TY - JOUR A1 - Aggarwal, P. A1 - Dhiman, S. A1 - Kumar, G. A1 - Scherer, Ulrich W. A1 - Singla, M. L. A1 - Srivastava, A. T1 - Optical study of poly(ethyleneterephthalate) modified by different ionizing radiation dose JF - Indian Journal of Pure and Applied Physics N2 - Thin films of poly(ethyleneterephthalate) [PET]were exposed to radiation dose ranging from 10 to 30 kGy by using gamma rays in the range 12.8-177.8 MGy using swift light ions of hydrogen. There was no effect of the radiation dose on the optical behaviour of PET as a result of exposure to radiation dose up to 30 kGy brought about by gamma rays but a significant decrease in the optical band gap values was observed when PET was exposed to swift light ions of hydrogen. The data obtained are discussed in terms of optical studies carried out on PET using swift heavy ions. Y1 - 2012 SN - 0019-5596 VL - 50 IS - 2 SP - 129 EP - 132 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Spelthahn, Heiko A1 - Schubert, Jürgen A1 - Schöning, Michael Josef T1 - Dünnschichtsensoren für die Schwermetallanalytik JF - GIT : Labor-Fachzeitschrift N2 - Die Detektion von Schadstoffen repräsentiert in der Umweltanalytik eine wichtige Aufgabenstellung. Gerade die Abwasser- bzw. Brauchwasseranalytik sowie die Prozesskontrolle haben einen hohen Stellenwert. Siliziumbasierte Dünnschichtsensoren bieten eine kostengünstige Möglichkeit, „online“-Messungen bzw. Vor-Ort-Messungen zeitnah durchzuführen. In dieser Arbeit wird ein potentiometrisches Sensorarray auf der Basis von Chalkogenidgläsern zur Detektion von Schwermetallen in wässrigen Medien vorgestellt. Y1 - 2012 SN - 0016-3538 VL - 56 IS - 4 SP - 285 EP - 287 PB - Wiley-VCH CY - Weinheim ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Novacek, V. A1 - Tran, Thanh Ngoc A1 - Klinge, U. A1 - Tolba, R. H. A1 - Staat, Manfred A1 - Bronson, D. G. A1 - Miesse, A. M. A1 - Whiffen, J. A1 - Turquier, F. T1 - Finite element modelling of stapled colorectal end-to-end anastomosis : Advantages of variable height stapler design JF - Journal of Biomechanics N2 - 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. KW - Variable height stapler design KW - Anastomotic leakage KW - Finite element modelling KW - End-to-end colorectal anastomosis KW - Surgical staplers Y1 - 2012 U6 - http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jbiomech.2012.07.021 SN - 1873-2380 VL - 45 IS - 115 SP - 2693 EP - 2697 PB - Elsevier CY - Amsterdam ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Nguyen, Nhu Huynh A1 - Duong, Minh Tuan A1 - Tran, Thanh Ngoc A1 - Pham, Phu Tinh A1 - Grottke, O. A1 - Tolba, R. A1 - Staat, Manfred T1 - Influence of a freeze–thaw cycle on the stress–stretch curves of tissues of porcine abdominal organs JF - Journal of Biomechanics N2 - 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. KW - Autolysis KW - Decomposition KW - Freeze–thaw process KW - Spleen KW - Liver Y1 - 2012 U6 - http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jbiomech.2012.07.008 SN - 1873-2380 VL - 45 IS - 14 SP - 2382 EP - 2386 PB - Elsevier CY - Amsterdam ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Kotliar, Konstantin A1 - Lanzl, Ines M. A1 - Hanssen, Henner A1 - Eberhardt, Karla A1 - Vilser, Walthard A1 - Halle, Martin A1 - Heemann, Uwe A1 - Schmidt-Trucksäss, Arno A1 - Baumann, Marcus T1 - Does increased blood pressure rather than aging influence retinal pulse wave velocity? JF - Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science, IOVS N2 - Purpose: It was demonstrated previously that retinal pulse wave velocity (rPWV) as a measure of retinal arterial stiffness is increased in aged anamnestically healthy volunteers compared with young healthy subjects. Using novel methodology of rPWV assessment this finding was confirmed and investigated whether it might relate to the increased blood pressure usually accompanying the aging process, rather than to the aging itself. Methods: A total of 12 young 25.5-year-old (24.0–28.8) [median(1st quartile–3rd quartile)] and 12 senior 68.5-year-old (63.8–71.8) anamnestically healthy volunteers; and 12 senior 63.0-year-old (60.8–65.0) validated healthy volunteers and 12 young 33.0-year-old (29.5–35.0) hypertensive patients were examined. Time-dependent alterations of vessel diameter were assessed by the Dynamic Vessel Analyzer in a retinal artery of each subject. The data were filtered and processed using mathematical signal analysis and rPWVs were calculated. Results: rPWV amounted to 1200 (990-1470) RU (relative units)/s in the hypertensive group and to 1040 (700-2230) RU/s in anamnestically healthy seniors. These differed significantly from rPWVs in young healthy group (410 [280–500] RU/s) and in validated healthy seniors (400 [320–510] RU/s). rPWV associated with age and mean arterial pressure (MAP) in the pooled cohort excluded validated healthy seniors. In a regression model these associations remain when alternately adjusted for MAP and age. When including validated healthy seniors in the pooled cohort only association with MAP remains. Conclusions: Both aging (with not excluded cardiovascular risk factors) and mild hypertension are associated with elevated rPWV. rPWV increases to a similar extent both in young mildly hypertensive subjects and in aged anamnestically healthy persons. Healthy aging is not associated with increased rPWV. Y1 - 2012 U6 - http://dx.doi.org/10.1167/iovs.11-8815 SN - 0146-0404 VL - 53 IS - 4 SP - 2119 EP - 2126 PB - ARVO CY - Rockville, Md. ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Lustfeld, H. A1 - Pithan, C. A1 - Reißel, Martin T1 - Metallic electrolyte composites in the framework of the brick-layer model JF - Journal of the European Ceramic Society N2 - It is well known that the already large dielectric constants of some electrolytes like BaTiO₃ can be enhanced further by adding metallic (e.g. Ni, Cu or Ag) nanoparticles. The enhancement can be quite large, a factor of more than 1000 is possible. The consequences for the properties will be discussed in the present paper applying a brick-layer model (BLM) for calculating dc-resistivities of thin layers and a modified one (PBLM) that includes percolation for calculating dielectric properties of these materials. The PBLM results in an at least qualitative description and understanding of the physical phenomena: This model gives an explanation for the steep increase of the dielectric constant below the percolation threshold and why this increase is connected to a dramatic decrease of the breakdown voltage as well as the ability of storing electrical energy. We conclude that metallic electrolyte composites like BaTiO₃ are not appropriate for energy storage. Y1 - 2012 U6 - http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jeurceramsoc.2011.10.017 SN - 0955-2219 VL - 32 IS - 4 SP - 859 EP - 864 PB - Elsevier CY - Amsterdam ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Bohrn, U. A1 - Stütz, E. A1 - Fuchs, K. A1 - Fleischer, M. A1 - Schöning, Michael Josef A1 - Wagner, P. T1 - Monitoring of irritant gas using a whole-cell-based sensor system JF - Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical N2 - Cell-based sensors for the detection of gases have long been underrepresented, due to the cellular requirement of being cultured in a liquid environment. In this work we established a cell-based gas biosensor for the detection of toxic substances in air, by adapting a commercial sensor chip (Bionas®), previously used for the measurement of pollutants in liquids. Cells of the respiratory tract (A549, RPMI 2650, V79), which survive at a gas phase in a natural context, are used as biological receptors. The physiological cell parameters acidification, respiration and morphology are continuously monitored in parallel. Ammonia was used as a highly water-soluble model gas to test the feasibility of the sensor system. Infrared measurements confirmed the sufficiency of the medium draining method. This sensor system provides a basis for many sensor applications such as environmental monitoring, building technology and public security. Y1 - 2012 U6 - http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.snb.2012.05.088 SN - 0925-4005 VL - 175 SP - 208 EP - 217 PB - Elsevier CY - Amsterdam ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Kurulgan Demirci, Eylem A1 - Demirci, Taylan A1 - Linder, Peter A1 - Trzewik, Jürgen A1 - Gierkowski, Jessica Ricarda A1 - Gossmann, Matthias A1 - Kayser, Peter A1 - Porst, Dariusz A1 - Digel, Ilya A1 - Artmann, Gerhard A1 - Temiz Artmann, Aysegül T1 - rhAPC reduces the endothelial cell permeability via a decrease of contractile tensions induced by endothelial cells JF - Journal of Bioscience and Bioengineering N2 - 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. KW - Cell permeability KW - Cellular force KW - Endothelial cells KW - Recombinant activated protein C KW - Lipopolysaccharide KW - Contractile tension KW - CellDrum Y1 - 2012 U6 - http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jbiosc.2012.03.019 SN - 1347-4421 VL - 113 IS - 2 SP - 212 EP - 219 PB - Elsevier CY - Amsterdam ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Werner, Frederik A1 - Groebel, Simone A1 - Krumbe, Christoph A1 - Wagner, Torsten A1 - Selmer, Thorsten A1 - Yoshinobu, Tatsuo A1 - Baumann, Marcus A1 - Schöning, Michael Josef T1 - Nutrient concentration-sensitive microorganism-based biosensor JF - Physica Status Solidi (a) Y1 - 2012 U6 - http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/pssa.201100801 SN - 1862-6319 VL - 209 IS - 5 SP - 900 EP - 904 PB - Wiley-VCH CY - Weinheim ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Kirchner, Patrick A1 - Reisert, Steffen A1 - Pütz, Patrick A1 - Keusgen, Michael A1 - Schöning, Michael Josef T1 - Characterisation of polymeric materials as passivation layer for calorimetric H2O2 gas sensors JF - Physica Status Solidi (a) N2 - Calorimetric gas sensors for monitoring the H₂O₂ concentration at elevated temperatures in industrial sterilisation processes have been presented in previous works. These sensors are built up in form of a differential set-up of a catalytically active and passive temperature-sensitive structure. Although, various types of catalytically active dispersions have been studied, the passivation layer has to be established and therefore, chemically as well as physically characterised. In the present work, fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP), perfluoralkoxy (PFA) and epoxy-based SU-8 photoresist as temperature-stable polymeric materials have been investigated for sensor passivation in terms of their chemical inertness against H₂O₂, their hygroscopic properties as well as their morphology. The polymeric materials were deposited via spin-coating on the temperature-sensitive structure, wherein spin-coated FEP and PFA show slight agglomerates. However, they possess a low absorption of humidity due to their hydrophobic surface, whereas the SU-8 layer has a closed surface but shows a slightly higher absorption of water. All of them were inert against gaseous H₂O₂ during the characterisation in H₂O₂ atmosphere that demonstrates their suitability as passivation layer for calorimetric H₂O₂ gas sensors. Y1 - 2012 U6 - http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/pssa.201100773 SN - 1862-6319 VL - 209 IS - 5 SP - 859 EP - 863 PB - Wiley-VCH CY - Weinheim ER -