Image Super-Resolution Based on Sparse Coding with Multi-Class Dictionaries

Sparse coding-based single image super-resolution has attracted much interest. In this paper, a super-resolution reconstruction algorithm based on sparse coding with multi-class dictionaries is put forward. We propose a novel method for image patch classification, using the phase congruency information. A sub-dictionary is learned from patches in each category. For a given image patch, the sub-dictionary that belongs to the same category is selected adaptively. Since the given patch has similar pattern with the selected sub-dictionary, it can be better represented. Finally, iterative back-projection is used to enforce global reconstruction constraint. Experiments demonstrate that our approach can produce comparable or even better super-resolution reconstruction results with some existing algorithms, in both subjective visual quality and numerical measures

Numerical simulation of chloride diffusion in cementitious materials by lattice type model

The chloride ingress is one of the most significant problems to reinforced concrete structures in coastal areas and cold regions where the de-icing salt is commonly used. In this paper, the lattice type model which has been widely used in fracture analysis of brittle materials is applied to simulate the chloride diffusion process in cementitious materials. The theoretical background of the lattice type model in solving the mass transport problem is briefly presented. The analytical solution of the Fick’s law is adopted to theoretically validate the developed lattice type model. After that, two typical case studies are included to demonstrate the application of the lattice type model in the chloride ingress issue. In the first case, the tortuosity effect of the aggregates on the chloride diffusion front at meso-scale is studied by the lattice model. In the second case, the lattice model is applied in the simulation of the chloride diffusion in cracked concrete. The results show that the lattice type model can be a useful tool to simulate the chloride ingress in the cementitious materials

A study on image-processing based identification of aspect ratio of coarse aggregate

The mesoscopic simulation of behaviours of cementitious materials under different conditions has become a hot topic in academic research, as it provides more details to the mechanism study and structural design. To conduct a mesoscopic simulation, the meso-scale model of cementitious materials must be built. To ensure the precision of the aggregate shape in the simulated meso-scale model, key shape parameters of real aggregates should be identified. In this paper, an image-processing based method is proposed to detect the aspect ratio of a polygonal aggregate. The procedure and used algorithms are demonstrated in detail. As an application, totally about 1000 coarse aggregates from the Xinjiang, China are selected to identify the aspect ratio. It is found that the aspect ratio of coarse aggregates is a random variable following the Generalized Extreme Value (GEV) distribution. The published data by using the X-ray technique is also adopted as a comparison, and the results are almost the same as each other, which indicates that the aggregate source does not have an obvious effect on the probabilistic characteristics of the aspect ratio

Numerical simulation of chloride diffusion in cementitious materials by lattice type model

The chloride ingress is one of the most significant problems to reinforced concrete structures in coastal areas and cold regions where the de-icing salt is commonly used. In this paper, the lattice type model which has been widely used in fracture analysis of brittle materials is applied to simulate the chloride diffusion process in cementitious materials. The theoretical background of the lattice type model in solving the mass transport problem is briefly presented. The analytical solution of the Fick’s law is adopted to theoretically validate the developed lattice type model. After that, two typical case studies are included to demonstrate the application of the lattice type model in the chloride ingress issue. In the first case, the tortuosity effect of the aggregates on the chloride diffusion front at meso-scale is studied by the lattice model. In the second case, the lattice model is applied in the simulation of the chloride diffusion in cracked concrete. The results show that the lattice type model can be a useful tool to simulate the chloride ingress in the cementitious materials

Design of 1x8 silicon nanowire arrayed waveguide grating for on-chip arrayed waveguide grating demodulation integration microsystem

The integration of fiber grating demodulation system is a research emphasis in the study of demodulation systems. On-chip arrayed waveguide grating (AWG) demodulation integration makes integration possible in a demodulation system. A 1x8 silicon nanowire AWG for on-chip AWG demodulation integration microsystem is proposed and designed. The center wavelength is 1550.918 nm, the waveguide width is 350 nm, the waveguide thickness is 220 nm, and the effective area is 267x259  μm2. The single-mode waveguide cross-section structure is designed according to the refractive index of the silicon-on-insulator material. The mask layout territory of the 1x8 AWG is designed and optimized using the beam propagation method. A cone-shaped mold spots converter is proposed in the design process. Furthermore, the wavelength-division-multiplexing-phasar simulation system is established to simulate the stable output optical propagation characteristics of the designed AWG. The simulation result shows that the insert loss of the AWG is 10.658 dB, and the crosstalk is 3.037 dB, which is lower under the same waveguide, thickness, and size. This condition makes the AWG design the best choice for a fiber Bragg grating demodulation microsystem

Hardware Sharing for Channel Interleavers in 5G NR Standard

Interleaver module is an important part of modern mobile communication system. It plays an important role in reducing bit error rate and improving transmission efficiency over fading channels. In 5G NR (5th Generation New Radio) standards, LDPC (low-density parity-check) and polar channel codes are employed for data channels and control channels, respectively. If multiple interleavers are implemented separately for them, the cost increases significantly. To address this issue, a hardware multiplexing scheme for channel interleavers based on LDPC and polar codes is proposed in this paper. Firstly, the formulas for the processes of the control channel interleaving and data channel interleaving are derived with respect to 5G NR standard. Then, the hardware implementation structures of the two interleavers are given. Subsequently, hardware reuse is proposed by sharing the similar or identical parts between the two hardware structures. Simulation results verify the correctness of our proposed scheme and demonstrate that it can realize the hardware sharing of the two kinds of channel interleavers to reduce the cost of silicon

Acetylation-Dependent Regulation of Notch Signaling in Macrophages by SIRT1 Affects Sepsis Development

SIRT1 is reported to participate in macrophage differentiation and affect sepsis, and Notch signaling is widely reported to influence inflammation and macrophage activation. However, the specific mechanisms through which SIRT1 regulates sepsis and the relationship between SIRT1 and Notch signaling remain poorly elucidated. In this study, we found that SIRT1 levels were decreased in sepsis both in vitro and in vivo and that SIRT1 regulation of Notch signaling affected inflammation. In lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced sepsis, the levels of Notch signaling molecules, including Notch1, Notch2, Hes1, and intracellular domain of Notch (NICD), were increased. However, NICD could be deacetylated by SIRT1, and this led to the suppression of Notch signaling. Notably, in macrophages from myeloid-specific RBP-J−/− mice, in which Notch signaling is inhibited, pro-inflammatory cytokines were expressed at lower levels than in macrophages from wild-type littermates and in RBP-J−/− macrophages, and the NF-κB pathway was also inhibited. Accordingly, in the case of RBP-J−/− mice, LPS-induced inflammation and mortality were lower than in wild-type mice. Our results indicate that SIRT1 inhibits Notch signaling through NICD deacetylation and thus ultimately alleviates sepsis