@article{HenkenOosterhuisOehlschlaegeretal.2012, author = {Henken, F. E. and Oosterhuis, K. and {\"O}hlschl{\"a}ger, Peter and Bosch, L. and Hooijberg, E. and Haanen, J. B. A. G. and Steenbergen, R. D. M.}, title = {Preclinical safety evaluation of DNA vaccines encoding modified HPV16 E6 and E7}, series = {Vaccine}, volume = {30}, journal = {Vaccine}, number = {28}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {0264-410X}, doi = {10.1016/j.vaccine.2012.04.013}, pages = {4259 -- 4266}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Persistent infection with high-risk human papillomaviruses (hrHPV) can result in the formation of anogenital cancers. As hrHPV proteins E6 and E7 are required for cancer initiation and maintenance, they are ideal targets for immunotherapeutic interventions. Previously, we have described the development of DNA vaccines for the induction of HPV16 E6 and E7 specific T cell immunity. These vaccines consist of 'gene-shuffled' (SH) versions of HPV16 E6 and E7 that were fused to Tetanus Toxin Fragment C domain 1 (TTFC) and were named TTFC-E6SH and TTFC-E7SH. Gene-shuffling was performed to avoid the risk of inducing malignant transformation at the vaccination site. Here, we describe the preclinical safety evaluation of these candidate vaccines by analysis of their transforming capacity in vitro using established murine fibroblasts (NIH 3T3 cells) and primary human foreskin keratinocytes (HFKs). We demonstrate that neither ectopic expression of TTFC-E6SH and TTFC-E7SH alone or in combination enabled NIH 3T3 cells to form colonies in soft agar. In contrast, expression of HPV16 E6WT and E7WT alone or in combination resulted in effective transformation. Similarly, retroviral transduction of HFKs from three independent donors with both TTFC-E6SH and TTFC-E7SH alone or in combination did not show any signs of immortalization. In contrast, the combined expression of E6WT and E7WT induced immortalization in HFKs from all donors. Based on these results we consider it justified to proceed to clinical evaluation of DNA vaccines encoding TTFC-E6SH and TTFC-E7SH in patients with HPV16 associated (pre)malignancies.}, language = {en} } @article{ImmelGruetzkeSpaeteetal.2012, author = {Immel, Timo and Gr{\"u}tzke, Martin and Sp{\"a}te, Anne-Katrin and Groth, Ulrich and {\"O}hlschl{\"a}ger, Peter and Huhn, Thomas}, title = {Synthesis and X-ray structure analysis of a heptacoordinate titanium(IV)-bis-chelate with enhanced in vivo antitumor efficacy}, series = {Chemical Communications}, volume = {48}, journal = {Chemical Communications}, number = {46}, publisher = {Royal Society of Chemistry}, address = {Cambridge}, issn = {1364-548X}, doi = {10.1039/C2CC31624B}, pages = {5790 -- 5792}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Chelate stabilization of a titanium(IV)-salan alkoxide by ligand exchange with 2,6-pyridinedicarboxylic acid (dipic) resulted in heptacoordinate complex 3 which is not redox-active, stable on silica gel and has increased aqueous stability. 3 is highly toxic in HeLa S3 and Hep G2 and has enhanced antitumor efficacy in a mouse cervical-cancer model.}, language = {en} } @article{FerreinSteinbauerVassos2012, author = {Ferrein, Alexander and Steinbauer, Gerald and Vassos, Stavros}, title = {Action-Based Imperative Programming with YAGI}, pages = {24 -- 31}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Many tasks for autonomous agents or robots are best described by a specification of the environment and a specification of the available actions the agent or robot can perform. Combining such a specification with the possibility to imperatively program a robot or agent is what we call the actionbased imperative programming. One of the most successful such approaches is Golog. In this paper, we draft a proposal for a new robot programming language YAGI, which is based on the action-based imperative programming paradigm. Our goal is to design a small, portable stand-alone YAGI interpreter. We combine the benefits of a principled domain specification with a clean, small and simple programming language, which does not exploit any side-effects from the implementation language. We discuss general requirements of action-based programming languages and outline YAGI, our action-based language approach which particularly aims at embeddability.}, language = {en} } @article{KurulganDemirciDemirciLinderetal.2012, author = {Kurulgan Demirci, Eylem and Demirci, Taylan and Linder, Peter and Trzewik, J{\"u}rgen and Gierkowski, Jessica Ricarda and Gossmann, Matthias and Kayser, Peter and Porst, Dariusz and Digel, Ilya and Artmann, Gerhard and Temiz Artmann, Ayseg{\"u}l}, title = {rhAPC reduces the endothelial cell permeability via a decrease of contractile tensions induced by endothelial cells}, series = {Journal of Bioscience and Bioengineering}, volume = {113}, journal = {Journal of Bioscience and Bioengineering}, number = {2}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {1347-4421}, doi = {10.1016/j.jbiosc.2012.03.019}, pages = {212 -- 219}, year = {2012}, abstract = {All cells generate contractile tension. This strain is crucial for mechanically controlling the cell shape, function and survival. In this study, the CellDrum technology quantifying cell's (the cellular) mechanical tension on a pico-scale was used to investigate the effect of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on human aortic endothelial cell (HAoEC) tension. The LPS effect during gram-negative sepsis on endothelial cells is cell contraction causing endothelium permeability increase. The aim was to finding out whether recombinant activated protein C (rhAPC) would reverse the endothelial cell response in an in-vitro sepsis model. In this study, the established in-vitro sepsis model was confirmed by interleukin 6 (IL-6) levels at the proteomic and genomic levels by ELISA, real time-PCR and reactive oxygen species (ROS) activation by florescence staining. The thrombin cellular contraction effect on endothelial cells was used as a positive control when the CellDrum technology was applied. Additionally, the Ras homolog gene family, member A (RhoA) mRNA expression level was checked by real time-PCR to support contractile tension results. According to contractile tension results, the mechanical predominance of actin stress fibers was a reason of the increased endothelial contractile tension leading to enhanced endothelium contractility and thus permeability enhancement. The originality of this data supports firstly the basic measurement principles of the CellDrum technology and secondly that rhAPC has a beneficial effect on sepsis influenced cellular tension. The technology presented here is promising for future high-throughput cellular tension analysis that will help identify pathological contractile tension responses of cells and prove further cell in-vitro models.}, language = {en} } @article{OertelBung2012, author = {Oertel, Mario and Bung, Daniel Bernhard}, title = {Initial stage of two-dimensional dam-break waves: laboratory versus VOF}, series = {Journal of hydraulic research}, volume = {50}, journal = {Journal of hydraulic research}, number = {1}, publisher = {Taylor \& Francis}, address = {London}, issn = {1814-2079 (E-Journal); 0022-1686 (Print)}, doi = {10.1080/00221686.2011.639981}, pages = {89 -- 97}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Since several decades, dam-break waves have been of main research interest. Mathematical approaches have been developed by analytical, physical and numerical models within the past 120 years. During the past 10 years, the number of research investigations has increased due to improved measurement techniques as well as significantly increased computer memories and performances. In this context, the present research deals with the initial stage of two-dimensional dam-break waves by comparing physical and numerical model results as well as analytical approaches. High-speed images and resulting particle image velocimetry calculations are thereby compared with the numerical volume-of-fluid (VOF) method, included in the commercial code FLOW-3D. Wave profiles and drag forces on placed obstacles are analysed in detail. Generally, a good agreement between the laboratory and VOF results is found.}, language = {en} } @article{NguyenDuongTranetal.2012, author = {Nguyen, Nhu Huynh and Duong, Minh Tuan and Tran, Thanh Ngoc and Pham, Phu Tinh and Grottke, O. and Tolba, R. and Staat, Manfred}, title = {Influence of a freeze-thaw cycle on the stress-stretch curves of tissues of porcine abdominal organs}, series = {Journal of Biomechanics}, volume = {45}, journal = {Journal of Biomechanics}, number = {14}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {1873-2380}, doi = {10.1016/j.jbiomech.2012.07.008}, pages = {2382 -- 2386}, year = {2012}, abstract = {The paper investigates both fresh porcine spleen and liver and the possible decomposition of these organs under a freeze-thaw cycle. The effect of tissue preservation condition is an important factor which should be taken into account for protracted biomechanical tests. In this work, tension tests were conducted for a large number of tissue specimens from twenty pigs divided into two groups of 10. Concretely, the first group was tested in fresh state; the other one was tested after a freeze-thaw cycle which simulates the conservation conditions before biomechanical experiments. A modified Fung model for isotropic behavior was adopted for the curve fitting of each kind of tissues. Experimental results show strong effects of the realistic freeze-thaw cycle on the capsule of elastin-rich spleen but negligible effects on the liver which virtually contains no elastin. This different behavior could be explained by the autolysis of elastin by elastolytic enzymes during the warmer period after thawing. Realistic biomechanical properties of elastin-rich organs can only be expected if really fresh tissue is tested. The observations are supported by tests of intestines.}, language = {en} } @article{StaatTrenzLohmannetal.2012, author = {Staat, Manfred and Trenz, Eva and Lohmann, Philipp and Frotscher, Ralf and Klinge, Uwe and Tabaza, Ruth and Kirschner-Hermanns, Ruth}, title = {New measurements to compare soft tissue anchoring systems in pelvic floor surgery}, series = {Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part B: Applied Biomaterials}, volume = {100B}, journal = {Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part B: Applied Biomaterials}, number = {4}, publisher = {Wiley}, address = {Hoboken, NJ}, issn = {1552-4981}, doi = {10.1002/jbm.b.32654}, pages = {924 -- 933}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Suburethral slings as well as different meshes are widely used treating stress urinary incontinence and prolaps in women. With the development of MiniSlings and special meshes using less alloplastic material anchorage systems become more important to keep devices in place and to put some tension especially on the MiniSlings. To date, there are many different systems of MiniSlings of different companies on the market which differ in the structure of the used meshes and anchors. A new objective measurement method to compare different properties of MiniSling systems (mesh and anchor) is presented in this article. Ballistic gelatine acts as soft tissue surrogate. Significant differences in parameters like pull-out strength of anchors or shrinkage of meshes under loading conditions have been determined. The form and size of the anchors as well as the structural stability of the meshes are decisive for a proper integration. The tested anchorings sytems showed markedly different mechanical function at their respective load bearing capacity. As the stable fixation of the device in tissue is a prerequisite for a permanet reinforcement, the proposed test system permits further optimisation of anchor and mesh devices to improve the success of the surgical treatment}, language = {en} } @article{NovacekTranKlingeetal.2012, author = {Novacek, V. and Tran, Thanh Ngoc and Klinge, U. and Tolba, R. H. and Staat, Manfred and Bronson, D. G. and Miesse, A. M. and Whiffen, J. and Turquier, F.}, title = {Finite element modelling of stapled colorectal end-to-end anastomosis : Advantages of variable height stapler design}, series = {Journal of Biomechanics}, volume = {45}, journal = {Journal of Biomechanics}, number = {115}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {1873-2380}, doi = {10.1016/j.jbiomech.2012.07.021}, pages = {2693 -- 2697}, year = {2012}, abstract = {The impact of surgical staplers on tissues has been studied mostly in an empirical manner. In this paper, finite element method was used to clarify the mechanics of tissue stapling and associated phenomena. Various stapling modalities and several designs of circular staplers were investigated to evaluate the impact of the device on tissues and mechanical performance of the end-to-end colorectal anastomosis. Numerical simulations demonstrated that a single row of staples is not adequate to resist leakage due to non-linear buckling and opening of the tissue layers between two adjacent staples. Compared to the single staple row configuration, significant increase in stress experienced by the tissue at the inner staple rows was observed in two and three rows designs. On the other hand, adding second and/or third staple row had no effect on strain in the tissue inside the staples. Variable height design with higher staples in outer rows significantly reduced the stresses and strains in outer rows when compared to the same configuration with flat cartridge.}, language = {en} } @article{BassamHeschelerTemizArtmannetal.2012, author = {Bassam, Rasha and Hescheler, J{\"u}rgen and Temiz Artmann, Ayseg{\"u}l and Artmann, Gerhard and Digel, Ilya}, title = {Effects of spermine NONOate and ATP on the thermal stability of hemoglobin}, series = {BMC Biophysics}, volume = {5}, journal = {BMC Biophysics}, publisher = {BioMed Central}, address = {London}, issn = {2046-1682}, doi = {10.1186/2046-1682-5-16}, pages = {Art. 16}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Background Minor changes in protein structure induced by small organic and inorganic molecules can result in significant metabolic effects. The effects can be even more profound if the molecular players are chemically active and present in the cell in considerable amounts. The aim of our study was to investigate effects of a nitric oxide donor (spermine NONOate), ATP and sodium/potassium environment on the dynamics of thermal unfolding of human hemoglobin (Hb). The effect of these molecules was examined by means of circular dichroism spectrometry (CD) in the temperature range between 25°C and 70°C. The alpha-helical content of buffered hemoglobin samples (0.1 mg/ml) was estimated via ellipticity change measurements at a heating rate of 1°C/min. Results Major results were: 1) spermine NONOate persistently decreased the hemoglobin unfolding temperature T u irrespectively of the Na + /K + environment, 2) ATP instead increased the unfolding temperature by 3°C in both sodium-based and potassium-based buffers and 3) mutual effects of ATP and NO were strongly influenced by particular buffer ionic compositions. Moreover, the presence of potassium facilitated a partial unfolding of alpha-helical structures even at room temperature. Conclusion The obtained data might shed more light on molecular mechanisms and biophysics involved in the regulation of protein activity by small solutes in the cell.}, language = {en} } @article{MansurovDigelBiisenbaevetal.2012, author = {Mansurov, Z. and Digel, Ilya and Biisenbaev, M. and Savistkaya, I. and Kistaubaeva, A. and Akimbekov, Nuraly S. and Zhubanova, A.}, title = {Bio-composite material on the basis of carbonized rice husk in biomedicine and environmental applications}, series = {Eurasian Chemico-Technological Journal}, volume = {14}, journal = {Eurasian Chemico-Technological Journal}, number = {2}, publisher = {Institute of Combustion Problems}, address = {Almaty}, issn = {2522-4867}, doi = {10.18321/ectj105}, pages = {115 -- 131}, year = {2012}, language = {en} } @article{ScheerKapelyukhMcEwanetal.2012, author = {Scheer, Nico and Kapelyukh, Yury and McEwan, Jillian and Beuger, Vincent and Stanley, Lesley A. and Rode, Anja and Wolf, C. Roland}, title = {Modeling Human Cytochrome P450 2D6 Metabolism and Drug-drug Interaction by a Novel Panel of Knockout and Humanized Mouse Lines}, series = {Molecular Pharmacology}, volume = {81}, journal = {Molecular Pharmacology}, number = {1}, publisher = {ASPET}, address = {Bethesda, Md.}, issn = {1521-0111}, doi = {10.1124/mol.111.075192}, pages = {63 -- 72}, year = {2012}, abstract = {The highly polymorphic human cytochrome P450 2D6 enzyme is involved in the metabolism of up to 25\% of all marketed drugs and accounts for significant individual differences in response to CYP2D6 substrates. Because of the differences in the multiplicity and substrate specificity of CYP2D family members among species, it is difficult to predict pathways of human CYP2D6-dependent drug metabolism on the basis of animal studies. To create animal models that reflect the human situation more closely and that allow an in vivo assessment of the consequences of differential CYP2D6 drug metabolism, we have developed a novel straightforward approach to delete the entire murine Cyp2d gene cluster and replace it with allelic variants of human CYP2D6. By using this approach, we have generated mouse lines expressing the two frequent human protein isoforms CYP2D6.1 and CYP2D6.2 and an as yet undescribed variant of this enzyme, as well as a Cyp2d cluster knockout mouse. We demonstrate that the various transgenic mouse lines cover a wide spectrum of different human CYP2D6 metabolizer phenotypes. The novel humanization strategy described here provides a robust approach for the expression of different CYP2D6 allelic variants in transgenic mice and thus can help to evaluate potential CYP2D6-dependent interindividual differences in drug response in the context of personalized medicine.}, language = {en} } @article{PaulssenKongArciszewskietal.2012, author = {Paulßen, Elisabeth and Kong, Shushu and Arciszewski, Pawel and Wielbalck, Swantje and Abram, Ulrich}, title = {Aryl and NHC Compounds of Technetium and Rhenium}, series = {Journal of the American Chemical Society}, volume = {134}, journal = {Journal of the American Chemical Society}, number = {22}, publisher = {ACS Publications}, address = {Washington, DC}, issn = {1520-5126}, doi = {10.1021/ja3033718}, pages = {9118 -- 9121}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Air- and water-stable phenyl complexes with nitridotechnetium(V) cores can be prepared by straightforward procedures. [TcNPh2(PPh3)2] is formed by the reaction of [TcNCl2(PPh3)2] with PhLi. The analogous N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) compound [TcNPh2(HLPh)2], where HLPh is 1,3,4-triphenyl-1,2,4-triazol-5-ylidene, is available from (NBu4)[TcNCl4] and HLPh or its methoxo-protected form. The latter compound allows the comparison of different Tc-C bonds within one compound. Surprisingly, the Tc chemistry with such NHCs does not resemble that of corresponding Re complexes, where CH activation and orthometalation dominate.}, language = {en} } @article{PaulssenNgyugenKahlckeetal.2012, author = {Paulßen, Elisabeth and Ngyugen, Hung Huy and Kahlcke, Nils and Deflon, Victor M. and Abram, Ulrich}, title = {Tricarbonyltechnetium(I) and -rhenium(I) complexes with N′-thiocarbamoylpicolylbenzamidines}, series = {Polyhedron}, volume = {40}, journal = {Polyhedron}, number = {1}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {0277-5387}, doi = {10.1016/j.poly.2012.04.008}, pages = {153 -- 158}, year = {2012}, abstract = {N,N-Dialkylamino(thiocarbonyl)-N′-picolylbenzamidines react with (NEt4)2[M(CO)3X3] (M = Re, X = Br; M = Tc, X = Cl) under formation of neutral [M(CO)3L] complexes in high yields. The monoanionic NNS ligands bind in a facial coordination mode and can readily be modified at the (CS)NR1R2 moiety. The complexes [99Tc(CO)3(LPyMor)] and [Re(CO)3(L)] (L = LPyMor, LPyEt) were characterized by X-ray diffraction. Reactions of [99mTc(CO)3(H2O)3]+ with the N′-thiocarbamoylpicolylbenzamidines give the corresponding 99mTc complexes. The ester group in HLPyCOOEt allows linkage between biomolecules and the metal core.}, language = {en} } @article{CzarneckiSpiliopoulou2012, author = {Czarnecki, Christian and Spiliopoulou, Myra}, title = {A holistic framework for the implementation of a next generation network}, series = {International Journal of Business Information Systems}, volume = {9}, journal = {International Journal of Business Information Systems}, number = {4}, publisher = {Inderscience Enterprises}, address = {Olney, Bucks}, issn = {1746-0972}, doi = {10.1504/IJBIS.2012.046291}, pages = {385 -- 401}, year = {2012}, abstract = {As the potential of a next generation network (NGN) is recognised, telecommunication companies consider switching to it. Although the implementation of an NGN seems to be merely a modification of the network infrastructure, it may trigger or require changes in the whole company, because it builds upon the separation between service and transport, a flexible bundling of services to products and the streamlining of the IT infrastructure. We propose a holistic framework, structured into the layers 'strategy', 'processes' and 'information systems' and incorporate into each layer all concepts necessary for the implementation of an NGN, as well as the alignment of these concepts. As a first proof-of-concept for our framework we have performed a case study on the introduction of NGN in a large telecommunication company; we show that our framework captures all topics that are affected by an NGN implementation.}, language = {en} } @article{OrzadaMaderwaldPoseretal.2012, author = {Orzada, S. and Maderwald, S. and Poser, B. A. and Johst, S. and Kannengiesser, S. and Ladd, M. E. and Bitz, Andreas}, title = {Time-interleaved acquisition of modes: an analysis of SAR and image contrast implications}, series = {Magnetic Resonance in Medicine}, volume = {67}, journal = {Magnetic Resonance in Medicine}, number = {4}, publisher = {Wiley-Liss}, address = {New York}, issn = {1522-2594}, doi = {10.1002/mrm.23081}, pages = {1033 -- 1041}, year = {2012}, abstract = {s the magnetic field strength and therefore the operational frequency in MRI are increased, the radiofrequency wavelength approaches the size of the human head/body, resulting in wave effects which cause signal decreases and dropouts. Especially, whole-body imaging at 7 T and higher is therefore challenging. Recently, an acquisition scheme called time-interleaved acquisition of modes has been proposed to tackle the inhomogeneity problems in high-field MRI. The basic premise is to excite two (or more) different Burn:x-wiley:07403194:media:MRM23081:tex2gif-stack-1 modes using static radiofrequency shimming in an interleaved acquisition, where the complementary radiofrequency patterns of the two modes can be exploited to improve overall signal homogeneity. In this work, the impact of time-interleaved acquisition of mode on image contrast as well as on time-averaged specific absorption rate is addressed in detail. Time-interleaved acquisition of mode is superior in Burn:x-wiley:07403194:media:MRM23081:tex2gif-stack-2 homogeneity compared with conventional radiofrequency shimming while being highly specific absorption rate efficient. Time-interleaved acquisition of modes can enable almost homogeneous high-field imaging throughout the entire field of view in PD, T2, and T2*-weighted imaging and, if a specified homogeneity criterion is met, in T1-weighted imaging as well.}, language = {en} } @article{KobusBitzUdenetal.2012, author = {Kobus, Thiele and Bitz, Andreas and Uden, Mark J. van and Lagemaat, Miram W. and Rothgang, Eva and Orzada, Stephan and Heerschap, Arend and Scheenen, Tom W. J.}, title = {In vivo 31P MR spectroscopic imaging of the human prostate at 7 T: safety and feasibility}, series = {Magnetic Resonance in Medicine}, volume = {68}, journal = {Magnetic Resonance in Medicine}, number = {6}, publisher = {Wiley-Liss}, address = {New York}, issn = {1522-2594}, doi = {10.1002/mrm.24175}, pages = {1683 -- 1695}, year = {2012}, abstract = {31P MR spectroscopic imaging of the human prostate provides information about phosphorylated metabolites that could be used for prostate cancer characterization. The sensitivity of a magnetic field strength of 7 T might enable 3D 31P MR spectroscopic imaging with relevant spatial resolution in a clinically acceptable measurement time. To this end, a 31P endorectal coil was developed and combined with an eight-channel 1H body-array coil to relate metabolic information to anatomical location. An extensive safety validation was performed to evaluate the specific absorption rate, the radiofrequency field distribution, and the temperature distribution of both coils. This validation consisted of detailed Finite Integration Technique simulations, confirmed by MR thermometry and Burn:x-wiley:07403194:media:MRM24175:tex2gif-stack-1 measurements in a phantom and in vivo temperature measurements. The safety studies demonstrated that the presence of the 31P endorectal coil had no influence on the specific absorption rate levels and temperature distribution of the external eight-channel 1H array coil. To stay within a 10 g averaged local specific absorption rate of 10 W/kg, a maximum time-averaged input power of 33 W for the 1H array coil was allowed. For transmitting with the 31P endorectal coil, our safety limit of less than 1°C temperature increase in vivo during a 15-min MR spectroscopic imaging experiment was reached at a time-averaged input power of 1.9 W. With this power setting, a second in vivo measurement was performed on a healthy volunteer. Using adiabatic excitation, 3D 31P MR spectroscopic imaging produced spectra from the entire prostate in 18 min with a spatial resolution of 4 cm3. The spectral resolution enabled the separate detection of phosphocholine, phosphoethanolamine, inorganic phosphate, and other metabolites that could play an important role in the characterization of prostate cancer.}, language = {en} } @article{YazdanbakhshSolbachBitz2012, author = {Yazdanbakhsh, Pedram and Solbach, Klaus and Bitz, Andreas}, title = {Variable power combiner for RF mode shimming in 7-T MR imaging}, series = {IEEE Transaction on Biomedical Engineering}, volume = {59}, journal = {IEEE Transaction on Biomedical Engineering}, number = {9}, publisher = {IEEE}, address = {New York}, issn = {1558-2531}, doi = {10.1109/TBME.2012.2205926}, pages = {2549 -- 2557}, year = {2012}, abstract = {This contribution discusses the utilization of RF power in an MRI system with RF mode shimming which enables the superposition of circularly polarized modes of a transmit RF coil array driven by a Butler matrix. Since the required power for the individual modes can vary widely, mode-shimming can result in a significant underutilization of the total available RF power. A variable power combiner (VPC) is proposed to improve the power utilization: it can be realized as a reconfiguration of the MRI transmit system by the inclusion of one additional matrix network which receives the power from all transmit amplifiers at its input ports and provides any desired (combined) power distribution at its output ports by controlling the phase and amplitude of the amplifiers' input signals. The power distribution at the output ports of the VPC is then fed into the "mode" ports of the coil array Butler matrix in order to superimpose the spatial modes at the highest achievable power utilization. The VPC configuration is compared to the standard configuration of the transmit chain of our MRI system with 8 transmit channels and 16 coils. In realistic scenarios, improved power utilization was achieved from 17\% to 60\% and from 14\% to 55\% for an elliptical phantom and a region of interest in the abdomen, respectively, and an increase of the power utilization of 1 dB for a region of interest in the upper leg. In general, it is found that the VPC allows significant improvement in power utilization when the shimming solution demands only a few modes to be energized, while the technique can yield loss in power utilization in cases with many modes required at high power level.}, language = {en} } @article{HerzwurmKramsPietschetal.2012, author = {Herzwurm, Georg and Krams, Benedikt and Pietsch, Wolfram and Schockert, Sixten}, title = {Report from the 3rd international workshop on requirements prioritization for customer oriented software development (RePriCo'12)}, series = {ACM SIGSOFT Software Engineering Notes}, volume = {37}, journal = {ACM SIGSOFT Software Engineering Notes}, number = {4}, publisher = {Association for Computing Machinery}, address = {New York}, issn = {0163-5948}, doi = {10.1145/2237796.2237817}, pages = {32 -- 34}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Prioritization is an essential task within requirements engineering to cope with complexity and to establish focus properly. The 3rd Workshop on Requirements Prioritization for customer oriented Software Development (RePriCo'12) focused on requirements prioritization and adjacent themes in the context of customer oriented development of bespoke and standard software. Five submissions have been accepted for the proceedings and for presentation. The report summarizes and points out key findings.}, language = {en} } @article{Alexopoulos2012, author = {Alexopoulos, Spiros}, title = {Biogas systems: basics, biogas multifunction, principle of fermentation and hybrid application with a solar tower for the treatment of waste animal manure}, series = {Journal of Engineering Science and Technology Review}, volume = {5}, journal = {Journal of Engineering Science and Technology Review}, number = {4}, issn = {1791-2377}, pages = {48 -- 55}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Two of the main environmental problems of today's society are the continuously increasing production of organic wastes as well as the increase of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and the related green house effect. A way to solve these problems is the production of biogas. Biogas is a combustible gas consisting of methane, carbon dioxide and small amounts of other gases and trace elements. Production of biogas through anaerobic digestion of animal manure and slurries as well as of a wide range of digestible organic wastes and agricultural residues, converts these substrates into electricity and heat and offers a natural fertiliser for agriculture. The microbiological process of decomposition of organic matter, in the absence of oxygen takes place in reactors, called digesters. Biogas can be used as a fuel in a gas turbine or burner and can be used in a hybrid solar tower system offering a solution for waste treatment of agricultural and animal residues. A solar tower system consists of a heliostat field, which concentrates direct solar irradiation on an open volumetric central receiver. The receiver heats up ambient air to temperatures of around 700°C. The hot air's heat energy is transferred to a steam Rankine cycle in a heat recovery steam generator (HRSG). The steam drives a steam turbine, which in turn drives a generator for producing electricity. In order to increase the operational hours of a solar tower power plant, a heat storage system and/ or hybridization may be considered. The advantage of solar-fossil hybrid power plants, compared to solar-only systems, lies in low additional investment costs due to an adaptable solar share and reduced technical and economical risks. On sunny days the hybrid system operates in a solar-only mode with the central receiver and on cloudy days and at night with the gas turbine only. As an alternative to methane gas, environmentally neutral biogas can be used for operating the gas turbine. Hence, the hybrid system is operated to 100\% from renewable energy sources}, language = {en} } @article{StadlerGarveyBocahutetal.2012, author = {Stadler, Andreas M. and Garvey, G. J. and Bocahut, A. and Sacquin-Mora, S. and Digel, Ilya and Schneider, G. J. and Natali, F. and Artmann, Gerhard and Zaccai, G.}, title = {Thermal fluctuations of haemoglobin from different species : adaptation to temperature via conformational dynamics}, series = {Journal of the Royal Society Interface}, volume = {9}, journal = {Journal of the Royal Society Interface}, number = {76}, publisher = {The Royal Society}, address = {London}, issn = {1742-5689}, doi = {10.1098/rsif.2012.0364}, pages = {2845 -- 2855}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Thermodynamic stability, configurational motions and internal forces of haemoglobin (Hb) of three endotherms (platypus, Ornithorhynchus anatinus; domestic chicken, Gallus gallus domesticus and human, Homo sapiens) and an ectotherm (salt water crocodile, Crocodylus porosus) were investigated using circular dichroism, incoherent elastic neutron scattering and coarse-grained Brownian dynamics simulations. The experimental results from Hb solutions revealed a direct correlation between protein resilience, melting temperature and average body temperature of the different species on the 0.1 ns time scale. Molecular forces appeared to be adapted to permit conformational fluctuations with a root mean square displacement close to 1.2 {\AA} at the corresponding average body temperature of the endotherms. Strong forces within crocodile Hb maintain the amplitudes of motion within a narrow limit over the entire temperature range in which the animal lives. In fully hydrated powder samples of human and chicken, Hb mean square displacements and effective force constants on the 1 ns time scale showed no differences over the whole temperature range from 10 to 300 K, in contrast to the solution case. A complementary result of the study, therefore, is that one hydration layer is not sufficient to activate all conformational fluctuations of Hb in the pico- to nanosecond time scale which might be relevant for biological function. Coarse-grained Brownian dynamics simulations permitted to explore residue-specific effects. They indicated that temperature sensing of human and chicken Hb occurs mainly at residues lining internal cavities in the β-subunits.}, language = {en} }