High level communication functionalities for wireless sensor networks

In this paper we show how to establish a reliable and efficient high level communication system in a randomly deployed network of sensors equipped with directional antennas. This high level communication system enables the programming of the sensor network using high level communication functionalities without the burden of taking care of their physical capacities (low range, unidirectional links, single frequency, presence of collisions, etc.). The high level communication functionalities we offer include point-to-point communication, point-to-area communication, and one-to-all communication. The basic idea to implement this system is to simulate a virtual network that emerges from the ad-hoc network using self-organization, self-discovery and collaborative methods. We also analyse the efficiency, scalability and robustness of the proposed protocols.     

Dynamical modeling of transport in MOS structures containing silicon nanocrystals for memory applications

A compact model that can be used to reproduce both quasi-static and dynamic characteristics of basic MOS cells with embedded Si-nc is presented. The structure is modeled through a device-like complex matrix of tunnel junctions, resulting in a time-dependent non-linear system of differential equations that is numerically solved, including calculation of the capacitance matrix, analytical tunneling expressions (direct and Fowler-Nordheim) for electrons/holes, and derivation of the effective tunneling area. The threshold evolution is calculated by monitoring the charge at each Si-nc as a function of time. The model is successfully validated against experimental data, showing its applicability to predict program/erase characteristics of nanocrystal memories as well as threshold voltage bit-to-bit dispersion as a consequence of geometrical non-uniformities in the nanocrystal layer position and/or gate areal coverage.     

HS-SPME coupled to GC/MS for quality control of Juniperus communis L. berries used for gin aromatization

HS-SPME coupled to GC/MS was applied to the analysis of the volatile fraction of Juniperus communis L. berries, which are the principal ingredient used for gin aromatization. Seventy seven compounds were identified by comparison with reference compounds or tentatively identified by comparing their mass spectra and retention index with those reported in mass spectra libraries and literature, respectively. Seventy four were detected by SPME and sixty eight were detected by solvent distillation extraction (SDE). These were mainly mono- and sesquiterpenic compounds that represented more than the 80% of the gin’s volatile composition. A high percent content was due to monoterpenoids, whose analysis could be important for the assessment of sensory quality control of juniper due to their impact on gin aroma. The main monoterpenoids detected in the headspace of the juniper berries from two periods of collection were terpinen-4-ol, p-cymene, β-myrcene, γ-terpinene, α-pinene and limonene. These represented more than the 70% of the sample’s volatile fraction. The proposed SPME method required short times and the low cost of analysis and enabled to detect a number of compounds comparable with SDE or much higher than the number of compounds reported by other extraction techniques. The results suggested the suitability of this technique for the assessment of the volatile composition of juniper berries intended for gin flavouring.     

Infrared Faraday rotation on thin film In2O3+SnO2 semiconductors

Two sets of thin film sputtered In₂O₃+SnO₂ samples, one prepared in argon atmosphere with oxigen, and the other without, at various temperatures between 100°C and 250°C, have been studied by measuring their Farday rotation from optical to infrared frequencies, as well as their optical transmission spectra. The effect of the different treatments on the carrier densities and mobilities, show values that grow with deposition temperature. This can be attributed to an increase in the number of oxygen vacancies. On the other hand, the presence of O₂ in the atmosphere during deposition, leads to smaller values at the same temperatures, compared to those obtained in samples prepared in atmosphere without oxygen, seemingly as a result of the filling of the vacancies.     

New thermosets obtained by copolymerization of DGEBA with 1,5,7,11-tetraoxaspiro[5,5]undecane catalyzed by lanthanide triflates

DGEBA epoxy resin was cured with different proportions of 1,5,7,11-tetraoxaspiro[5,5]undecane (TOSU) with ytterbium and lanthanum triflates as catalysts. The curing was studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and Fourier transform infrared in the attenuated-total-reflexion mode (FTIR/ATR).FITR/ATR was used to monitor the competitive reactive processes and to quantify the evolution of the epoxide, orthocarbonate, linear carbonate and other groups formed in the curing process. The T_g of the cured materials decreased when the proportion of TOSU increased. The kinetics were studied by DSC experiments and analyzed with iso-conversional procedures. The systems catalyzed by ytterbium triflate had a higher curing rate and reached a higher degree of cross-linking. The addition of TOSU reduced the degree of overall shrinkage and even led to one material expanding. The flexibility and the degradability of these materials were improved by introducing higher proportions of TOSU.     

Back-end manager: an interface between a knowledge-based front end and its application subsystems

Front Ends for Open and Closed User Systems (FOCUS) is an ESPRIT/2 (no. 2620) project aimed at designing tools and techniques for the construction of knowledge-based front ends (KBFEs) for open-user systems (reusable software components, libraries, etc) and closed-user systems (free-standing software, packages, etc). An important part of the project involves the establishment of an architecture for KBFEs and the specification of the KBFE/back-end interface. This paper describes the properties and related issues of such an interface, known as the back-end manager (BEM), and its relationship to the proposed KBFE architecture.     

冷喷涂单颗粒铜在铝基体上的显微结构研究

采用冷喷涂法在铝(Al)基体上沉积单颗粒铜(Cu),利用聚焦离子束/电子束(FIB/SEM)系统精确定位并原位制备了完整单个颗粒Cu沉积在Al基体上的透射样品,分析其显微结构及形成原因。实验结果表明,撞击过程中温度与应力分布不均匀,导致沉积Cu颗粒不均匀形变。Cu/Al界面受影响较大:颗粒动能转化为形变能和热能,打破了界面处氧化膜,使界面附近温度迅速升高,发生动态再结晶,生成金属间化合物Cu_9Al_4;Cu颗粒内距界面越远的区域,受温度和应力的影响越小,其变形主要是通过晶体内位错增殖和移动;沉积颗粒顶部,远离Cu/Al界面,几乎不受应力和温度影响,保持原始显微结构。     

Propagation delay influence in IEEE 802.11 outdoor networks

Originally, Wireless Local Area Networks served only small indoor areas. Nevertheless, the idea of employing IEEE 802.11 networks in large outdoor environments is a very attractive possibility. IEEE 802.11 technology offers several advantages: the low cost of equipment, its operation in the unlicensed spectrum and its higher data rates. Since the advent of the first IEEE 802.11 standard, a great deal of research has been carried out. So-called Wifi-based Long Distance networks are currently being deployed. In this paper, we study the suitability of employing IEEE 802.11 networks in large outdoor environments without modifying the standard working procedure. In such scenarios, IEEE 802.11 networks should offer coverage ranges of several kilometer, which leads to high propagation delay values. Thus, we analyze the influence of increasing propagation delay in the IEEE 802.11 MAC protocol. To carry out our analysis we present a mathematical model and simulation results. We provide an operating range in which IEEE 802.11 performance is feasible and establish a throughput threshold according to the propagation delay.     

The future of security in Wireless Multimedia Sensor Networks

This is a position paper on our views on security aspects of Wireless Multimedia Sensor Networks (Secure WMSNs). It is meant to serve as a brief survey. But, more importantly, it gives a perspective on how we foresee the future of this research area, its main challenges, and its future trends. We believe that this paper will spur new discussions and research ideas among the researchers from both the industry and the academic world.     

Extra Virgin Olive Oil Components and Oxidative Stability from Olives Grown in Tunisia

The effects of the contents of lipids, pigments, α-tocopherol and phenols were studied in relation to the antioxidant capacity of five virgin olive oils obtained from five olive cultivars planted in Tunisia (Arbequina, Koroneiki, Leccino, Oueslati and Chemchali). The antioxidant capacities were evaluated by two different radical scavenging activities: radical scavenging activity by the DPPH assay (RSA-DPPH) and total antioxidant status by the ABTS test (TAA-ABTS). The highest contents of antioxidant compounds (75.96, 10.34, 6.32, 15.39 and 241.52 mg kg⁻¹ for oleic acid, O/L ratio, carotenes, chlorophylls and total phenols, respectively) were found for the Koroneiki cultivar except for α-tocopherol and o-diphenols, which had the highest contents (369 and 160.7 mg kg⁻¹, respectively) in the Leccino and Chemchali cultivars (cvs). Furthermore, the highest antioxidant capacity in virgin olive oil was observed in the Koroneiki cultivar (0.24 mmol TE kg⁻¹) followed by the Chemchali and Leccino cvs (0.22 and 0.13 mmol TE kg⁻¹) for the TAA-ABTS test. However, the RSA-DPPH activity was higher for the Chemchali cultivar (19.9%) than for the Koroneiki and Leccino cvs (18.4 and 13.5%, respectively). Correlation between these capacities and the oil composition revealed that they were mainly influenced by the carotene content, followed by chlorophyll and phenolic contents where the ABTS test was more pronounced. Then, the antioxidant capacity of the virgin olive oils was correlated with polar components and the lipid profile which are important for its shelf life.