@article{BungValero2016, author = {Bung, Daniel Bernhard and Valero, Daniel}, title = {Optical flow estimation in aerated flows}, series = {Journal of Hydraulic Research}, volume = {54}, journal = {Journal of Hydraulic Research}, number = {5}, publisher = {Taylor \& Francis}, address = {London}, doi = {10.1080/00221686.2016.1173600}, pages = {575 -- 580}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Optical flow estimation is known from Computer Vision where it is used to determine obstacle movements through a sequence of images following an assumption of brightness conservation. This paper presents the first study on application of the optical flow method to aerated stepped spillway flows. For this purpose, the flow is captured with a high-speed camera and illuminated with a synchronized LED light source. The flow velocities, obtained using a basic Horn-Schunck method for estimation of the optical flow coupled with an image pyramid multi-resolution approach for image filtering, compare well with data from intrusive conductivity probe measurements. Application of the Horn-Schunck method yields densely populated flow field data sets with velocity information for every pixel. It is found that the image pyramid approach has the most significant effect on the accuracy compared to other image processing techniques. However, the final results show some dependency on the pixel intensity distribution, with better accuracy found for grey values between 100 and 150.}, language = {en} } @article{RoeschKratzHeringetal.2016, author = {R{\"o}sch, C. and Kratz, F. and Hering, T. and Trautmann, S. and Umanskaya, N. and Tippk{\"o}tter, Nils and M{\"u}ller-Renno, C.M. and Ulber, Roland and Hannig, M. and Ziegler, C.}, title = {Albumin-lysozyme interactions: cooperative adsorption on titanium and enzymatic activity}, series = {Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces}, volume = {149}, journal = {Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces}, number = {1}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, doi = {10.1016/j.colsurfb.2016.09.048}, pages = {115 -- 121}, year = {2016}, abstract = {The interplay of albumin (BSA) and lysozyme (LYZ) adsorbed simultaneously on titanium was analyzed by gel electrophoresis and BCA assay. It was found that BSA and lysozyme adsorb cooperatively. Additionally, the isoelectric point of the respective protein influences the adsorption. Also, the enzymatic activity of lysozyme and amylase (AMY) in mixtures with BSA was considered with respect to a possible influence of protein-protein interaction on enzyme activity. Indeed, an increase of lysozyme activity in the presence of BSA could be observed. In contrast, BSA does not influence the activity of amylase.}, language = {en} } @article{RothTippkoetter2016, author = {Roth, Jasmine and Tippk{\"o}tter, Nils}, title = {Evaluation of lignocellulosic material for butanol production using enzymatic hydrolysate medium}, series = {Cellulose Chemistry and Technology}, volume = {50}, journal = {Cellulose Chemistry and Technology}, number = {3-4}, publisher = {Editura Academiei Romane}, address = {Bukarest}, pages = {405 -- 410}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Butanol is a promising gasoline additive and platform chemical that can be readily produced via acetone-butanolethanol (ABE) fermentation from pretreated lignocellulosic materials. This article examines lignocellulosic material from beech wood for ABE fermentation, using Clostridium acetobutylicum. First, the utilization of both C₅₋ (xylose) and C₆₋ (glucose) sugars as sole carbon source was investigated in static cultivation, using serum bottles and synthetic medium. The utilization of pentose sugar resulted in a solvent yield of 0.231 g·g_sugar⁻¹, compared to 0.262 g·g_sugar⁻¹ using hexose. Then, the Organosolv pretreated crude cellulose fibers (CF) were enzymatically decomposed, and the resulting hydrolysate medium was analyzed for inhibiting compounds (furans, organic acids, phenolics) and treated with ionexchangers for detoxification. Batch fermentation in a bioreactor using CF hydrolysate medium resulted in a total solvent yield of 0.20 gABE·g_sugar⁻¹.}, language = {en} } @article{AlKaidyTippkoetter2016, author = {Al-Kaidy, Huschyar and Tippk{\"o}tter, Nils}, title = {Superparamagnetic hydrophobic particles as shell material for digital microfluidic droplets and proof-of-principle reaction assessments with immobilized laccase}, series = {Engineering in Life Sciences}, volume = {16}, journal = {Engineering in Life Sciences}, number = {3}, publisher = {Wiley-VCH}, address = {Weinheim}, doi = {10.1002/elsc.201400124}, pages = {222 -- 230}, year = {2016}, abstract = {In the field of biotechnology and molecular biology, the use of small liquid volumes has significant advantages. In particular, screening and optimization runs with acceptable amounts of expensive and hardly available catalysts, reagents, or biomolecules are feasible with microfluidic technologies. The presented new microfluidic system is based on the inclusion of small liquid volumes by a protective shell of magnetizable microparticles. Hereby, discrete aqueous microreactor drops with volumes of 1-30 μL can be formed on a simple planar surface. A digital movement and manipulation of the microreactor is performed by overlapping magnetic forces. The magnetic forces are generated by an electrical coil matrix positioned below a glass plate. With the new platform technology, several discrete reaction compartments can be moved simultaneously on one surface. Due to the magnetic fields, the reactors can even be merged to initiate reactions by mixing or positioned above surface-immobilized catalysts and then opened by magnetic force. Comparative synthesis routes of the magnetizable shell particles and superhydrophobic glass slides including their performance and stability with the reaction platform are described. The influence of diffusive mass transport during the catalyzed reaction is discussed by evaluation finite element model of the microreactor. Furthermore, a first model dye reaction of the enzyme laccase has been established.}, language = {en} } @article{AlKaidyKuthanHeringetal.2016, author = {Al-Kaidy, Huschyar and Kuthan, Kai and Hering, Thomas and Tippk{\"o}tter, Nils}, title = {Aqueous droplets used as enzymatic microreactors and their electromagnetic actuation}, series = {Journal of Visualized Experiments}, journal = {Journal of Visualized Experiments}, number = {Issue 126}, issn = {1940-087X}, doi = {10.3791/54643}, year = {2016}, abstract = {For the successful implementation of microfluidic reaction systems, such as PCR and electrophoresis, the movement of small liquid volumes is essential. In conventional lab-on-a-chip-platforms, solvents and samples are passed through defined microfluidic channels with complex flow control installations. The droplet actuation platform presented here is a promising alternative. With it, it is possible to move a liquid drop (microreactor) on a planar surface of a reaction platform (lab-in-a-drop). The actuation of microreactors on the hydrophobic surface of the platform is based on the use of magnetic forces acting on the outer shell of the liquid drops which is made of a thin layer of superhydrophobic magnetite particles. The hydrophobic surface of the platform is needed to avoid any contact between the liquid core and the surface to allow a smooth movement of the microreactor. On the platform, one or more microreactors with volumes of 10 µL can be positioned and moved simultaneously. The platform itself consists of a 3 x 3 matrix of electrical double coils which accommodate either neodymium or iron cores. The magnetic field gradients are automatically controlled. By variation of the magnetic field gradients, the microreactors' magnetic hydrophobic shell can be manipulated automatically to move the microreactor or open the shell reversibly. Reactions of substrates and corresponding enzymes can be initiated by merging the microreactors or bringing them into contact with surface immobilized catalysts.}, language = {en} } @article{PaulssenLengkeekLeetal.2016, author = {Paulßen, Elisabeth and Lengkeek, Nigel A. and Le, Van So and Pellegrini, Paul A. and Greguric, Ivan and Weiner, Ron}, title = {The role of additives in moderating the influence of Fe(III) and Cu(II) on the radiochemical yield of [⁶⁸Ga(DOTATATE)]}, series = {Applied Radiation and Isotopes}, volume = {107}, journal = {Applied Radiation and Isotopes}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {1872-9800}, doi = {10.1016/j.apradiso.2015.09.008}, pages = {13 -- 16}, year = {2016}, abstract = {[⁶⁸Ga(DOTATATE)] has demonstrated its clinical usefulness. Both Fe³⁺ and Cu²⁺, potential contaminants in Gallium-68 generator eluent, substantially reduce the radiochemical (RC) yield of [⁶⁸Ga(DOTATATE)] if the metal/ligand ratio of 1:1 is exceeded. A variety of compounds were examined for their potential ability to reduce this effect. Most had no effect on RC yield. However, addition of phosphate diminished the influence of Fe³⁺ by likely forming an insoluble iron salt. Addition of ascorbic acid reduced Cu²⁺ and Fe³⁺ to Cu⁺ and Fe²⁺ respectively, both of which have limited impact on RC yields. At low ligand amounts (5 nmol DOTATATE), the addition of 30 nmol phosphate (0.19 mM) increased the tolerance of Fe3⁺ from 4 nmol to 10 nmol (0.06 mM), while the addition of ascorbic acid allowed high RC yields (>95\%) in the presence of 40 nmol Fe³⁺ (0.25 mM) and 100 nmol Cu²⁺ (0.63 mM). The effect of ascorbic acid was highly pH-dependant, and gave optimal results at pH 3.}, language = {en} } @article{InfantinoPaulssenMostaccietal.2016, author = {Infantino, Angelo and Paulßen, Elisabeth and Mostacci, Domiziano and Schaffer, Paul and Trinczek, Michael and Hoehr, Cornelia}, title = {Assessment of the production of medical isotopes using the Monte Carlo code FLUKA: Simulations against experimental measurements}, series = {Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section B: Beam Interactions with Materials and Atoms}, volume = {366}, journal = {Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section B: Beam Interactions with Materials and Atoms}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {1872-9584}, doi = {10.1016/j.nimb.2015.10.067}, pages = {117 -- 123}, year = {2016}, abstract = {The Monte Carlo code FLUKA is used to simulate the production of a number of positron emitting radionuclides, ¹⁸F, ¹³N, ⁹⁴Tc, ⁴⁴Sc, ⁶⁸Ga, ⁸⁶Y, ⁸⁹Zr, ⁵²Mn, ⁶¹Cu and ⁵⁵Co, on a small medical cyclotron with a proton beam energy of 13 MeV. Experimental data collected at the TR13 cyclotron at TRIUMF agree within a factor of 0.6 ± 0.4 with the directly simulated data, except for the production of ⁵⁵Co, where the simulation underestimates the experiment by a factor of 3.4 ± 0.4. The experimental data also agree within a factor of 0.8 ± 0.6 with the convolution of simulated proton fluence and cross sections from literature. Overall, this confirms the applicability of FLUKA to simulate radionuclide production at 13 MeV proton beam energy.}, language = {en} } @article{Bernecker2016, author = {Bernecker, Andreas}, title = {Divided we reform? Evidence from US welfare policies}, series = {Journal of Public Economics}, volume = {142}, journal = {Journal of Public Economics}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {0047-2727}, doi = {10.1016/j.jpubeco.2016.08.003}, pages = {24 -- 38}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Divided government is often thought of as causing legislative deadlock. I investigate the link between divided government and economic reforms using a novel data set on welfare reforms in US states between 1978 and 2010. Panel data regressions show that, under divided government, a US state is around 25\% more likely to adopt a welfare reform than under unified government. Several robustness checks confirm this counter-intuitive finding. Case study evidence suggests an explanation based on policy competition between governor, senate, and house.}, language = {en} } @article{PeloniCeriottiDachwald2016, author = {Peloni, Alessandro and Ceriotti, Matteo and Dachwald, Bernd}, title = {Solar-sail trajectory design for a multiple near-earth-asteroid rendezvous mission}, series = {Journal of Guidance, Control, and Dynamics}, volume = {39}, journal = {Journal of Guidance, Control, and Dynamics}, number = {12}, publisher = {AIAA}, address = {Reston, Va.}, issn = {0731-5090}, doi = {10.2514/1.G000470}, pages = {2712 -- 2724}, year = {2016}, abstract = {The scientific interest for near-Earth asteroids as well as the interest in potentially hazardous asteroids from the perspective of planetary defense led the space community to focus on near-Earth asteroid mission studies. A multiple near-Earth asteroid rendezvous mission with close-up observations of several objects can help to improve the characterization of these asteroids. This work explores the design of a solar-sail spacecraft for such a mission, focusing on the search of possible sequences of encounters and the trajectory optimization. This is done in two sequential steps: a sequence search by means of a simplified trajectory model and a set of heuristic rules based on astrodynamics, and a subsequent optimization phase. A shape-based approach for solar sailing has been developed and is used for the first phase. The effectiveness of the proposed approach is demonstrated through a fully optimized multiple near-Earth asteroid rendezvous mission. The results show that it is possible to visit five near-Earth asteroids within 10 years with near-term solar-sail technology.}, language = {en} } @article{LeversStaatLaack2016, author = {Levers, A. and Staat, Manfred and Laack, Walter van}, title = {Analysis of the long-term effect of the MBST® nuclear magnetic resonance therapy on gonarthrosis}, series = {Orthopedic Practice}, volume = {47}, journal = {Orthopedic Practice}, number = {11}, pages = {521 -- 528}, year = {2016}, language = {en} }