Double In Situ Approach for the Preparation of Polymer Nanocomposite with Multi-functionality

A novel one-step synthetic route, the double in situ approach, is used to produce both TiO2nanoparticles and polymer (PET), and simultaneously forming a nanocomposite with multi-functionality. The method uses the release of water during esterification to hydrolyze titanium (IV) butoxide (Ti(OBu)4) forming nano-TiO2in the polymerization vessel. This new approach is of general significance in the preparation of polymer nanocomposites, and will lead to a new route in the synthesis of multi-functional polymer nanocomposites

Fodder function of trees and shrubs for domestic ruminants in arid areas: Characterization with multi-dimensional functional traits

Farmers in arid regions traditionally know trees and shrub species with fodder and medicinal interest. This knowledge has been capitalized by naturalists. Then ecologists, agro?forestry and livestock scientists have applied their analytical specialized methods. Droughts have prompted investigations to characterize, quantitatively and qualitatively, forage provision by trees and preferences of animals. Exotic species were also tested. Many descriptive and analytical data have been collected but had little effect on the management of forestry and tree species in agro pastoral rangelands. New research stimulated by climatic and demographic changes must integrate socio?economic processes of management of forest stands and the multi?functionality of trees. Within this overall framework, the functional traits related to forage function must express: ? productivity of foliage and reproductive organs ? availability of forage for livestock following simultaneity between phenological cycles and major nutritive needs of animals ? palatibility of species ? nutritional value expressed by concentration of digestible nutrients (nitrogen, minerals, fiber) ? capability of re?sprouting after grazing or pruning. Traits are related to demography, phenology, morphology, anatomy, chemical composition, animal browsing behavior and intake. Many data exist. It must be organized so that they are accessible, located in their agro?climatic and socio?economical environments and taking into account the multi?functionality of species. These criteria are not absolute and depend on biodiversity of forest stands. The use of such data for engineering in land management based on needs and constraints of the users must take into account this diversity between species and intra?species according conditions. Examples of situation and species present this diversity and explore ways for useful integration of information in databases. (Texte intégral

Hierarchical coexistence of universality and diversity controls robustness and multi-functionality in intermediate filament protein networks

Proteins constitute the elementary building blocks of a vast variety of biological materials such as cellular protein networks, spider silk or bone, where they create extremely robust, multi-functional materials by self-organization of structures over many length- and time scales, from nano to macro. Some of the structural features are commonly found in a many different tissues, that is, they are highly conserved. Examples of such universal building blocks include alpha-helices, beta-sheets or tropocollagen molecules. In contrast, other features are highly specific to tissue types, such as particular filament assemblies, beta-sheet nanocrystals in spider silk or tendon fascicles. These examples illustrate that the coexistence of universality and diversity – in the following referred to as the universality-diversity paradigm (UDP) – is an overarching feature in protein materials. This paradigm is a paradox: How can a structure be universal and diverse at the same time? In protein materials, the coexistence of universality and diversity is enabled by utilizing hierarchies, which serve as an additional dimension beyond the 3D or 4D physical space. This may be crucial to understand how their structure and properties are linked, and how these materials are capable of combining seemingly disparate properties such as strength and robustness. Here we illustrate how the UDP enables to unify universal building blocks and highly diversified patterns through formation of hierarchical structures that lead to multi-functional, robust yet highly adapted structures. We illustrate these concepts in an analysis of three types of intermediate filament proteins, including vimentin, lamin and keratin

Modeling power in multi-functionality sensor network applications

Rachit Agarwal, Rafael V. Martinez-Catala, Sean Harte, Cedric Segard, Brendan O'Flynn, "Modeling Power in Multi-functionality Sensor Network Applications," sensorcomm, pp.507-512, 2008 Proceedings of the Second International Conference on Sensor Technologies and Applications, August 25-August 31 2008, Cap Esterel, FranceWith the migration of a Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) over various evolving applications, power estimation and profiling during the design cycle become critical issues and present hurdles in reducing the design time. Furthermore, with a growing size of the network, simulating the behavior of each sensor node is not feasible. It is important to devise an approach that provides a network-wide picture of power consumption and of variations in power usage under changes in the network and/or node application in the network. In this paper, we present a modular power estimation technique which simplifies the power modeling of any sensor network application. In particular, we are interested in analyzing the behavior of power consumption if one or more modules of the WSN platform in the application are changed during the design cycle or after the deployment. The proposed technique is susceptible to applications changes on the fly and is particularly beneficial in networks with large number of nodes. We perform experiments modifying parameters of a ZigBee based sensor network application such as packet size, sampling rate, functionality (encryption) and sensor types. We present the results, demonstrating an error less than 3% in all the experiments performed, and insights into the results

3D Printing Multi-Functionality: Embedded RF Antennas and Components

Significant research and press has recently focused on the fabrication freedom of Additive Manufacturing (AM) to create both conceptual models and final end-use products. This flexibility allows design modifications to be immediately reflected in 3D printed structures, creating new paradigms within the manufacturing process. 3D printed products will inevitably be fabricated locally, with unit-level customization, optimized to unique mission requirements. However, for the technology to be universally adopted, the processes must be enhanced to incorporate additional technologies; such as electronics, actuation, and electromagnetics. Recently, a novel 3D printing platform, Multi3D manufacturing, was funded by the presidential initiative for revitalizing manufacturing in the USA using 3D printing (America Makes - also known as the National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Institute). The Multi3D system specifically targets 3D printed electronics in arbitrary form; and building upon the potential of this system, this paper describes RF antennas and components fabricated through the integration of material extrusion 3D printing with embedded wire, mesh, and RF elements

Аппарат для комплексной фототерапии с расширенными функциональными возможностями

Представлено новое устройство для проведения процедур комплексной фототерапии продвинутой функциональности. Описываются особенности его структуры и способы достижения многофункциональности устройства.The new device for carrying out procedures complex phototherapy has advanced functionality is presented. The especially its structure and ways of achieving multi-functionality device is described

Agrarian analysis of the land multi-functionality in the Alicante Province - Spain

Con el fin de la dictadura franquista (1975) y la entrada en la Unión Europea en 1986, España pasó a recibir un fuerte apoyo financiero (ayudas y subvenciones) del Fondo Europeo de Orientación y Garantía Agaria (FEOGA) y de la Política Agrícola Común (PAC). Estas ayudas han tenido una importancia capital en la reciente transformación de los espacios rurales españoles. En el caso de la provincia de Alicante – España, durante las últimas décadas ha pasado por un intenso proceso de alteración territorial y socioambiental, teniendo en el agua el principal factor de sostenibilidad ambiental de los sistemas productivos (industriales y agrícolas), sin olvidar el papel que han representado también las fuertes inversiones aplicadas en las áreas turísticas. Con relación a la estructura de las explotaciones agropecuarias, en la provincia de Alicante predominan las pequeñas empresas rurales con cultivos de secano (almendro, olivo, viñedo de vinificación, etc.) y también de regadío (cítricos, hortalizas, frutales, etc.). Así, la implantación de las políticas agrícolas de la Unión Europea en el campo alicantino, a través del concepto de multifuncionalidad rural, ha ocasionado un aumento de la concentración de las explotaciones, el empobrecimiento y abandono de los pequeños y medianos agricultores, el aumento de la concurrencia de los productos foráneos, los incentivos para la especulación inmobiliaria, teniendo ala turismo como vector principal.The of Franco’s dictatorship (1975) and the admittance to the European Union (1986) enable Spain to get strong financial support (subsides) from the Agrarian Undertaking Funds (FEOGA) and from the Common Agricultural Policy (PAC). These investments had changed Spain into an industrialized and agricultural country. In the last decades the Alicante Province has undergone profound processes of socio-environmental and territorial changes, being water the main aspect of environmental sustainability of the productive systems (industrial and agricultural), as well as the strong investments into touristic areas. As regard to the agrarian structure, inside the Alicante province prevails the small rural properties with dry (grape, olive, etc.) and irrigated (vegetables, citrus, etc.) farming. Therefore, the implantation of agricultural policies from the European Union into the Alicante province, by the concept of rural multi-functionality, has increased the agrarian concentration, the pauperization of the small producers and has increased also the competition with external products and the incentive to the speculation, being the tourism the main vector