Lane Change Intent Analysis Using Robust Operators and Sparse Bayesian Learning

In this paper, we demonstrate a driver intent inference system that is based on lane positional information, vehicle parameters, and driver head motion. We present robust computer vision methods for identifying and tracking freeway lanes and driver head motion. These algorithms are then applied and evaluated on real-world data that are collected in a modular intelligent vehicle test bed. Analysis of the data for lane change intent is performed using a sparse Bayesian learning methodology. Finally, the system as a whole is evaluated using a novel metric and real-world data of vehicle parameters, lane position, and driver head motion.     

Stability of columns subjected to a uniformly distributed load with one end elastically restrained to move axially

The stability behaviour of columns, subjected to a uniformly distributed axial load and with one end elastically restrained to move axially, is studied in this paper. The elastic axial restraint is represented by means of an axial spring. The finite element formulation, including prebuckling load analysis and stability analysis, is briefly described. Numerical results in terms of stability parameter for various values of axial spring stiffness parameter for four types of boundary conditions are obtained. Stability mode shapes for three specific values of axial spring stiffness parameter are given.     

An eco‐efficient rationalized leather process

BACKGROUND: The leather industry is under pressure to develop environmentally efficient leather‐making processes to comply with modern pollution and discharge legislation. Conventional leather‐processing methods are known to contribute significant pollution loads in tannery wastewaters. The rationalized process described here involves a salt‐free curing, lime and sulfide‐free beamhouse process and post‐tanning followed by tanning employing a reverse leather‐processing technique. RESULTS: Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis substantiated that the grain surface, fibre separation and tight packing of fibres are similar for leathers from conventional and rationalized processes. The functional performance of the leathers is found to be on par with that of conventionally processed leathers. The rationalized leather process reduces the usage and discharge of chemicals by 68% and 82%, respectively. It also enjoys the reduction in biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand, Cl^?, SO₄^2? and total solids loads by 58%, 62%, 95%, 66% and 85%, respectively. The rationalized process also results in reduction of water consumption and discharge and energy by 37%, 37% and 38%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The rationalized process utilizes resources efficiently with reduced environmental impact without compromising leather qualities and can be seen as being eco‐efficient compared to the conventional leather process. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry     

Condensation of vertical plate fins of variable cross section-limiting solutions

The purpose of the present theoretical analysis is to provide explicit solutions for the problem of condensation of vapours on the lateral surface of a long vertical plate fin of variable cross-section. The formulation yields solutions to the Limiting cases so that the results can be employed in the design of the condenser section of a flat plate heat pipe in which the fin is considered to be an essential element in transporting heat liberated by the condensing vapours. It is observed that the local and average Nusselt numbers depend on fin parameter, fin profile index, Rayleigh number and degree of subcooling.     

A new empirical distribution for the uncertainty analysis of the top event of a fault tree

A new empirical statistical distribution is reported, which describes the probability distribution of the unavailability Q_TOP for the top event of a fault tree. The distribution can be fitted using linear regression analysis. Investigations into the fit of the new distribution are reported, and as specific examples, two fault trees described in Reactor Safety Study are studied. The proposed distribution fits very well in both the cases, as shown by the χ² test. For comparison, Johnson's S_L and S_B distributions, the log-normal distribution and the hybrid log-normal distribution are fitted to the same fault trees using the exact regression analysis method. Johnson's S_B distribution cannot be fitted in the case of one of the fault trees as the necessary iterative process does not converge. For the other fault tree, the S_B distribution fits very well. Johnson's S_L distribution, the log-normal distribution and the hybrid log-normal distribution do not fit as well as the distribution proposed here and the χ² test failed. Also, Johnson's distributions require the use of either an approximate method, involving a number of trials and errors, or non-linear regression analysis for fitting. The proposed distribution can, on the other hand, be fitted exactly using linear regression analysis and is, therefore, no more difficult to fit than the log-normal distribution. It is therefore concluded that the proposed distribution is most suited to describe the probability distribution of the unavailability for the top event of fault tree. Its suitability as a substitute for Johnson's distributions is also investigated. As specific examples, two statistical distributions in a text-book, for which fitting of Johnson's distributions has been suggested, are studied. The proposed distribution fits very well, as shown by the χ² test. The proposed distribution is thus a good substitute for Johnson's S_B distribution.     

Upper bound on the number of equivalent oscillator-notch filter circuits: A group theoretic approach

It is shown that the problem of synthesizing RC oscillators and notch filters can be reduced to a group theoretic problem of finding isomorphisms. the required group is identified as the Klein group. From this it is also shown that there is a sharp upper bound on the number of new circuits that can be generated from the knowledge of a parent circuit. This bound is independent of the number of branches and internal nodes.