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Natural gas storage is an effective solution to address the energy supply–demand imbalance, and underground gas storage (UGS) is a primary method for storing natural gas. The overarching goal of this study is to monitor and analyze surface deformation at the Hutubi underground gas storage facility in Xinjiang, China, which is the largest gas storage facility in the country. This research aims to ensure the stable and efficient operation of the facility through long-term monitoring, using remote sensing data and advanced modeling techniques. The study employs the SBAS-InSAR method, leveraging Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data from the TerraSAR and Sentinel-1 sensors to observe displacement time series from 2013 to 2024. The data is processed through wavelet transformation for denoising, followed by the application of a Gray Wolf Optimization (GWO) algorithm combined with Variational Mode Decomposition (VMD) to decompose both surface deformation and gas pressure data. The key focus is the development of a high-precision predictive model using a Gated Recurrent Unit (GRU) network, referred to as GWO-VMD-GRU, to accurately predict surface deformation. The results show periodic surface uplift and subsidence at the facility, with a notable net uplift. During the period from August 2013 to March 2015, the maximum uplift rate was 6 mm/year, while from January 2015 to December 2024, it increased to 12 mm/year. The surface deformation correlates with gas injection and extraction periods, indicating periodic variations. The accuracy of the InSAR-derived displacement data is validated through high-precision GNSS data. The GWO-VMD-GRU model demonstrates strong predictive performance with a coefficient of determination (R²) greater than 0.98 for the gas well test points. This study provides a valuable reference for the future safe operation and management of underground gas storage facilities, demonstrating significant contributions to both scientific understanding and practical applications in underground gas storage management. Full article

Surface, terrain, or even atmosphere analysis using images or their fragments is important due to the possibilities of further processing. In particular, attention is necessary for satellite and/or drone images. Analyzing image elements by classifying the given classes is important for obtaining information about space for autonomous systems, identifying landscape elements, or monitoring and maintaining the infrastructure and environment. Hence, in this paper, we propose a neural classifier architecture that analyzes different features by the parallel processing of information in the network and combines them with a feature fusion mechanism. The neural architecture model takes into account different types of features by extracting them by focusing on spatial, local patterns and multi-scale representation. In addition, the classifier is guided by an attention mechanism for focusing more on different channels, spatial information, and even feature pyramid mechanisms. Atrous convolutional operators were also used in such an architecture as better context feature extractors. The proposed classifier architecture is the main element of the modeled framework for satellite data analysis, which is based on the possibility of training depending on the client’s desire. The proposed methodology was evaluated on three publicly available classification datasets for remote sensing: satellite images, Visual Terrain Recognition, and USTC SmokeRS, where the proposed model achieved accuracy scores of 97.8%, 100.0%, and 92.4%, respectively. The obtained results indicate the effectiveness of the proposed attention mechanisms across different remote sensing challenges. Full article

Land–sea segmentation is a fundamental task in remote sensing image analysis, and plays a vital role in dynamic coastline monitoring. The complex morphology and blurred boundaries of coastlines in remote sensing imagery make fast and accurate segmentation challenging. Recent deep learning approaches lack the ability to model spatial continuity effectively, thereby limiting a comprehensive understanding of coastline features in remote sensing imagery. To address this issue, we have developed VMMT-Net, a novel dual-branch semantic segmentation framework. By constructing a parallel heterogeneous dual-branch encoder, VMMT-Net integrates the complementary strengths of the Mix Transformer and the Visual State Space Model, enabling comprehensive modeling of local details, global semantics, and spatial continuity. We design a Cross-Branch Fusion Module to facilitate deep feature interaction and collaborative representation across branches, and implement a customized decoder module that enhances the integration of multiscale features and improves boundary refinement of coastlines. Extensive experiments conducted on two benchmark remote sensing datasets, GF-HNCD and BSD, demonstrate that the proposed VMMT-Net outperforms existing state-of-the-art methods in both quantitative metrics and visual quality. Specifically, the model achieves mean F1-scores of 98.48% (GF-HNCD) and 98.53% (BSD) and mean intersection-over-union values of 97.02% (GF-HNCD) and 97.11% (BSD). The model maintains reasonable computational complexity, with only 28.24 M parameters and 25.21 GFLOPs, striking a favorable balance between accuracy and efficiency. These results indicate the strong generalization ability and practical applicability of VMMT-Net in real-world remote sensing segmentation tasks. Full article

Most existing cloud base height (CBH) retrieval algorithms are only applicable for daytime satellite observations due to their dependence on visible observations. This study presents a novel algorithm to retrieve day and night CBH using infrared observations of the geostationary Advanced Himawari Imager (AHI). The algorithm is featured by integrating deep learning techniques with a physical model. The algorithm first utilizes a convolutional neural network-based model to extract cloud top height (CTH) and cloud water path (CWP) from the AHI infrared observations. Then, a physical model is introduced to relate cloud geometric thickness (CGT) to CWP by constructing a look-up table of effective cloud water content (ECWC). Thus, the CBH can be obtained by subtracting CGT from CTH. The results demonstrate good agreement between our AHI CBH retrievals and the spaceborne active remote sensing measurements, with a mean bias of −0.14 ± 1.26 km for CloudSat-CALIPSO observations at daytime and −0.35 ± 1.84 km for EarthCARE measurements at nighttime. Additional validation against ground-based millimeter wave cloud radar (MMCR) measurements further confirms the effectiveness and reliability of the proposed algorithm across varying atmospheric conditions and temporal scales. Full article

This study develops a deep learning procedure able to identify a planar coil geometry, given the desired magnetic field map. This approach demonstrates its capability to discover suitable coil designs that produce desired field characteristics with high accuracy and efficiency. The generated coils show strong agreement with target magnetic fields, enabling manufacturers to achieve simpler structures and improved performance. This method is suitable for inductive proximity sensors, wireless power transfer systems, and electromagnetic compatibility applications, offering a powerful and flexible tool for advanced planar coil design. Full article

Compared to other multi-source image fusion tasks, visible and SAR image fusion faces a lack of training data in deep learning-based methods. Introducing structural priors to design fusion networks is a viable solution. We incorporated the feature hierarchy concept from computer vision, dividing deep features into low-, mid-, and high-level tiers. Based on the complementary modal characteristics of SAR and visible, we designed a fusion architecture that fully analyze and utilize the difference of hierarchical features. Specifically, our framework has two stages. In the cross-modal enhancement stage, a CycleGAN generator-based method for cross-modal interaction and input data enhancement is employed to generate pseudo-modal images. In the fusion stage, we have three innovations: (1) We designed feature extraction branches and fusion strategies differently for each level based on the features of different levels and the complementary modal features of SAR and visible to fully utilize cross-modal complementary features. (2) We proposed the Layered Strictly Nested Framework (LSNF), which emphasizes hierarchical differences and uses hierarchical characteristics, to reduce feature redundancy. (3) Based on visual saliency theory, we proposed a Gradient-weighted Pixel Loss (GWPL), which dynamically assigns higher weights to regions with significant gradient magnitudes, emphasizing high-frequency detail preservation during fusion. Experiments on the YYX-OPT-SAR and WHU-OPT-SAR datasets show that our method outperforms 11 state-of-the-art methods. Ablation studies confirm each component’s contribution. This framework effectively meets remote sensing applications’ high-precision image fusion needs. Full article

Wireless sensor network data is an important source of big data. A sensor node cooperatively transmits or forwards data through intermediate nodes to a collection center, which is then aggregated for big data analysis and application. The relay selection algorithm selects the best transmissible node among the candidate nodes to fully exploit the limited resources of the sense nodes and extend the network lifecycle. A wireless sensor network relay selection algorithm based on a fuzzy inference system often uses sorting methods or random methods as the selection mechanism to choose when the fuzzy system outputs the same result. However, in the state of communication, networks often face the retransmission of lost packets, which consumes excess electricity. This study proposes a contraindicated safety selection mechanism algorithm to address equal output values in fuzzy systems. The proposed algorithm effectively reduces the retransmission probability to achieve benefits that isolate destructive or malicious nodes, thereby maintaining a higher network lifespan and safety. Full article

The remote sensing monitoring of land use changes and future scenario simulation hold crucial significance for accurately characterizing urban expansion patterns, optimizing urban land use configurations, and thereby promoting coordinated regional development. Through the integration of multi-source data, this study systematically analyzes the spatiotemporal trajectories and driving forces of land use changes in the Pearl River Delta urban agglomeration (PRD) from 1990 to 2020 and further simulates the spatial patterns of urban land use under diverse development scenarios from 2025 to 2035. The results indicate the following: (1) During 1990–2020, urban expansion in the Pearl River Delta urban agglomeration exhibited a “stepwise growth” pattern, with an annual expansion rate of 3.7%. Regional land use remained dominated by forest (accounting for over 50%), while construction land surged from 6.5% to 21.8% of total land cover. The gravity center trajectory shifted southeastward. Concurrently, cropland fragmentation has intensified, accompanied by deteriorating connectivity of ecological lands. (2) Urban expansion in the PRD arises from synergistic interactions between natural and socioeconomic drivers. The Geographically and Temporally Weighted Regression (GTWR) model revealed that natural constraints—elevation (regression coefficients ranging −0.35 to −0.05) and river network density (−0.47 to −0.15)—exhibited significant spatial heterogeneity. Socioeconomic drivers dominated by year-end paved road area (0.26–0.28) and foreign direct investment (0.03–0.11) emerged as core expansion catalysts. Geographic detector analysis demonstrated pronounced interaction effects: all factor pairs exhibited either two-factor enhancement or nonlinear enhancement effects, with interaction explanatory power surpassing individual factors. (3) Validation of the Patch-generating Land Use Simulation (PLUS) model showed high reliability (Kappa coefficient = 0.9205, overall accuracy = 95.9%). Under the Natural Development Scenario, construction land would exceed the ecological security baseline, causing 408.60 km² of ecological space loss; Under the Ecological Protection Scenario, mandatory control boundaries could reduce cropland and forest loss by 3.04%, albeit with unused land development intensity rising to 24.09%; Under the Economic Development Scenario, cross-city contiguous development zones along the Pearl River Estuary would emerge, with land development intensity peaking in Guangzhou–Foshan and Shenzhen–Dongguan border areas. This study deciphers the spatiotemporal dynamics, driving mechanisms, and scenario outcomes of urban agglomeration expansion, providing critical insights for formulating regionally differentiated policies. Full article

Research on semantic segmentation for remote sensing road scenes advanced significantly, driven by autonomous driving technology. However, motion blur from camera or subject movements hampers segmentation performance. To address this issue, we propose a knowledge distillation-based semantic segmentation network (KDS-Net) that is robust to motion blur, eliminating the need for image restoration networks. KDS-Net leverages innovative knowledge distillation techniques and edge-enhanced segmentation loss to refine edge regions and improve segmentation precision across various receptive fields. To enhance the interpretability of segmentation quality under motion blur, we incorporate fractal dimension estimation to quantify the geometric complexity of class-specific regions, allowing for a structural assessment of predictions generated by the proposed knowledge distillation framework for autonomous driving. Experiments on well-known motion-blurred remote sensing road scene datasets (CamVid and KITTI) demonstrate mean IoU scores of 72.42% and 59.29%, respectively, surpassing state-of-the-art methods. Additionally, the lightweight KDS-Net (21.44 M parameters) enables real-time edge computing, mitigating data privacy concerns and communication overheads in internet of vehicles scenarios. Full article

Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) is an essential technique for continuously assessing structural conditions using integrated sensor systems during operation. SHM technologies have evolved to address the increasing demand for efficient maintenance strategies in advanced engineering fields, such as civil infrastructure, aerospace, and transportation. However, developing a miniaturized, cost-effective, and multi-sensor solution based on Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) remains a significant challenge, particularly for SHM applications in weight-sensitive aerospace structures. To address this, the present study introduces a novel WSN-based Multi-Sensor System (MSS) that integrates multiple sensing capabilities onto a 3 × 3 cm flexible Printed Circuit Board (PCB). The proposed system combines a Piezoelectric Transducer (PZT) for impact detection; a strain gauge for mechanical deformation monitoring; an accelerometer for capturing dynamic responses; and an environmental sensor measuring temperature, pressure, and humidity. This high level of functional integration, combined with real-time Data Acquisition (DAQ) and precise time synchronization via Bluetooth Low Energy (LE), distinguishes the proposed MSS from conventional SHM systems, which are typically constrained by bulky hardware, single sensing modalities, or dependence on wired communication. Experimental evaluations on composite panels and aluminum specimens demonstrate reliable high-fidelity recording of PZT signals, strain variations, and acceleration responses, matching the performance of commercial instruments. The proposed system offers a low-power, lightweight, and scalable platform, demonstrating strong potential for on-board SHM in aircraft applications. Full article

Understanding remote sensing imagery is vital for object observation and planning. However, the acquisition of optical images is inevitably affected by shadows and occlusions, resulting in local discrepancies in object representation. To address these challenges, this paper proposes AFNE-Net, a general network architecture for remote sensing image segmentation. First, the model introduces an attention-based feature fusion module. Through the use of weighted fusion of multi-resolution features, this effectively expands the receptive field and enhances semantic associations between categories. Subsequently, a feature enhancement module based on the consistency of neighborhood semantic representation is introduced. This aims to improve the feature representation and reduce segmentation errors caused by local perturbations. Finally, evaluations are conducted on the ISPRS Potsdam, UAVid, and LoveDA datasets to verify the effectiveness of the proposed model. Full article

The multi-scale characteristics of remote sensing imagery have an inherent correspondence with the hierarchical structure of land cover classification systems, providing a theoretical foundation for multi-level land cover classification. However, most existing methods treat classification tasks at different semantic levels as independent processes, overlooking the semantic relationships among these levels, which leads to semantic inconsistencies and structural conflicts in classification results. We addressed this issue with a deep multi-task learning (MTL) framework, named MTL-SCH, which enables collaborative classification across multiple semantic levels. MTL-SCH employs a shared encoder combined with a feature cascade mechanism to boost information sharing and collaborative optimization between two levels. A hierarchical loss function is also embedded that explicitly models the semantic dependencies between levels, enhancing semantic consistency across levels. Two new evaluation metrics, namely Semantic Alignment Deviation (SAD) and Enhancing Semantic Alignment Deviation (ESAD), are also proposed to quantify the improvement of MTL-SCH in semantic consistency. In the experimental section, MTL-SCH is applied to different network models, including CNN, Transformer, and CNN-Transformer models. The results indicate that MTL-SCH improves classification accuracy in coarse- and fine-level segmentation tasks, significantly enhancing semantic consistency across levels and outperforming traditional flat segmentation methods. Full article

The sustainable development of eco-tourism is significantly influenced by multiple conditions within spatiotemporally continuous geographic scenarios. However, existing evaluations of the development value of eco-tourism resources (Eco-TRDVs) are non-spatial and do not sensitively represent their complex relationships. This study proposed a GIS approach for evaluating regional Eco-TRDVs by mapping the complex interconnections with spatial distances. Inherent and external conditions for evaluating Eco-TRDVs were classified under three indicators and digitized using GIS and remote sensing technologies. Then, the analytic hierarchy process and GIS cost distance analysis were introduced to define the initial values and cumulate Eco-TRDVs with distances. Taking the Taihang Honggu National Forest Park, China, as the case area, the Eco-TRDVs over the entire area in 2017 and 2020 were mapped. The results present a continuous spatial variability of Eco-TRDVs and comprehensively reflect the complex interconnections of constraint elements with spatial distances. The evaluation is sensitive to the intrinsic value of poles, as evidenced by the high development values and high-density distribution of their contours. Source additions improve the evaluation considerably, with transportation networks having a greater impact than economic development zones and urban elements. Furthermore, aggravated fragmentation of the price flow field increases spatial heterogeneity. The development value shows a negative linear correlation with distance. The proposed approach handles the spatially oriented relationships of the multi-conditions, and supports future planning and monitoring of spatial-temporal changes in eco-tourism development. Full article

Due to the limitations of the sowing machine performance and rice seed germination rates, missing seedlings inevitably occur after rice is sown in large fields. This phenomenon has a direct impact on the rice yield. In the field environment, the existing methods for detecting missing seedlings based on unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) remote sensing images often have unsatisfactory effects. Therefore, to enable the fast and accurate detection of missing rice seedlings and facilitate subsequent reseeding, this study proposes a UAV remote-sensing-based method for detecting missing rice seedlings in large fields. The proposed method uses an improved PCERT-DETR model to detect rice seedlings and missing seedlings in UAV remote sensing images of large fields. The experimental results show that PCERT-DETR achieves an optimal performance on the self-constructed dataset, with an mean average precision (mAP) of 81.2%, precision (P) of 82.8%, recall (R) of 78.3%, and F₁-score (F₁) of 80.5%. The model’s parameter count is only 21.4 M and its FLOPs reach 66.6 G, meeting real-time detection requirements. Compared to the baseline network models, PCERT-DETR improves the P, R, F₁, and mAP by 15.0, 1.2, 8.5, and 6.8 percentage points, respectively. Furthermore, the performance evaluation experiments were carried out through ablation experiments, comparative detection model experiments and heat map visualization analysis, indicating that the model has a strong detection performance on the test set. The results confirm that the proposed model can accurately detect the number of missing rice seedlings. This study provides accurate information on the number of missing seedlings for subsequent reseeding operations, thus contributing to the improvement of precision farming practices. Full article

Canopy gaps are vital microhabitats for forest carbon cycling and species regeneration, whose accurate extraction is crucial for ecological modeling and smart forestry. However, traditional monitoring methods have notable limitations: ground-based measurements are inefficient; remote-sensing interpretation is susceptible to terrain and spectral interference; and traditional algorithms exhibit an insufficient feature representation capability. Aiming at overcoming the bottleneck issues of canopy gap identification in mountainous forest regions, we constructed a multi-task deep learning model (ES-Net) integrating an edge–semantic collaborative perception mechanism. First, a refined sample library containing multi-scale interference features was constructed, which included 2808 annotated UAV images. Based on this, a dual-branch feature interaction architecture was designed. A cross-layer attention mechanism was embedded in the semantic segmentation module (SSM) to enhance the discriminative ability for heterogeneous features. Meanwhile, an edge detection module (EDM) was built to strengthen geometric constraints. Results from selected areas in Yunnan Province (China) demonstrate that ES-Net outperforms U-Net, boosting the Intersection over Union (IoU) by 0.86% (95.41% vs. 94.55%), improving the edge coverage rate by 3.14% (85.32% vs. 82.18%), and reducing the Hausdorff Distance by 38.6% (28.26 pixels vs. 46.02 pixels). Ablation studies further verify that the synergy between SSM and EDM yields a 13.0% IoU gain over the baseline, highlighting the effectiveness of joint semantic–edge optimization. This study provides a terrain-adaptive intelligent interpretation method for forest disturbance monitoring and holds significant practical value for advancing smart forestry construction and ecosystem sustainable management. Full article