Biao Huang

Jianwei Lin, Jiatai Lin, Cheng Lu et al.

Brain tumor segmentation (BTS) in magnetic resonance image (MRI) is crucial for brain tumor diagnosis, cancer management and research purposes. With the great success of the ten-year BraTS challenges as well as the advances of CNN and Transformer algorithms, a lot of outstanding BTS models have been proposed to tackle the difficulties of BTS in different technical aspects. However, existing studies hardly consider how to fuse the multi-modality images in a reasonable manner. In this paper, we leverage the clinical knowledge of how radiologists diagnose brain tumors from multiple MRI modalities and propose a clinical knowledge-driven brain tumor segmentation model, called CKD-TransBTS. Instead of directly concatenating all the modalities, we re-organize the input modalities by separating them into two groups according to the imaging principle of MRI. A dual-branch hybrid encoder with the proposed modality-correlated cross-attention block (MCCA) is designed to extract the multi-modality image features. The proposed model inherits the strengths from both Transformer and CNN with the local feature representation ability for precise lesion boundaries and long-range feature extraction for 3D volumetric images. To bridge the gap between Transformer and CNN features, we propose a Trans&CNN Feature Calibration block (TCFC) in the decoder. We compare the proposed model with five CNN-based models and six transformer-based models on the BraTS 2021 challenge dataset. Extensive experiments demonstrate that the proposed model achieves state-of-the-art brain tumor segmentation performance compared with all the competitors.

R. Bhushan Gopaluni, Aditya Tulsyan, Benoit Chachuat et al.

Over the last ten years, we have seen a significant increase in industrial data, tremendous improvement in computational power, and major theoretical advances in machine learning. This opens up an opportunity to use modern machine learning tools on large-scale nonlinear monitoring and control problems. This article provides a survey of recent results with applications in the process industry.

Yan Qin, Chau Yuen, Xunyuan Yin et al.

As a significant ingredient regarding health status, data-driven state-of-health (SOH) estimation has become dominant for lithium-ion batteries (LiBs). To handle data discrepancy across batteries, current SOH estimation models engage in transfer learning (TL), which reserves apriori knowledge gained through reusing partial structures of the offline trained model. However, multiple degradation patterns of a complete life cycle of a battery make it challenging to pursue TL. The concept of the stage is introduced to describe the collection of continuous cycles that present a similar degradation pattern. A transferable multi-stage SOH estimation model is proposed to perform TL across batteries in the same stage, consisting of four steps. First, with identified stage information, raw cycling data from the source battery are reconstructed into the phase space with high dimensions, exploring hidden dynamics with limited sensors. Next, domain invariant representation across cycles in each stage is proposed through cycling discrepancy subspace with reconstructed data. Third, considering the unbalanced discharge cycles among different stages, a switching estimation strategy composed of a lightweight model with the long short-term memory network and a powerful model with the proposed temporal capsule network is proposed to boost estimation accuracy. Lastly, an updating scheme compensates for estimation errors when the cycling consistency of target batteries drifts. The proposed method outperforms its competitive algorithms in various transfer tasks for a run-to-failure benchmark with three batteries.

Zhengjie Sun, Biao Huang, Xingping Sun

We develop and analyze a class of matrix-valued spherical-convolution kernels stemming from scaled zonal functions on $\mathbb{S}^2,$ the unit sphere embedded in $\mathbb{R}^3$. The construct of these kernels utilizes the Legendre differential equation and requires less stringent regularity conditions on the original zonal kernels. The induced integral operators are simple Fourier-Legendre multipliers that not only deliver optimal Sobolev error estimates (in terms of the scaling parameter) but also yield natural Helmholtz-Hodge decompositions on the $L_2$-tangential vector fields on $\mathbb{S}^2$. Via discretization of the underlying convolution integrals, we harvest a family of vector-valued quasi-interpolants that accomplish our approximation goal in the divergence/curl-free vector field. The quasi-interpolation algorithm is robust against noisy data. The implementation process is adaptive to human-improvision, involving neither evaluating the convolution integrals nor solving systems of linear equations. The computational efficiency and executory robustness of the quasi-interpolation algorithm stand in sharp contrast to the existing kernel-based vector field interpolation method.

Runze Lin, Yangyang Luo, Xialai Wu et al.

The Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) is widely used in industrial waste heat recovery due to its simple structure and easy maintenance. However, in the context of smart manufacturing in the process industry, traditional model-based optimization control methods are unable to adapt to the varying operating conditions of the ORC system or sudden changes in operating modes. Deep reinforcement learning (DRL) has significant advantages in situations with uncertainty as it directly achieves control objectives by interacting with the environment without requiring an explicit model of the controlled plant. Nevertheless, direct application of DRL to physical ORC systems presents unacceptable safety risks, and its generalization performance under model-plant mismatch is insufficient to support ORC control requirements. Therefore, this paper proposes a Sim2Real transfer learning-based DRL control method for ORC superheat control, which aims to provide a new simple, feasible, and user-friendly solution for energy system optimization control. Experimental results show that the proposed method greatly improves the training speed of DRL in ORC control problems and solves the generalization performance issue of the agent under multiple operating conditions through Sim2Real transfer.

Chenxi Lin, Weikang Yuan, Zhuoren Jiang et al.

Understanding human attitudes, preferences, and behaviors through social surveys is essential for academic research and policymaking. Yet traditional surveys face persistent challenges, including fixed-question formats, high costs, limited adaptability, and difficulties ensuring cross-cultural equivalence. While recent studies explore large language models (LLMs) to simulate survey responses, most are limited to structured questions, overlook the entire survey process, and risks under-representing marginalized groups due to training data biases. We introduce AlignSurvey, the first benchmark that systematically replicates and evaluates the full social survey pipeline using LLMs. It defines four tasks aligned with key survey stages: social role modeling, semi-structured interview modeling, attitude stance modeling and survey response modeling. It also provides task-specific evaluation metrics to assess alignment fidelity, consistency, and fairness at both individual and group levels, with a focus on demographic diversity. To support AlignSurvey, we construct a multi-tiered dataset architecture: (i) the Social Foundation Corpus, a cross-national resource with 44K+ interview dialogues and 400K+ structured survey records; and (ii) a suite of Entire-Pipeline Survey Datasets, including the expert-annotated AlignSurvey-Expert (ASE) and two nationally representative surveys for cross-cultural evaluation. We release the SurveyLM family, obtained through two-stage fine-tuning of open-source LLMs, and offer reference models for evaluating domain-specific alignment. All datasets, models, and tools are available at github and huggingface to support transparent and socially responsible research.

Yitao Yan, Shuangyu Han, Jie Bao et al.

In process operations, it is desirable to manage the sensitivity of the system output against external disturbance in the form of finite $\mathcal{L}_2$-gain stabilization. This matter is, however, nonsensical for stochastic systems because the stochastic uncertainties in the control input almost always lead to an unbounded $\mathcal{L}_2$ gain from the disturbance to the output. To address this issue, this article develops a novel concept that characterizes the $\mathcal{L}_2$ gain of stochastic systems in a probabilistic way. Combined with a large data set, we formulate a data-driven probabilistic finite $\mathcal{L}_2$-gain stabilization design using noisy trajectory measurements and the disturbance forecast that does not necessarily agree with the actual future disturbance. The design approach consists of a data-driven trajectory estimation algorithm, whose resulting estimation error covariance is nicely integrated into the feasibility conditions for controller synthesis, leading to a convex offline design in the form of linear matrix inequalities. The effectiveness of the proposed design, along with the additional insights provided by the approach, is illustrated via a numerical example.

Xiuli Zhu, Seshu Kumar Damarla, Biao Huang

Minimum miscibility pressure (MMP) prediction plays an important role in design and operation of nitrogen based enhanced oil recovery processes. In this work, a comparative study of statistical and machine learning methods used for MMP estimation is carried out. Most of the predictive models developed in this study exhibited superior performance over correlation and predictive models reported in literature.

Xiaoning Liu, Zongwei Wu, Florin-Alexandru Vasluianu et al.

This paper presents a comprehensive review of the NTIRE 2025 Low-Light Image Enhancement (LLIE) Challenge, highlighting the proposed solutions and final outcomes. The objective of the challenge is to identify effective networks capable of producing brighter, clearer, and visually compelling images under diverse and challenging conditions. A remarkable total of 762 participants registered for the competition, with 28 teams ultimately submitting valid entries. This paper thoroughly evaluates the state-of-the-art advancements in LLIE, showcasing the significant progress.

Runze Lin, Junghui Chen, Biao Huang et al.

In the era of Industry 4.0 and smart manufacturing, process systems engineering must adapt to digital transformation. While reinforcement learning offers a model-free approach to process control, its applications are limited by the dependence on accurate digital twins and well-designed reward functions. To address these limitations, this paper introduces a novel framework that integrates inverse reinforcement learning (IRL) with multi-task learning for data-driven, multi-mode control design. Using historical closed-loop data as expert demonstrations, IRL extracts optimal reward functions and control policies. A latent-context variable is incorporated to distinguish modes, enabling the training of mode-specific controllers. Case studies on a continuous stirred tank reactor and a fed-batch bioreactor validate the effectiveness of this framework in handling multi-mode data and training adaptable controllers.

Jiaqi Yue, Chunhui Zhao, Jiancheng Zhao et al.

Generalized zero-shot learning (GZSL) focuses on recognizing seen and unseen classes against domain shift problem where data of unseen classes may be misclassified as seen classes. However, existing GZSL is still limited to seen domains. In the current work, we study cross-domain GZSL (CDGZSL) which addresses GZSL towards unseen domains. Different from existing GZSL methods, CDGZSL constructs a common feature space across domains and acquires the corresponding intrinsic semantics shared among domains to transfer from seen to unseen domains. Considering the information asymmetry problem caused by redundant class semantics annotated with large language models (LLMs), we present Meta Domain Alignment Semantic Refinement (MDASR). Technically, MDASR consists of two parts: Inter-class similarity alignment, which eliminates the non-intrinsic semantics not shared across all domains under the guidance of inter-class feature relationships, and unseen-class meta generation, which preserves intrinsic semantics to maintain connectivity between seen and unseen classes by simulating feature generation. MDASR effectively aligns the redundant semantic space with the common feature space, mitigating the information asymmetry in CDGZSL. The effectiveness of MDASR is demonstrated on two datasets, Office-Home and Mini-DomainNet, and we have shared the LLM-based semantics for these datasets as a benchmark.

Nathan P. Lawrence, Seshu Kumar Damarla, Jong Woo Kim et al.

With the rise of deep learning, there has been renewed interest within the process industries to utilize data on large-scale nonlinear sensing and control problems. We identify key statistical and machine learning techniques that have seen practical success in the process industries. To do so, we start with hybrid modeling to provide a methodological framework underlying core application areas: soft sensing, process optimization, and control. Soft sensing contains a wealth of industrial applications of statistical and machine learning methods. We quantitatively identify research trends, allowing insight into the most successful techniques in practice. We consider two distinct flavors for data-driven optimization and control: hybrid modeling in conjunction with mathematical programming techniques and reinforcement learning. Throughout these application areas, we discuss their respective industrial requirements and challenges. A common challenge is the interpretability and efficiency of purely data-driven methods. This suggests a need to carefully balance deep learning techniques with domain knowledge. As a result, we highlight ways prior knowledge may be integrated into industrial machine learning applications. The treatment of methods, problems, and applications presented here is poised to inform and inspire practitioners and researchers to develop impactful data-driven sensing, optimization, and control solutions in the process industries.

Wenqing Li, Chunhui Zhao, Biao Huang

For large-scale industrial processes under closed-loop control, process dynamics directly resulting from control action are typical characteristics and may show different behaviors between real faults and normal changes of operating conditions. However, conventional distributed monitoring approaches do not consider the closed-loop control mechanism and only explore static characteristics, which thus are incapable of distinguishing between real process faults and nominal changes of operating conditions, leading to unnecessary alarms. In this regard, this paper proposes a distributed monitoring method for closed-loop industrial processes by concurrently exploring static and dynamic characteristics. First, the large-scale closed-loop process is decomposed into several subsystems by developing a sparse slow feature analysis (SSFA) algorithm which capture changes of both static and dynamic information. Second, distributed models are developed to separately capture static and dynamic characteristics from the local and global aspects. Based on the distributed monitoring system, a two-level monitoring strategy is proposed to check different influences on process characteristics resulting from changes of the operating conditions and control action, and thus the two changes can be well distinguished from each other. Case studies are conducted based on both benchmark data and real industrial process data to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.

Aditya Tulsyan, Biao Huang, R. Bhushan Gopaluni et al.

On-line estimation plays an important role in process control and monitoring. Obtaining a theoretical solution to the simultaneous state-parameter estimation problem for non-linear stochastic systems involves solving complex multi-dimensional integrals that are not amenable to analytical solution. While basic sequential Monte-Carlo (SMC) or particle filtering (PF) algorithms for simultaneous estimation exist, it is well recognized that there is a need for making these on-line algorithms non-degenerate, fast and applicable to processes with missing measurements. To overcome the deficiencies in traditional algorithms, this work proposes a Bayesian approach to on-line state and parameter estimation. Its extension to handle missing data in real-time is also provided. The simultaneous estimation is performed by filtering an extended vector of states and parameters using an adaptive sequential-importance-resampling (SIR) filter with a kernel density estimation method. The approach uses an on-line optimization algorithm based on Kullback-Leibler (KL) divergence to allow adaptation of the SIR filter for combined state-parameter estimation. An optimal tuning rule to control the width of the kernel and the variance of the artificial noise added to the parameters is also proposed. The approach is illustrated through numerical examples.