VAE/MPM/GA Technique for DoA Estimation Using Optimized Antenna Arrays

Many algorithms have been proposed to estimate the direction of arrival for the targets, but through using a large number of snapshots. In real time applications such as automotive radar, this is unacceptable as it causes delay and heavy processing. Instead, if only a small number of snapshots or, optimally, a single snapshot is available for DoA estimation, it will be fast and efficient. Single snapshot algorithms have a drawback as they require a large number of antenna elements, which considered a limiting factor. In this paper, a single snapshot DoA estimation technique is introduced by using optimized antenna arrays. The proposed algorithm is based on utilization of virtual array extension, matrix pencil method, and the genetic algorithm. The use of virtual array extension greatly improves the MPM performance. Furthermore, it exhibits a high DoA estimation accuracy by using a reduced number of antenna elements. The genetic algorithm is employed to determine the minimum number of antenna elements, which are required to estimate the DoAs with minimal root mean square error.

     

Effect of regeneration temperatures in the exergetic performances of the developed desiccant-evaporative air-conditioning system

The developed desiccant-evaporative air-conditioning system was evaluated using the exergetic method under controlled environmental conditions to determine the performances of the whole system and its components.Percentage contributions of exergy destruction of system components at different regeneration temperatures and reference temperatures were determined. Exergy destruction coefficient of different components at different regeneration and reference temperatures were presented. It was shown that exergetic performances varied with respect to the regeneration and reference temperatures. The exergetic performances based on thermal, electric, total exergy input, first definition and second definition efficiencies were shown.Based on the results, reference and regeneration temperatures affected the determination of the system performances and its components. It was shown that air-heating coil, air fans and desiccant wheel contributed to large percentage of exergy destruction. Hence, the mentioned components should be given attention for further improvement of the system performances.     

A replication and extension of "Physical attractiveness and mental illness."

A. Farina et al (see record 1978-23202-001) investigated the relation between mental illness and physical attractiveness and found that female psychiatric inpatients were less attractive than normal controls. The current study extended this investigation in 2 ways. First, 28 psychiatric inpatients were compared to 3 separate control groups of 53 low, middle, and high socioeconomic status Ss. Mental patients were judged significantly less attractive than either middle- or high-income controls but were not significantly different from low-income controls. Second, to examine physical attractiveness prior to hospitalization, attractiveness ratings of the patients' high school yearbook pictures were compared with ratings of the adjacent same-sex photographs. Patients' photographs were judged significantly less attractive than their peers' even in high school. Findings suggest that being physically unattractive may predispose an individual to a number of negative social outcomes, one of which is mental illness. (5 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Development and construction of the novel solar thermal desiccant cooling system incorporating hot water production

This paper reports the development and construction of the novel solar cooling and heating system. The system consists of the thermal energy subsystem and the desiccant cooling subsystem. The system utilizes both the cheaper nighttime electric energy and the free daytime solar energy. The system is conceptualized to produce both cooling during summer daytime and hot water production during winter. Testing and evaluation of the system had been done to determine its operational procedure and performance. Based on the results, the thermal energy subsystem functioned to its expected performance in solar energy collection and thermal storage. The desiccant cooling subsystem reduced both the temperature and the humidity content of the air using solar energy with a minimal amount of back-up electric energy. The system however, needs further investigation under real conditions.     

Performance of solar-desiccant cooling system with Silica-Gel (SiO2) and Titanium Dioxide (TiO2) desiccant wheel applied in East Asian climates

This paper shows the numerical investigation of the developed solar-desiccant cooling system applied in the East Asian climatic conditions with two different desiccant wheel coating materials – the Silica-Gel (SiO₂) and the Titanium Dioxide (TiO₂). The developed and validated numerical model of the system is currently used in the present study incorporating the two new materials in the desiccant wheel. The system was applied in temperate climate (Beijing and Tokyo), subtropical climate (Taipei and Hong Kong) and tropical climate (Manila and Singapore). The study showed that the specification of the solar-desiccant cooling system varies depending on the climatic conditions. It showed that the required flat plate collector area was getting larger from the temperate climate to the tropical climate. The storage tank requirement was getting bigger in the tropical climate compared to the subtropical and temperate climate. The volumetric flow rate of air was getting higher from temperate climate to tropical climate. In the comparison of the two materials, it was found that the Titanium Dioxide (TiO₂) can support lower indoor temperature and humidity ratio than the Silica-Gel (SiO₂) with the same specification of the solar thermal system and desiccant cooling system. In general, the solar-desiccant cooling system can provide the required indoor temperature and humidity ratio. However, for the hot and humid climate such as in tropical, large size of the solar thermal system is needed. In addition, higher volumetric flow of air to support the high cooling load is required. With regard to the new material, Titanium Dioxide, it is proven to be a good alternative material since it can provide lower indoor temperature and humidity ratio with higher cooling performance than the Silica-Gel.     

An Expeditious and Metal‐Free Synthetic Route towards Quinolones,Naphthyridones and Benzonaphthyridones

An efficient, two‐step synthetic strategy has been developed to access the quinolone, naphthyridone and benzonaphthyridone classes of chemotherapeutic agents from Baylis–Hillman adducts. The method involves tandem aza‐Michael addition, S_NAr cyclisation followed by oxidation of the resulting 4‐hydroxy‐1,2,3,4‐tetrahydroquinoline or 4‐hydroxy‐1,2,3,4‐tetrahydro‐1,8‐naphthyridine derivative using IBX, and works well with substrates having a wide variety of substitution pattern.

     

Towards computer vision-based approach for an adaptive traffic control system

In this paper, an adaptive traffic control system (ATCS) is proposed using the state of the art of video processing techniques. We illustrate how the system controls standard four-way intersections using three parameters; namely, average vehicles flow speed, level of crowdedness of vehicles, and a critical state timer. These parameters are detected from traffic videos using our computer vision algorithm. The ATCS decision-making process has been designed to adapt to predefined priorities over the traffic parameters. The validation of the proposed ATCS has been tested using four synchronized test videos in order to feed the proposed ATCS with different traffic information. Experimental results show a complete adaptation for the traffic flow.