@article{BhattaraiJabbariAndingetal.2018, author = {Bhattarai, Aroj and Jabbari, Medisa and Anding, Ralf and Staat, Manfred}, title = {Surgical treatment of vaginal vault prolapse using different prosthetic mesh implants: a finite element analysis}, series = {tm - Technisches Messen}, volume = {85}, journal = {tm - Technisches Messen}, number = {5}, publisher = {De Gruyter}, address = {Berlin}, issn = {2196-7113}, doi = {10.1515/teme-2017-0115}, pages = {331 -- 342}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Particularly multiparous elderly women may suffer from vaginal vault prolapse after hysterectomy due to weak support from lax apical ligaments. A decreased amount of estrogen and progesterone in older age is assumed to remodel the collagen thereby reducing tissue stiffness. Sacrocolpopexy is either performed as open or laparoscopic surgery using prosthetic mesh implants to substitute lax ligaments. Y-shaped mesh models (DynaMesh, Gynemesh, and Ultrapro) are implanted in a 3D female pelvic floor finite element model in the extraperitoneal space from the vaginal cuff to the first sacral (S1) bone below promontory. Numerical simulations are conducted during Valsalva maneuver with weakened tissues modeled by reduced tissue stiffness. Tissues are modeled as incompressible, isotropic hyperelastic materials whereas the meshes are modeled either as orthotropic linear elastic or as isotropic hyperlastic materials. The positions of the vaginal cuff and the bladder base are calculated from the pubococcygeal line for female pelvic floor at rest, for prolapse and after repair using the three meshes. Due to mesh mechanics and mesh pore deformation along the loaded direction, the DynaMesh with regular rectangular mesh pores is found to provide better mechanical support to the organs than the Gynemesh and the Ultrapro with irregular hexagonal mesh pores. Insbesondere {\"a}ltere, mehrgeb{\"a}hrende Frauen leiden h{\"a}ufiger an einem Scheidenvorfall nach einer Hysterektomie aufgrund der schwachen Unterst{\"u}tzung durch laxe apikale B{\"a}nder. Es wird angenommen, dass eine verringerte Menge an {\"O}strogen und Progesteron im h{\"o}heren Alter das Kollagen umformt, wodurch die Gewebesteifigkeit reduziert wird. Die Sakrokolpopexie ist eine offene oder laparoskopische Operation, die mit prothetischen Netzimplantaten durchgef{\"u}hrt wird, um laxe B{\"a}nder zu ersetzen. Y-f{\"o}rmige Netzmodelle (DynaMesh, Gynemesh und Ultrapro) werden in einem 3D-Modell des weiblichen Beckenbodens im extraperitonealen Raum vom Vaginalstumpf bis zum Promontorium implantiert. Numerische Simulationen werden w{\"a}hrend des Valsalva-Man{\"o}vers mit geschw{\"a}chtem Gewebe durchgef{\"u}hrt, das durch eine reduzierte Gewebesteifigkeit modelliert wird. Die Gewebe werden als inkompressible, isotrop hyperelastische Materialien modelliert, w{\"a}hrend die Netze entweder als orthotrope linear elastische oder als isotrope hyperlastische Materialien modelliert werden. Die Positionen des Vaginalstumpfs, der Blase und der Harnr{\"o}hrenachse werden anhand der Pubococcygeallinie aus der Ruhelage, f{\"u}r den Prolaps und nach der Reparatur unter Verwendung der drei Netze berechnet. Aufgrund der Netzmechanik und der Netzporenverformung bietet das DynaMesh mit regelm{\"a}ßigen rechteckigen Netzporen eine bessere mechanische Unterst{\"u}tzung und eine Neupositionierung des Scheidengew{\"o}lbes, der Blase und der Urethraachse als Gynemesh und Ultrapro mit unregelm{\"a}ßigen hexagonalen Netzporen.}, language = {en} } @article{DigelWehlitzKayseretal.2018, author = {Digel, Ilya and Wehlitz, V. and Kayser, Peter and Figiel-Lange, A. and Bassam, R. and Rundstedt, F. von}, title = {Suspension depletion approach for exemption of infected Solanum jasminoides cells from pospiviroids}, series = {Plant Pathology}, volume = {67}, journal = {Plant Pathology}, number = {2}, publisher = {Wiley}, address = {Oxford}, issn = {1365-3059}, doi = {10.1111/ppa.12750}, pages = {358 -- 365}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Despite numerous studies, viroid elimination from infected plants remains a very challenging task. This study introduces for the first time a novel 'suspension depletion' approach for exemption of Solanum jasminoides plants from viroids. The proposed method implies initial establishment of suspension cultures of the infected plant cells. The suspended cells were then physically treated (mild thermotherapy, 33 °C), which presumably delayed the replication of the viroid. The viroid concentration in the treated biomass was monitored weekly using pospiviroid-specific PCR. After 10-12 weeks of continuous treatment, a sufficient decrease in viroid concentration was observed such that the infection became undetectable by PCR. The treated single cells then gave rise to microcolonies on a solid culture medium and the obtained viroid-negative clones were further promoted to regenerate into viroid-free plants. Three years of accumulated experimental data suggests feasibility, broad applicability, and good efficacy of the proposed approach.}, language = {en} } @article{BerneckerKlierSternetal.2018, author = {Bernecker, Andreas and Klier, Julia and Stern, Sebastian and Thiel, Lea}, title = {Sustaining high performance beyond public-sector pilot projects.}, number = {September 2018}, organization = {McKinsey\&Company}, year = {2018}, language = {en} } @article{PuppeGiulianoFrantzetal.2018, author = {Puppe, Michael and Giuliano, Stefano and Frantz, Cathy and Uhlig, Ralf and Schumacher, Ralph and Ibraheem, Wagdi and Schmalz, Stefan and Waldmann, Barbara and Guder, Christoph and Peter, Dennis and Schwager, Christian and Teixeira Boura, Cristiano Jos{\´e} and Alexopoulos, Spiros and Spiegel, Michael and Wortmann, J{\"u}rgen and Hinrichs, Matthias and Engelhard, Manfred and Aust, Michael}, title = {Techno-economic optimization of molten salt solar tower plants}, series = {AIP Conference Proceedings art.no. 040033}, volume = {2033}, journal = {AIP Conference Proceedings art.no. 040033}, number = {Issue 1}, publisher = {AIP Publishing}, address = {Melville, NY}, doi = {10.1063/1.5067069}, year = {2018}, abstract = {In this paper the results of a techno-economic analysis of improved and optimized molten salt solar tower plants (MSSTP plants) are presented. The potential improvements that were analyzed include different receiver designs, different designs of the HTF-system and plant control, increased molten salt temperatures (up to 640°C) and multi-tower systems. Detailed technological and economic models of the solar field, solar receiver and high temperature fluid system (HTF-system) were developed and used to find potential improvements compared to a reference plant based on Solar Two technology and up-to-date cost estimations. The annual yield model calculates the annual outputs and the LCOE of all variants. An improved external tubular receiver and improved HTF-system achieves a significant decrease of LCOE compared to the reference. This is caused by lower receiver cost as well as improvements of the HTF-system and plant operation strategy, significantly reducing the plant own consumption. A novel star receiver shows potential for further cost decrease. The cavity receiver concepts result in higher LCOE due to their high investment cost, despite achieving higher efficiencies. Increased molten salt temperatures seem possible with an adapted, closed loop HTF-system and achieve comparable results to the original improved system (with 565°C) under the given boundary conditions. In this analysis all multi tower systems show lower economic viability compared to single tower systems, caused by high additional cost for piping connections and higher cost of the receivers. REFERENCES}, language = {en} } @article{Thomas2018, author = {Thomas, Axel}, title = {Technologiezentren in der Aachener Region - Retrospektiven und Perspektiven}, series = {VM Verwaltung und Management}, volume = {24}, journal = {VM Verwaltung und Management}, number = {3}, publisher = {Nomos}, address = {Baden-Baden}, issn = {0947-9856}, doi = {10.5771/0947-9856-2018-3-147}, pages = {147 -- 156}, year = {2018}, language = {de} } @article{HofmannLimpertMatareetal.2018, author = {Hofmann, Till and Limpert, Nicolas and Matar{\´e}, Victor and Sch{\"o}nitz, Sebastian and Niemueller, Tim and Ferrein, Alexander and Lakemeyer, Gerhard}, title = {The Carologistics RoboCup Logistics Team 2018}, year = {2018}, abstract = {The Carologistics team participates in the RoboCup Logistics League for the seventh year. The RCLL requires precise vision, manipulation and path planning, as well as complex high-level decision making and multi-robot coordination. We outline our approach with an emphasis on recent modifications to those components. The team members in 2018 are David Bosen, Christoph Gollok, Mostafa Gomaa, Daniel Habering, Till Hofmann, Nicolas Limpert, Sebastian Sch{\"o}nitz, Morian Sonnet, Carsten Stoffels, and Tarik Viehmann. This paper is based on the last year's team description.}, language = {en} } @article{HarrisKleefeld2018, author = {Harris, Isaac and Kleefeld, Andreas}, title = {The inverse scattering problem for a conductive boundary condition and transmission eigenvalues}, series = {Applicable Analysis}, volume = {99}, journal = {Applicable Analysis}, number = {3}, publisher = {Taylor \& Francis}, address = {London}, issn = {1563-504X}, doi = {10.1080/00036811.2018.1504028}, pages = {508 -- 529}, year = {2018}, abstract = {In this paper, we consider the inverse scattering problem associated with an inhomogeneous media with a conductive boundary. In particular, we are interested in two problems that arise from this inverse problem: the inverse conductivity problem and the corresponding interior transmission eigenvalue problem. The inverse conductivity problem is to recover the conductive boundary parameter from the measured scattering data. We prove that the measured scatted data uniquely determine the conductivity parameter as well as describe a direct algorithm to recover the conductivity. The interior transmission eigenvalue problem is an eigenvalue problem associated with the inverse scattering of such materials. We investigate the convergence of the eigenvalues as the conductivity parameter tends to zero as well as prove existence and discreteness for the case of an absorbing media. Lastly, several numerical and analytical results support the theory and we show that the inside-outside duality method can be used to reconstruct the interior conductive eigenvalues.}, language = {en} } @article{WilsonDickieSchreiteretal.2018, author = {Wilson, C. E. and Dickie, A. P. and Schreiter, K. and Wehr, R. and Wilson, E. M. and Bial, J. and Scheer, Nico and Wilson, I. D. and Riley, R. J.}, title = {The pharmacokinetics and metabolism of diclofenac in chimeric humanized and murinized FRG mice}, series = {Archives of Toxicology}, volume = {92}, journal = {Archives of Toxicology}, number = {6}, publisher = {Springer}, issn = {1432-0738}, doi = {10.1007/s00204-018-2212-1}, pages = {1953 -- 1967}, year = {2018}, abstract = {The pharmacokinetics of diclofenac were investigated following single oral doses of 10 mg/kg to chimeric liver humanized and murinized FRG and C57BL/6 mice. In addition, the metabolism and excretion were investigated in chimeric liver humanized and murinized FRG mice. Diclofenac reached maximum blood concentrations of 2.43 ± 0.9 µg/mL (n = 3) at 0.25 h post-dose with an AUCinf of 3.67 µg h/mL and an effective half-life of 0.86 h (n = 2). In the murinized animals, maximum blood concentrations were determined as 3.86 ± 2.31 µg/mL at 0.25 h post-dose with an AUCinf of 4.94 ± 2.93 µg h/mL and a half-life of 0.52 ± 0.03 h (n = 3). In C57BL/6J mice, mean peak blood concentrations of 2.31 ± 0.53 µg/mL were seen 0.25 h post-dose with a mean AUCinf of 2.10 ± 0.49 µg h/mL and a half-life of 0.51 ± 0.49 h (n = 3). Analysis of blood indicated only trace quantities of drug-related material in chimeric humanized and murinized FRG mice. Metabolic profiling of urine, bile and faecal extracts revealed a complex pattern of metabolites for both humanized and murinized animals with, in addition to unchanged parent drug, a variety of hydroxylated and conjugated metabolites detected. The profiles in humanized mice were different to those of both murinized and wild-type animals, e.g., a higher proportion of the dose was detected in the form of acyl glucuronide metabolites and much reduced amounts as taurine conjugates. Comparison of the metabolic profiles obtained from the present study with previously published data from C57BL/6J mice and humans revealed a greater, though not complete, match between chimeric humanized mice and humans, such that the liver humanized FRG model may represent a model for assessing the biotransformation of such compounds in humans.}, language = {en} } @article{JildehOberlaenderKirchneretal.2018, author = {Jildeh, Zaid B. and Oberl{\"a}nder, Jan and Kirchner, Patrick and Wagner, Patrick H. and Sch{\"o}ning, Michael Josef}, title = {Thermocatalytic Behavior of Manganese (IV) Oxide as Nanoporous Material on the Dissociation of a Gas Mixture Containing Hydrogen Peroxide}, series = {Nanomaterials}, volume = {8}, journal = {Nanomaterials}, number = {4}, publisher = {MDPI}, address = {Basel}, issn = {2079-4991}, doi = {10.3390/nano8040262}, pages = {Artikel 262}, year = {2018}, abstract = {In this article, we present an overview on the thermocatalytic reaction of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) gas on a manganese (IV) oxide (MnO₂) catalytic structure. The principle of operation and manufacturing techniques are introduced for a calorimetric H₂O₂ gas sensor based on porous MnO₂. Results from surface analyses by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of the catalytic material provide indication of the H₂O₂ dissociation reaction schemes. The correlation between theory and the experiments is documented in numerical models of the catalytic reaction. The aim of the numerical models is to provide further information on the reaction kinetics and performance enhancement of the porous MnO₂ catalyst.}, language = {en} } @article{RoehlenPilasDahmenetal.2018, author = {R{\"o}hlen, Desiree and Pilas, Johanna and Dahmen, Markus and Keusgen, Michael and Selmer, Thorsten and Sch{\"o}ning, Michael Josef}, title = {Toward a Hybrid Biosensor System for Analysis of Organic and Volatile Fatty Acids in Fermentation Processes}, series = {Frontiers in Chemistry}, journal = {Frontiers in Chemistry}, number = {6}, publisher = {Frontiers}, address = {Lausanne}, doi = {10.3389/fchem.2018.00284}, pages = {Artikel 284}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Monitoring of organic acids (OA) and volatile fatty acids (VFA) is crucial for the control of anaerobic digestion. In case of unstable process conditions, an accumulation of these intermediates occurs. In the present work, two different enzyme-based biosensor arrays are combined and presented for facile electrochemical determination of several process-relevant analytes. Each biosensor utilizes a platinum sensor chip (14 × 14 mm²) with five individual working electrodes. The OA biosensor enables simultaneous measurement of ethanol, formate, d- and l-lactate, based on a bi-enzymatic detection principle. The second VFA biosensor provides an amperometric platform for quantification of acetate and propionate, mediated by oxidation of hydrogen peroxide. The cross-sensitivity of both biosensors toward potential interferents, typically present in fermentation samples, was investigated. The potential for practical application in complex media was successfully demonstrated in spiked sludge samples collected from three different biogas plants. Thereby, the results obtained by both of the biosensors were in good agreement to the applied reference measurements by photometry and gas chromatography, respectively. The proposed hybrid biosensor system was also used for long-term monitoring of a lab-scale biogas reactor (0.01 m³) for a period of 2 months. In combination with typically monitored parameters, such as gas quality, pH and FOS/TAC (volatile organic acids/total anorganic carbonate), the amperometric measurements of OA and VFA concentration could enhance the understanding of ongoing fermentation processes.}, language = {en} }