@article{AbbasBalcBremenetal.2024, author = {Abbas, Karim and Balc, Nicolae and Bremen, Sebastian and Hedwig, Lukas}, title = {Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) in rapid tooling: advancements and applications for fused filament fabrication of rubber molds}, series = {Acta Technica Napocensis}, volume = {67}, journal = {Acta Technica Napocensis}, number = {1s}, publisher = {Technical University of Cluj-Napoca}, address = {Cluj-Napoca}, issn = {1221-5872}, pages = {13 -- 22}, year = {2024}, abstract = {Establishing high-performance polymers in additive manufacturing opens up new industrial applications. Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) was initially used in aerospace but is now widely applied in automotive, electronics, and medical industries. This study focuses on developing applications using PEEK and Fused Filament Fabrication for cost-efficient vulcanization injection mold production. A proof of concept confirms PEEK's suitability for AM mold making, withstanding vulcanization conditions. Printing PEEK above its glass transition temperature of 145 °C is preferable due to its narrow process window. A new process strategy at room temperature is discussed, with micrographs showing improved inter-layer bonding at 410°C nozzle temperature and 0.1 mm layer thickness. Minimizing the layer thickness from 0.15 mm to 0.1 mm improves tensile strength by 16\%.}, language = {en} } @article{AdelsMonakhova2024, author = {Adels, Klaudia and Monakhova, Yulia}, title = {Low-field NMR spectroscopic study of e-cigarettes: Is determination of only nicotine and organic carrier solvents possible?}, series = {Microchemical Journal}, volume = {203}, journal = {Microchemical Journal}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {1095-9149}, doi = {10.1016/j.microc.2024.110859}, pages = {9 Seiten}, year = {2024}, abstract = {Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) have become popular worldwide with the market growing exponentially in some countries. The absence of product standards and safety regulations requires urgent development of analytical methodologies for the holistic control of the growing diversity of such products. An approach based on low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (LF-NMR) at 80 MHz is presented for the simultaneous determination of key parameters: carrier solvents (vegetable glycerine (VG), propylene glycol (PG) and water), total nicotine as well as free-base nicotine fraction. Moreover, qualitative and quantitative determination of fourteen weak organic acids deliberately added to enhance sensory characteristics of e-cigarettes was possible. In most cases these parameters can be rapidly and conveniently determined without using any sample manipulation such as dilution, extraction or derivatization steps. The method was applied for 37 authentic e-cigarettes samples. In particular, eight different organic acids with the content up to 56 mg/mL were detected. Due to its simplicity, the method can be used in routine regulatory control as well as to study release behaviour of nicotine and other e-cigarettes constituents in different products.}, language = {en} } @article{AdelsThoennessenMonakhova2024, author = {Adels, Klaudia and Th{\"o}nnessen, Vera and Monakhova, Yulia}, title = {Complementary instrumental techniques applied to pain relieving tablets in an undergraduate laboratory experiment}, series = {Journal of Chemical Education}, journal = {Journal of Chemical Education}, publisher = {ACS}, issn = {0021-9584 (Print)}, doi = {10.1021/acs.jchemed.4c00681}, pages = {11 Seiten}, year = {2024}, abstract = {Several unconnected laboratory experiments are usually offered for students in instrumental analysis lab. To give the students a more rational overview of the most common instrumental techniques, a new laboratory experiment was developed. Marketed pain relief drugs, familiar consumer products with one to three active components, namely, acetaminophen (paracetamol), acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), and caffeine, were selected. Common analytical methods were compared regarding the performance of qualitative and quantitative analysis of unknown tablets: UV-visible (UV-vis), infrared (IR), and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopies, as well as high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The students successfully uncovered the composition of formulations, which were divided into three difficulty categories. Students were shown that in addition to simple mixtures handled in theoretical classes, the composition of complex drug products can also be uncovered. By comparing the performance of different techniques, students deepen their understanding and compare the efficiency of analytical methods in the context of complex mixtures. The laboratory experiment can be adjusted for graduate level by including extra tasks such as method optimization, validation, and 2D spectroscopic techniques.}, language = {en} } @article{AkimbekovDigelZhubanovaetal.2024, author = {Akimbekov, Nuraly and Digel, Ilya and Zhubanova, Azhar and Tastambek, Kuanysh T. and Tepecik, Atakan and Sherelkhan, Dinara}, title = {Biotechnological potentials of surfactants in coal utilization: a review}, series = {Environmental Science and Pollution Research}, volume = {31}, journal = {Environmental Science and Pollution Research}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {Berlin}, issn = {1614-7499}, doi = {10.1007/s11356-024-34892-5}, pages = {55099 -- 55118}, year = {2024}, abstract = {The quest for scientifically advanced and sustainable solutions is driven by growing environmental and economic issues associated with coal mining, processing, and utilization. Consequently, within the coal industry, there is a growing recognition of the potential of microbial applications in fostering innovative technologies. Microbial-based coal solubilization, coal beneficiation, and coal dust suppression are green alternatives to traditional thermochemical and leaching technologies and better meet the need for ecologically sound and economically viable choices. Surfactant-mediated approaches have emerged as powerful tools for modeling, simulation, and optimization of coal-microbial systems and continue to gain prominence in clean coal fuel production, particularly in microbiological co-processing, conversion, and beneficiation. Surfactants (surface-active agents) are amphiphilic compounds that can reduce surface tension and enhance the solubility of hydrophobic molecules. A wide range of surfactant properties can be achieved by either directly influencing microbial growth factors, stimulants, and substrates or indirectly serving as frothers, collectors, and modifiers in the processing and utilization of coal. This review highlights the significant biotechnological potential of surfactants by providing a thorough overview of their involvement in coal biodegradation, bioprocessing, and biobeneficiation, acknowledging their importance as crucial steps in coal consumption.}, language = {en} } @article{AkimbekovDigelTastambeketal.2024, author = {Akimbekov, Nuraly S. and Digel, Ilya and Tastambek, Kuanysh T. and Kozhahmetova, Marzhan and Sherelkhan, Dinara K. and Tauanov, Zhandos}, title = {Hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis in coal-bearing environments: Methane production, carbon sequestration, and hydrogen availability}, series = {International Journal of Hydrogen Energy}, volume = {52}, journal = {International Journal of Hydrogen Energy}, number = {Part D}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {New York}, issn = {1879-3487 (online)}, doi = {10.1016/j.ijhydene.2023.09.223}, pages = {1264 -- 1277}, year = {2024}, abstract = {Methane is a valuable energy source helping to mitigate the growing energy demand worldwide. However, as a potent greenhouse gas, it has also gained additional attention due to its environmental impacts. The biological production of methane is performed primarily hydrogenotrophically from H2 and CO2 by methanogenic archaea. Hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis also represents a great interest with respect to carbon re-cycling and H2 storage. The most significant carbon source, extremely rich in complex organic matter for microbial degradation and biogenic methane production, is coal. Although interest in enhanced microbial coalbed methane production is continuously increasing globally, limited knowledge exists regarding the exact origins of the coalbed methane and the associated microbial communities, including hydrogenotrophic methanogens. Here, we give an overview of hydrogenotrophic methanogens in coal beds and related environments in terms of their energy production mechanisms, unique metabolic pathways, and associated ecological functions.}, language = {en} } @article{AliaziziOezsoyluBakhshiSichanietal.2024, author = {Aliazizi, Fereshteh and {\"O}zsoylu, Dua and Bakhshi Sichani, Soroush and Khorshid, Mehran and Glorieux, Christ and Robbens, Johan and Sch{\"o}ning, Michael Josef and Wagner, Patrick}, title = {Development and Calibration of a Microfluidic, Chip-Based Sensor System for Monitoring the Physical Properties of Water Samples in Aquacultures}, series = {Micromachines}, volume = {15}, journal = {Micromachines}, number = {6}, publisher = {MDPI}, address = {Basel}, issn = {2072-666X}, doi = {10.3390/mi15060755}, year = {2024}, abstract = {In this work, we present a compact, bifunctional chip-based sensor setup that measures the temperature and electrical conductivity of water samples, including specimens from rivers and channels, aquaculture, and the Atlantic Ocean. For conductivity measurements, we utilize the impedance amplitude recorded via interdigitated electrode structures at a single triggering frequency. The results are well in line with data obtained using a calibrated reference instrument. The new setup holds for conductivity values spanning almost two orders of magnitude (river versus ocean water) without the need for equivalent circuit modelling. Temperature measurements were performed in four-point geometry with an on-chip platinum RTD (resistance temperature detector) in the temperature range between 2 °C and 40 °C, showing no hysteresis effects between warming and cooling cycles. Although the meander was not shielded against the liquid, the temperature calibration provided equivalent results to low conductive Milli-Q and highly conductive ocean water. The sensor is therefore suitable for inline and online monitoring purposes in recirculating aquaculture systems.}, language = {en} } @article{AyalaHarrisKleefeld2024, author = {Ayala, Rafael Ceja and Harris, Isaac and Kleefeld, Andreas}, title = {Direct sampling method via Landweber iteration for an absorbing scatterer with a conductive boundary}, series = {Inverse Problems and Imaging}, volume = {18}, journal = {Inverse Problems and Imaging}, number = {3}, publisher = {AIMS}, address = {Springfield}, issn = {1930-8337}, doi = {10.3934/ipi.2023051}, pages = {708 -- 729}, year = {2024}, abstract = {In this paper, we consider the inverse shape problem of recovering isotropic scatterers with a conductive boundary condition. Here, we assume that the measured far-field data is known at a fixed wave number. Motivated by recent work, we study a new direct sampling indicator based on the Landweber iteration and the factorization method. Therefore, we prove the connection between these reconstruction methods. The method studied here falls under the category of qualitative reconstruction methods where an imaging function is used to recover the absorbing scatterer. We prove stability of our new imaging function as well as derive a discrepancy principle for recovering the regularization parameter. The theoretical results are verified with numerical examples to show how the reconstruction performs by the new Landweber direct sampling method.}, 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{BlockViebahnJungbluth2024, author = {Block, Simon and Viebahn, Peter and Jungbluth, Christian}, title = {Analysing direct air capture for enabling negative emissions in Germany: an assessment of the resource requirements and costs of a potential rollout in 2045}, series = {Frontiers in Climate}, volume = {6}, journal = {Frontiers in Climate}, publisher = {Frontiers}, address = {Lausanne}, issn = {2624-9553}, doi = {10.3389/fclim.2024.1353939}, pages = {18 Seiten}, year = {2024}, abstract = {Direct air capture (DAC) combined with subsequent storage (DACCS) is discussed as one promising carbon dioxide removal option. The aim of this paper is to analyse and comparatively classify the resource consumption (land use, renewable energy and water) and costs of possible DAC implementation pathways for Germany. The paths are based on a selected, existing climate neutrality scenario that requires the removal of 20 Mt of carbon dioxide (CO2) per year by DACCS from 2045. The analysis focuses on the so-called "low-temperature" DAC process, which might be more advantageous for Germany than the "high-temperature" one. In four case studies, we examine potential sites in northern, central and southern Germany, thereby using the most suitable renewable energies for electricity and heat generation. We show that the deployment of DAC results in large-scale land use and high energy needs. The land use in the range of 167-353 km2 results mainly from the area required for renewable energy generation. The total electrical energy demand of 14.4 TWh per year, of which 46\% is needed to operate heat pumps to supply the heat demand of the DAC process, corresponds to around 1.4\% of Germany's envisaged electricity demand in 2045. 20 Mt of water are provided yearly, corresponding to 40\% of the city of Cologne's water demand (1.1 million inhabitants). The capture of CO2 (DAC) incurs levelised costs of 125-138 EUR per tonne of CO2, whereby the provision of the required energy via photovoltaics in southern Germany represents the lowest value of the four case studies. This does not include the costs associated with balancing its volatility. Taking into account transporting the CO2 via pipeline to the port of Wilhelmshaven, followed by transporting and sequestering the CO2 in geological storage sites in the Norwegian North Sea (DACCS), the levelised costs increase to 161-176 EUR/tCO2. Due to the longer transport distances from southern and central Germany, a northern German site using wind turbines would be the most favourable.}, 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} }