Social fabrics

Existing wearable computing research and indeed commercial products, have explored how to control phones and music players in pockets. They have typically relied on interaction via simple flexible button sensors. This thesis proposes, design and develops new ways of interacting which explore the potential of clothes, such as pulling or stretching. Its aim to present and demonstrate the value of embodied and intuitive inputs based on standard clothing elements such as zips, fasteners, beads, Velcro and magnets. Individual interactions for each are described and discussed before a final combination application, the MusicHoodie, which is developed to control an MP3 player. A simple usability test on this system reveals a range of interesting and promising results about which were the most acceptable and understandable inputs. This thesis closes with a discussion of the implications and contributions of the work it presents.

Nitric oxide in plants: a brief discussion on this multifunctional molecule

Diversos estudos vêm sendo realizados com a finalidade de aumentar o conhecimento sobre a ocorrência e a atividade do óxido nítrico (ON) nas plantas. Nesse sentido, a presente revisão objetivou abordar alguns aspectos referentes ao on nas plantas, tais como propriedades químicas, vias de síntese, efeitos fisiológicos, ação antioxidante, transdução do sinal, interação com hormônios vegetais e expressão gênica. Nos últimos anos, muitos avanços têm sido obtidos em relação à síntese de on e seus efeitos fisiológicos nas plantas. Porém, os mecanismos moleculares que fundamentam seus efeitos permanecem pouco compreendidos. É sinalizada uma investigação em detalhes sobre as estreitas interações entre ON, Ca2+, ADP-ribose cíclica (cADPR) e proteínas quinases. Além disso, ainda não foi possível identificar uma enzima vegetal que apresente atividade semelhante à da óxido nítrico sintase (NOS). A elucidação de tais aspectos representa um desafio para futuros trabalhos.

Multifunctional antitumor magnetite/chitosan-l-glutamic acid (core/shell) nanocomposites

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Ligand Exchange Inducing Efficient Incorporation of CisPt Derivatives into Ureasil-PPO Hybrid and Their Interactions with the Multifunctional Hybrid Network

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Luminescent multifunctional biocellulose membranes

Luminescent biocellulose membranes were obtained by incorporation of ethanolic solutions of the europium compounds [Eu(BTFAC)3(H2O)2], [Eu(BTFA) 3(DBSO)2], [Eu(BTFA)3(PTSO)2] and [Eu(BTFA)3(FSO)2] (BTFAC- 4,4,4-Trifluoro-1- phenyl-1,3-butanedione DBSO- dibenzyl sulfoxide, PTSO- p-Tolyl sulfoxide and FSO- phenyl sulfoxide). Selfsustainable semi-transparent composite membranes were obtained showing strong emission under UV exctiation. The antenna hole played by the ligands was observed to be more efficient in the composite membranes than in the precursor complexes which by themselves are also strong red emitter compounds. These new multifuctional membranes could find application in different areas as phosphors and UV→Visible energy converting devices. © 2011 Copyright Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE).

Characterization of the co-purified invertase and beta-glucosidase of a multifunctional extract from Aspergillus terreus

The filamentous fungus Aspergillus terreus secretes both invertase and beta-glucosidase when grown under submerged fermentation containing rye flour as the carbon source. The aim of this study was to characterize the co-purified fraction, especially the invertase activity. An invertase and a beta-glucosidase were co-purified by two chromatographic steps, and the isolated enzymatic fraction was 139-fold enriched in invertase activity. SDS-PAGE analysis of the co-purified enzymes suggests that the protein fraction with invertase activity was heterodimeric, with subunits of 47 and 27 kDa. Maximal invertase activity, which was determined by response surface methodology, occurred in pH and temperature ranges of 4.0-6.0 and 55-65 A degrees C, respectively. The invertase in co-purified enzymes was stable for 1 h at pH 3.0-10.0 and maintained full activity for up to 1 h at 55 A degrees C when diluted in water. Invertase activity was stimulated by 1 mM concentrations of Mn2+ (161 %), Co2+ (68 %) and Mg2+ (61 %) and was inhibited by Al3+, Ag+, Fe2+ and Fe3+. In addition to sucrose, the co-purified enzymes hydrolyzed cellobiose, inulin and raffinose, and the apparent affinities for sucrose and cellobiose were quite similar (K-M = 22 mM). However, in the presence of Mn2+, the apparent affinity and V-max for sucrose hydrolysis increased approximately 2- and 2.9-fold, respectively, while for cellobiose, a 2.6-fold increase in V-max was observed, but the apparent affinity decreased 5.5-fold. Thus, it is possible to propose an application of this multifunctional extract containing both invertase and beta-glucosidase to degrade plant biomass, thus increasing the concentration of monosaccharides obtained from sucrose and cellobiose.

Performance evaluation of multi-stage filtration with use of granular activated carbon and synthetic non-woven fabrics

The multi stage filtration (MSF) is an alternative that permits to enlarge the spectrum of application of the slow sand filtration as for the effluent quality and run duration. In this research the use of MSF technology associated to a granular activated carbon (GAC) column as polishing mechanism of the final effluent was evaluated; in the slow sand filters GAC was used as an intermediate layer and non-woven synthetic fabrics were utilized as a first layer of the filter media. Five different tests were conducted, where the systems subjected to the treatment were: water from the Ipe Lake (Ilha Solteira, Sao Paulo, Brazil); water from the lake with water from a recreational fish pond; water from the lake with a phytoplankton and cyanobacteria overload simulation, with and without the use of the pre-filters as a stage of the treatment. The synthetic fabrics and GAC use resulted in the best turbidity removal and an efficient apparent and true color removal; in spite that the polishing columns reported similar results for those parameters. The utilization of GAC as an intermediate layer contributed to a better organic matter removal and the fabrics improved chlorophyll-a removal. The pre-filtration columns made an efficient algae and cyanobacteria removal, a function that was completed by the filters and reached >98% efficiency. The synthetic non-woven fabrics and GAC inclusion in MSF operation improved performance of this technology with ease of application and operation.

Geraniol-a flavoring agent with multifunctional effects in protecting the gastric and duodenal mucosa

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Micro-arc oxidation as a tool to develop multifunctional calcium-rich surfaces for dental implant applications

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

One-step glycerol oxidehydration to acrylic acid on multifunctional zeolite catalysts

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Multifunctional current reference generation strategy for grid-tied power electronic converter

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

EC84-406 Take Cover: A Guide to Selecting Furniture Fabrics

There are two general categories of furniture fabrics: those meant for use as slipcovers, and those for use as upholstery. Slipcovers are designed to fit snugly and yet be removable for cleaning. Upholstery fabrics are generally heavier; they are nailed or stapled directly to the furniture's frame or bonded to the padding. They are not removable. This publication is for persons considering an investment in upholstered furniture or upholstery fabric. It covers basic information on fabric components and construction to help the reader make a wise purchase.

DESIGN AND ANALYSIS OF MULTIFUNCTIONAL ROBOT FOR NOTES

The elimination of all external incisions is an important step in reducing the invasiveness of surgical procedures. Natural Orifice Translumenal Endoscopic Surgery (NOTES) is an incision-less surgery and provides explicit benefits such as reducing patient trauma and shortening recovery time. However, technological difficulties impede the widespread utilization of the NOTES method. A novel robotic tool has been developed, which makes NOTES procedures feasible by using multiple interchangeable tool tips. The robotic tool has the capability of entering the body cavity through an orifice or a single incision using a flexible articulated positioning mechanism and once inserted is not constrained by incisions, allowing for visualization and manipulations throughout the cavity. Multiple interchangeable tool tips of the robotic device initially consist of three end effectors: a grasper, scissors, and an atraumatic Babcock clamp. The tool changer is capable of selecting and switching between the three tools depending on the surgical task using a miniature mechanism driven by micro-motors. The robotic tool is remotely controlled through a joystick and computer interface. In this thesis, the following aspects of this robotic tool will be detailed. The first-generation robot is designed as a conceptual model for implementing a novel mechanism of switching, advancing, and controlling the tool tips using two micro-motors. It is believed that this mechanism achieves a reduction in cumbersome instrument exchanges and can reduce overall procedure time and the risk of inadvertent tissue trauma during exchanges with a natural orifice approach. Also, placing actuators directly at the surgical site enables the robot to generate sufficient force to operate effectively. Mounting the multifunctional robot on the distal end of an articulating tube provides freedom from restriction on the robot kinematics and helps solve some of the difficulties otherwise faced during surgery using NOTES or related approaches. The second-generation multifunctional robot is then introduced in which the overall size is reduced and two arms provide 2 additional degrees of freedom, resulting in feasibility of insertion through the esophagus and increased dexterity. Improvements are necessary in future iterations of the multifunctional robot; however, the work presented is a proof of concept for NOTES robots capable of abdominal surgical interventions.