Attribute Allocation and Retrieval Scheme for Large-Scale Sensor Networks

Wireless sensor network is an emerging technology that enables remote monitoring of large geographical regions. In this paper, we address the problem of distributing attributes over such a large-scale sensor network so that the cost of data retrieval is minimized. The proposed scheme is a data-centric storage scheme where the attributes are distributed over the network depending on the correlations between them. The problem addressed here is similar to the Allocation Problem of distributed databases. In this paper, we have defined the Allocation Problem in the context of sensor networks and have proposed a scheme for finding a good distribution of attributes to the sensor network. We also propose an architecture for query processing given such a distribution of attributes. We analytically determine the conditions under which the proposed architecture is beneficial and present simulation results to demonstrate the same. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first attempt to determine an allocation of attributes over a sensor network based on the correlations between attributes.     

A 4-MB on-chip L2 cache for a 90-nm 1.6-GHz 64-bit microprocessor

A 4-MB L2 data cache was implemented for a 64-bit 1.6-GHz SPARC(r) RISC microprocessor. Static sense amplifiers were used in the SRAM arrays and for global data repeaters, resulting in robust and flexible timing operation. Elimination of the global clock grid over the SRAM array saves power, enabled by combining the clock information with array select signals. Redundancy was implemented flexibly, with shift circuits outside the main data array for area efficiency. The chip integrates 315 million transistors and uses an 8-metal-layer 90-nm CMOS process.     

Working group report: Quantum chromodynamics

This is the report of the subgroup QCD of Working Group-4 at WHEPP-9. We present the activities that had taken place in the subgroup and report some of the partial results arrived at following the discussion at the working group meetings.     

Terahertz Interferometer That Senses Vibrations Behind Barriers

A terahertz sensor that measures vibrations behind optically opaque barriers (cardboard, plastic, wool, cotton) is described and demonstrated. Using interferometric techniques, submicrometer displacements can be resolved. Measured spectral response agrees with commercial vibrometer     

Discrete facility location with nonlinear diseconomies in fixed costs

A discrete facility location problem is formulated where the total fixed cost for establishing the facilities includes a component that is a nonlinear function of the number of facilities being established. Some theoretical properties of the solution are derived when this fixed cost is a convex nondecreasing function of the number of facilities. Based on these properties an efficient bisection heuristic is developed where at each iteration, the classical uncapacitated facility location and/or m-median subproblems are solved using available efficient heuristics.     

Determination of ethyl glucuronide in urine using reversed-phase HPLC and pulsed electrochemical detection (Part II)

A direct, versatile method for the determination of ethyl glucuronide (EtG), a biomarker of ethanol consumption, in urine has been developed using reversed-phase liquid chromatography with pulsed electrochemical detection (PED). EtG and methyl glucuronide (MetG), which serves as an internal standard, are readily separated using a mobile phase consisting of 1% acetic acid/acetonitrile (98/2, v/v). Post-column addition of NaOH allows for the detection of all glucuronides using PED at a gold working electrode. Upon optimization, EtG was found to have a limit of detection of 0.03 μg/mL (7 pmol; 50 μL injection volume) and repeatability at the limit of quantitation of 1.7%R.S.D. (relative standard deviation). Solid-phase extraction (SPE) using an aminopropyl phase was used to remove interferents in urine samples prior to their analysis. Compound recovery following SPE was approximately 50 ± 2%. The forensic utility of this method was further validated by the analysis of 29 post-mortem urine specimens, whose results agreed strongly with certified determinations.     

Thermal Studies on Ionic Derivatives of Hafnium(IV) Involving Maltol Ligand

A number of ionic chelate complexes of maltol(A) and hafnium(IV) the type[(η₅−C₅H₅)₂HfL]⁺[MCl3]⁻ (B) [HL=maltol; M=Zn(II), Cd(II), Hg(II), Cu(II)]have been synthesized and characterized by spectral studies (IR, UV, ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR). The stoichiometry of the complexes has been confirmed by conductance measurements. Thermogravimetric (TG) and differential thermal analytical (DTA) studies have been carried out for these complexes and from TG curves, the order, apparent activation energy and apparent activation entropy of the thermal decomposition reactions have been elucidated .The order in each case has been determined to be one and the degree of spontaneity and lability have been inferred from the apparent activation energy and entropy, respectively. Thermal parameters have been correlated with some structural aspects of the complexes concerned. From differential thermal analysis curves, the heat of reaction has been calculated. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Topography of the potential energy hypersurface and criteria for fast-ion conduction in perovskite-related A2B2O5 oxides

We discuss the importance of the topography of the potential energy hypersurface for the ionic conductivity of perovskite-related A(2)B(2)O(5) oxides. A correlation between the energetic preference of the cations for different coordination geometries and the ionic conductivity is proposed based on a first principles periodic density functional theory study of selected possible structures for Ba(2)In(2)O(5), Sr(2)Fe(2)O(5), Sr(2)Mn(2)O(5), and La(2)Ni(2)O(5). There are a large number of low-energy local minima on the potential energy hypersurfaces of the two first compounds due to an energetic preference for BO(4) tetrahedra. Tetrahedral environments are energetically unfavorable for Mn(III) in Sr(2)Mn(2)O(5) and for Ni(II) in La(2)Ni(2)O(5), and the number of low-energy configurations is relatively low in these two cases. Consistent with our findings, in contrast to Sr(2)Fe(2)O(5) and Ba(2)In(2)O(5), Sr(2)Mn(2)O(5) and La(2)Ni(2)O(5) do not exhibit transitions to disordered phases on heating, and there appear to be no reports of enhanced ionic conductivity for these compounds. Thus we suggest that the possibility of many different oxygen orderings associated with a variety of low-energy connectivity schemes within tetrahedral layers such as in the brownmillerite-based structures of Sr(2)Fe(2)O(5) and Ba(2)In(2)O(5) is a prerequisite for high ionic conductivity in perovskite-related A(2)B(2)O(5) oxides.     

Thermodynamic and lfer studies for the oxidation of anilines by the periodate ion

The various thermodynamic parameters for the periodate oxidation of six anilines, viz. aniline, p-chloroaniline, p-ethoxyaniline, o- and p-methoxyanilines and p-methylaniline have been reported and discussed. The validity of the isokinetic relationship and various linear free energy relationships (LFERs) have been tested and discussed. An attempt has been made to correlate these findings with the mechanism operative in these reactions.     

Intramolecular nitrone cycloaddition reaction on carbohydrate-based precursors: application in the synthesis of spironucleosides and spirobisnucleosides

A simple synthesis of chiral spironucleosides and spirobisnucleosides is described. Intramolecular 1,3-dipolar nitrone cycloaddition reaction of d-glucose-derived precursors having olefin at C-3 and nitrone at C-5, C-1, or C-2 (in nor-series) furnished bisisoxazolidinospirocycles 4-7, 11, and 12 in good yields. Reductive ring opening of the isoxazolidine moieties in 4-6 followed by construction of a nucleoside base upon the generated amino groups smoothly yielded spirobisnucleosides 17 and 18 and spironucleosides 20 and 21.