The data warehouse virtualization framework for operational business intelligence

In order to explore the most current information and react faster to changing business conditions, organizations consider real‐time data warehousing a powerful technique to achieve operational business intelligence (BI). We propose in this paper a novel real‐time data warehouse (RTDW) framework based on the virtualization concept. Our approach introduces a conceptual modelling technique, known as ring modelling, for real‐time data management and multidimensional analysis. This technique produces a flexible semi‐structured data model that accommodates unknown business process data and relationships as they evolve, handles schema changes and aggregate‐management efficiently, and scales well with the large size of increasing data volumes. With the help of a telecommunication business example, We evaluated our proposed approach in an extensive experimental study where we compared our approach Ring Model with existing structured multidimensional conceptual models (MCMs), i.e. relational OLAP and multidimensional OLAP, and with semi‐structured MCM, i.e. XML Cubes, in terms of scalability, data storage estimations, data updates loading time, and query response times. Our performance results show that encouraging speedups are achieved.     

Effect of curing conditions and ionic additives on properties of fly ash-lime compacts

In the present work the reaction between fly ash and lime in fly ash-lime compacts under water curing and steam curing conditions was studied thoroughly in relation to the processing conditions. Fly ash from different sources were collected, characterized, mixed with lime in different ratios and compacted. The compacts were cured with water and steam separately. The reduction in the free CaO content in these compacts was measured as a function of curing time and curing process. Role of two ionic additives, FeCl₃ and MgCl₂, on the reaction between fly ash and lime was also investigated by measuring the free CaO content. Kinetics of these reactions was studied by determining the reaction order and rate constants with respect to the free CaO content and it was observed that the curing conditions and additives affected the reaction kinetics significantly.     

Microwave-assisted urea-modified sorghum biomass for Cr (III) elimination from aqueous solutions

The present study concentrated on the use of an agro-waste biodegradable sorghum biomass in its simple and modified forms for the binding of Cr (III) ions. A relatively new method of modification was adopted using urea under microwave irradiation. FTIR analysis showed the presence of oxygen and nitrogen bearing functional groups in unmodified (UMS) and modified (MS) sorghum biomass. The appearance of new bands and shifts in the peaks confirmed the modification. The influence of different process parameters such as the adsorbent dose, solution pH, contact time, agitation speed and initial metal ion concentration was studied thoroughly to evaluate optimum conditions for adsorption. Maximum adsorption for Cr (III) ions occurred at pH 5.0–6.0 using UMS and MS. Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin, and Dubinin-Radushkevich isotherm models in a non-linear fashion were used to explain the phenomenon. Maximum adsorption capacity was 7.03 and 16.36 mg of Cr (III) per gram of UMS and MS, respectively. Adsorption mechanism was explored by pseudo-first- and pseudo-second-order kinetic models, and it was found that the process followed pseudo-second-order kinetics. Thermodynamic study indicated the process favorability. The study concluded that urea modification under microwave irradiation produces a non-toxic and more effective adsorbent for Cr (III) remediation by inducing new nitrogen bearing functional groups to sorghum biomass.     

Role of quaternary ammonium salts in improving the fastness properties of anionic dyes on cellulose fibres

The object of this study was to review the developments taking place during 1990–2005 regarding the use of quaternary ammonium salts as dye fixing agents for improving the fastness properties of anionic dyes on cellulose fibres. As far as fastness properties are concerned, this review is restricted only to fastness to light, washing and water treatments.     

Antioxidant potential of rice bran extracts and its effects on stabilisation of cookies under ambient storage

Methanolic extracts of rice bran (MRB) were found to be the richest in phenolics than all the other extraction media, i.e. water, 80% methanol, 70% ethanol, diethyl ether. Thermal stability of MRB was determined by evaluating antioxidant activity of heated extracts in linoleic acid system. Cookies were prepared in sunflower oil premixed with MRB at different concentrations, i.e. 500, 1000 and 2000 ppm, and with butylated hydroxytoluene and α‐tocopherol at 200 ppm. Oxidative stability of cookies was measured by storing under ambient conditions for an year with periodical analysis after every 2 months. Fatty acid composition was determined by gas–liquid chromatography. A regular decrease in unsaturated fatty acids (USFA) and increase in saturated fatty acids was observed with the increase in storage period; all the stabilised samples showed appreciably less decrease in USFA than that of control sample. Induction period ranged from 14.73 to 31.22 h while control exhibited 7.5 h. Peroxide value, iodine value and free fatty acids were chosen as the parameters for quality evaluation of cookies. Results suggest rice bran to be a potential source of antioxidants for stabilisation of cookies.     

A Review on Polymeric Nanocomposites of Nanodiamond,Carbon Nanotube,and Nanobifiller: Structure,Preparation and Properties

In this review, an overview of various types of nanofillers is presented with special emphasis on structure, synthesis and properties of carbon nanotube, nanodiamond, and nanobifiller of carbon nanotube/nanodiamond, carbon nanotube/graphene oxide and carbon nanotube/graphene. In addition, polymer/carbon nanotube, polymer/nanodiamond, and polymer/nanobifiller composites have been discussed. The efficacy of different fabrication techniques for nanocomposites (solution casting, in-situ, and melt blending method) and their properties were also discussed in detail. Finally, we have summarized the challenges and future prospects of polymer nanocomposites reinforced with carbon nanofillers hoping to facilitate progress in the emerging area of nanobifiller technology.     

Influence of traditional agricultural practices on mobilization of arsenic from sediments to groundwater in Bengal delta

In the wake of the idea that surface derived dissolved organic carbon (DOC) plays an important role in the mobilization of arsenic (As) from sediments to groundwater and may provide a vital tool in understanding the mechanism of As contamination (mobilization/fixation) in Bengal delta; a study has been carried out. Agricultural fields that mainly cultivate rice (paddy fields) leave significantly large quantities of organic matter/organic carbon on the surface of Bengal delta which during monsoon starts decomposing and produces DOC. The DOC thus produced percolates down with rain water and mobilizes As from the sediments. Investigations on sediment samples collected from a paddy field clearly indicate that As coming on to the surface along with the irrigation water accumulates itself in the top few meters of sediment profile. The column experiments carried out on a 9 m deep sediment profile demonstrates that DOC has a strong potential to mobilize As from the paddy fields and the water recharging the aquifer through such agricultural fields contain As well above the WHO limit thus contaminating the shallow groundwater. Experiment also demonstrates that decay of organic matter induces reducing condition in the sediments. Progressively increasing reducing conditions not only prevent the adsorption of As on mineral surfaces but also cause mobilization of previously sorbed arsenic. There seems to be a cyclic pattern where As from deeper levels comes to the surface with irrigational water, accumulates itself in the sediments, and ultimately moves down to the shallow groundwater. The extensive and continual exploitation of intermediate/deep groundwater accelerates this cyclic process and helps in the movement of shallow contaminated groundwater to the deeper levels.     

Synergistic electronic and geometric effects of Au/CeO2 catalyst for oxidative esterification of methacrolein

Methyl methacrylate (MMA) is an important monomer for the production of acrylic plastics and polymer dispersions. In this study, we demonstrate a strategy to synergize the electronic and geometric effects of the Au/CeO₂ catalyst, achieving three orders of magnitude improvement in reaction rate for the oxidative esterification of methacrolein to MMA. The electronic properties of Au in terms of the valence electron population of 5d states are decoupled from the redox ability and acid–base properties of catalyst support as the main cause for the significant increase in the specific activity of the active site. Moreover, the Au edge site is identified as the main active site for this reaction, whose number reaches the maximum for the 1.6 nm-sized Au particles. Hence, the synergism between the electronic (lower valence electron population of 5d states) and geometric (more edge active sites) promotions of the Au-10/CeO₂ catalyst contributes to the highest catalytic activity.