Leveraging computation sharing and parallel processing in location-dependent query processing

A variety of research exists for the processing of continuous queries in large, mobile environments. Each method tries, in its own way, to address the computational bottleneck of constantly processing so many queries. In this paper, we introduce an efficient and scalable system for monitoring continuous queries by leveraging the parallel processing capability of the Graphics Processing Unit. We examine a naive CPU-based solution for continuous range-monitoring queries, and we then extend this system using the GPU. Additionally, with mobile communication devices becoming commodity, location-based services will become ubiquitous. To cope with the very high intensity of location-based queries, we propose a view oriented approach of the location database, thereby reducing computation costs by exploiting computation sharing amongst queries requiring the same view. Our studies show that by exploiting the parallel processing power of the GPU, we are able to significantly scale the number of mobile objects, while maintaining an acceptable level of performance.     

Morphological, structural, and functional properties of maranta (Maranta arundinacea L) starch

Starch isolated from maranta (Maranta arundinacea) tuber and studied for its various physicochemical characteristics. The amylose content of the starch was 24.8%. SEM showed that the granules were small indented and spherical. Maranta starch granule size has a range of 2.92–6.42 μm, (mean of 4.84 μm), length/degree of 1.20, and roundness of 0.73. Maranta starch has a gelatinization temperature of 74.8°C, peak viscosity of 498 BU, and cold paste viscosity of 669 BU. It also possessed higher freeze-thaw stability. Dynamic rheological properties of maranta starch, measured using parallel plate geometry showed increased storage modulus (G’) values, while loss modulus (G″) values were decreased with increasing frequency values (0–100 Hz). The low gelatinization temperature and high freeze thaw stability of starch indicates its potential for application as a thickener in food industries.     

Electrical and Optical Characterization of Melt-Grown Bulk InAs<Subscript>1−<Emphasis Type="Italic">y</Emphasis></Subscript>P<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">y</Emphasis></Subscript> Crystals

Bulk ternary InAs_1−y P _y polycrystals with diameters up to 50 mm were grown from a pseudobinary InP-InAs melt using the vertical Bridgman technique. Electrical and optical properties were investigated as functions of alloy composition and sample temperature. As-grown undoped crystals have been found to exhibit n-type conductivity irrespective of alloy composition. Though the bulk InAs_1−y P _y substrates show high optical transmission out to long wavelengths as well as high carrier mobility, they exhibit random compositional fluctuations across the substrate area.     

Selective oxidation of olefins and aromatic alcohols with tert‐butylhydroperoxide catalyzed by polymer‐anchored transition‐metal complexes

Three polymer‐anchored metal complexes (Co, Cu, and Pd) were synthesized and characterized. The catalytic performance of these complexes was tested for the oxidation of olefins and aromatic alcohols. These complexes showed excellent catalytic activity and high selectivity. These complexes selectively gave epoxides and aldehydes from olefins and alcohols, respectively. Individually, the effect of various solvents, oxidants, substrate oxidant molar ratios, temperatures, and catalyst amounts for the oxidation of cyclohexene and benzyl alcohol were studied. Under optimized reaction conditions, 96, 81, and 71% conversions of cyclohexene and 86, 79, and 73% conversions of benzyl alcohol were obtained with Co(II), Cu(II), and Pd(II) catalysts, respectively. The catalytic results reveal that these complexes could be recycled more than five times without much loss in activity. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Non-destructive evaluation of mechanical properties of poly (vinyl) alcohol-hydroxyapatite nanocomposites

Hydroxyapatite-poly (vinyl) alcohol nanocomposite powder was synthesized using varying poly (vinyl) alcohol concentrations. The dried powder was compacted into micro-porous disks at a load of 4 tons. The disks were sintered at 1200°C to evolve porous nanocomposites. Size and shape of the pores observed in the scanning electron micrographs were quantified by using image processing software. Ultrasound velocity measurements were done to evaluate mechanical properties non-destructively.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Barium Lanthanum Titanates

Ternary compounds in the system BaO—TiO₂—La₂O₃ were prepared by the solid-state reaction technique at temperatures between 1300° and 1400°C using precursor oxides as the starting materials. In an alternative processing technique, BaTiO₃ was reacted with appropriate proportions of prefabricated lanthanum titanates at 1350°C to obtain the compounds. Two compounds were identified in the TiO₂-rich region of the system. The X-ray powder diffraction pattern of a compound with a chemical composition BaLa₂Ti₃O₁₀ (BaO·La₂O₃·3TiO₂) is indexed on the basis of an orthorhombic unit cell with a = 7.665 × 10⁻¹ nm, b = 28.524 × 10⁻¹ nm, and c = 3.876 × 10⁻¹ nm. The other compound, which has a chemical composition Ba₄La₈Ti₁₇O₅₀ (BaO·La₂O₃·4.25TiO₂) occurs in a narrow homogeneity range within the system. The X-ray powder diffraction pattern of the compound is indexed on the basis of an orthorhombic unit cell with a = 12.317 × 10⁻¹ nm, b = 22.394 × 10⁻¹ nm, and c = 3.881 × 10⁻¹ nm. Both the compounds are compatible with BaTiO₃ and form pseudobinary joins with BaTiO₃ in the system BaO—TiO₂—La₂O₃.     

Electrical properties of vanadium pentoxide doped with lithium and sodium in the α-phase range

The electrical conductivity and Seebeck coefficients have been measured from room temperature to 500° C for polycrystalline V₂O₅ and V₂O₅ doped with lithium and sodium in the -phase range. The conductivity increases with doping and the energy of activation decreases. The Seebeck coefficient indicates that electrons are the majority carriers. The results have been discussed in terms of the two-level hopping model.     

High-oil-load encapsulation of medium-chain triglycerides and D-limonene mixture in modified starch by spray drying

Oil mixtures of medium-chain triglycerides (MCT) and D-limonene in mixing ratios from 10 to 100 wt% were encapsulated in modified starch (wall material) by spray drying to produce oil-rich powders. The oil load (mass ratio of oil mixture to wall material) of the infeed emulsion markedly influenced the properties of the infeed liquid and the characteristics of the resulting powder. The viscosity of the infeed liquid and the particle size of the powder exponentially decreased with increasing oil load, while the emulsion droplet size in the infeed liquid increased. In addition, retention of D-limonene during spray drying also decreased markedly with increasing oil load. Irrespective of the different oil loads and concentrations of the wall material, D-limonene retention was well correlated with the emulsion droplet diameter of the infeed liquid. The encapsulation efficiency of the oil mixture exhibited a maximum value (almost 100%) at an oil load between 0.5 and 1.0, before decreasing at higher oil loads. At an oil load of 2.0, the encapsulation efficiency of D-limonene was reduced to almost zero, while around 40% of the initial MCT was encapsulated in the powder. The increase in oil load also led to increased amounts of surface oil of MCT and D-limonene in the resulting powder due to the increasing emulsion droplet diameter of the infeed liquids. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: This study proposes the microencapsulation of medium-chain triglycerides under high-oil-load conditions by spray drying. The powders prepared by this process provide significant benefits in terms of rapid energy conversion after consumption without accumulation in the body. Important quality factors of the powder products such as the encapsulation efficiency and the amount of surface oil were examined to understand the optimum process conditions for spray drying.     

Consumption of brown rice: a potential pathway for arsenic exposure in rural Bengal

This study assesses the arsenic (As) accumulation in different varieties of rice grain, that people in rural Bengal mostly prefer for daily consumption, to estimate the potential risk of dietary As exposure through rice intake. The rice samples have been classified according to their average length (L) and L to breadth (B) ratio into four categories, such as short-bold (SB), medium-slender (MS), long-slender (LS), and extra-long slender (ELS). The brown colored rice samples fall into the SB, MS, or LS categories; while all Indian Basmati (white colored) are classified as ELS. The study indicates that the average accumulation of As in rice grain increases with a decrease of grain size (ELS: 0.04; LS: 0.10; MS: 0.16; and SB: 0.33 mg kg(-1)), however people living in the rural villages mostly prefer brown colored SB type of rice because of its lower cost. For the participants consuming SB type of brown rice, the total daily intake of inorganic As (TDI-iAs) in 29% of the cases exceeds the previous WHO recommended provisional tolerable daily intake value (2.1 μg day(-1) kg(-1) BW), and in more than 90% of cases, the As content in the drinking water equivalent to the inorganic As intake from rice consumption (C(W,eqv)) exceeds the WHO drinking water guideline of 10 μg L(-1). This study further demonstrates that participants in age groups 18-30 and 51-65 yrs are the most vulnerable to the potential health threat of dietary As exposure compared to participants of age group 31-50 yrs, because of higher amounts of brown rice consumption patterns and lower BMI.