characterized by a polarizing microscope and transmission electron microscopy (TEM).The spray drying technique was selected to dry and solidify particles into powder. The in vitro release of Fen-LCC was measured and in vivo pharmacokinetic experiments were carried out on rats after oral administration. Particles prepared through the high-temperature input method exhibited structural characteristics of LCC, and re-dissolved particles maintained the same features. The LCC delivery system can significantly improve in vitro release outcomes. After oral administration, AUCs of the suspension and LCC systems were measured at 131.6853 μg·h/ml and 1435.72893 μg·h/ml, respectively. The spray drying process presented here better maintains cubic structures, and the LCC system significantly improves bioavailability levels.

Mathematical Analysis of the Meridian System in Traditional Chinese Medicine

Energy expenditure of the meridian system in traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)for living human bodies is one of the fundamental questions regarding the physical properties of the meridian system.As a first attempt to address this,24 hand/foot meridians were modeled as a continuous channel with the sustainable movement of Qi and blood inside.Then,the fluid mechanics energy equation for steady and incompressible flow was applied to estimate the pumping power of meridian circulation,based on the meridian length,blood viscosity and circulation velocity.Additional findings based on the pumping power estimation results include:(1)new information to corroborate the determination of the production era of Yellow Emperor’s Inner Classics(Huang Di Nei Jing,《黄帝内经》);(2)a new definition for work of breathing(WOB)from a TCM perspective.This paper could lead to future research aimed at modernizing the understanding of the meridian system,Qi and TCM using quantitative methods.