TALISMAN+: Intelligent System for Follow-Up and Promotion of Personal Autonomy

The TALISMAN+ project, financed by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation, aims to research and demonstrate innovative solutions transferable to society which offer services and products based on information and communication technologies in order to promote personal autonomy in prevention and monitoring scenarios. It will solve critical interoperability problems among systems and emerging technologies in a context where heterogeneity brings about accessibility barriers not yet overcome and demanded by the scientific, technological or social-health settings

Nanofiber-based filters as novel barrier systems for nanomaterial exposure scenarios

In this article our latest advances in the development of efficient barrier systems against micro- and nano-particulate materials are presented. Nanofibrous polyamide 6 (PA6) mats were fabricated by electrospinning onto a nonwoven viscose substrate. The influence of electrospinning parameters including solution concentration, viscosity, and conductivity, were studied for the production of nonwovens with different fiber size distribution ranging from 74 to 261 nm in diameters. Moreover, the formation of nanowebs (30-40 nm) which are widely distributed among fibers was observed. By varying several process parameters, membranes with different thickness of the nanofiber layer and therefore air permeability and nanoparticle filtration efficiency were obtained.The financial support of this work was provided by MICINN (Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation) and ERDF (European Regional Development Fund) (ref: PSE-420000-2008-003)

Analysis of multivariate stochastic signals sampled by on-line particle analyzers: Application to the quantitative assessment of occupational exposure to NOAA in multisource industrial scenarios (MSIS)

In multisource industrial scenarios (MSIS) coexist NOAA generating activities with other productive sources of airborne particles, such as parallel processes of manufacturing or electrical and diesel machinery. A distinctive characteristic of MSIS is the spatially complex distribution of aerosol sources, as well as their potential differences in dynamics, due to the feasibility of multi-task configuration at a given time. Thus, the background signal is expected to challenge the aerosol analyzers at a probably wide range of concentrations and size distributions, depending of the multisource configuration at a given time. Monitoring and prediction by using statistical analysis of time series captured by on-line particle analyzersin industrial scenarios, have been proven to be feasible in predicting PNC evolution provided a given quality of net signals (difference between signal at source and background). However the analysis and modelling of non-consistent time series, influenced by low levels of SNR (Signal-Noise Ratio) could build a misleading basis for decision making. In this context, this work explores the use of stochastic models based on ARIMA methodology to monitor and predict exposure values (PNC). The study was carried out in a MSIS where an case study focused on the manufacture of perforated tablets of nano-TiO2 by cold pressing was performed.Research carried out by projects SCAFFOLD and EHS Advance were made possible thanks to funding from European Commission through FP7 (GA 319092) and Basque Country Government through ETORTEK Programme

Evolution of RFID applications in construction:A literature review

Radio frequency identification (RFID) technology has been widely used in the field of construction during the last two decades. Basically, RFID facilitates the control on a wide variety of processes in different stages of the lifecycle of a building, from its conception to its inhabitance. The main objective of this paper is to present a review of RFID applications in the construction industry, pointing out the existing developments, limitations and gaps. The paper presents the establishment of the RFID technology in four main stages of the lifecycle of a facility: planning and design, construction and commission and operation and maintenance. Concerning this last stage, an RFID application aiming to facilitate the identification of pieces of furniture in scanned inhabited environments is presented. Conclusions and future advances are presented at the end of the paper

Free-standing graphene films embedded in epoxy resin with enhanced thermal properties

The poor thermal conductivity of polymer composites has long been a deterrent to their increased use in high-end aerospace or defence applications. This study describes a new approach for the incorporation of graphene in an epoxy resin, through the addition of graphene as free-standing film in the polymeric matrix. The electrical and thermal conductivity of composites embedding two different free-standing graphene films was compared to composites with embedded carbon nanotube buckypapers (CNT-BP). Considerably higher thermal conductivity values than those achieved with conventional dispersing methods of graphene or CNTs in epoxy resins were obtained. The characterisation was complemented with a study of the structure at the microscale by cross-sectional scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images and a thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The films are preconditioned in order to incorporate them into the composites, and the complete manufacturing process proposed allows the production and processing of these materials in large batches. The high thermal conductivity obtained for the composites opens the way for their use in demanding thermal management applications, such as electronic enclosures or platforms facing critical temperature loads.European Defence Agency tender No 17.ESI.OP.066. Study on the Impact of Graphene on Defence Application

Occupational exposure to nano-TiO2 in the life cycle steps of new depollutant mortars used in construction

The present work is focused on the measurement of workers exposure to nano-TiO2 in the life cycle steps of depollutant mortars. It has been done in the framework of the SCAFFOLD project, which aims at the management of potential risks arising from the use of manufactured nanomaterials in construction. Main findings can be summarized as follows: (1) The occupational exposure to nano- TiO2 is below 0.3 mg/m3 for all measured scenarios. The highest concentrations were measured during the cleaning task (in the nano- TiO2 manufacturing process) and during the application (spraying) of depollutant coatings on a wall. (2) It was found a high release of particles above the background in several tasks as expected due to the nature of the activities performed. The maximum concentration was measured during drilling and during adding powder materials (mean total particle concentration up to 5.591E+04 particles/cm3 and 5.69E+04 particles/cm3). However, considering data on total particle concentration released, no striking differences have been observed when tasks have been performed using conventional materials in the sector (control) and when using materials doped with nano-objects.European Commission's FP

nanoSTAIR: a new strategic proposal to impulse standardization in nanotechnology research

Nanotechnology is considered one of the key technologies of the 21st century within Europe and a Key-Enabling Technology (KET) by Horizon 2020. Standardization has been identified in H2020 as one of the innovation-support measures by bridging the gap between research and the market, and helping the fast and easy transfer of research results to the European and international market. The development of new and improved standards requires high quality technical information, creating a fundamental interdependency between the standardization and research communities. In the frame of project nanoSTAIR (GA 319092), the present paper describes the European scenario on research and standardization in nanotechnology and presents a proposal of a European strategy (nanoSTAIR) to impulse direct "pipelines" between research and standardization. In addition, strategic actions focused on integration of standardization in the R&D projects, from the early stages of the design of a future business (Project Proposal), are also described.European Commission, through the Seventh Framework Programme (GA 319092)

Strategies, methods and tools for managing nanorisks in construction

This paper presents a general overview of the work carried out by European project SCAFFOLD (GA 280535) during its 30 months of life, with special emphasis on risk management component. The research conducted by SCAFFOLD is focused on the European construction sector and considers 5 types of nanomaterials (TiO2, SiO2, carbon nanofibres, cellulose nanofibers and nanoclays), 6 construction applications (Depollutant mortars, selfcompacting concretes, coatings, self-cleaning coatings, fire resistant panels and insulation materials) and 26 exposure scenarios, including lab, pilot and industrial scales. The document focuses on the structure, content and operation modes of the Risk Management Toolkit developed by the project to facilitate the implementation of "nano-management" in construction companies. The tool deploys and integrated approach OHSAS 18001 - ISO 31000 and is currently being validated on 5 industrial case studies.Research carried out by project SCAFFOLD was made possible thanks to funding from the European Commission, through the Seventh Framework Programme (GA 280535

Revista de Vertebrados de la Estación Biológica de Doñana

Tiempo y orden de aparición de las escamas en el salmón del Atlántico (Salmo salar)Estudios sobre el sapo corredor (Bufo calamita) en el sur de España.III. ReproducciónInfluencia de las carecterísticas del medio acuático sobre las poblaciones de larvas de anfibios en lala Reserva Biológica de Doñana(Huelva, EspañaDieta de la cigüeñuela (Himantopus himantopus) en las salinas del estuario del GuadianaOrientación y selección del lugar del nido en el gorrión moruno (Passer hispaniolensis)la avifauna de las Vegas Bajas del Guadianala reproducción de la malvasía (Oxyura leucocephala) en el sur de la provincia de Córdoba, España.La alimentación de la curruca cabecinegra (Sylvia melanocephala, Gmelin 1788) en olivares de la provincia de Jaén (otoño-invierno)Consideraciones sobre el efecto de los conejos y los grandes herbívoros en los pastizales de la Vera de DoñanaAnálisis factorial de las expresiones faciales del babuino sagrado (Papio hamadryas)Contaminación xenobiótica del Parque Nacionalde Doñana. II. Residuos de insecticidas organoclorados, bifenilos policlorados, (PGBs) y metales pesados en Falconiformes y StrigiformesTransferencia total y del y bioacumulación de mercurio y metilmercurio en ecosistemas del Parque Nacional de DoñanaNota sobre la alimentación de larvas de anfibios: I. Pleurodeles waltl en charcas temporaleNota sobre nuevas especies parasitada por el críalo (Clamator glandarius) en EspañaEstructura de la jerarquización en la predación de huevos y pichones en Spheniscus magellanicusPasser domesticus, nueva specie para Bolivia¿Están realmente subalimentados los cernícalos primilla en el valle del Guadalquivir durante el periodo no reproductor?.Nidificación del paiño común (Hydrobates pelagicus) en las Islas Canarias.Nuevos datos sobre la presencia del visón europeo (Mustela lutreola L.) en NavarraLa población de gamos del Parque Nacional de Doñana en 1979Puntualización a la nota "predacción de Falco peregrino y Falco subbuteo sobre quirópteros" de Aymerich y García de Castro aparecida en el vol. 9 de esta revista.Peer reviewe