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- Alkalihalobacillus okhensis (1)
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- ES-FEM (1)
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7T MR Safety
(2021)
BACKGROUND
Currently, several techniques exist for the downstream processing of protein, phytic acid and sinapic acid from rapeseed and rapeseed meal, but no technique has been developed to separate all of the components in one process. In this work, two new downstream processing strategies focusing on recovering sinapic acid, phytic acid and protein from rapeseed meal were established.
RESULTS
The sinapic acid content was enhanced by a factor of 4.5 with one method and 5.1 with the other. The isolation of sinapic acid was accomplished using a zeolite-based adsorbent with high adsorptive and optimal desorption characteristics. Phytic acid was isolated using the anion-exchange resin Purolite A200®. In addition, the processes resulted in two separated protein fractions. The ratios of globulin and albumin ratio to the total protein were 59.2% and 40.1%, respectively. The steps were then combined in two different ways: (a) a ‘sequential process’ using the zeolite and A200 in batch processes; and (b) a ‘parallel process’ using only A200 in a chromatographic system to separate all of the compounds.
CONCLUSIONS
It can be concluded that isolation of all three components was possible in both processes. These could enhance the added value of current processes using rapeseed meal as a protein source. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Purpose:
MRI plays a leading diagnostic role in assessing the musculoskeletal (MSK) system and is well established for most questions at clinically used field strengths (up to 3 T). However, there are still limitations in imaging early stages of cartilage degeneration, very fine tendons and ligaments, or in locating nerve lesions, for example. 7 T MRI of the knee has already received increasing attention in the current published literature, but there is a strong need to develop new radiofrequency (RF) coils to assess more regions of the MSK system. In this work, an eight-channel transmit/receive RF array was built as a multipurpose coil for imaging some of the thus far neglected regions. An extensive coil characterization protocol and first in vivo results of the human wrist, shoulder, elbow, knee, and ankle imaged at 7 T will be presented.
Methods:
Eight surface loop coils with a dimension ofurn:x-wiley:00942405:media:mp7176:mp7176-math-0001 were machined from FR4 circuit board material. To facilitate easy positioning, two coil clusters, each with four loop elements, were combined to one RF transmit/receive array. An overlapped and shifted arrangement of the coil elements was chosen to reduce the mutual inductance between neighboring coils. A phantom made of body-simulating liquid was used for tuning and matching on the bench. Afterward, the S-parameters were verified on a human wrist, elbow, and shoulder. For safety validation, a detailed compliance test was performed including full wave simulations of the RF field distribution and the corresponding specific absorption rate (SAR) for all joints. In vivo images of four volunteers were assessed with gradient echo and spin echo sequences modified to obtain optimal image contrast, full anatomic coverage, and the highest spatial resolution within a reasonable acquisition time. The performance of the RF coil was additionally evaluated by in vivo B1 mapping.
Results:
A comparison of B1 per unit power, flip angle distribution, and anatomic images showed a fairly homogeneous excitation for the smaller joints (elbow, wrist, and ankle), while for the larger joints, the shoulder and especially the knee, B1 inhomogeneities and limited penetration depth were more pronounced. However, the greater part of the shoulder joint could be imaged.In vivo images rendered very fine anatomic details such as fascicles of the median nerve and the branching of the nerve bundles. High-resolution images of cartilage, labrum, and tendons could be acquired. Additionally, turbo spin echo (TSE) and inversion recovery sequences performed very well.
Conclusions:
This study demonstrates that the concept of two four-channel transmit/receive RF arrays can be used as a multipurpose coil for high-resolutionin vivo MR imaging of the musculoskeletal system at 7 T. Not only gradient echo but also typical clinical and SAR-intensive sequences such as STIR and TSE performed well. Imaging of small structures and peripheral nerves could in particular benefit from this technique.
Edge-based and face-based smoothed finite element methods (ES-FEM and FS-FEM, respectively) are modified versions of the finite element method allowing to achieve more accurate results and to reduce sensitivity to mesh distortion, at least for linear elements. These properties make the two methods very attractive. However, their implementation in a standard finite element code is nontrivial because it requires heavy and extensive modifications to the code architecture. In this article, we present an element-based formulation of ES-FEM and FS-FEM methods allowing to implement the two methods in a standard finite element code with no modifications to its architecture. Moreover, the element-based formulation permits to easily manage any type of element, especially in 3D models where, to the best of the authors' knowledge, only tetrahedral elements are used in FS-FEM applications found in the literature. Shape functions for non-simplex 3D elements are proposed in order to apply FS-FEM to any standard finite element.
The composition and physiochemical properties of aquatic-phase natural organic matter (NOM) are most important problems for both environmental studies and water industry. Laser desorption/ionization (LDI) mass spectrometry facilitated successful examinations of NOM, as humic and fulvic acids in NOM are readily ionized by the nitrogen laser. In this study, hydrophobic NOMs (HPO NOMs) from river, reservoir and waste water were characterized by this technique. The effect of analytical variables like concentration, solvent composition and laser energy was investigated. The exact masses of small molecular NOM moieties in the range of 200–1200 m/z were determined in reflectron mode. In addition, spectra of post-source-decay experiments in this range showed that some compounds from different natural NOMs had the same fragmental ions. In the large mass range of 1200–15 000 Da, macromolecules and their aggregates were found in HPO NOMs from natural waters. Highly humic HPO exhibited mass peaks larger than 8000 Da. On the other hand, the waste water and reservoir water mainly had relatively smaller molecules of about 2000 Da. The LDI-MS measurements indicated that highly humic river waters were able to form large aggregates and membrane foulants, while the HPO NOMs from waste water and reservoir water were unlikely to form large aggregates. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Carbon nanofiber nonwovens represent a powerful class of materials with prospective application in filtration technology or as electrodes with high surface area in batteries, fuel cells, and supercapacitors. While new precursor-to-carbon conversion processes have been explored to overcome productivity restrictions for carbon fiber tows, alternatives for the two-step thermal conversion of polyacrylonitrile precursors into carbon fiber nonwovens are absent. In this work, we develop a continuous roll-to-roll stabilization process using an atmospheric pressure microwave plasma jet. We explore the influence of various plasma-jet parameters on the morphology of the nonwoven and compare the stabilized nonwoven to thermally stabilized samples using scanning electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and infrared spectroscopy. We show that stabilization with a non-equilibrium plasma-jet can be twice as productive as the conventional thermal stabilization in a convection furnace, while producing electrodes of comparable electrochemical performance.
Aufarbeitung von Polyphenolen aus Weizenmittels Zeolithen am Beispiel der Ferulasa¨ ureAlexander Thiel1, Kai Muffler1, Nils Tippko¨ tter1, Kirstin Suck2, Ulrich Sohling2, Friedrich Ruf3und Roland Ulber1,*DOI: 10.1002/cite.201400031Bei der Ferulasa¨ure handelt es sich um einen Wertstoff, der aus Weizen gewonnen und in der Lebensmittel- und Pharma-industrie eingesetzt werden kann. Der Einsatz von Weizen als nachwachsende Rohstoffquelle ist allerdings nur dann wirt-schaftlich durchfu¨hrbar, wenn eine Prozessintegration in die bestehenden industriellen Verfahren gewa¨hrleistet oder einedirekte Konkurrenz zur Mehl- und Sta¨rkeindustrie vermieden werden kann. In diesem Artikel wird ein Verfahren aufge-zeigt, welches hohe Ausbeuten ermo¨glicht und eine Konkurrenz zu bestehenden Verwertungspfaden vermeidet.
Stahlbetonrahmentragwerke mit Ausfachungen aus Mauerwerk weisen nach Erdbeben häufig schwere Schäden auf. Gründe hierfür sind die Beanspruchungen der Ausfachungswände durch die aufgezwungenen Rahmenverformungen in Wandebene und die gleichzeitig auftretenden Trägheitskräfte senkrecht zur Wandebene in Kombination mit der konstruktiven Ausführung des Ausfachungsmauerwerks. Die Ausfachung wird in der Regel knirsch gegen die Rahmenstützen gemauert, wobei der Verschluss der oberen Fuge mit Mörtel oder Montageschaum erfolgt. Dadurch kommt es im Erdbebenfall zu lokalen Interaktionen zwischen Ausfachung und Rahmen, die in der Folge zu einem Versagen einzelner Ausfachungswände oder zu einem sukzessiven Versagen des Gesamtgebäudes führen können. Die beobachteten Schäden waren die Motivation dafür, in dem europäischen Forschungsprojekt INSYSME für Stahlbetonrahmentragwerke mit Ausfachungen aus hochwärmedämmenden Ziegelmauerwerk innovative Lösungen zur Verbesserung des seismischen Verhaltens zu entwickeln. Der vorliegende Beitrag stellt die im Rahmen des Projekts von den deutschen Projektpartnern (Universität Kassel, SDA-engineering GmbH) entwickelten Lösungen vor und vergleicht deren seismisches Verhalten mit der traditionellen Ausführung der Ausfachungswände. Grundlage für den Vergleich sind statisch-zyklische Wandversuche und Simulationen auf Wandebene. Aus den Ergebnissen werden Empfehlungen für die erdbebensichere Auslegung von Stahlbetonrahmentragwerken mit Ausfachungen aus Ziegelmauerwerk abgeleitet.
Subtilisins from microbial sources, especially from the Bacillaceae family, are of particular interest for biotechnological applications and serve the currently growing enzyme market as efficient and novel biocatalysts. Biotechnological applications include use in detergents, cosmetics, leather processing, wastewater treatment and pharmaceuticals. To identify a possible candidate for the enzyme market, here we cloned the gene of the subtilisin SPFA from Fictibacillus arsenicus DSM 15822ᵀ (obtained through a data mining-based search) and expressed it in Bacillus subtilis DB104. After production and purification, the protease showed a molecular mass of 27.57 kDa and a pI of 5.8. SPFA displayed hydrolytic activity at a temperature optimum of 80 °C and a very broad pH optimum between 8.5 and 11.5, with high activity up to pH 12.5. SPFA displayed no NaCl dependence but a high NaCl tolerance, with decreasing activity up to concentrations of 5 m NaCl. The stability enhanced with increasing NaCl concentration. Based on its substrate preference for 10 synthetic peptide 4-nitroanilide substrates with three or four amino acids and its phylogenetic classification, SPFA can be assigned to the subgroup of true subtilisins. Moreover, SPFA exhibited high tolerance to 5% (w/v) SDS and 5% H₂O₂ (v/v). The biochemical properties of SPFA, especially its tolerance of remarkably high pH, SDS and H₂O₂, suggest it has potential for biotechnological applications.
Halophilic and halotolerant microorganisms represent a promising source of salt-tolerant enzymes suitable for various biotechnological applications where high salt concentrations would otherwise limit enzymatic activity. Considering the current growing enzyme market and the need for more efficient and new biocatalysts, the present study aimed at the characterization of a high-alkaline subtilisin from Alkalihalobacillus okhensis Kh10-101T. The protease gene was cloned and expressed in Bacillus subtilis DB104. The recombinant protease SPAO with 269 amino acids belongs to the subfamily of high-alkaline subtilisins. The biochemical characteristics of purified SPAO were analyzed in comparison with subtilisin Carlsberg, Savinase, and BPN'. SPAO, a monomer with a molecular mass of 27.1 kDa, was active over a wide range of pH 6.0–12.0 and temperature 20–80 °C, optimally at pH 9.0–9.5 and 55 °C. The protease is highly oxidatively stable to hydrogen peroxide and retained 58% of residual activity when incubated at 10 °C with 5% (v/v) H2O2 for 1 h while stimulated at 1% (v/v) H2O2. Furthermore, SPAO was very stable and active at NaCl concentrations up to 5.0 m. This study demonstrates the potential of SPAO for biotechnological applications in the future.
For several thousand years, biotechnology and its associated technical processes have had a great impact on the development of mankind. Based on empirical methods, in particular for the production of foodstuffs and daily commodities, these disciplines have become one of the most innovative future issues. Due to the increasing detailed understanding of cellular processes, production strains can now be optimized. In combination with modern bioprocesses, a variety of bulk and fine chemicals as well as pharmaceuticals can be produced efficiently. In this article, some of the current trends in biotechnology are discussed.
Bacterial cell appendix formation supports cell-cell interaction, cell adhesion and cell movement. Additionally, in bioelectrochemical systems (BES), cell appendages have been shown to participate in extracellular electron transfer. In this work, the cell appendix formation of Clostridium acetobutylicum in biofilms of a BES are imaged and compared with conventional biofilms. Under all observed conditions, the cells possess filamentous appendages with a higher number and density in the BES. Differences in the amount of extracellular polymeric substance in the biofilms of the electrodes lead to the conclusion that the cathode can be used as electron donor and the anode as electron acceptor by C. acetobutylicum. When using conductive atomic force microscopy, a current response of about 15 nA is found for the cell appendages from the BES. This is the first report of conductivity for clostridial cell appendices and represents the basis for further studies on their role for biofilm formation and electron transfer.
Objective
Hemodialysis patients show an approximately threefold higher prevalence of cognitive impairment compared to the age-matched general population. Impaired microcirculatory function is one of the assumed causes. Dynamic retinal vessel analysis is a quantitative method for measuring neurovascular coupling and microvascular endothelial function. We hypothesize that cognitive impairment is associated with altered microcirculation of retinal vessels.
Methods
152 chronic hemodialysis patients underwent cognitive testing using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment. Retinal microcirculation was assessed by Dynamic Retinal Vessel Analysis, which carries out an examination recording retinal vessels' reaction to a flicker light stimulus under standardized conditions.
Results
In unadjusted as well as in adjusted linear regression analyses a significant association between the visuospatial executive function domain score of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment and the maximum arteriolar dilation as response of retinal arterioles to the flicker light stimulation was obtained.
Conclusion
This is the first study determining retinal microvascular function as surrogate for cerebral microvascular function and cognition in hemodialysis patients. The relationship between impairment in executive function and reduced arteriolar reaction to flicker light stimulation supports the involvement of cerebral small vessel disease as contributing factor for the development of cognitive impairment in this patient population and might be a target for noninvasive disease monitoring and therapeutic intervention.
Unravelling the factors determining the allocation of carbon to various plant organs is one of the great challenges of modern plant biology. Studying allocation under close to natural conditions requires non-invasive methods, which are now becoming available for measuring plants on a par with those developed for humans. By combining magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET), we investigated three contrasting root/shoot systems growing in sand or soil, with respect to their structures, transport routes and the translocation dynamics of recently fixed photoassimilates labelled with the short-lived radioactive carbon isotope 11C. Storage organs of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris) and radish plants (Raphanus sativus) were assessed using MRI, providing images of the internal structures of the organs with high spatial resolution, and while species-specific transport sectoralities, properties of assimilate allocation and unloading characteristics were measured using PET. Growth and carbon allocation within complex root systems were monitored in maize plants (Zea mays), and the results may be used to identify factors affecting root growth in natural substrates or in competition with roots of other plants. MRI–PET co-registration opens the door for non-invasive analysis of plant structures and transport processes that may change in response to genomic, developmental or environmental challenges. It is our aim to make the methods applicable for quantitative analyses of plant traits in phenotyping as well as in understanding the dynamics of key processes that are essential to plant performance.
This paper presents a novel numerical procedure for computing limit and shakedown loads of structures using a node-based smoothed FEM in combination with a primal–dual algorithm. An associated primal–dual form based on the von Mises yield criterion is adopted. The primal-dual algorithm together with a Newton-like iteration are then used to solve this associated primal–dual form to determine simultaneously both approximate upper and quasi-lower bounds of the plastic collapse limit and the shakedown limit. The present formulation uses only linear approximations and its implementation into finite element programs is quite simple. Several numerical examples are given to show the reliability, accuracy, and generality of the present formulation compared with other available methods.
A concept for a new generation of an integrated multi-functional biosensor/actuator system is developed, which is based on biomolecular logic principles. Such a system is expected to be able to detect multiple biochemical input signals simultaneously and in real-time and convert them into electrical output signals with logical operations such as OR, AND, etc. The system can be designed as a closed-loop drug release device triggered by an enzyme logic gate, while the release of the drug induced by the actuator at the required dosage and timing will be controlled by an additional drug sensor. Thus, the system could help to make an accurate and specific diagnosis. The presented concept is exemplarily demonstrated by using an enzyme logic gate based on a glucose/glucose oxidase system, a temperature-responsive hydrogel mimicking the actuator function and an insulin (drug) sensor. In this work, the results of functional testing of individual amperometric glucose and insulin sensors as well as an impedimetric sensor for the detection of the hydrogel swelling/shrinking are presented.
We present a sensor concept based on copper(II)oxide (CuO) nanofibres for the detection of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) vapour in the percent per volume (% v/v) range. The fibres were produced by using the electrospinning technique. To avoid water condensation in the pores, the fibres were initially modified by an exposure to H2S to get an enclosed surface. By a thermal treatment at 350 °C the fibres were oxidised back to CuO. Thereby, the visible pores disappear which was verified by SEM analysis. The fibres show a decrease of resistance with increasing H2O2 concentration which is due to the fact that hydrogen peroxide is an oxidising gas and CuO a p-type semiconductor. The sensor shows a change of resistance within the minute range to the exposure until the maximum concentration of 6.9% v/v H2O2. At operating temperatures below 450 °C the corresponding sensor response to a concentration of 4.1% v/v increases. The sensor shows a good reproducibility of the signal at different measurements. CuO seems to be a suitable candidate for the detection of H2O2 vapour at high concentrations.
Resistance behaviour of the sensor under exposure to H2O2 vapours between 2.3 and 6.9% v/v at an operating temperature of 450 °C.
The integration of biomolecular logic principles with electronic transducers allows designing novel digital biosensors with direct electrical output, logically triggered drug-release, and closed-loop sense/act/treat systems. This opens new opportunities for advanced personalized medicine in the context of theranostics. In the present work, we will discuss selected examples of recent developments in the field of interfacing enzyme logic gates with electrodes and semiconductor field-effect devices. Special attention is given to an enzyme OR/Reset logic gate based on a capacitive field-effect electrolyte-insulator-semiconductor sensor modified with a multi-enzyme membrane. Further examples are a digital adrenaline biosensor based on an AND logic gate with binary YES/NO output and an integrated closed-loop sense/act/treat system comprising an amperometric glucose sensor, a hydrogel actuator, and an insulin (drug) sensor.
It has been shown that muscle fascicle curvature increases with increasing contraction level and decreasing muscle–tendon complex length. The analyses were done with limited examination windows concerning contraction level, muscle–tendon complex length, and/or intramuscular position of ultrasound imaging. With this study we aimed to investigate the correlation between fascicle arching and contraction, muscle–tendon complex length and their associated architectural parameters in gastrocnemius muscles to develop hypotheses concerning the fundamental mechanism of fascicle curving. Twelve participants were tested in five different positions (90°/105°*, 90°/90°*, 135°/90°*, 170°/90°*, and 170°/75°*; *knee/ankle angle). They performed isometric contractions at four different contraction levels (5%, 25%, 50%, and 75% of maximum voluntary contraction) in each position. Panoramic ultrasound images of gastrocnemius muscles were collected at rest and during constant contraction. Aponeuroses and fascicles were tracked in all ultrasound images and the parameters fascicle curvature, muscle–tendon complex strain, contraction level, pennation angle, fascicle length, fascicle strain, intramuscular position, sex and age group were analyzed by linear mixed effect models. Mean fascicle curvature of the medial gastrocnemius increased with contraction level (+5 m−1 from 0% to 100%; p = 0.006). Muscle–tendon complex length had no significant impact on mean fascicle curvature. Mean pennation angle (2.2 m−1 per 10°; p < 0.001), inverse mean fascicle length (20 m−1 per cm−1; p = 0.003), and mean fascicle strain (−0.07 m−1 per +10%; p = 0.004) correlated with mean fascicle curvature. Evidence has also been found for intermuscular, intramuscular, and sex-specific intramuscular differences of fascicle curving. Pennation angle and the inverse fascicle length show the highest predictive capacities for fascicle curving. Due to the strong correlations between pennation angle and fascicle curvature and the intramuscular pattern of curving we suggest for future studies to examine correlations between fascicle curvature and intramuscular fluid pressure.
Bioconjugates containing the GnRH-III hormone decapeptide as a targeting moiety are able to deliver chemotherapeutic agents specifically to cancer cells expressing GnRH receptors, thereby increasing their local efficacy while limiting the peripheral toxicity. However, the number of GnRH receptors on cancer cells is limited and they desensitize under continuous hormone treatment. A possible approach to increase the receptor mediated tumor targeting and consequently the cytostatic effect of the bioconjugates would be the attachment of more than one chemotherapeutic agent to one GnRH-III molecule. Here we report on the design, synthesis and biochemical characterization of multifunctional bioconjugates containing GnRH-III as a targeting moiety and daunorubicin as a chemotherapeutic agent. Two different drug design approaches were pursued. The first one was based on the bifunctional [4Lys]-GnRH-III (Glp-His-Trp-Lys-His-Asp-Trp-Lys-Pro-Gly-NH2) containing two lysine residues in positions 4 and 8, whose ϵ-amino groups were used for the coupling of daunorubicin. In the second drug design, the native GnRH-III (Glp-His-Trp-Ser-His-Asp-Trp-Lys-Pro-Gly-NH2) was used as a scaffold; an additional lysine residue was coupled to the ϵ-amino group of 8Lys in order to generate two free amino groups available for conjugation of daunorubicin. The in vitro stability/degradation of all synthesized compounds was investigated in human serum, as well as in the presence of rat liver lysosomal homogenate. Their cellular uptake was determined on human breast cancer cells and the cytostatic effect was evaluated on human breast, colon and prostate cancer cell lines. Compared with a monofunctional compound, both drug design approaches resulted in multifunctional bioconjugates with increased cytostatic effect.
An enzyme-based multi-parameter biosensor is developed for monitoring the concentration of formate, d-lactate, and l-lactate in biological samples. The sensor is based on the specific dehydrogenation by an oxidized β-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+)-dependent dehydrogenase (formate dehydrogenase, d-lactic dehydrogenase, and l-lactic dehydrogenase, respectively) in combination with a diaphorase from Clostridium kluyveri (EC 1.8.1.4). The enzymes are immobilized on a platinum working electrode by cross-linking with glutaraldehyde (GA). The principle of the determination scheme in case of l-lactate is as follows: l-lactic dehydrogenase (l-LDH) converts l-lactate into pyruvate by reaction with NAD+. In the presence of hexacyanoferrate(III), the resulting reduced β-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) is then regenerated enzymatically by diaphorase. The electrochemical detection is based on the current generated by oxidation of hexacyanoferrate(II) at an applied potential of +0.3 V vs. an Ag/AgCl reference electrode. The biosensor will be electrochemically characterized in terms of linear working range and sensitivity. Additionally, the successful practical application of the sensor is demonstrated in an extract from maize silage.
Für die Ermittlung der erforderlichen Einspanntiefe von eingespannten Stahlquerschnitten in Betonkonstruktionen existieren verschiedene Bemessungsmodelle. Diese basieren vorwiegend auf Grundlage nationaler Normen wie z. B. DIN 18800 [1] und DIN 1045 [2], die durch die europäische Normung ersetzt wurden. Aus diesem Grund wird in diesem Aufsatz ein Berechnungsmodell für die erforderliche Einspanntiefe von eingespannten Stahlquerschnitten in Betonkonstruktionen auf Grundlage des Eurocodes vorgestellt. Das Grundgerüst für dieses Berechnungsmodell bildet das Verfahren nach Kindmann und Laumann, welches in [3] behandelt wurde. Gleichzeitig werden neue Formeln zur direkten Ermittlung der Mindesteinspanntiefe vorgestellt. Behandelt werden gewalzte I-Profile für einachsige Biegung um die starke Achse (y-y) mit Drucknormalkraft.
A light-addressable potentiometric sensor (LAPS) is a field-effect-based (bio-) chemical sensor, in which a desired sensing area on the sensor surface can be defined by illumination. Light addressability can be used to visualize the concentration and spatial distribution of the target molecules, e.g., H+ ions. This unique feature has great potential for the label-free imaging of the metabolic activity of living organisms. The cultivation of those organisms needs specially tailored surface properties of the sensor. O2 plasma treatment is an attractive and promising tool for rapid surface engineering. However, the potential impacts of the technique are carefully investigated for the sensors that suffer from plasma-induced damage. Herein, a LAPS with a Ta2O5 pH-sensitive surface is successfully patterned by plasma treatment, and its effects are investigated by contact angle and scanning LAPS measurements. The plasma duration of 30 s (30 W) is found to be the threshold value, where excessive wettability begins. Furthermore, this treatment approach causes moderate plasma-induced damage, which can be reduced by thermal annealing (10 min at 300 °C). These findings provide a useful guideline to support future studies, where the LAPS surface is desired to be more hydrophilic by O2 plasma treatment.
Use of textile structures for reinforcement of pelvic floor structures has to consider mechanical forces to the implant, which are quite different to the tension free conditions of the abdominal wall. Thus, biomechanical analysis of textile devices has to include the impact of strain on stretchability and effective porosity. Prolift® and Prolift + M®, developed for tension free conditions, were tested by measuring stretchability and effective porosity applying mechanical strain. For comparison, we used Dynamesh-PR4®, which was designed for pelvic floor repair to withstand mechanical strain. Prolift® at rest showed moderate porosity with little stretchability but complete loss of effective porosity at strain of 4.9 N/cm. Prolift + M® revealed an increased porosity at rest, but at strain showed high stretchability, with subsequent loss of effective porosity at strain of 2.5 N/cm. Dynamesh PR4® preserved its high porosity even under strain, but as consequence of limited stretchability. Though in tension free conditions Prolift® and Prolift + M® can be considered as large pore class I meshes, application of mechanical strain rapidly lead to collapse of pores. The loss of porosity at mechanical stress can be prevented by constructions with high structural stability. Assessment of porosity under strain was found helpful to define requirements for pelvic floor devices. Clinical studies have to prove whether devices with high porosity as well as high structural stability can improve the patients' outcome.
Microbial diversity studies regarding the aquatic communities that experienced or are experiencing environmental problems are essential for the comprehension of the remediation dynamics. In this pilot study, we present data on the phylogenetic and ecological structure of microorganisms from epipelagic water samples collected in the Small Aral Sea (SAS). The raw data were generated by massive parallel sequencing using the shotgun approach. As expected, most of the identified DNA sequences belonged to Terrabacteria and Actinobacteria (40% and 37% of the total reads, respectively). The occurrence of Deinococcus-Thermus, Armatimonadetes, Chloroflexi in the epipelagic SAS waters was less anticipated. Surprising was also the detection of sequences, which are characteristic for strict anaerobes—Ignavibacteria, hydrogen-oxidizing bacteria, and archaeal methanogenic species. We suppose that the observed very broad range of phylogenetic and ecological features displayed by the SAS reads demonstrates a more intensive mixing of water masses originating from diverse ecological niches of the Aral-Syr Darya River basin than presumed before.
Erdbebennachweis von Mauerwerksbauten mit realistischen Modellen und erhöhten Verhaltensbeiwerten
(2021)
Die Anwendung des linearen Nachweiskonzepts auf Mauerwerksbauten führt dazu, dass bereits heute Standsicherheitsnachweise für Gebäude mit üblichen Grundrissen in Gebieten mit moderaten Erdbebeneinwirkungen nicht mehr geführt werden können. Diese Problematik wird sich in Deutschland mit der Einführung kontinuierlicher probabilistischer Erdbebenkarten weiter verschärfen. Aufgrund der Erhöhung der seismischen Einwirkungen, die sich vielerorts ergibt, ist es erforderlich, die vorhandenen, bislang nicht berücksichtigten Tragfähigkeitsreserven in nachvollziehbaren Nachweiskonzepten in der Baupraxis verfügbar zu machen. Der vorliegende Beitrag stellt ein Konzept für die gebäudespezifische Ermittlung von erhöhten Verhaltensbeiwerten vor. Die Verhaltensbeiwerte setzen sich aus drei Anteilen zusammen, mit denen die Lastumverteilung im Grundriss, die Verformungsfähigkeit und Energiedissipation sowie die Überfestigkeiten berücksichtigt werden. Für die rechnerische Ermittlung dieser drei Anteile wird ein nichtlineares Nachweiskonzept auf Grundlage von Pushover-Analysen vorgeschlagen, in denen die Interaktionen von Wänden und Geschossdecken durch einen Einspanngrad beschrieben werden. Für die Bestimmung der Einspanngrade wird ein nichtlinearer Modellierungsansatz eingeführt, mit dem die Interaktion von Wänden und Decken abgebildet werden kann. Die Anwendung des Konzepts mit erhöhten gebäudespezifischen Verhaltensbeiwerten wird am Beispiel eines Mehrfamilienhauses aus Kalksandsteinen demonstriert. Die Ergebnisse der linearen Nachweise mit erhöhten Verhaltensbeiwerten für dieses Gebäude liegen deutlich näher an den Ergebnissen nichtlinearer Nachweise und somit bleiben übliche Grundrisse in Erdbebengebieten mit den traditionellen linearen Rechenansätzen nachweisbar.
Grass silage provides a great potential as renewable feedstock. Two fractions of the grass silage, a press juice and the fiber fraction, were evaluated for their possible use for bioethanol production. Direct production of ethanol from press juice is not possible due to high concentrations of organic acids. For the fiber fraction, alkaline peroxide or enzymatic pretreatment was used, which removes the phenolic acids in the cell wall. In this study, we demonstrate the possibility to integrate the enzymatic pretreatment with a simultaneous saccharification and fermentation to achieve ethanol production from grass silage in a one-process step. Achieved yields were about 53 g ethanol per kg silage with the alkaline peroxide pretreatment and 91 g/kg with the enzymatic pretreatment at concentrations of 8.5 and 14.6 g/L, respectively. Furthermore, it was shown that additional supplementation of the fermentation medium with vitamins, trace elements and nutrient salts is not necessary when the press juice is directly used in the fermentation step.