Real-world single image super-resolution: A brief review

Single image super-resolution (SISR), which aims to reconstruct a high-resolution (HR) image from a low-resolution (LR) observation, has been an active research topic in the area of image processing in recent decades. Particularly, deep learning-based super-resolution (SR) approaches have drawn much attention and have greatly improved the reconstruction performance on synthetic data. However, recent studies show that simulation results on synthetic data usually overestimate the capacity to super-resolve real-world images. In this context, more and more researchers devote themselves to develop SR approaches for realistic images. This article aims to make a comprehensive review on real-world single image super-resolution (RSISR). More specifically, this review covers the critical publicly available datasets and assessment metrics for RSISR, and four major categories of RSISR methods, namely the degradation modeling-based RSISR, image pairs-based RSISR, domain translation-based RSISR, and self-learning-based RSISR. Comparisons are also made among representative RSISR methods on benchmark datasets, in terms of both reconstruction quality and computational efficiency. Besides, we discuss challenges and promising research topics on RSISR.     

Adding new floors to old timber-framed buildings: An assessment of demolished and preserved courtyard houses in the historic centre of Madrid

The constructive analysis of Madrid's old timber-framed collective courtyard buildings, whether demolished, preserved intact, or enlarged, has achieved the dating of relevant case studies. New parameters established in this study set a chronology based on front sector original projects: old (1737–1788), pre-modern (1788–1847) and modern (1847–1892). The on-site inspection and archival research point to ongoing misleading construction in the historic Southern area. Some modern corralas erected on top of pre-existing buildings confirm the initial hypothesis. First dimensioning rules for new façades and the stability required in old ones before adding new storeys, maintaining the original masonry or double-layered system, are discovered. Undated buildings suggest their possible origin a la malicia and a later transformation into transitional corralas. Finally, an analysis of the demolished courtyards narrows down the dating and points to new conjectures in some preserved by showing their uneven layout, old features, and structural discordances in each sector.     

Evaluation of the environmental impact assessment (EIA) of Chinese EIA in Myanmar: Myitsone Dam,the Lappadaung Copper Mine and the Sino-Myanmar oil and gas pipelines

The economic relationship between China and Myanmar is regarded as a win–win cooperation. However, Chinese investments, especially in extractive and natural resource sectors, are associated with a number of unwanted environmental consequences. Moreover, the environmental impact assessment (EIA) quality of Chinese enterprises has often been criticized. EIA identifies adverse impacts to the environment through evidence-based decision making. On this basis, this paper provides an evaluation of Chinese EIA performance within the natural resources sector through a structured review of 15 environmental impact statements (EISs). This research also evaluates the EISs of the three largest and most controversial projects, the Myitsone Hydropower Dam, Lappadaung Copper Mine and Sino-Myanmar oil and gas pipelines. The findings reveal several omissions, inadequacies and deficiencies in all the projects with a significant number of EISs falling short of satisfactory quality. Through the analysis, the paper summarizes the factors affecting the EIA performance and proposes feasible recommendations to improve EIA practices in Chinese development projects in Myanmar.     

A PV installation framework concerning electricity variable rates

This paper assesses building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) installation parameters based on the profit generated by a photovoltaic system. It takes into consideration a home building case study and it investigates its monthly energy demand based on a specific location and a typical occupancy. The capability of a photovoltaic (PV) system to generate more profit occurs when solar intensity is maximum while the electric energy price is at its highest rate. The paper traces a framework that encompasses different aspects such as energy demand, energy price, and solar intensity. This framework identifies profit alternatives according to different installation parameters. A tool that predicts a PV installation hourly electric energy production is developed. The profit generated is simulated for home buildings located in Beirut (Lebanon) and Xihua (China), both at 33.8° latitude north. The paper highlights a new approach for BIPV installations, taking into account weather conditions, energy demand, and electric energy utility rates.     

Comparison of OWAS,RULA and REBA for assessing potential work-related musculoskeletal disorders

This study compared three representative observational methods for assessing musculoskeletal loadings: Ovako Working Posture Analysis System (OWAS), Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA), and Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA). The comparison was based on 209 cases of upper-body musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) diagnosed by medical doctors. The most awkward/stressful posture in each participant's tasks was assessed using these techniques. Postural loadings were rated more highly by the RULA than by the OWAS and REBA (p < 0.01). The chi-square test and logistic regression analysis showed that only RULA grand score and action level, and REBA action level were associated with MSD work-relatedness (p < 0.01, p < 0.05, and p < 0.05, respectively). The percentage concordant values of the logistic model for the RULA grand score and action level were 52.4% and 44.8%, respectively, while the percentage concordant value for the REBA action level was 22.1%. Therefore, the RULA may be the best system for estimating the postural loads and work-relatedness of MSDs.Relevance to industryWork-related musculoskeletal disorders are the leading cause of workplace disability in the developed countries. For preventing the disorders, quantification of musculoskeletal loads is required.     

Ergonomic postural assessment using a new open-source human pose estimation technology (OpenPose)

Observational ergonomic postural assessment methods have been commonly used to evaluate the risks of musculoskeletal disorders. Researchers have proposed semi-automatic methods using Kinect, known for limitations with body occlusions and non-frontal tracking. Meanwhile, new human pose estimation methods have been actively developed, and a popular open-source technology is OpenPose. This study aims to propose the OpenPose-based system for computing joint angles and RULA/REBA scores and validate against the reference motion capture system, and compare its performance to the Kinect-based system. Recordings of 10 participants performing 12 experimental tasks under different conditions: with/without body occlusions and tracked from frontal/non-frontal views were analyzed. OpenPose showed good performance under all task conditions, whereas Kinect performed significantly worse than OpenPose especially at cases with body occlusions or non-frontal tracking. The findings suggested that OpenPose could be a promising technology to measure joint angles and conduct semi-automatic ergonomic postural assessments in the real workspace where the conditions are often non-ideal.     

An investigation on machinability assessment of Al-6XN and AISI 316 alloys: an assessment study of machining

This work presents machinability assessment of AL-6XN super austenitic stainless steel alloy. Cutting forces, surface roughness, work hardening tendency and tool wear were analyzed. The assessment was conducted based on a comparison between the AL-6XN alloy and the well-known alloy in the machining field AISI 316. Finite element analysis (FEA) study was also conducted and used in this assessment. Experimental results showed maximum increase of 70% and 57% in the feed and normal forces of the AL-6XN alloy, respectively. Maximum increase in the work hardening tendency of 59% was recorded for the AL-6XN alloy while only 29% was recorded for the 316 alloy. The roughness analysis recorded an increase of 186% for the AL-6XN alloy compared to the 316 alloy. Tool wear analysis revealed the build-up edge formation, severe chipping, flank and crater wear (CW) during cutting AL-6XN alloy whereas small chipping, flank and CW were noticed during cutting 316 alloy. FEA study showed when the AL-6XN alloy machined using 65 and 94?m/min cutting speeds, the increases (compared to the 316 alloy) were: 12% and 8% in plastic strain; 20% and 20% in stresses; 48% and 100% in residual tensile stresses; 22% and 92% in residual compressive stresses, respectively.     

OEM汽车涂装车间技术的环境生命周期评价（一）

生命周期评价（LCA）是一种评价产品系统的环境影响和环境权衡的标准化方法。伊士曼化工公司完成了一项＂从涂料到成品车涂装＂的LCA研究,在该研究中,比较了5种有代表性的OEM汽车涂装车间工艺配置的温室气体（GHG）影响和挥发性有机化合物（VOC）排放性能。涂装车间数据由IHS提供。这些工艺配置包括：1）三涂两烘（3C2B）水性（WB）底色漆和1K罩光清漆;2）3C2B WB底色漆和2K罩光清漆;3）3C2B低固含溶剂型底色漆和1K罩光清漆;4）三涂一烘（3C1B）高固含溶剂型底色漆和1K罩光清漆;5）3C1B WB底色漆和1K罩光清漆。本研究的目标是通过比较通用工艺技术类别来帮助理解差异和制定决策。本研究的结论是,3C1B高固含溶剂型工艺可以实现最低的GHG释放量,同时达到欧洲现行的VOC排放限值35 g/m2。但是,如果世界上某些地区的OEM选择不采用VOC减排技术,那么为了达到排放限值35g/m2,需要采用WB技术。这项LCA研究表明,高固含溶剂型技术是对环境影响最小,有利于可持续性发展的技术,建议政策制定者和利益相关者予以考虑。     

甘肃敦煌雅丹国家地质公园总体规划

总体规划充分尊重地质演化的自然特征和属性,综合科普教育和旅游观光的要求,进行合理布局.对于未来公园建设中可能出现的不利因素也进行了分析,并提出对策.对于如何发展敦煌的区域旅游提出了合理的建议.