Continuous Query Processing of Spatio-Temporal Data Streams in PLACE

The tremendous increase in the use of cellular phones, GPS-like devices, and RFIDs results in highly dynamic environments where objects as well as queries are continuously moving. In this paper, we present a continuous query processor designed specifically for highly dynamic environments (e.g., location-aware environments). We implemented the proposed continuous query processor inside the PLACE server (Pervasive Location-Aware Computing Environments); a scalable location-aware database server developed at Purdue University. The PLACE server extends data streaming management systems to support location-aware environments. These environments are characterized by the wide variety of continuous spatio-temporal queries and the unbounded spatio-temporal streams. The proposed continuous query processor includes: (1) New incremental spatio-temporal operators to support a wide variety of continuous spatio-temporal queries, (2) Extended semantics of sliding window queries to deal with spatial sliding windows as well as temporal sliding windows, and (3) A shared-execution framework for scalable execution of a set of concurrent continuous spatio-temporal queries. Experimental evaluation shows promising performance of the continuous query processor of the PLACE server. This work was supported in part by the National Science Foundation under Grants IIS-0093116, IIS-0209120, and 0010044-CCR.     

Antibacterial and Antibiofilm Activity of Mercaptophenol Functionalized-Gold Nanorods Against a Clinical Isolate of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Journal of Inorganic and Organometallic Polymers and Materials - Gold nanorods (AuNRs) were synthesized by the seed-mediated wet chemical method using a binary surfactant system. AuNRs were...     

Natural and synthetic polymers for water treatment against dissolved pharmaceuticals

Dissolved pharmaceuticals were removed by adsorption on some natural and synthetic polymers. Cellulose, chitosan, and sodium alginate were selected as examples of natural polymers while a synthetic copolymer of epichlorohydrin and urea was prepared for comparison. Water contaminated with some antibiotics was treated with these polymers using stirred flask and column methods. The particles size of the investigated materials was increased up to 2 mm diameter by converting them into beads. Combinations of polymers, natural or synthetic, were used together to improve their behavior. The synthetic polymer has shown better removal effect than that of natural ones. It has removed up to 75% of the drug in 6 h. Chitosan was the best natural polymers in removing dissolved drugs; up to 13% of the drug has been removed by it. The recycling properties of the polymers loaded with drugs were examined and up to 9% of the drug was successfully restored. In addition, fully loaded dry beads with drugs were grounded and recycled in an ointment as blends. Moreover, the swelling behavior of the beads in different mediums and under different conditions was examined. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40458.     

Improving the performance of urea‐formaldehyde wood adhesive system using dendritic poly(amidoamine)s and their corresponding half generations

Full as well as half generations of dendritic poly(amido amine)s (PAMAMs) were introduced onto urea‐formaldehyde (UF) wood adhesive system as modifiers to increase its stability and enhance the performance of the bonded wood joints with it. The effect of the modifiers on the physical properties and mechanical performance was discussed on the light of gel times, curing exotherms using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), infra‐red (IR), and shear strength measurements. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

Synthesis of mordenite zeolite in absence of organic template

Mordenite is a zeolite that has been used as a selective adsorbent and as a catalyst. Mordenite zeolite with crystal diameter 65 nm and crystal length 7 μm was successively synthesized in the absence of organic template by hydrothermal method at 180 °C for 5 days after stirring at high speed and aging in the synthesis mixture with the molar composition of 12Na₂O:100SiO₂:2Al₂O₃:500H₂O. The produced samples were investigated using XRD, SEM, FT-IR, EDS, DTA/TG and BET surface area. The prepared sample, crystallized in needle shape crystals. Total (BET) surface area was 52.14 m²/g whereas, total pore volume was 0.2 cm³/g. Average pore diameter was 24.16 Å. Thermogravimetry analysis (DTA/TG) showed that, at room temperature to 800 °C, mordenite mass loss is 6%.     

Bending strength of delaminated aerospace composites

Buckling-driven delamination is considered among the most critical failure modes in composite laminates. This paper examines the propagation of delaminations in a beam under pure bending. A pre-developed analytical model to predict the critical buckling moment of a thin sub-laminate is extended to account for propagation prediction, using mixed-mode fracture analysis. Fractography analysis is performed to distinguish between mode I and mode II contributions to the final failure of specimens. Comparison between experimental results and analysis shows agreement to within 5 per cent in static propagation moment for two different materials. It is concluded that static fracture is almost entirely driven by mode II effects. This result was unexpected because it arises from a buckling mode that opens the delamination. For this reason, and because of the excellent repeatability of the experiments, the method of testing may be a promising means of establishing the critical value of mode II fracture toughness, G(IIC), of the material. Fatigue testing on similar samples showed that buckled delamination resulted in a fatigue threshold that was over 80 per cent lower than the static propagation moment. Such an outcome highlights the significance of predicting snap-buckling moment and subsequent propagation for design purposes.     

Operational strategies for Kuwait's 100 kWe/0.7MWth solar power plant

In March 1981 a 0.7 MW_th solar thermal power plant was commissioned at Kuwait's Sulaibiya Solar Complex. The cogeneration of solar power plant was designed to be the main energy supplier for an agricultural desert settlement 35 km south-west of Kuwait City. The power plant produces both the electric and thermal energy needs for its own internal uses and those of the food/water/power complex. The electric users, outside the power plant's own needs, include water pumping from a 110 metre deep water well, an outdoor irrigation network, four desert greenhouses, a walk-in cooler, air conditioning, a reverse osmosis (R.O.) desalination plant, as well as the electric power needs for a multistage flash (M.S.F.) desalination plant, offices, workshop, data acquisition and lighting. The reject thermal energy from the power plant is utilized to power an M.S.F. desalination plant, and the domestic hot water needs. The power plant operational strategies are aimed at satisfying the energy needs for this food/water/power complex under prevailing solar radiation conditions while minimizing the inconvenience to the user (the complex) and maximizing the percent of the total energy derived from the sun (solar fraction). Surplus energy is stored as electric energy, thermal energy, or used to desalinate additional volumes of brackish water which can be stored in strategic water reservoirs.During periods of low solar radiation the power plant may be operated at partial load to supply the essential electric energy needs, charge the thermal storage, or provide the thermal energy needs for the MSF desalination system. An energy cost accounting system was developed to encourage the user to minimize his electric consumption during periods of low solar radiation. A mathematical energy model for the power plant was utilized to predict its output and suggest the optimum operational strategy according to the user's priorities, and predict surpluses or shortages that have to be accommodated by the emergency secondary energy source.