@article{WardoyoNoorElbersetal.2020, author = {Wardoyo, Arinto Y.P. and Noor, Johan A.E. and Elbers, Gereon and Schmitz, Sandra and Flaig, Sascha T. and Budianto, Arif}, title = {Characterizing volcanic ash elements from the 2015 eruptions of bromo and raung volcanoes, Indonesia}, series = {Polish Journal of Environmental Studies}, volume = {29}, journal = {Polish Journal of Environmental Studies}, number = {2}, publisher = {HARD}, address = {Olsztyn}, issn = {2083-5906}, doi = {10.15244/pjoes/99101}, pages = {1899 -- 1907}, year = {2020}, abstract = {The volcanic eruptions of Mt. Bromo and Mt. Raung in East Java, Indonesia, in 2015 perturbed volcanic materials and affected surface-layer air quality at surrounding locations. During the episodes, the volcanic ash from the eruptions influenced visibility, traffic accidents, flight schedules, and human health. In this research, the volcanic ash particles were collected and characterized by relying on the detail of physical observation. We performed an assessment of the volcanic ash elements to characterize the volcanic ash using two different methods which are aqua regia extracts followed by MP-AES and XRF laboratory test of bulk samples. The analysis results showed that the volcanic ash was mixed of many materials, such as Al, Si, P, K, Ca, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, and others. Fe, Si, Ca, and Al were found as the major elements, while the others were the trace elements Ba, Cr, Cu, Mn, P, Mn, Ni, Zn, Sb, Sr, and V with the minor concentrations. XRF analyses showed that Fe dominated the elements of the volcanic ash. The XRF analysis showed that Fe was at 35.40\% in Bromo and 43.00\% in Raung of the detected elements in bulk material. The results of aqua regia extracts analyzed by MP-AES were 1.80\% and 1.70\% of Fe element for Bromo and Raung volcanoes, respectively.}, language = {en} } @article{LowisFergusonPaulssenetal.2021, author = {Lowis, Carsten and Ferguson, Simon and Paulßen, Elisabeth and Hoehr, Cornelia}, title = {Improved Sc-44 production in a siphon-style liquid target on a medical cyclotron}, series = {Applied Radiation and Isotopes}, volume = {172}, journal = {Applied Radiation and Isotopes}, number = {Art. 109675}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {0969-8043}, doi = {10.1016/j.apradiso.2021.109675}, year = {2021}, language = {en} } @article{BergsMonakhovaDiehletal.2021, author = {Bergs, Michel and Monakhova, Yulia and Diehl, Bernd W. and Konow, Christopher and V{\"o}lkering, Georg and Pude, Ralf and Schulze, Margit}, title = {Lignins isolated via catalyst-free organosolv pulping from Miscanthus x giganteus, M. sinensis, M. robustus and M. nagara: a comparative study}, series = {Molecules}, volume = {26}, journal = {Molecules}, number = {4}, publisher = {MDPI}, address = {Basel}, issn = {1420-3049}, doi = {10.3390/molecules26040842}, year = {2021}, abstract = {As a low-input crop, Miscanthus offers numerous advantages that, in addition to agricultural applications, permits its exploitation for energy, fuel, and material production. Depending on the Miscanthus genotype, season, and harvest time as well as plant component (leaf versus stem), correlations between structure and properties of the corresponding isolated lignins differ. Here, a comparative study is presented between lignins isolated from M. x giganteus, M. sinensis, M. robustus and M. nagara using a catalyst-free organosolv pulping process. The lignins from different plant constituents are also compared regarding their similarities and differences regarding monolignol ratio and important linkages. Results showed that the plant genotype has the weakest influence on monolignol content and interunit linkages. In contrast, structural differences are more significant among lignins of different harvest time and/or season. Analyses were performed using fast and simple methods such as nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Data was assigned to four different linkages (A: β-O-4 linkage, B: phenylcoumaran, C: resinol, D: β-unsaturated ester). In conclusion, A content is particularly high in leaf-derived lignins at just under 70\% and significantly lower in stem and mixture lignins at around 60\% and almost 65\%. The second most common linkage pattern is D in all isolated lignins, the proportion of which is also strongly dependent on the crop portion. Both stem and mixture lignins, have a relatively high share of approximately 20\% or more (maximum is M. sinensis Sin2 with over 30\%). In the leaf-derived lignins, the proportions are significantly lower on average. Stem samples should be chosen if the highest possible lignin content is desired, specifically from the M. x giganteus genotype, which revealed lignin contents up to 27\%. Due to the better frost resistance and higher stem stability, M. nagara offers some advantages compared to M. x giganteus. Miscanthus crops are shown to be very attractive lignocellulose feedstock (LCF) for second generation biorefineries and lignin generation in Europe.}, language = {en} } @article{EckertAbbasiMangetal.2020, author = {Eckert, Alexander and Abbasi, Mozhdeh and Mang, Thomas and Saalw{\"a}chter, Kay and Walther, Andreas}, title = {Structure, Mechanical Properties, and Dynamics of Polyethylenoxide/Nanoclay Nacre-Mimetic Nanocomposites}, series = {Macromolecules}, volume = {53}, journal = {Macromolecules}, number = {5}, publisher = {ACS Publications}, address = {Washington, DC}, issn = {1520-5835}, doi = {10.1021/acs.macromol.9b01931}, pages = {1716 -- 1725}, year = {2020}, abstract = {Nacre-mimetic nanocomposites based on high fractions of synthetic high-aspect-ratio nanoclays in combination with polymers are continuously pushing boundaries for advanced material properties, such as high barrier against oxygen, extraordinary mechanical behavior, fire shielding, and glass-like transparency. Additionally, they provide interesting model systems to study polymers under nanoconfinement due to the well-defined layered nanocomposite arrangement. Although the general behavior in terms of forming such layered nanocomposite materials using evaporative self-assembly and controlling the nanoclay gallery spacing by the nanoclay/polymer ratio is understood, some combinations of polymer matrices and nanoclay reinforcement do not comply with the established models. Here, we demonstrate a thorough characterization and analysis of such an unusual polymer/nanoclay pair that falls outside of the general behavior. Poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) and sodium fluorohectorite form nacre-mimetic, lamellar nanocomposites that are completely transparent and show high mechanical stiffness and high gas barrier, but there is only limited expansion of the nanoclay gallery spacing when adding increasing amounts of polymer. This behavior is maintained for molecular weights of PEO varied over four orders of magnitude and can be traced back to depletion forces. By careful investigation via X-ray diffraction and proton low-resolution solid-state NMR, we are able to quantify the amount of mobile and immobilized polymer species in between the nanoclay galleries and around proposed tactoid stacks embedded in a PEO matrix. We further elucidate the unusual confined polymer dynamics, indicating a relevant role of specific surface interactions.}, language = {en} } @article{BechtSchollmayerMonakhovaetal.2021, author = {Becht, Alexander and Schollmayer, Curd and Monakhova, Yulia and Holzgrabe, Ulrike}, title = {Tracing the origin of paracetamol tablets by near-infrared, mid-infrared, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy using principal component analysis and linear discriminant analysis}, series = {Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry}, volume = {413}, journal = {Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry}, publisher = {Springer Nature}, issn = {1618-2650}, doi = {10.1007/s00216-021-03249-z}, pages = {3107 -- 3118}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Most drugs are no longer produced in their own countries by the pharmaceutical companies, but by contract manufacturers or at manufacturing sites in countries that can produce more cheaply. This not only makes it difficult to trace them back but also leaves room for criminal organizations to fake them unnoticed. For these reasons, it is becoming increasingly difficult to determine the exact origin of drugs. The goal of this work was to investigate how exactly this is possible by using different spectroscopic methods like nuclear magnetic resonance and near- and mid-infrared spectroscopy in combination with multivariate data analysis. As an example, 56 out of 64 different paracetamol preparations, collected from 19 countries around the world, were chosen to investigate whether it is possible to determine the pharmaceutical company, manufacturing site, or country of origin. By means of suitable pre-processing of the spectra and the different information contained in each method, principal component analysis was able to evaluate manufacturing relationships between individual companies and to differentiate between production sites or formulations. Linear discriminant analysis showed different results depending on the spectral method and purpose. For all spectroscopic methods, it was found that the classification of the preparations to their manufacturer achieves better results than the classification to their pharmaceutical company. The best results were obtained with nuclear magnetic resonance and near-infrared data, with 94.6\%/99.6\% and 98.7/100\% of the spectra of the preparations correctly assigned to their pharmaceutical company or manufacturer.}, language = {en} } @article{NiedermeierPennerUsherovichetal.2023, author = {Niedermeier, Jana and Penner, Crystal and Usherovich, Samuel and B{\´e}langer-Champagne, Camille and Paulßen, Elisabeth and Cornelia, Hoehr}, title = {Optical Fibers as Dosimeter Detectors for Mixed Proton/Neutron Fields - A Biological Dosimeter}, series = {electronics}, volume = {12}, journal = {electronics}, number = {2}, publisher = {MDPI}, address = {Basel}, issn = {2079-9292}, doi = {10.3390/electronics12020324}, pages = {11 Seiten}, year = {2023}, abstract = {In recent years, proton therapy has gained importance as a cancer treatment modality due to its conformality with the tumor and the sparing of healthy tissue. However, in the interaction of the protons with the beam line elements and patient tissues, potentially harmful secondary neutrons are always generated. To ensure that this neutron dose is as low as possible, treatment plans could be created to also account for and minimize the neutron dose. To monitor such a treatment plan, a compact, easy to use, and inexpensive dosimeter must be developed that not only measures the physical dose, but which can also distinguish between proton and neutron contributions. To that end, plastic optical fibers with scintillation materials (Gd₂O₂S:Tb, Gd₂O₂S:Eu, and YVO₄:Eu) were irradiated with protons and neutrons. It was confirmed that sensors with different scintillation materials have different sensitivities to protons and neutrons. A combination of these three scintillators can be used to build a detector array to create a biological dosimeter.}, language = {en} } @article{PennerUsherovichNiedermeieretal.2022, author = {Penner, Crystal and Usherovich, Samuel and Niedermeier, Jana and B{\´e}langer-Champagne, Camille and Trinczek, Michael and Paulßen, Elisabeth and Hoehr, Cornelia}, title = {Organic Scintillator-Fibre Sensors for Proton Therapy Dosimetry: SCSF-3HF and EJ-260}, series = {electronics}, volume = {12}, journal = {electronics}, number = {1}, publisher = {MDPI}, address = {Basel}, issn = {2079-9292}, doi = {10.3390/electronics12010011}, pages = {12 Seiten}, year = {2022}, abstract = {In proton therapy, the dose from secondary neutrons to the patient can contribute to side effects and the creation of secondary cancer. A simple and fast detection system to distinguish between dose from protons and neutrons both in pretreatment verification as well as potentially in vivo monitoring is needed to minimize dose from secondary neutrons. Two 3 mm long, 1 mm diameter organic scintillators were tested for candidacy to be used in a proton-neutron discrimination detector. The SCSF-3HF (1500) scintillating fibre (Kuraray Co. Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan) and EJ-260 plastic scintillator (Eljen Technology, Sweetwater, TX, USA) were irradiated at the TRIUMF Neutron Facility and the Proton Therapy Research Centre. In the proton beam, we compared the raw Bragg peak and spread-out Bragg peak response to the industry standard Markus chamber detector. Both scintillator sensors exhibited quenching at high LET in the Bragg peak, presenting a peak-to-entrance ratio of 2.59 for the EJ-260 and 2.63 for the SCSF-3HF fibre, compared to 3.70 for the Markus chamber. The SCSF-3HF sensor demonstrated 1.3 times the sensitivity to protons and 3 times the sensitivity to neutrons as compared to the EJ-260 sensor. Combined with our equations relating neutron and proton contributions to dose during proton irradiations, and the application of Birks' quenching correction, these fibres provide valid candidates for inexpensive and replicable proton-neutron discrimination detectors}, language = {en} } @article{HaegerGrankinWagner2023, author = {Haeger, Gerrit and Grankin, Alina and Wagner, Michaela}, title = {Construction of an Aspergillus oryzae triple amylase deletion mutant as a chassis to evaluate industrially relevant amylases using multiplex CRISPR/Cas9 editing technology}, series = {Applied Research}, journal = {Applied Research}, number = {Early View}, publisher = {Wiley-VCH}, issn = {2702-4288}, doi = {10.1002/appl.202200106}, pages = {1 -- 15}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Aspergillus oryzae is an industrially relevant organism for the secretory production of heterologous enzymes, especially amylases. The activities of potential heterologous amylases, however, cannot be quantified directly from the supernatant due to the high background activity of native α-amylase. This activity is caused by the gene products of amyA, amyB, and amyC. In this study, an in vitro CRISPR/Cas9 system was established in A. oryzae to delete these genes simultaneously. First, pyrG of A. oryzae NSAR1 was mutated by exploiting NHEJ to generate a counter-selection marker. Next, all amylase genes were deleted simultaneously by co-transforming a repair template carrying pyrG of Aspergillus nidulans and flanking sequences of amylase gene loci. The rate of obtained triple knock-outs was 47\%. We showed that triple knockouts do not retain any amylase activity in the supernatant. The established in vitro CRISPR/Cas9 system was used to achieve sequence-specific knock-in of target genes. The system was intended to incorporate a single copy of the gene of interest into the desired host for the development of screening methods. Therefore, an integration cassette for the heterologous Fpi amylase was designed to specifically target the amyB locus. The site-specific integration rate of the plasmid was 78\%, with exceptional additional integrations. Integration frequency was assessed via qPCR and directly correlated with heterologous amylase activity. Hence, we could compare the efficiency between two different signal peptides. In summary, we present a strategy to exploit CRISPR/Cas9 for gene mutation, multiplex knock-out, and the targeted knock-in of an expression cassette in A. oryzae. Our system provides straightforward strain engineering and paves the way for development of fungal screening systems.}, 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{TrappLammersEngudaretal.2023, author = {Trapp, Svenja and Lammers, Tom and Engudar, Gokce and Hoehr, Cornelia and Denkova, Antonia G. and Paulßen, Elisabeth and de Kruijff, Robin M.}, title = {Membrane-based microfluidic solvent extraction of Ga-68 from aqueous Zn solutions: towards an automated cyclotron production loop}, series = {EJNMMI Radiopharmacy and Chemistry}, volume = {2023}, journal = {EJNMMI Radiopharmacy and Chemistry}, number = {8, Article number: 9}, publisher = {Springer Nature}, issn = {2365-421X}, doi = {10.1186/s41181-023-00195-2}, pages = {1 -- 14}, year = {2023}, language = {en} }