A simplified αβ based Gaussian sum filter

State estimation is a major problem in many fields, such as target tracking. For a linear Gaussian dynamic system, the KF provides the optimal state estimate, in the minimum mean square error sense. In general, however, real-world systems are governed by the presence of non-Gaussian noise and/or nonlinear systems. In this paper, the problem of state estimation in the case of a linear system affected by a non-Gaussian measurement noise is addressed. Based on the theoretical framework of the Gaussian sum filters (GSF), we propose a novel static version of this filter that uses the well known αβ filter. The simulation results show that the proposed filter has acceptable performances in terms of RMSE and a reduced computational load, compared to the classical GSF.     

Study of the effect of finned tube adsorber on the performance of solar driven adsorption cooling machine using activated carbon–ammonia pair

Solar refrigeration represents an important application of solar energy due to the excellent matching between the high sunshine and the refrigeration needs. Solar adsorption refrigeration devices are among the significant techniques used to meet the needs for cooling requirements. Several solar refrigeration systems have been proposed and are under development such as sorption systems including liquid/vapor, solid/vapor absorption, adsorption, vapor compression and others. The purpose of this paper is to identify the influence of a cylindrical adsorber on the performances of a solar adsorption refrigerating machine. The adsorber heated by solar energy contains an activated carbon–ammonia pair; it is composed by many cylindrical tubes welded using external fins. A model based on the conservation equations of energy and mass in the adsorber has been developed and well described. Using real solar irradiance data as well as many initial conditions, the model computes for each point and in the considered time interval during the day, the temperature, the adsorbed mass, the pressure inside the adsorber and the solar performance coefficient (COP). The results show that the optimal diameter of the adsorber with fins is greater than the one without fins. Moreover the mass cycled in the case of an adsorber equipped with external fins is more significant than the one without fins, and the maximal temperature reached in the adsorber with fins attains 97 °C while in the adsorber without fins reaches 77 °C. Thus, the performances of the solar adsorption refrigerating machine with an adsorber equipped with fins are higher than the machine without fins.     

Monthly and seasonal assessment of wind energy characteristics at four monitored locations in Liguria region (Italy)

The aim of this paper is to investigate the monthly and seasonal variation of the wind characteristics in term of wind energy potential using the wind speed data collected between 2002 and 2008 for four meteorological stations in Liguria region, in Northwest of Italy, namely Capo Vado, Casoni, Fontana Fresca and Monte Settepani. The results show that Capo Vado is the best site with a monthly mean wind speed between 2.80 and 9.98 m/s at a height of 10 m and a monthly wind power density between 90.71 and 1177.97 W/m², while the highest energy produced may be reached in December with a value of 3800 MWh. This study may provide information for developing wind energy sites and planning economical wind turbines capacity for the electricity production in Liguria region, as well as an example of how, deepening the analysis at monthly and seasonal scale, the characteristics of the sites might fall in quite different classes of power density.     

PRKAR1B-AS2 Long Noncoding RNA Promotes Tumorigenesis,Survival, and Chemoresistance via the PI3K/AKT/mTOR Pathway

Many long noncoding RNAs have been implicated in tumorigenesis and chemoresistance; however, the underlying mechanisms are not well understood. We investigated the role of PRKAR1B-AS2 long noncoding RNA in ovarian cancer (OC) and chemoresistance and identified potential downstream molecular circuitry underlying its action. Analysis of The Cancer Genome Atlas OC dataset, in vitro experiments, proteomic analysis, and a xenograft OC mouse model were implemented. Our findings indicated that overexpression of PRKAR1B-AS2 is negatively correlated with overall survival in OC patients. Furthermore, PRKAR1B-AS2 knockdown-attenuated proliferation, migration, and invasion of OC cells and ameliorated cisplatin and alpelisib resistance in vitro. In proteomic analysis, silencing PRKAR1B-AS2 markedly inhibited protein expression of PI3K-110α and abrogated the phosphorylation of PDK1, AKT, and mTOR, with no significant effect on PTEN. The RNA immunoprecipitation detected a physical interaction between PRKAR1B-AS2 and PI3K-110α. Moreover, PRKAR1B-AS2 knockdown by systemic administration of 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphatidylcholine nanoparticles loaded with PRKAR1B-AS2–specific small interfering RNA enhanced cisplatin sensitivity in a xenograft OC mouse model. In conclusion, PRKAR1B-AS2 promotes tumor growth and confers chemoresistance by modulating the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway. Thus, targeting PRKAR1B-AS2 may represent a novel therapeutic approach for the treatment of OC patients.     

Sustainability of a wind power plant: Application to different Moroccan sites

In this paper, three main steps allowing the definition of the sustainability of a wind power plant (WPP) are described in detail. The first step is to choose a site with a good wind potential. In this respect, two approaches have been introduced: traditional wind statistical estimations based on the identification of the Weibull probability density function on specific sites; and an innovative Kriging approach based on artificial neural networks to reconstruct the profile of the mean wind speed of the territory. In the second step, given technical details, the energetic sustainability of a WPP installation is assessed according to a model computing the wind energy production per year, as well as the details of its efficiency. Finally, as third step, a cost/benefit evaluation on the overall reduction in CO₂ emissions with respect to traditional fossil fuel energy plants is reported. From a wind speed characterisation viewpoint, the case study is referred to the overall Moroccan territory. From a WPP model viewpoint, the case study is referred to the installation of a specific WPP, which would allow the production of more than 2 GWh per year in the south Atlantic coast and of nearly 1 GWh per year in the Mediterranean coast in the neighbourhood of Tangier.     

Energetic performances of a refrigerating loop using ice slurry

The consideration of environmental constraints in production, transport and distribution of cold energy resulted in reconsidering the practices of installations dimensioning in particular. Their containment led to the development of secondary refrigerants such as ice slurries to store, transport and distribute the cold energy. These heat transfer fluids should have good thermophysical properties, giving high transport capability, high heat transfer ability as well as low pressure drops. The use of ice slurries can lead to lower flow rates and smaller pumping power compared to single phase fluid. The purpose of the presented work is to study the distribution network of indirect cold systems thanks to a model allowing the evaluation of the influence of various parameters on the operating behaviour of the installation. The available domain for the use of secondary heat transfer fluid (whether in their single phase or two phase form) is determined considering the best design from an energetic point of view. Because of the essential role of the fluid distribution between the production site and consumers, we focus our study on pressure drops and pumping power due to the fluid flow in cooling loops. For each investigated case, the minimum consumption power is obtained with the two phases (solid–liquid) heat transfer fluid (ice slurry).     

Stability analysis of delayed fuzzy Cohen-Grossberg neural networks with discontinuous activations

In this article, we investigate the dynamical behavior of a class of delayed fuzzy Cohen-Grossberg neural networks (FCGNNs) with discontinuous activation functions subject to time delays and fuzzy terms. By using the inequality analysis technique and the M-matrix theory, sufficient and proper conditions are given in order to establish the existence, convergence, and global exponential stability of equilibrium point of the system. In particular, we discuss the impact of discontinuous neuron activations on the existence and exponential stability of equilibrium point for FCGNNs. Two numerical examples are provided to substantiate the theoretical results.     

Towards the Development of Realistic DoS Dataset for Intelligent Transportation Systems

Wireless Personal Communications - Vehicular ad-hoc networks (VANETs) present security vulnerabilities, which make them prone to diverse cyberattacks. Denial of Service (DoS) is one of the most...