Effects of SO2 on the alkane activity of three-way catalysts

Over current Pt-Rh/CeO₂-Al₂O₃ catalysts, the conversion of alkanes occurs by two principal mechanisms: direct oxidation (HC + O₂) and steam reforming (HC+H₂O). Sulphur dioxide can influence both these mechanisms. Direct oxidation, which predominates when the exhaust-gas is fuel-lean, ispromoted by the adsorption of SO_x species by the support. Under fuel-rich atmospheres, the presence of SO₂ severelyinhibits steam reforming. The poisoning is associated with the formation of S^2– on the platinum and of SO ₄ ^2– on the support, but there is no indication of S-species being retained by the rhodium. It is proposed that each of the two mechanisms is sensitive to a different type of interaction at the metal-support interface. Direct oxidation is enhanced by the transfer of electrons from the precious metal to the support; steam reforming occurs at interfacial sites, which can be blocked by adsorbed SO_x species.     

Knowledge-based system for text classification using ID6NB algorithm

This paper presents a novel algorithm named ID6NB for extending decision tree induced by Quinlan’s non-incremental ID3 algorithm. The presented approach is aimed at suggesting the solutions for few unhandled exceptions of the Decision tree induction algorithms such as (i) the situation in which the majority voting makes incorrect decision (generating two different types of rules for same data), and (ii) in case of dimensionality reduction by decision tree induction algorithms, the determination of appropriate attribute at a node where two or more attributes have equal highest information gain. Exception due to majority voting is handled with the help of Naive Bayes algorithm and also novel solutions are given for dimensionality reduction. As a result, the classification accuracy has drastically improved. An extensive experimental evaluation on a number of real and synthetic databases shows that ID6NB is a state-of-the-art classification algorithm that outperforms well than other methods of decision tree learning.     

Active Learning for Interactive Multimedia Retrieval

As the first decade of the 21st century comes to a close, growth in multimedia delivery infrastructure and public demand for applications built on this backbone are converging like never before. The push towards reaching truly interactive multimedia technologies becomes stronger as our media consumption paradigms continue to change. In this paper, we profile a technology leading the way in this revolution: active learning. Active learning is a strategy that helps alleviate challenges inherent in multimedia information retrieval through user interaction. We show how active learning is ideally suited for the multimedia information retrieval problem by giving an overview of the paradigm and component technologies used with special attention given to the application scenarios in which these technologies are useful. Finally, we give insight into the future of this growing field and how it fits into the larger context of multimedia information retrieval.     

Self-assembled right handed helical ribbons of the bone mineral hydroxyapatite

A self-assembled right handed helical ribbon of bone mineral, hydroxyapatite (HAp) was crystallized in sodium meta silicate gel matrix at 27 degrees C and the physiological pH (7.4). At temperatures 37 and 47 degrees C, helical structures were followed by many Liesegang rings. The samples were characterized by FT-IR, XRD, SEM, ICP-OES and TG-DTA techniques. The helical ribbon consisted of platy Ca-deficient apatite crystals of size 2.8 microm. Liesegang ring had a continuous network of fibers with interconnected pores. The samples exhibited bioactivity when soaked in SBF.     

Automatic digitization of printed circuit layouts

A new technique for automatic input of printed circuit layout data to a computer graphics system, providing a powerful alternative to the existing manual digitization method, is described. The technique is based on optical scanning and graphics recognition. Substantial reduction in the digitized data is made possible by using the properties of printed circuit art work. The technique has been extended to encompass some areas of engineering documentation.     

Revisiting Metal Sulfide Semiconductors: A Solution‐Based General Protocol for Thin Film Formation,Hall Effect Measurement,and Application Prospects

Nanostructured thin films of metal sulfides (MS) are highly desirable materials for various optoelectronic device applications. However, a general low‐temperature protocol that describes deposition of varieties of MS structures, especially in their film form is still not available in literatures. Here, a simple and highly effective general solution‐based deposition protocol for highly crystalline and well‐defined nanostructured MS thin films from ethanol on variety of conducting and non‐conducting substrates is presented. The films display remarkable electronic properties such as high carrier mobility and high conductivity. When NiS thin film deposited on a flexible polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrate is used as a fluorine doped tin oxide (FTO)‐free counter electrode in dye‐sensitized solar cells, it exhibits a solar‐to‐electric power conversion efficiency of 9.27 ± 0.26% with the highest conversion efficiency as high as 9.50% (vs 8.97 ± 0.07% exhibited by Pt‐electrode). In addition, the NiS film deposited on a Ti‐foil has demonstrated an outstanding catalytic activity for the hydrogen and oxygen evolution reactions from water.     

A comparative study of body potassium content in males and females at Kalpakkam (India)

A group of 300 subjects of both sexes were measured for total body potassium content using a shadow shield whole-body counting system at Kalpakkam (India). The mean body potassium content for males was 1.7 +/- 0.5 g kg(-1) body weight and 1.5 +/- 0.5 g kg(-1) body weight for females. The body potassium content varies inversely with age as well as with the body weight for both the sexes. However, the total body potassium varies directly with body-build index for both males and females. The mean annual dose due to (40)K for males and females was found to be 149 +/- 44 and 132 +/- 41 uGy, respectively.     

PH dependent morphological evolution of beta-Bi2O3/PANI composite for supercapacitor applications

Crystalline beta-Bi2O3 was synthesized through pH-dependent chemical bath deposition process, altering the morphology and evolution from nanoparticles (approximately 40 nm) at pH 9 to platelets (approximately 40 nm width and 0.8 microm length) at pH 12. In-situ aniline nucleation and growth at less basic condition on the beta-Bi2O3 increased the surface area and specific capacitance of the device. The morphological change of beta-Bi2O3/PANI composite from nanoparticles to platelets like nanostructure facilitated higher specific capacitance from 210 to 430 F/g at a scan rate of 10 mV/s with enhanced ionic diffusion and retention of specific capacitance up to 84% at higher scan rates.