Spatio-temporal polygonal clustering with space and time as first-class citizens

Detecting spatio-temporal clusters, i.e. clusters of objects similar to each other occurring together across space and time, has important real-world applications such as climate change, drought analysis, detection of outbreak of epidemics (e.g. bird flu), bioterrorist attacks (e.g. anthrax release), and detection of increased military activity. Research in spatio-temporal clustering has focused on grouping individual objects with similar trajectories, detecting moving clusters, or discovering convoys of objects. However, most of these solutions are based on using a piece-meal approach where snapshot clusters are formed at each time stamp and then the series of snapshot clusters are analyzed to discover moving clusters. This approach has two fundamental limitations. First, it is point-based and is not readily applicable to polygonal datasets. Second, its static analysis approach at each time slice is susceptible to inaccurate tracking of dynamic cluster especially when clusters change over both time and space. In this paper we present a spatio-temporal polygonal clustering algorithm known as the Spatio-Temporal Polygonal Clustering (STPC) algorithm. STPC clusters spatial polygons taking into account their spatial and topological properties, treating time as a first-class citizen, and integrating density-based clustering with moving cluster analysis. Our experiments on the drought analysis application, flu spread analysis and crime cluster detection show the validity and robustness of our algorithm in an important geospatial application.     

Adaptive state-based multi-radio multi-channel multi-path routing in Wireless Mesh Networks

Wireless Mesh Networks (WMNs) are envisioned to seamlessly extend the network connectivity to end users by forming a wireless backbone that requires minimal infrastructure. Unfortunately for WMNs, frequent link quality fluctuations, excessive load on selective links, congestion, and limited capacity due to the half-duplex nature of radios are some key limiting factors that hinder their deployment. To address these problems, we propose a novel Adaptive State-based Multi-path Routing Protocol (ASMRP), which constructs Directed Acyclic Graphs (DAGs) from each Mesh Router (MR) to Internet Gateways (IGWs) and effectively discovers multiple optimal path set between any given MR-IGW pair. A congestion aware traffic splitting algorithm to balance traffic over these multiple paths is presented which synergistically improves the overall performance of the WMNs. We design a novel Neighbor State Maintenance module that innovatively employs a state machine at each MR to monitor the quality of links connecting its neighbors in order to cope with unreliable wireless links. We also employ a 4-radio architecture for MRs, which allows them to communicate over multiple radios tuned to non-overlapping channels and better utilize the available spectrum. Through extensive simulations using ns-2, we observe that ASMRP substantially improves the achieved throughput (～5 times gain in comparison to AODV), and significantly minimizes end-to-end latencies. We also show that ASMRP ensures fairness in the network under varying traffic load conditions.     

Effect of SO<Subscript>4</Subscript> <Superscript>2-</Superscript>, Cl<Superscript>–</Superscript> and NO<Subscript>3</Subscript> <Superscript>-</Superscript> anions on the formation of iron oxide nanoparticles via microwave synthesis

In the present work iron oxide nanoparticles have been prepared by microwave assisted synthesis with the influence of different precursor salts and synthesis of magnetite, hematite, Iron oxide hydroxide and maghemite nanoparticles. Synthesized iron oxide nanoparticles were characterized with Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM), and Energy-dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX). XRD measurements show that the peaks of diffractogram are in agreement with the theoretical data of magnetite, hematite, FeO(OH) (Iron oxide hydroxide) and maghemite. Crystallite size of the particles was found to be 33, 45, 36 and 43.5 nm for Fe₃O₄, α-Fe₂O₃, FeO(OH) and γ-Fe₂O₃. FESEM studies indicated that size of the particles is observed in the range of about 19.4 to 46.7 nm (Fig. 2a, average 32 nm), 29.1 to 67.6 nm (Fig. 2b average 45 nm), 29.1 to 40.8 (Fig. 2c average 36.6 nm), 29.1 to 80 nm (Fig. 2d average 43.5) for Fe₃O₄, α-Fe₂O₃, FeO(OH) and γ-Fe₂O₃ respectively. EDX spectral analysis reveals the presence of carbon, oxygen, iron in the synthesized nanoparticles. The FTIR graphs indicated absorption bands due to O–H stretching, C–O bending, C–H stretching and Fe–O stretching vibrations.     

Voltammetric Response and Determination of an Anti-Inflammatory Drug at a Cationic Surfactant-Modified Glassy Carbon Electrode

Electrochemical oxidation of thiosalicylic acid in the presence of cationic surfactant, cetyl trimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), at a glassy carbon electrode was investigated. The electrochemical response of a modified sensor towards thiosalicylic acid determination was studied by the means of cyclic voltammetry, linear sweep voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). The liquid phase oxidation of thiosalicylic acid in the presence of CTAB leads to a notable enhancement in the peak current and a lowering of the peak potential. The electrochemical process was observed to be adsorption-controlled, irreversible and involves oxidation of one electron. Effects of anodic peak potential (E _p), anodic peak current (I _pa) and heterogeneous rate constant (k ⁰) were calculated. The linear response was obtained in the range of 1.0 µM–1.0 mM with a detection limit of 113 nM.     

An Instant,Green, Microwave Irradiated Process for the Preparation of Advanced,Hybrid, Nanoflower of Thorium Oxide and Thorium Oxalate Hydrate Useful for Broad Application Spectrum

Protection of Metals and Physical Chemistry of Surfaces - We report a facile and reproducible method to synthesize advanced, homogenized, hybrid, nanoflower of thorium oxide and thorium oxalate...     

Dyeing studies with hydroxyanthraquinones extracted from Indian madder. Part 1: Dyeing of nylon with purpurin†

Purpurin (1,2,4‐trihydroxyanthraquinone) is the major colorant present in the roots of Indian madder (Rubia cordifolia). Its structure is similar to that of disperse dyes. To gain an understanding of the dyefibre interactions involved, kinetic and thermodynamic studies have been conducted with purpurin on nylon fibre. Dyeing corresponds to the Nernst isotherm as linear isotherms were obtained. The dye is found to be sensitive to pH and high temperature. The rate of dye uptake, diffusion coefficient, standard affinity, heat of dyeing and entropy have been calculated and discussed.     

Fly ash supported calcium oxide as recyclable solid base catalyst for Knoevenagel condensation reaction

A new type of solid base catalyst has been prepared by loading of CaO on thermally activated fly ash, with the aim of being used as heterogeneous catalyst for fine chemical production. The prepared fly ash supported calcium oxide catalyst (FAC) was characterized by FT-IR spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis, Scanning Electron Microscopy and atomic absorption spectroscopy. The catalytic activity of FAC was evaluated by Knoevenagel condensation of benzaldehyde and ethyl cyanoacetate as model test reaction under optimized conditions. The catalyst gave very high conversion (87%) of benzaldehyde to desired product ethyl (E)-α-cyanocinnamate with high purity. The catalyst was completely recyclable without significant loss in activity up to three reaction cycles, which confers its stability during reaction unlike commercial catalysts. Moreover this catalyst shows a promising future in providing environmentally clean process for the industrial sector.     

Modified Silico-Tungstate: An Easy and Efficient Catalyst for the Acetylation of Amines Under Solvent-Free Condition

Abstract  

In this present work, organo-functionalization of silica gel was carried out using 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) as a reactive surface modifier. Tungstate ion (WO₄ ²⁻) was immobilized onto the modified silica gel and its catalytic activity was investigated for acetylation of amines under solvent-free conditions. The method is highly chemoselective—amine group was selectively acetylated in presence of the hydroxyl group. The above catalyst gave acetylated products in excellent yield in shorter duration of time. The catalyst was characterized by various techniques such as BET surface area measurements, FTIR, CHNS, ¹³C-CPMAS-NMR, ED-XRF and diffuse reflectance UV–vis techniques. The catalyst was reused five times without significant loss of catalytic activity.