@article{Laack2014, author = {Laack, Walter van}, title = {Nature is much smarter than expected: the Genetic Code is not degenerate}, series = {American journal of humanities and social sciences}, volume = {Vol. 2}, journal = {American journal of humanities and social sciences}, number = {No. 1}, issn = {2329-0781 (Print) ; 2329-079X (Online)}, pages = {10 -- 12}, year = {2014}, abstract = {In any books about genetics it can still today be read that our genetic code is called "degenerate" because it is still believed that 43 = 64 triplets encode the 20 essential amino acids. Indeed we have to assume the inverse law, what means that 34 = 81 exact code positions are really effective for our genetic code and encode the amino acids, compiled to proteins. This very important discovery leads to two completely new results that are limits-overlooking: 1) 34 (=81) genetic code positions mean exactly the same number as there are stable and naturally existing chemical elements in our universe. This famous argument should now lead to some alternative, as well as new fundamental conclusions about our existence. 2) A genetic code positioning system shows that nature is much smarter than expected: mutations are made less dangerous than believed, because they won't be that easily able any more to cause severe damages in the protein-synthesis. This should also lead to some alternative views upon evolution of life.}, language = {en} } @article{GoedhuysJanzMohnen2014, author = {Goedhuys, Micheline and Janz, Norbert and Mohnen, Pierre}, title = {Knowledge-based productivity in "low-tech" industries: evidence from firms in developing countries}, series = {Industrial and corporate change}, volume = {23}, journal = {Industrial and corporate change}, number = {1}, publisher = {Oxford University Press}, address = {Oxford}, issn = {1464-3650 (E-Journal); 0960-6491 (Print)}, doi = {10.1093/icc/dtt006}, pages = {1 -- 23}, year = {2014}, abstract = {Using firm-level data from five developing countries—Brazil, Ecuador, South Africa, Tanzania, and Bangladesh—and three industries—food processing, textiles, and the garments and leather products—this article examines the importance of various sources of knowledge for explaining productivity and formally tests whether sector- or country-specific characteristics dominate these relationships. Knowledge sources driving productivity appear mainly sector specific. Also differences in the level of development affect the effectiveness of knowledge sources. In the food processing sector, firms with higher educated managers are more productive, and in least-developed countries, additionally those with technology licenses and imported machinery and equipment. In the capital-intensive textiles sector, productivity is higher in firms that conduct R\&D. In the garments and leather products sector, higher education of the managers, licensing, and R\&D raise productivity.}, language = {en} } @article{HandtkeSchroeterJuergenetal.2014, author = {Handtke, Stefan and Schroeter, Rebecca and J{\"u}rgen, Britta and Methling, Karen and Schl{\"u}ter, Rabea and Albrecht, Dirk and Hijum, Sacha A. F. T. van and Bongaerts, Johannes and Maurer, Karl-Heinz and Lalk, Michael and Schweder, Thomas and Hecker, Michael and Voigt, Birgit}, title = {Bacillus pumilus reveals a remarkably high resistance to hydrogen peroxide provoked oxidative stress}, series = {PLOS one}, volume = {9}, journal = {PLOS one}, number = {1}, publisher = {PLOS}, address = {San Francisco}, issn = {1932-6203}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0085625}, pages = {e85625}, year = {2014}, abstract = {Bacillus pumilus is characterized by a higher oxidative stress resistance than other comparable industrially relevant Bacilli such as B. subtilis or B. licheniformis. In this study the response of B. pumilus to oxidative stress was investigated during a treatment with high concentrations of hydrogen peroxide at the proteome, transcriptome and metabolome level. Genes/proteins belonging to regulons, which are known to have important functions in the oxidative stress response of other organisms, were found to be upregulated, such as the Fur, Spx, SOS or CtsR regulon. Strikingly, parts of the fundamental PerR regulon responding to peroxide stress in B. subtilis are not encoded in the B. pumilus genome. Thus, B. pumilus misses the catalase KatA, the DNA-protection protein MrgA or the alkyl hydroperoxide reductase AhpCF. Data of this study suggests that the catalase KatX2 takes over the function of the missing KatA in the oxidative stress response of B. pumilus. The genome-wide expression analysis revealed an induction of bacillithiol (Cys-GlcN-malate, BSH) relevant genes. An analysis of the intracellular metabolites detected high intracellular levels of this protective metabolite, which indicates the importance of bacillithiol in the peroxide stress resistance of B. pumilus.}, language = {en} } @article{BeckBuchleitnerFerreinetal.2014, author = {Beck, Daniel and Buchleitner, Martin and Ferrein, Alexander and Niem{\"u}ller, Tim and Steinbauer, Gerald}, title = {Mostly Harmless \& AllemaniACs - mixed innovations}, pages = {1 -- 8}, year = {2014}, language = {en} } @article{NachtrodtTietschMostaccietal.2014, author = {Nachtrodt, Frederik and Tietsch, Wolfgang and Mostacci, Domiziano and Scherer, Ulrich W.}, title = {Set-up and first operation of a plasma oven for treatment of low level radioactive wastes}, series = {Nuclear technology and radiation protection}, volume = {29}, journal = {Nuclear technology and radiation protection}, number = {Suppl.}, publisher = {VINČA Institute of Nuclear Sciences}, address = {Belgrad}, issn = {1451-3994}, doi = {10.2298/NTRP140SS47N}, pages = {47 -- 51}, year = {2014}, language = {en} } @article{FateriGebhardtThuemmleretal.2014, author = {Fateri, Miranda and Gebhardt, Andreas and Th{\"u}mmler, Stefan and Thurn, Laura}, title = {Experimental investigation on selective laser melting of glass}, series = {Physics procedia : 8th International Conference on Laser Assisted Net Shape Engineering LANE 2014}, volume = {56 (2014)}, journal = {Physics procedia : 8th International Conference on Laser Assisted Net Shape Engineering LANE 2014}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {1875-3892 (E-Journal); 1875-3884 (Print)}, doi = {10.1016/j.phpro.2014.08.118}, pages = {357 -- 364}, year = {2014}, language = {en} } @article{SrivastavaLahiriMaitietal.2014, author = {Srivastava, A. and Lahiri, S. and Maiti, M. and Knolle, F. and Hoyler, Friedrich and Scherer, Ulrich W. and Schnug, E. W.}, title = {Study of naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM) in top soil of Punjab State from the North Western part of India}, series = {Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry}, volume = {2014}, journal = {Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry}, number = {302}, publisher = {Springer Nature}, address = {Basel}, issn = {1588-2780 (E-Journal); 0022-4081 (Print); 0134-0719 (Print); 0236-5731 (Print); 1417-2097 (Print)}, doi = {0.1007/s10967-014-3450-1}, pages = {1049 -- 1052}, year = {2014}, language = {en} } @article{SiqueiraMolinnusBegingetal.2014, author = {Siqueira, Jose R. and Molinnus, Denise and Beging, Stefan and Sch{\"o}ning, Michael Josef}, title = {Incorporating a hybrid urease-carbon nanotubes sensitive nanofilm on capacitive field-effect sensors for urea detection}, series = {Analytical chemistry}, volume = {86}, journal = {Analytical chemistry}, number = {11}, publisher = {ACS Publications}, address = {Columbus}, issn = {1520-6882 (E-Journal); 0003-2700 (Print); 0096-4484 (Print)}, doi = {10.1021/ac500458s}, pages = {5370 -- 5375}, year = {2014}, abstract = {The ideal combination among biomolecules and nanomaterials is the key for reaching biosensing units with high sensitivity. The challenge, however, is to find out a stable and sensitive film architecture that can be incorporated on the sensor's surface. In this paper, we report on the benefits of incorporating a layer-by-layer (LbL) nanofilm of polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimer and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) on capacitive electrolyte-insulator-semiconductor (EIS) field-effect sensors for detecting urea. Three sensor arrangements were studied in order to investigate the adequate film architecture, involving the LbL film with the enzyme urease: (i) urease immobilized directly onto a bare EIS [EIS-urease] sensor; (ii) urease atop the LbL film over the EIS [EIS-(PAMAM/CNT)-urease] sensor; and (iii) urease sandwiched between the LbL film and another CNT layer [EIS-(PAMAM/CNT)-urease-CNT]. The surface morphology of all three urea-based EIS biosensors was investigated by atomic force microscopy (AFM), while the biosensing abilities were studied by means of capacitance-voltage (C/V) and dynamic constant-capacitance (ConCap) measureaments at urea concentrations ranging from 0.1 mM to 100 mM. The EIS-urease and EIS-(PAMAM/CNT)-urease sensors showed similar sensitivity (∼18 mV/decade) and a nonregular signal behavior as the urea concentration increased. On the other hand, the EIS-(PAMAM/CNT)-urease-CNT sensor exhibited a superior output signal performance and higher sensitivity of about 33 mV/decade. The presence of the additional CNT layer was decisive to achieve a urea based EIS sensor with enhanced properties. Such sensitive architecture demonstrates that the incorporation of an adequate hybrid enzyme-nanofilm as sensing unit opens new prospects for biosensing applications using the field-effect sensor platform.}, language = {en} } @article{MuribYeapMartensetal.2014, author = {Murib, Mohammed Sharif and Yeap, Weng-Siang and Martens, Daan and Bienstman, Peter and Ceuninck, Ward de and Grinsven, Bart van and Sch{\"o}ning, Michael Josef and Michiels, Luc and Haenen, Ken and Ameloot, Marcel and Serpeng{\"u}zel, Ali and Wagner, Patrick}, title = {Photonic detection and characterization of DNA using sapphire microspheres}, series = {Journal of biomedical optics}, volume = {19}, journal = {Journal of biomedical optics}, number = {9}, publisher = {SPIE}, address = {Bellingham}, issn = {1560-2281 (E-Journal); 1083-3668 (Print)}, doi = {10.1117/1.JBO.19.9.097006}, pages = {097006}, year = {2014}, abstract = {A microcavity-based deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) optical biosensor is demonstrated for the first time using synthetic sapphire for the optical cavity. Transmitted and elastic scattering intensity at 1510 nm are analyzed from a sapphire microsphere (radius 500  μm, refractive index 1.77) on an optical fiber half coupler. The 0.43 nm angular mode spacing of the resonances correlates well with the optical size of the sapphire sphere. Probe DNA consisting of a 36-mer fragment was covalently immobilized on a sapphire microsphere and hybridized with a 29-mer target DNA. Whispering gallery modes (WGMs) were monitored before the sapphire was functionalized with DNA and after it was functionalized with single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) and double-stranded DNA (dsDNA). The shift in WGMs from the surface modification with DNA was measured and correlated well with the estimated thickness of the add-on DNA layer. It is shown that ssDNA is more uniformly oriented on the sapphire surface than dsDNA. In addition, it is shown that functionalization of the sapphire spherical surface with DNA does not affect the quality factor (Q≈104) of the sapphire microspheres. The use of sapphire is especially interesting because this material is chemically resilient, biocompatible, and widely used for medical implants.}, language = {en} } @article{HandtkeVollandMethlingetal.2014, author = {Handtke, Stefan and Volland, Sonja and Methling, Karen and Albrecht, Dirk and Becher, D{\"o}rte and Nehls, Jenny and Bongaerts, Johannes and Maurer, Karl-Heinz and Lalk, Michael and Liesegang, Heiko and Voigt, Birgit and Daniel, Rolf and Hecker, Michael}, title = {Cell physiology of the biotechnological relevant bacterium Bacillus pumilus - An omics-based approach}, series = {Journal of Biotechnology}, journal = {Journal of Biotechnology}, number = {192(A)}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {1873-4863 (E-Journal); 0168-1656 (Print)}, doi = {10.1016/j.jbiotec.2014.08.028}, pages = {204 -- 214}, year = {2014}, abstract = {Members of the species Bacillus pumilus get more and more in focus of the biotechnological industry as potential new production strains. Based on exoproteome analysis, B. pumilus strain Jo2, possessing a high secretion capability, was chosen for an omics-based investigation. The proteome and metabolome of B. pumilus cells growing either in minimal or complex medium was analyzed. In total, 1542 proteins were identified in growing B. pumilus cells, among them 1182 cytosolic proteins, 297 membrane and lipoproteins and 63 secreted proteins. This accounts for about 43\% of the 3616 proteins encoded in the B. pumilus Jo2 genome sequence. By using GC-MS, IP-LC/MS and H NMR methods numerous metabolites were analyzed and assigned to reconstructed metabolic pathways. In the genome sequence a functional secretion system including the components of the Sec- and Tat-secretion machinery was found. Analysis of the exoproteome revealed secretion of about 70 proteins with predicted secretion signals. In addition, selected production-relevant genome features such as restriction modification systems and NRPS clusters of B. pumilus Jo2 are discussed.}, language = {en} } @article{FrotscherStaat2014, author = {Frotscher, Ralf and Staat, Manfred}, title = {Stresses produced by different textile mesh implants in a tissue equivalent}, series = {BioNanoMaterials}, volume = {15}, journal = {BioNanoMaterials}, number = {1-2}, publisher = {De Gruyter}, address = {Berlin}, issn = {2191-4672 (E-Journal); 2193-066X (E-Journal); 0011-8656 (Print); 1616-0177 (Print); 2193-0651 (Print)}, doi = {10.1515/bnm-2014-0003}, pages = {25 -- 30}, year = {2014}, abstract = {Two single-incision mini-slings used for treating urinary incontinence in women are compared with respect to the stresses they produce in their surrounding tissue. In an earlier paper we experimentally observed that these implants produce considerably different stress distributions in a muscle tissue equivalent. Here we perform 2D finite element analyses to compare the shear stresses and normal stresses in the tissue equivalent for the two meshes and to investigate their failure behavior. The results clearly show that the Gynecare TVT fails for increasing loads in a zipper-like manner because it gradually debonds from the surrounding tissue. Contrary to that, the tissue at the ends of the DynaMesh-SIS direct may rupture but only at higher loads. The simulation results are in good agreement with the experimental observations thus the computational model helps to interpret the experimental results and provides a tool for qualitative evaluation of mesh implants.}, language = {en} } @article{AlhwarinFerreinScholl2014, author = {Alhwarin, Faraj and Ferrein, Alexander and Scholl, Ingrid}, title = {IR stereo kinect: improving depth images by combining structured light with IR stereo}, pages = {1 -- 9}, year = {2014}, language = {en} } @article{GuoMiyamotoWagneretal.2014, author = {Guo, Yuanyuan and Miyamoto, Ko-ichiro and Wagner, Torsten and Sch{\"o}ning, Michael Josef and Yoshinobu, Tatsuo}, title = {Device simulation of the light-addressable potentiometric sensor for the investigation of the spatial resolution}, series = {Sensors and actuators B: Chemical}, volume = {204}, journal = {Sensors and actuators B: Chemical}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {1873-3077 (E-Journal); 0925-4005 (Print)}, doi = {10.1016/j.snb.2014.08.016}, pages = {659 -- 665}, year = {2014}, abstract = {As a semiconductor-based electrochemical sensor, the light-addressable potentiometric sensor (LAPS) can realize two dimensional visualization of (bio-)chemical reactions at the sensor surface addressed by localized illumination. Thanks to this imaging capability, various applications in biochemical and biomedical fields are expected, for which the spatial resolution is critically significant. In this study, therefore, the spatial resolution of the LAPS was investigated in detail based on the device simulation. By calculating the spatiotemporal change of the distributions of electrons and holes inside the semiconductor layer in response to a modulated illumination, the photocurrent response as well as the spatial resolution was obtained as a function of various parameters such as the thickness of the Si substrate, the doping concentration, the wavelength and the intensity of illumination. The simulation results verified that both thinning the semiconductor substrate and increasing the doping concentration could improve the spatial resolution, which were in good agreement with known experimental results and theoretical analysis. More importantly, new findings of interests were also obtained. As for the dependence on the wavelength of illumination, it was found that the known dependence was not always the case. When the Si substrate was thick, a longer wavelength resulted in a higher spatial resolution which was known by experiments. When the Si substrate was thin, however, a longer wavelength of light resulted in a lower spatial resolution. This finding was explained as an effect of raised concentration of carriers, which reduced the thickness of the space charge region. The device simulation was found to be helpful to understand the relationship between the spatial resolution and device parameters, to understand the physics behind it, and to optimize the device structure and measurement conditions for realizing higher performance of chemical imaging systems.}, language = {en} } @article{KhaydukovaZadorozhnayaKirsanovetal.2014, author = {Khaydukova, M. M. and Zadorozhnaya, O. A. and Kirsanov, D. O. and Iken, Heiko and Rolka, David and Sch{\"o}ning, Michael Josef and Babain, V. A. and Vlasov, Yu. G. and Legin, A. V.}, title = {Multivariate processing of atomic-force microscopy images for detection of the response of plasticized polymeric membranes}, series = {Russian journal of applied chemistry}, volume = {87}, journal = {Russian journal of applied chemistry}, number = {3}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {Dordrecht}, issn = {1608-3296 (E-Journal); 1070-4272 (Print)}, doi = {10.1134/S1070427214030112}, pages = {307 -- 314}, year = {2014}, abstract = {The possibility of using the atomic-force microscopy as a method for detection of the analytical signal from plasticized polymeric sensor membranes was analyzed. The surfaces of cadmium-selective membranes based on two polymeric matrices were examined. The digital images were processed with multivariate image analysis techniques. A correlation was found between the surface profile of an ion-selective membrane and the concentration of the ion in solution.}, language = {en} } @article{HoltrupSadeghfamHeuermannetal.2014, author = {Holtrup, S. and Sadeghfam, Arash and Heuermann, Holger and Awakowicz, P.}, title = {Characterization and optimization technique for microwave-driven high-intensity discharge lamps using hot S-parameters}, series = {IEEE transactions on microwave theories and techniques}, volume = {62}, journal = {IEEE transactions on microwave theories and techniques}, number = {10}, publisher = {IEEE}, address = {New York}, issn = {0018-9480}, doi = {10.1109/TMTT.2014.2342652}, pages = {2471 -- 2480}, year = {2014}, abstract = {High-intensity discharge lamps can be driven by radio-frequency signals in the ISM frequency band at 2.45 GHz, using a matching network to transform the impedance of the plasma to the source impedance. To achieve an optimal operating condition, a good characterization of the lamp in terms of radio frequency equivalent circuits under operating conditions is necessary, enabling the design of an efficient matching network. This paper presents the characterization technique for such lamps and presents the design of the required matching network. For the characterization, a high-intensity discharge lamp was driven by a monofrequent large signal at 2.45 GHz, whereas a frequency sweep over 300 MHz was performed across this signal to measure so-called small-signal hot S-parameters using a vector network analyzer. These parameters are then used as an equivalent load in a circuit simulator to design an appropriate matching network. Using the measured data as a black-box model in the simulation results in a quick and efficient method to simulate and design efficient matching networks in spite of the complex plasma behavior. Furthermore, photometric analysis of high-intensity discharge lamps are carried out, comparing microwave operation to conventional operation.}, language = {en} } @article{MuellerHirschfeldLambertzetal.2014, author = {M{\"u}ller, Martin and Hirschfeld, Julian and Lambertz, Rita and Schulze Lohoff, Andreas and Lustfeld, Hans and Pfeifer, Heinz and Reißel, Martin}, title = {Validation of a novel method for detecting and stabilizing malfunctioning areas in fuel cell stacks}, series = {Journal of power sources}, volume = {272}, journal = {Journal of power sources}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {1873-2755 (E-Journal); 0378-7753 (Print)}, doi = {10.1016/j.jpowsour.2014.08.045}, pages = {225 -- 232}, year = {2014}, abstract = {In this paper a setup for detecting malfunctioning areas of MEAs in fuel cell stacks is described. Malfunctioning areas generate electric cross currents inside bipolar plates. To exploit this we suggest bipolar plates consisting not of two but of three layers. The third one is a highly conducting layer and segmented such that the cross currents move along the segments to the surface of the stack where they can be measured by an inductive sensor. With this information a realistic model can be used to detect the malfunctioning area. Furthermore the third layer will prevent any current inhomogeneity of a malfunctioning cell to spread to neighbouring cells in the stack. In this work the results of measurements in a realistic cell setup will be compared with the results obtained in simulation studies with the same configuration. The basis for the comparison is the reliable characterisation of the electrical properties of the cell components and the implication of these results into the simulation model. The experimental studies will also show the limits in the maximum number of segments, which can be used for a reliable detection of cross currents.}, language = {en} } @article{StadlerGarveyEmbsetal.2014, author = {Stadler, Alexander Maximilian and Garvey, Christopher J. and Embs, Jan Peter and Koza, Michael Marek and Unruh, Tobias and Artmann, Gerhard and Zaccai, Guiseppe}, title = {Picosecond dynamics in haemoglobin from different species: A quasielastic neutron scattering study}, series = {Biochimica et biophysica acta (BBA): General Subjects}, volume = {1840}, journal = {Biochimica et biophysica acta (BBA): General Subjects}, number = {10}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {1872-8006 (E-Journal); 0304-4165 (Print)}, doi = {10.1016/j.bbagen.2014.06.007}, pages = {2989 -- 2999}, year = {2014}, language = {en} } @article{KluczkaEcksteinAlexopoulosetal.2014, author = {Kluczka, Sven and Eckstein, Julian and Alexopoulos, Spiros and Vaeßen, Christiane and Roeb, Martin}, title = {Process simulation for solar steam and dry reforming}, series = {Energy procedia : Proceedings of the SolarPACES 2013 International Conference}, volume = {49}, journal = {Energy procedia : Proceedings of the SolarPACES 2013 International Conference}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {1876-6102 (E-Journal)}, doi = {10.1016/j.egypro.2014.03.092}, pages = {850 -- 859}, year = {2014}, abstract = {In co-operation with the German Aerospace Center, the Solar-Institut J{\"u}lich has been analyzing the different technologies that are available for methanol production from CO2 using solar energy. The aim of the project is to extract CO2 from industrial exhaust gases or directly from the atmosphere to recycle it by use of solar energy. Part of the study was the modeling and simulating of a methane reformer for the production of synthesis gas, which can be operated by solar or hybrid heat sources. The reformer has been simplified in such a way that the model is accurate and enables fast calculations. The developed pseudo-homogeneous one- dimensional model can be regarded as a kind of counter-current heat exchanger and is able to incorporate a steam reforming reaction as well as a dry reforming reaction.}, language = {en} } @article{RatkeMilowLisinskietal.2014, author = {Ratke, Lorenz and Milow, Barbara and Lisinski, Susanne and Hoepfner, Sandra}, title = {On an effect of fine ceramic particles on the structure of aerogels}, series = {Microgravity science and technology}, volume = {26}, journal = {Microgravity science and technology}, publisher = {Springer Nature}, address = {Heidelberg}, issn = {0938-0108 ; 1875-0494}, doi = {10.1007/s12217-014-9380-2}, pages = {103 -- 110}, year = {2014}, language = {en} } @article{LeandroBungCarvalho2014, author = {Leandro, J. and Bung, Daniel Bernhard and Carvalho, R.}, title = {Measuring void fraction and velocity fields of a stepped spillway for skimming flow using non-intrusive methods}, series = {Experiments in fluids}, journal = {Experiments in fluids}, number = {55}, publisher = {Springer Nature}, address = {Heidelberg}, issn = {0723-4864 (Print) ; 1432-1114 (Online)}, doi = {10.1007/s00348-014-1732-6}, pages = {Art. 1732}, year = {2014}, language = {en} }