@article{HafidiElHatkaSchmitzetal.2024, author = {Hafidi, Youssef and El Hatka, Hicham and Schmitz, Dominik and Krauss, Manuel and Pettrak, J{\"u}rgen and Biel, Markus and Ittobane, Najim}, title = {Sustainable soil additives for water and micronutrient supply: swelling and chelating properties of polyaspartic acid hydrogels utilizing newly developed crosslinkers}, series = {Gels}, volume = {10}, journal = {Gels}, number = {3}, publisher = {MDPI}, address = {Basel}, issn = {2310-2861}, doi = {10.3390/gels10030170}, pages = {Artikel 170}, year = {2024}, abstract = {Drought and water shortage are serious problems in many arid and semi-arid regions. This problem is getting worse and even continues in temperate climatic regions due to climate change. To address this problem, the use of biodegradable hydrogels is increasingly important for the application as water-retaining additives in soil. Furthermore, efficient (micro-)nutrient supply can be provided by the use of tailored hydrogels. Biodegradable polyaspartic acid (PASP) hydrogels with different available (1,6-hexamethylene diamine (HMD) and L-lysine (LYS)) and newly developed crosslinkers based on diesters of glycine (GLY) and (di-)ethylene glycol (DEG and EG, respectively) were synthesized and characterized using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and regarding their swelling properties (kinetic, absorbency under load (AUL)) as well as biodegradability of PASP hydrogel. Copper (II) and zinc (II), respectively, were loaded as micronutrients in two different approaches: in situ with crosslinking and subsequent loading of prepared hydrogels. The results showed successful syntheses of di-glycine-ester-based crosslinkers. Hydrogels with good water-absorbing properties were formed. Moreover, the developed crosslinking agents in combination with the specific reaction conditions resulted in higher water absorbency with increased crosslinker content used in synthesis (10\% vs. 20\%). The prepared hydrogels are candidates for water-storing soil additives due to the biodegradability of PASP, which is shown in an exemple. The incorporation of Cu(II) and Zn(II) ions can provide these micronutrients for plant growth.}, language = {en} } @article{BornheimGriegerBlanecketal.2024, author = {Bornheim, Tobias and Grieger, Niklas and Blaneck, Patrick Gustav and Bialonski, Stephan}, title = {Speaker Attribution in German Parliamentary Debates with QLoRA-adapted Large Language Models}, series = {Journal for language technology and computational linguistics : JLCL}, volume = {37}, journal = {Journal for language technology and computational linguistics : JLCL}, number = {1}, publisher = {Gesellschaft f{\"u}r Sprachtechnologie und Computerlinguistik}, address = {Regensburg}, issn = {2190-6858}, doi = {10.21248/jlcl.37.2024.244}, pages = {13 Seiten}, year = {2024}, abstract = {The growing body of political texts opens up new opportunities for rich insights into political dynamics and ideologies but also increases the workload for manual analysis. Automated speaker attribution, which detects who said what to whom in a speech event and is closely related to semantic role labeling, is an important processing step for computational text analysis. We study the potential of the large language model family Llama 2 to automate speaker attribution in German parliamentary debates from 2017-2021. We fine-tune Llama 2 with QLoRA, an efficient training strategy, and observe our approach to achieve competitive performance in the GermEval 2023 Shared Task On Speaker Attribution in German News Articles and Parliamentary Debates. Our results shed light on the capabilities of large language models in automating speaker attribution, revealing a promising avenue for computational analysis of political discourse and the development of semantic role labeling systems.}, language = {en} } @article{TurdumamatovBeldaHeuermann2024, author = {Turdumamatov, Samat and Belda, Aljoscha and Heuermann, Holger}, title = {Shaping a decoupled atmospheric pressure microwave plasma with antenna structures, Maxwell's equations, and boundary conditions}, series = {IEEE Transactions on Plasma Science}, journal = {IEEE Transactions on Plasma Science}, number = {Early Access}, publisher = {IEEE}, issn = {0093-3813 (Print)}, doi = {10.1109/TPS.2024.3383589}, pages = {1 -- 9}, year = {2024}, abstract = {This article addresses the need for an innovative technique in plasma shaping, utilizing antenna structures, Maxwell's laws, and boundary conditions within a shielded environment. The motivation lies in exploring a novel approach to efficiently generate high-energy density plasma with potential applications across various fields. Implemented in an E01 circular cavity resonator, the proposed method involves the use of an impedance and field matching device with a coaxial connector and a specially optimized monopole antenna. This setup feeds a low-loss cavity resonator, resulting in a high-energy density air plasma with a surface temperature exceeding 3500 o C, achieved with a minimal power input of 80 W. The argon plasma, resembling the shape of a simple monopole antenna with modeled complex dielectric values, offers a more energy-efficient alternative compared to traditional, power-intensive plasma shaping methods. Simulations using a commercial electromagnetic (EM) solver validate the design's effectiveness, while experimental validation underscores the method's feasibility and practical implementation. Analyzing various parameters in an argon atmosphere, including hot S -parameters and plasma beam images, the results demonstrate the successful application of this technique, suggesting its potential in coating, furnace technology, fusion, and spectroscopy applications.}, language = {en} } @article{HoffstadtNikolauszKrafftetal.2024, author = {Hoffstadt, Kevin and Nikolausz, Marcell and Krafft, Simone and Bonatelli, Maria and Kumar, Vivekanantha and Harms, Hauke and Kuperjans, Isabel}, title = {Optimization of the ex situ biomethanation of hydrogen and carbon dioxide in a novel meandering plug flow reactor: start-up phase and flexible operation}, series = {Bioengineering}, volume = {11}, journal = {Bioengineering}, number = {2}, publisher = {MDPI}, address = {Basel}, issn = {2306-5354}, doi = {10.3390/bioengineering11020165}, pages = {18 Seiten}, year = {2024}, language = {en} } @article{PieronekKleefeld2024, author = {Pieronek, Lukas and Kleefeld, Andreas}, title = {On trajectories of complex-valued interior transmission eigenvalues}, series = {Inverse problems and imaging : IPI}, volume = {18}, journal = {Inverse problems and imaging : IPI}, number = {2}, publisher = {AIMS}, address = {Springfield, Mo}, issn = {1930-8337 (Print)}, doi = {10.3934/ipi.2023041}, pages = {480 -- 516}, year = {2024}, abstract = {This paper investigates the interior transmission problem for homogeneous media via eigenvalue trajectories parameterized by the magnitude of the refractive index. In the case that the scatterer is the unit disk, we prove that there is a one-to-one correspondence between complex-valued interior transmission eigenvalue trajectories and Dirichlet eigenvalues of the Laplacian which turn out to be exactly the trajectorial limit points as the refractive index tends to infinity. For general simply-connected scatterers in two or three dimensions, a corresponding relation is still open, but further theoretical results and numerical studies indicate a similar connection.}, language = {en} } @article{HaegerJolmesOyenetal.2024, author = {Haeger, Gerrit and Jolmes, Tristan and Oyen, Sven and Jaeger, Karl-Erich and Bongaerts, Johannes and Sch{\"o}rken, Ulrich and Siegert, Petra}, title = {Novel recombinant aminoacylase from Paraburkholderia monticola capable of N-acyl-amino acid synthesis}, series = {Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology}, journal = {Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology}, number = {108}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {Berlin}, issn = {1432-0614}, doi = {10.1007/s00253-023-12868-8}, pages = {14 Seiten}, year = {2024}, abstract = {N-Acyl-amino acids can act as mild biobased surfactants, which are used, e.g., in baby shampoos. However, their chemical synthesis needs acyl chlorides and does not meet sustainability criteria. Thus, the identification of biocatalysts to develop greener synthesis routes is desirable. We describe a novel aminoacylase from Paraburkholderia monticola DSM 100849 (PmAcy) which was identified, cloned, and evaluated for its N-acyl-amino acid synthesis potential. Soluble protein was obtained by expression in lactose autoinduction medium and co-expression of molecular chaperones GroEL/S. Strep-tag affinity purification enriched the enzyme 16-fold and yielded 15 mg pure enzyme from 100 mL of culture. Biochemical characterization revealed that PmAcy possesses beneficial traits for industrial application like high temperature and pH-stability. A heat activation of PmAcy was observed upon incubation at temperatures up to 80 °C. Hydrolytic activity of PmAcy was detected with several N-acyl-amino acids as substrates and exhibited the highest conversion rate of 773 U/mg with N-lauroyl-L-alanine at 75 °C. The enzyme preferred long-chain acyl-amino-acids and displayed hardly any activity with acetyl-amino acids. PmAcy was also capable of N-acyl-amino acid synthesis with good conversion rates. The best synthesis results were obtained with the cationic L-amino acids L-arginine and L-lysine as well as with L-leucine and L-phenylalanine. Exemplarily, L-phenylalanine was acylated with fatty acids of chain lengths from C8 to C18 with conversion rates of up to 75\%. N-lauroyl-L-phenylalanine was purified by precipitation, and the structure of the reaction product was verified by LC-MS and NMR.}, language = {en} } @article{SchoenrockMuckeltHastermannetal.2024, author = {Schoenrock, Britt and Muckelt, Paul E. and Hastermann, Maria and Albracht, Kirsten and MacGregor, Robert and Martin, David and Gunga, Hans-Christian and Salanova, Michele and Stokes, Maria J. and Warner, Martin B. and Blottner, Dieter}, title = {Muscle stiffness indicating mission crew health in space}, series = {Scientific Reports}, volume = {14}, journal = {Scientific Reports}, number = {Article number: 4196}, publisher = {Springer Nature}, address = {London}, issn = {2045-2322}, doi = {10.1038/s41598-024-54759-6}, pages = {13 Seiten}, year = {2024}, abstract = {Muscle function is compromised by gravitational unloading in space affecting overall musculoskeletal health. Astronauts perform daily exercise programmes to mitigate these effects but knowing which muscles to target would optimise effectiveness. Accurate inflight assessment to inform exercise programmes is critical due to lack of technologies suitable for spaceflight. Changes in mechanical properties indicate muscle health status and can be measured rapidly and non-invasively using novel technology. A hand-held MyotonPRO device enabled monitoring of muscle health for the first time in spaceflight (> 180 days). Greater/maintained stiffness indicated countermeasures were effective. Tissue stiffness was preserved in the majority of muscles (neck, shoulder, back, thigh) but Tibialis Anterior (foot lever muscle) stiffness decreased inflight vs. preflight (p < 0.0001; mean difference 149 N/m) in all 12 crewmembers. The calf muscles showed opposing effects, Gastrocnemius increasing in stiffness Soleus decreasing. Selective stiffness decrements indicate lack of preservation despite daily inflight countermeasures. This calls for more targeted exercises for lower leg muscles with vital roles as ankle joint stabilizers and in gait. Muscle stiffness is a digital biomarker for risk monitoring during future planetary explorations (Moon, Mars), for healthcare management in challenging environments or clinical disorders in people on Earth, to enable effective tailored exercise programmes.}, language = {en} } @article{EngelmannSimsekShalabyetal.2024, author = {Engelmann, Ulrich M. and Simsek, Beril and Shalaby, Ahmed and Krause, Hans-Joachim}, title = {Key contributors to signal generation in frequency mixing magnetic detection (FMMD): an in silico study}, series = {Sensors}, volume = {24}, journal = {Sensors}, number = {6}, publisher = {MDPI}, address = {Basel}, issn = {1424-8220}, doi = {10.3390/s24061945}, pages = {Artikel 1945}, year = {2024}, abstract = {Frequency mixing magnetic detection (FMMD) is a sensitive and selective technique to detect magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) serving as probes for binding biological targets. Its principle relies on the nonlinear magnetic relaxation dynamics of a particle ensemble interacting with a dual frequency external magnetic field. In order to increase its sensitivity, lower its limit of detection and overall improve its applicability in biosensing, matching combinations of external field parameters and internal particle properties are being sought to advance FMMD. In this study, we systematically probe the aforementioned interaction with coupled N{\´e}el-Brownian dynamic relaxation simulations to examine how key MNP properties as well as applied field parameters affect the frequency mixing signal generation. It is found that the core size of MNPs dominates their nonlinear magnetic response, with the strongest contributions from the largest particles. The drive field amplitude dominates the shape of the field-dependent response, whereas effective anisotropy and hydrodynamic size of the particles only weakly influence the signal generation in FMMD. For tailoring the MNP properties and parameters of the setup towards optimal FMMD signal generation, our findings suggest choosing large particles of core sizes dc > 25 nm nm with narrow size distributions (σ < 0.1) to minimize the required drive field amplitude. This allows potential improvements of FMMD as a stand-alone application, as well as advances in magnetic particle imaging, hyperthermia and magnetic immunoassays.}, language = {en} } @article{BertzSchoeningMolinnusetal.2024, author = {Bertz, Morten and Sch{\"o}ning, Michael Josef and Molinnus, Denise and Homma, Takayuki}, title = {Influence of temperature, light, and H₂O₂ concentration on microbial spore inactivation: in-situ Raman spectroscopy combined with optical trapping}, series = {Physica status solidi (a) applications and materials science}, journal = {Physica status solidi (a) applications and materials science}, number = {Early View}, publisher = {Wiley-VCH}, address = {Berlin}, issn = {1862-6319 (Online)}, doi = {10.1002/pssa.202300866}, pages = {8 Seiten}, year = {2024}, abstract = {To gain insight on chemical sterilization processes, the influence of temperature (up to 70 °C), intense green light, and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) concentration (up to 30\% in aqueous solution) on microbial spore inactivation is evaluated by in-situ Raman spectroscopy with an optical trap. Bacillus atrophaeus is utilized as a model organism. Individual spores are isolated and their chemical makeup is monitored under dynamically changing conditions (temperature, light, and H₂O₂ concentration) to mimic industrially relevant process parameters for sterilization in the field of aseptic food processing. While isolated spores in water are highly stable, even at elevated temperatures of 70 °C, exposure to H₂O₂ leads to a loss of spore integrity characterized by the release of the key spore biomarker dipicolinic acid (DPA) in a concentration-dependent manner, which indicates damage to the inner membrane of the spore. Intensive light or heat, both of which accelerate the decomposition of H₂O₂ into reactive oxygen species (ROS), drastically shorten the spore lifetime, suggesting the formation of ROS as a rate-limiting step during sterilization. It is concluded that Raman spectroscopy can deliver mechanistic insight into the mode of action of H₂O₂-based sterilization and reveal the individual contributions of different sterilization methods acting in tandem.}, language = {en} } @article{YoshinobuMiyamotoWagneretal.2024, author = {Yoshinobu, Tatsuo and Miyamoto, Ko-ichiro and Wagner, Torsten and Sch{\"o}ning, Michael Josef}, title = {Field-effect sensors combined with the scanned light pulse technique: from artificial olfactory images to chemical imaging technologies}, series = {Chemosensors}, volume = {12}, journal = {Chemosensors}, number = {2}, publisher = {MDPI}, address = {Basel}, issn = {2227-9040}, doi = {10.3390/chemosensors12020020}, pages = {Artikel 20}, year = {2024}, abstract = {The artificial olfactory image was proposed by Lundstr{\"o}m et al. in 1991 as a new strategy for an electronic nose system which generated a two-dimensional mapping to be interpreted as a fingerprint of the detected gas species. The potential distribution generated by the catalytic metals integrated into a semiconductor field-effect structure was read as a photocurrent signal generated by scanning light pulses. The impact of the proposed technology spread beyond gas sensing, inspiring the development of various imaging modalities based on the light addressing of field-effect structures to obtain spatial maps of pH distribution, ions, molecules, and impedance, and these modalities have been applied in both biological and non-biological systems. These light-addressing technologies have been further developed to realize the position control of a faradaic current on the electrode surface for localized electrochemical reactions and amperometric measurements, as well as the actuation of liquids in microfluidic devices.}, language = {en} }