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We present an electromechanically coupled computational model for the investigation of a thin cardiac tissue construct consisting of human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived atrial, ventricular and sinoatrial cardiomyocytes. The mechanical and electrophysiological parts of the finite element model, as well as their coupling are explained in detail. The model is implemented in the open source finite element code Code_Aster and is employed for the simulation of a thin circular membrane deflected by a monolayer of autonomously beating, circular, thin cardiac tissue. Two cardio-active drugs, S-Bay K8644 and veratridine, are applied in experiments and simulations and are investigated with respect to their chronotropic effects on the tissue. These results demonstrate the potential of coupled micro- and macroscopic electromechanical models of cardiac tissue to be adapted to experimental results at the cellular level. Further model improvements are discussed taking into account experimentally measurable quantities that can easily be extracted from the obtained experimental results. The goal is to estimate the potential to adapt the presented model to sample specific cell cultures.
NVS123 is a poorly water-soluble protease 56 inhibitor in clinical development. Data from in vitro hepatocyte studies suggested that NVS123 is mainly metabolized by CYP3A4. As a consequence of limited solubility, NVS123 therapeutic plasma exposures could not be achieved even with high doses and optimized formulations. One approach to overcome NVS123 developability issues was to increase plasma exposure by coadministrating it with an inhibitor of CYP3A4 such as ritonavir. A clinical boost effect was predicted by using physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modeling. However, initial boost predictions lacked sufficient confidence because a key parameter, fraction of drug metabolized by CYP3A4 (ƒₘCYP3A4), could not be estimated with accuracy on account of disconnects between in vitro and in vivo preclinical data. To accurately estimate ƒₘCYP3A4 in human, an in vivo boost effect study was conducted using CYP3A4-humanized mouse model which showed a 33- to 56-fold exposure boost effect. Using a top-down approach, human ƒₘCYP3A4 for NVS123 was estimated to be very high and included in the human PBPK modeling to support subsequent clinical study design. The combined use of the in vivo boost study in CYP3A4-humanized mouse model mice along with PBPK modeling accurately predicted the clinical outcome and identified a significant NVS123 exposure boost (∼42-fold increase) with ritonavir.
Breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP) is expressed in various tissues, such as the gut, liver, kidney and blood brain barrier (BBB), where it mediates the unidirectional transport of substrates to the apical/luminal side of polarized cells. Thereby BCRP acts as an efflux pump, mediating the elimination or restricting the entry of endogenous compounds or xenobiotics into tissues and it plays important roles in drug disposition, efficacy and safety. Bcrp knockout mice (Bcrp−/−) have been used widely to study the role of this transporter in limiting intestinal absorption and brain penetration of substrate compounds. Here we describe the first generation and characterization of a mouse line humanized for BCRP (hBCRP), in which the mouse coding sequence from the start to stop codon was replaced with the corresponding human genomic region, such that the human transporter is expressed under control of the murine Bcrp promoter. We demonstrate robust human and loss of mouse BCRP/Bcrp mRNA and protein expression in the hBCRP mice and the absence of major compensatory changes in the expression of other genes involved in drug metabolism and disposition. Pharmacokinetic and brain distribution studies with several BCRP probe substrates confirmed the functional activity of the human transporter in these mice. Furthermore, we provide practical examples for the use of hBCRP mice to study drug-drug interactions (DDIs). The hBCRP mouse is a promising model to study the in vivo role of human BCRP in limiting absorption and BBB penetration of substrate compounds and to investigate clinically relevant DDIs involving BCRP.
Kalkulation
(2016)
Das Kapitel behandelt die Kosten- und Preisermittlung, die Kostenvorgabe und Kostenkontrolle.
Der Angebotspreis wird aufgeschlüsselt in die Einzelkosten der Teilleistungen, die Baustellengemeinkosten, die Allgemeinen Geschäftskosten und einen Zuschlag für Wagnis und Gewinn. Auf der Basis der Angebotskalkulation werden die Vorgaben für die Kostenkontrolle entwickelt.
Background/Aims: Common systems for the quantification of cellular contraction rely on animal-based models, complex experimental setups or indirect approaches. The herein presented CellDrum technology for testing mechanical tension of cellular monolayers and thin tissue constructs has the potential to scale-up mechanical testing towards medium-throughput analyses. Using hiPS-Cardiac Myocytes (hiPS-CMs) it represents a new perspective of drug testing and brings us closer to personalized drug medication. Methods: In the present study, monolayers of self-beating hiPS-CMs were grown on ultra-thin circular silicone membranes and deflect under the weight of the culture medium. Rhythmic contractions of the hiPS-CMs induced variations of the membrane deflection. The recorded contraction-relaxation-cycles were analyzed with respect to their amplitudes, durations, time integrals and frequencies. Besides unstimulated force and tensile stress, we investigated the effects of agonists and antagonists acting on Ca²⁺ channels (S-Bay K8644/verapamil) and Na⁺ channels (veratridine/lidocaine). Results: The measured data and simulations for pharmacologically unstimulated contraction resembled findings in native human heart tissue, while the pharmacological dose-response curves were highly accurate and consistent with reference data. Conclusion: We conclude that the combination of the CellDrum with hiPS-CMs offers a fast, facile and precise system for pharmacological, toxicological studies and offers new preclinical basic research potential.
Evaluation of lignocellulosic material for butanol production using enzymatic hydrolysate medium
(2016)
Butanol is a promising gasoline additive and platform chemical that can be readily produced via acetone-butanolethanol (ABE) fermentation from pretreated lignocellulosic materials. This article examines lignocellulosic material from beech wood for ABE fermentation, using Clostridium acetobutylicum. First, the utilization of both C₅₋ (xylose) and C₆₋ (glucose) sugars as sole carbon source was investigated in static cultivation, using serum bottles and synthetic medium. The utilization of pentose sugar resulted in a solvent yield of 0.231 g·g_sugar⁻¹, compared to 0.262 g·g_sugar⁻¹ using hexose. Then, the Organosolv pretreated crude cellulose fibers (CF) were enzymatically decomposed, and the resulting hydrolysate medium was analyzed for inhibiting compounds (furans, organic acids, phenolics) and treated with ionexchangers for detoxification. Batch fermentation in a bioreactor using CF hydrolysate medium resulted in a total solvent yield of 0.20 gABE·g_sugar⁻¹.
20 Years of RoboCup
(2016)
Retinal Vessel Analysis (RVA) in the context of subarachnoid hemorrhage: A proof of concept study
(2016)
Background
Timely detection of impending delayed cerebral ischemia after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is essential to improve outcome, but poses a diagnostic challenge. Retinal vessels as an embryological part of the intracranial vasculature are easily accessible for analysis and may hold the key to a new and non-invasive monitoring technique. This investigation aims to determine the feasibility of standardized retinal vessel analysis (RVA) in the context of SAH.
Methods
In a prospective pilot study, we performed RVA in six patients awake and cooperative with SAH in the acute phase (day 2–14) and eight patients at the time of follow-up (mean 4.6±1.7months after SAH), and included 33 age-matched healthy controls. Data was acquired using a manoeuvrable Dynamic Vessel Analyzer (Imedos Systems UG, Jena) for examination of retinal vessel dimension and neurovascular coupling.
Results
Image quality was satisfactory in the majority of cases (93.3%). In the acute phase after SAH, retinal arteries were significantly dilated when compared to the control group (124.2±4.3MU vs 110.9±11.4MU, p<0.01), a difference that persisted to a lesser extent in the later stage of the disease (122.7±17.2MU, p<0.05). Testing for neurovascular coupling showed a trend towards impaired primary vasodilation and secondary vasoconstriction (p = 0.08, p = 0.09 resp.) initially and partial recovery at the time of follow-up, indicating a relative improvement in a time-dependent fashion.
Conclusion
RVA is technically feasible in patients with SAH and can detect fluctuations in vessel diameter and autoregulation even in less severely affected patients. Preliminary data suggests potential for RVA as a new and non-invasive tool for advanced SAH monitoring, but clinical relevance and prognostic value will have to be determined in a larger cohort.
Concept - this is a key term in architectural discourse. However, all too often it is used imprecisely or merely for marketing purposes. What is a concept actually? This publication moves between design theory and design practice and follows the history of the definition of concept in architecture, leading to the formulation of a specifically instrumental and operative definition. It bases concept in architecture on its strategic potential in design decision-making processes. In the changing profession of the designing architect, decisions are increasingly made in multidisciplinary groups. Concept can serve as a dialogic instrument in the process, making it possible to process heterogeneous information from a range of spheres of knowledge. The effective presentation of selected information becomes a relevant interface in the design process, which has a significant influence on the quality of the design.
Ein Drittel der Mitarbeiter der Saint-Gobain Glass Deutschland
GmbH hat drei Jahre lang regelmäßig seinen Rücken trainiert.
Mit Erfolg, wie eine abschließende Evaluation in Zusammenarbeit
mit der FH Aachen zeigt. Die Fehltage der Trainingsteilnehmer
sind enorm zurückgegangen, während die untrainierten Kollegen
weiterhin unter Rückenbeschwerden leiden.
Cento Tavole
(2016)
Electromicrobial engineering is an emerging, highly interdisciplinary research area linking bioprocesses with electrochemistry. In this work, microbial electrosynthesis (MES) of biobutanol is carried out during acetone-butanol-ethanol (ABE) fermentations with Clostridium acetobutylicum. A constant electric potential of −600mV (vs. Ag/AgCl) with simultaneous addition of the soluble redox mediator neutral red is used in order to study the electron transfer between the working electrode and the bacterial cells. The results show an earlier initiation of solvent production for all fermentations with applied potential compared to the conventional ABE fermentation. The f inal butanol concentration can be more than doubled by the application of a negative potential combined with addition of neutral red. Moreover a higher biofilm formation on the working electrode compared to control cultivations has been observed. In contrast to previous studies, our results also indicate that direct electron transfer (DET) might be possible with C. acetobutylicum. The presented results make microbial butanol production economically attractive and therefore support the development of sustainable production processes in the chemical industry aspired by the “Centre for resource-efficient chemistry and raw material change” as well as the the project “NanoKat” working on nanostructured catalysts in Kaiserslautern.
In the last decades, several hundred exoplanets could be detected thanks to space-based observatories, namely CNES’ COROT and NASA’s Kepler. To expand this quest ESA plans to launch CHEOPS as the f irst small class mission in the cosmic visions program (S1) and PLATO as the 3rd medium class mission, so called M3 . PLATO’s primary objective is the detection of Earth like Exoplanets orbiting solar type stars in the habitable zone and characterisation of their bulk properties. This is possible by precise lightcurve measurement via 34 cameras. That said it becomes obvious that accurate pointing is key to achieve the required signal to noise ratio for positive transit detection. The paper will start with a comprehensive overview of PLATO’s mission objectives and mission architecture. Hereafter, special focus will be devoted to PLATO’s pointing requirements. Understanding the very nature of PLATO’s pointing requirements is essential to derive a design baseline to achieve the required performance. The PLATO frequency domain is of particular interest, ranging from 40 mHz to 3 Hz. Due to the very different time-scales involved, the spectral pointing requirement is decomposed into a high frequency part dominated by the attitude control system and the low frequency part dominated by the thermo-elastic properties of the spacecraft’s configuration. Both pose stringent constraints on the overall design as well as technology properties to comply with the derived requirements and thus assure a successful mission.
Enzymatic hydrolysis of lignocellulosic material plays an important role in the classical biorefinery approach. Apart from the pretreatment of the raw material, hydrolysis is the basis for the conversion of the cellulose and hemicellulose fraction into fermentable sugars. After hydrolysis, usually a solid-liquid separation takes place, in order to separate the residual plant material from the sugar-rich fraction, which can be subsequently used in a fermentation step. In order to factor out the separation step, the usage of in alginate immobilized crude cellulose fiber beads (CFBs) were evaluated. Pretreated cellulose fibers are incorporated in an alginate matrix together with the relevant enzymes. In doing so, sugars diffuse trough the alginate matrix, allowing a simplified delivery into the surrounding fluid. This again reduces product inhibition of the glucose on the enzyme catalysts. By means of standardized bead production the hydrolysis in lab scale was possible. First results show that liberation of glucose and xylose is possible, allowing a maximum total sugar yield of 75 %.
Die Ausbildung von Biofilmen in technischen Anlagen, wie z. B. Kühlkreisläufen, Wasseraufbereitungssystemen und Bioreaktoren, führen zu Materialschäden (Biofouling) und stark erhöhtem Energieaufwand. Im Rahmen der aktuellen Forschungsarbeiten erfolgen aktive sowie passive Bio-Modifikationen auf funktionalisierten magnetischen Mikropartikelober-flächen. Um die verschiedenen funktionalisierten magnetischen Mikropartikel zu analysieren und ihre antimikrobielle Wirkung zu testen, wird der Einsatz einer 3D-gedruckten, magnetischen Plattform für ein Fluoreszenz-basiertes Screening-System untersucht. Für den Oberflächenschutz wurden verschiedene, antimikrobiell funktionalisierte Partikelkombinationen mit dem Mikroorganismus Escherichia coli GFPmut2 in Bezug auf aktiven Oberflächenschutz verglichen. Um die antimikrobielle Oberflächeneffekte von synergistischen Kombinationen unterschiedlich funktionalisierter Partikel zu bestimmen, werden Oberflächen einem Magnetfeld ausgesetzt, das die Mikropartikel als definierte Schicht auf ihnen zurück hält. Diese modifizierten Oberflächen können sowohl durch Fluoreszenzspektroskopie als auch -mikroskopie analysiert werden.
Mit der Entwicklung wässriger Tropfen, die mit einer schützenden Hülle magnetisierbarer, hydrophober Partikel umgeben sind, ergeben sich neue Möglichkeiten im Bereich der Mikrofluidik. So können die Tropfen als flüssige Mikroreaktoren eingesetzt werden. Der wässrige Kern dieser Mikroreaktoren besteht aus einer Substratlösung für enzymatische Umsetzungen. Durch Bewegen der Mikroreaktoren können diese über immobilisierten Enzymen positioniert werden, um so einen enzymatischen Umsatz innerhalb der Mikroreaktoren zu realisieren. Hierfür wurde eine neue Mikroreaktorplattform-Technologie etabliert. Die Mikroreaktoren können aufgrund ihrer magnetisierbaren Hüllenpartikel über elektromagnetische Spulen bewegt werden. Die Bewegung erfolgt dabei mit einer automatisierten Aktuatorplattform, bestehend aus einer 3x3 Doppelspulenmatrix mit Magnetkernen. Als modellhaftes Reaktionssystem wird eine Enzymkaskade eingesetzt, die sich aus einer b-Glucosidase, Glucose-Oxidase und Meerrettichperoxidase zusammensetzt. Primär untersuchte Substrate sind Fluorescein-di-b-D-glucopyranoside, und 1-(3,7-Dihydroxy-10H-phenoxazin-10-yl)-ethanon, bei deren Umsatz fluoreszierende Produkte entstehen.
In diesem Beitrag geht es um die Integration von Stoffströmen einer Lignocellulose-Bioraffinerie in Verfahren zur Batterieherstellung. Pflanzliche Reststoffe aus der Biokraftstoffherstellung wie Lignin sollen zur Herstellung neuer Batteriematerialien verwendet werden. Hierbei wird das Lignin als Matrix für die vorgraphitischen C-haltigen Einlagerungsverbindungen in den Elektroden genutzt. Die Si-C-Komposite werden durch das Einbetten von Si in eine Ligninmatrix mit anschließender Carbonisierung hergestellt. Das Lignin hierfür wird durch die sequentielle hydrothermale Vorbehandlung von Buchenholz bei variablen Bedingungen gewonnen und mit Si-Nanopartikel sowie als Referenz ohne Si-Nanopartikel gefällt. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass die sequenzielle Vorbehandlung höhere Ausbeuten im Vergleich zum LHW- oder Organosolv-Aufschluss liefert. Um eine Anode herzustellen, wurde das resultierende Si–C-Kompositmaterial carbonisiert, auf einen Stromsammler aufgetragen und elektro-chemisch charakterisiert. Der Einfluss der Vorbehandlungsschritte auf den Herstellungsprozess und die ökonomische Bewertung des untersuchten Bioraffinerie-Prozesses wurde mithilfe eines Stoffstrommodells analysiert.
The research group focuses on the characteristics in the land-and cityscapes of the Drielanden-zone, which contribute to generate common identities, as well as on those features that trigger differences and specificities of the adjacent countries that enrich the perception of the zone. In this research, the instruments of cartography and land survey system serve to detect and localize the fragmented appearance of relevant historic elements. These analytic procedures help to develop strategies for infrastructures and processes that gradually initiate local forms of cross-border tourism. The architectural research displays how top-down and bottom-up interventions can be combined in order to guarantee a sustainable use and development of the considered area.
Malware auf Smartphones ist ein Problem, dem auch Strafverfolgungsbehörden immer häufiger gegenüberstehen.
Insbesondere Telefone, bei denen potentiell schadhafte Apps zu einem finanziellen Schaden
geführt haben, finden sich auf den Schreibtischen der Polizei wieder. Dabei müssen die Ermittler möglichst
schnell und gezielt erkennen können, ob eine App tatsächlich schadhaft manipuliert wurde, was
manipuliert wurde und mit wem die App kommuniziert. Klassische Malware-Erkennungsverfahren helfen
zwar bei der generellen Erkennung schadhafter Software, sind aber für die polizeiliche Praxis nicht
geeignet. Dieses Paper stellt ein Programm vor, welches gerade die forensischen Fragestellungen berücksichtigt
und so für den Einsatz in der Strafverfolgung in Frage kommt.
Purpose
To assess the feasibility of prostate ¹H MR spectroscopic imaging (MRSI) using low-power spectral-spatial (SPSP) pulses at 7T, exploiting accurate spectral selection and spatial selectivity simultaneously.
Methods
A double spin-echo sequence was equipped with SPSP refocusing pulses with a spectral selectivity of 1 ppm. Three-dimensional prostate ¹H-MRSI at 7T was performed with the SPSP-MRSI sequence using an 8-channel transmit array coil and an endorectal receive coil in three patients with prostate cancer and in one healthy subject. No additional water or lipid suppression pulses were used.
Results
Prostate ¹H-MRSI could be obtained well within specific absorption rate (SAR) limits in a clinically feasible time (10 min). Next to the common citrate signals, the prostate spectra exhibited high spermine signals concealing creatine and sometimes also choline. Residual lipid signals were observed at the edges of the prostate because of limitations in spectral and spatial selectivity.
Conclusion
It is possible to perform prostate ¹H-MRSI at 7T with a SPSP-MRSI sequence while using separate transmit and receive coils. This low-SAR MRSI concept provides the opportunity to increase spatial resolution of MRSI within reasonable scan times.
Background and Objective
Effective leg extension training at a leg press requires high forces, which need to be controlled to avoid training-induced damage. In order to avoid high external knee adduction moments, which are one reason for unphysiological loadings on knee joint structures, both training movements and the whole reaction force vector need to be observed. In this study, the applicability of lateral and medial changes in foot orientation and position as possible manipulated variables to control external knee adduction moments is investigated. As secondary parameters both the medio-lateral position of the center of pressure and the frontal-plane orientation of the reaction force vector are analyzed.
Methods
Knee adduction moments are estimated using a dynamic model of the musculoskeletal system together with the measured reaction force vector and the motion of the subject by solving the inverse kinematic and dynamic problem. Six different foot conditions with varying positions and orientations of the foot in a static leg press are evaluated and compared to a neutral foot position.
Results
Both lateral and medial wedges under the foot and medial and lateral shifts of the foot can influence external knee adduction moments in the presented study with six healthy subjects. Different effects are observed with the varying conditions: the pose of the leg is changed and the direction and center of pressure of the reaction force vector is influenced. Each effect results in a different direction or center of pressure of the reaction force vector.
Conclusions
The results allow the conclusion that foot position and orientation can be used as manipulated variables in a control loop to actively control knee adduction moments in leg extension training.
To better understand what kinds of sports and exercise could be beneficial for the intervertebral disc (IVD), we performed a review to synthesise the literature on IVD adaptation with loading and exercise. The state of the literature did not permit a systematic review; therefore, we performed a narrative review. The majority of the available data come from cell or whole-disc loading models and animal exercise models. However, some studies have examined the impact of specific sports on IVD degeneration in humans and acute exercise on disc size. Based on the data available in the literature, loading types that are likely beneficial to the IVD are dynamic, axial, at slow to moderate movement speeds, and of a magnitude experienced in walking and jogging. Static loading, torsional loading, flexion with compression, rapid loading, high-impact loading and explosive tasks are likely detrimental for the IVD. Reduced physical activity and disuse appear to be detrimental for the IVD. We also consider the impact of genetics and the likelihood of a ‘critical period’ for the effect of exercise in IVD development. The current review summarises the literature to increase awareness amongst exercise, rehabilitation and ergonomic professionals regarding IVD health and provides recommendations on future directions in research.
Robotergestütztes System für ein verbessertes neuromuskuläres Aufbautraining der Beinstrecker
(2016)
Neuromuskuläres Aufbautraining der Beinstrecker ist ein wichtiger Bestandteil in der Rehabilitation und Prävention von Muskel-Skelett-Erkrankungen. Effektives Training erfordert hohe Muskelkräfte, die gleichzeitig hohe Belastungen von bereits geschädigten Strukturen bedeuten. Um trainingsinduzierte Schädigungen zu vermeiden, müssen diese Kräfte kontrolliert werden. Mit heutigen Trainingsgeräten können diese Ziele allerdings nicht erreicht werden. Für ein sicheres und effektives Training sollen durch den Einsatz der Robotik, Sensorik, eines Regelkreises sowie Muskel-Skelett-Modellen Belastungen am Zielgewebe direkt berechnet und kontrolliert werden. Auf Basis zweier Vorstudien zu möglichen Stellgrößen wird der Aufbau eines robotischen Systems vorgestellt, das sowohl für Forschungszwecke als auch zur Entwicklung neuartiger Trainingsgeräte verwendet werden kann.
Plate osteosynthesis of displaced proximal phalangeal neck fractures of the hand allows early mobilization due to a stable internal fixation. Nevertheless, joint stiffness—because of soft tissue irritation—represents a common complication leading to high complication rates. Del Pinal et al. recently reported promising clinical results for a new, minimally invasive fixation technique with a cannulated headless intramedullary compression screw. Hence, the aim of this study was to compare plate fixation of proximal phalangeal neck fractures to less two less invasive techniques: Crossed k-wire fixation and intramedullary screw fixation. We hypothesized that these fixation techniques provide inferior stability when compared to plate osteosynthesis.
The human arm consists of the humerus (upper arm), the medial ulna and the lateral radius (forearm). The joint between the humerus and the ulna is called humeroulnar joint and the joint between the humerus and the radius is called humeroradial joint. Lateral and medial collateral ligaments stabilize the elbow. Statistically, 2.5 out of 10,000 people suffer from radial head fractures [1]. In these fractures the cartilage is often affected. Caused by the injured cartilage, degenerative diseases like posttraumatic arthrosis may occur. The resulting pain and reduced range of motion have an impact on the patient’s quality of life. Until now, there has not been a treatment which allows typical loads in daily life activities and offers good long-term results. A new surgical approach was developed with the motivation to reduce the progress of the posttraumatic arthrosis. Here, the radius is shortened by 3 mm in the proximal part [2]. By this means, the load of the radius is intended to be reduced due to a load shift to the ulna. Since the radius is the most important stabilizer of the elbow it has to be confirmed that the stability is not affected. In the first test (Fig. 1 left), pressure distributions within the humeroulnar and humeroradial joints a native and a shortened radius were measured using resistive pressure sensors (I5076 and I5027, Tekscan, USA). The humerus was loaded axially in a tension testing machine (Z010, Zwick Roell, Germany) in 50 N steps up to 400 N. From the humerus the load is transmitted through both the radius and the ulna into the hand which is fixed on the ground. In the second test (Fig. 1 right), the joint stability was investigated using a digital image correlation system to measure the displacement of the ulna. Here, the humerus is fixed with a desired flexion angle and the unconstrained forearm lies on the ground. A rope connects the load actuator with a hook fixed in the ulna. A guide roller is used so that the rope pulls the ulna horizontally when a tensile load is applied. This creates a moment about the elbow joint with a maximum value of 7.5 Nm. Measurements were performed with varying flexion angles (0°, 30°, 60°, 90°, 120°). For both tests and each measurement, seven specimens were used. Student ́s t-test was employed to determine whether the mean values of the measurements in native specimen and operated specimens differ significantly.
Treatment of posttraumatic osteoarthritis of the radial column of the elbow joint remains a challenging yet common issue.
While partial joint replacement leads to high revision rates, radial head excision has shown to severely increase joint instability. Shortening osteotomy of the radius could be an option to decrease the contact pressure of the radiohumeral joint and thereby pain levels without causing valgus instability. Hence, the aim of this biomechanical study was to evaluate the effects of radial shortening on axial load distribution and valgus stability of the elbow joint.
While plate fixation of proximal ulna fractures might lead to superior clinical results compared to tension band wiring, regular plates represent an established risk factor for wound complications. The olecranon double plates (Medartis, Basel, CH) might decrease complications related to the osteosynthesis because of their low profile and better anatomical fit. This study aimed to evaluate the biomechanical performance and clinical results of the olecranon double plates.
Surgical reconstruction of the interosseous membrane (IOM) could restore longitudinal forearm stability to avoid persisting disability due to capituloradial and ulnocarpal impingement in Essex Lopresti lesions. This biomechanical study aimed to assess longitudinal forearm stability of intact specimens, after sectioning of the IOM and after reconstruction with a TightRope construct using either a single or double bundle technique.
Manufacturing process simulation enables the evaluation and improvement of autoclave mold concepts early in the design phase. To achieve a high part quality at low cycle times, the thermal behavior of the autoclave mold can be investigated by means of simulations. Most challenging for such a simulation is the generation of necessary boundary conditions. Heat-up and temperature distribution in an autoclave mold are governed by flow phenomena, tooling material and shape, position within the autoclave, and the chosen autoclave cycle. This paper identifies and summarizes the most important factors influencing mold heat-up and how they can be introduced into a thermal simulation. Thermal measurements are used to quantify the impact of the various parameters. Finally, the gained knowledge is applied to develop a semi-empirical approach for boundary condition estimation that enables a simple and fast thermal simulation of the autoclave curing process with reasonably high accuracy for tooling optimization.
Compared to peripheral pain, trigeminal pain elicits higher levels of fear, which is assumed to enhance the interruptive effects of pain on concomitant cognitive processes. In this fMRI study we examined the behavioral and neural effects of trigeminal (forehead) and peripheral (hand) pain on visual processing and memory encoding. Cerebral activity was measured in 23 healthy subjects performing a visual categorization task that was immediately followed by a surprise recognition task. During the categorization task subjects received concomitant noxious electrical stimulation on the forehead or hand. Our data show that fear ratings were significantly higher for trigeminal pain. Categorization and recognition performance did not differ between pictures that were presented with trigeminal and peripheral pain. However, object categorization in the presence of trigeminal pain was associated with stronger activity in task-relevant visual areas (lateral occipital complex, LOC), memory encoding areas (hippocampus and parahippocampus) and areas implicated in emotional processing (amygdala) compared to peripheral pain. Further, individual differences in neural activation between the trigeminal and the peripheral condition were positively related to differences in fear ratings between both conditions. Functional connectivity between amygdala and LOC was increased during trigeminal compared to peripheral painful stimulation. Fear-driven compensatory resource activation seems to be enhanced for trigeminal stimuli, presumably due to their exceptional biological relevance.
Following the recent successful landings and occasional re-awakenings of PHILAE, the lander carried aboard ROSETTA to comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko, and the launch of the Mobile Asteroid Surface Scout, MASCOT, aboard the HAYABUSA2 space probe to asteroid (162173) Ryugu we present an overview of the characteristics and peculiarities of small spacecraft missions to small solar system bodies (SSSB). Their main purpose is planetary science which is transitioning from a ‘pure’ science of observation of the distant to one also supporting in-situ applications relevant for life on Earth. Here we focus on missions at the interface of SSSB science and planetary defence applications. We provide a brief overview of small spacecraft SSSB missions and on this background present recent missions, projects and related studies at the German Aerospace Center, DLR, that contribute to the worldwide planetary defence community. These range from Earth orbit technology demonstrators to active science missions in interplanetary space. We provide a summary of experience from recently flown missions with DLR participation as well as a number of studies. These include PHILAE, the lander of ESA’s ROSETTA comet rendezvous mission now on the surface of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko, and the Mobile Asteroid Surface Scout, MASCOT, now in cruise to the ~1 km diameter C-type near-Earth asteroid (162173) Ryugu aboard the Japanese sample-return probe HAYABUSA2. We introduce the differences between the conventional methods employed in the design, integration and testing of large spacecraft and the new approaches developed by small spacecraft projects. We expect that the practical experience that can be gained from projects on extremely compressed timelines or with high-intensity operation phases on a newly explored small solar system body can contribute significantly to the study, preparation and realization of future planetary defence related missions. One is AIDA (Asteroid Impact & Deflection Assessment), a joint effort of ESA, JHU/APL, NASA, OCA and DLR, combining JHU/APL’s DART (Double Asteroid Redirection Test) and ESA’s AIM (Asteroid Impact Monitor) spacecraft in a mission towards near-Earth binary asteroid system (65803) Didymos. DLR is currently applying MASCOT heritage and lessons learned to the design of MASCOT2, a lander for the AIM mission to support a bistatic low frequency radar experiment with PHILAE/ROSETTA CONSERT heritage to explore the inner structure of Didymoon which is the designated impact target for DART.
A New Class of Biosensors Based on Tobacco Mosaic Virus and Coat Proteins as Enzyme Nanocarrier
(2016)
Schienenverkehrssysteme stehen in zunehmendem Wettbewerb, sowohl untereinander als auch mit anderen Verkehrsträgern. Als wichtiger Aspekt zur Steigerung der Kosteneffizienz wird die Digitalisierung des Betriebs und der Fahrzeuge betrachtet. Über eine Prognose der Ausfallwahrscheinlichkeit bzw. Restlebensdauer von Subsystemen können mittels Digitalisierung die Instandhaltungskosten gesenkt werden. Die geringen Fehlerraten im System Bahn machen die Nutzung besonderer Simulationstechniken notwendig. In diesem Beitrag wird gezeigt, wie sich die Subsystemverfügbarkeit aus den beobachteten Fehlerraten der Teilfunktionen vorhersagen lässt.
The Saturnian moon Enceladus with its extensive water bodies underneath a thick ice sheet cover is a potential candidate for extraterrestrial life. Direct exploration of such extraterrestrial aquatic ecosystems requires advanced access and sampling technologies with a high level of autonomy. A new technological approach has been developed as part of the collaborative research project Enceladus Explorer (EnEx). The concept is based upon a minimally invasive melting probe called the IceMole. The force-regulated, heater-controlled IceMole is able to travel along a curved trajectory as well as upwards. Hence, it allows maneuvers which may be necessary for obstacle avoidance or target selection. Maneuverability, however, necessitates a sophisticated on-board navigation system capable of autonomous operations. The development of such a navigational system has been the focal part of the EnEx project. The original IceMole has been further developed to include relative positioning based on in-ice attitude determination, acoustic positioning, ultrasonic obstacle and target detection integrated through a high-level sensor fusion. This paper describes the EnEx technology and discusses implications for an actual extraterrestrial mission concept.
This paper describes the procedure on the evaluation of the masonry chapter for the next generation of Eurocode 8, the European Standard for earthquake-resistant design. In CEN, TC 250/SC8, working group WG 1 has been established to support the subcommittee on the topic of masonry on both design of new structures (EN1998-1) and assessment of existing structures (EN1998-3). The aim is to elaborate suggestions for amendments which fit the current state of the art in masonry and earthquake-resistant design. Focus will be on modelling, simplified methods, linear-analysis (q-values, overstrength-values), nonlinear procedures, out-of-plane design as well as on clearer definition of limit states. Beside these, topics related to general material properties, reinforced masonry, confined masonry, mixed structures and non-structural infills will be covered too. This paper presents the preliminary work and results up to the submission date.
Tatort Unternehmen - Interne Ermittlungen - Criminal Investigations - beeindruckende Begriffe aus der Tagespresse, die in der betrieblichen Praxis jedoch vor allem eins erfordern: viel Sachkunde und routiniertes Vorgehen. Welche taktischen Möglichkeiten und Stolperfallen bei eigenen Sachverhaltsaufklärungen auftreten, stellt dieses Buch anschaulich vor. Erstmals systematisch integriert aus juristischer, Ermittlungs- und IT-Perspektive zeigen Birgit Galley, Ingo Minoggio und Marko Schuba auf, - welche rechtlichen Rahmenbedingungen beachtet werden müssen, - wann und wie Sachverhalte ermittelt werden, - wie man mit Zeugen und auch Tätern umgeht, - wann man am besten welche Fragen stellt - und welche besser nicht, - wie digitale Spuren sichtbar gemacht und Ausspähungen entdeckt werden. Über 30 Jahre Fallerfahrung der Autoren und viel Anwendungsnähe aller vorgestellten Themen findet man in diesem Buch. Ein Werkzeugkoffer und Anleitung für die eigene Ermittlungspraxis.
The Android operating system powers the majority of the world’s mobile devices and has been becoming increasingly important in day-to-day digital forensics. Therefore, technicians and analysts are in need of reliable methods for extracting and analyzing memory images from live Android systems. This paper takes different existing, extraction methods and derives a universal, reproducible, reliably documented method for both extraction and analysis. In addition the VOLIX II front-end for the Volatility Framework is extended with additional functionality to make the analysis of Android memory images easier for technically non-adept users.
Die stoffliche Nutzung von Lignin aus Bioraffinerien ist ein wichtiger Bestandteil für den Wertschöpfungsprozess von nachwachsenden, pflanzlichen Rohstoffen. Lignin zählt zu den wenigen erneuerbaren Quellen für phenolische Bestandteile, wird aber derzeit meist nur thermisch verwertet. Ziel dieses Forschungsvorhabens ist die Funktionalisierung von Lignin zur Verbesserung der Adhäsionseigenschaften. Als funktionelle Gruppe wird die aromatische Aminosäure L-DOPA verwendet, die charakteristisch für die Adhäsionskraft von Muscheln ist. Lignin ist ein geeignetes Stützgerüst, da es ein Polymer ist, das durch enzymkatalysierte Polymerisation gebildet wird. Essenziell für die Entwicklung ist ein besseres Verständnis über die Bildung von Lignin-Polymeren und deren verschiedene Eigenschaften. Um die Einflussfaktoren auf Kettenlänge und Polymerisationseffizienz zu untersuchen, werden zurzeit sowohl Ligninmodellkomponenten (LMK) als auch gelöstes Organosolv-Lignin verwendet. Laufende Untersuchungen werden zeigen, ob sich die enzymatische Polymerisationsreaktion auf ein gelöstes Ligninpolymer aus einem Organosolv-Aufschluss übertragen lässt.
In den letzten Jahren haben nachhaltige, biotechnologische Prozesse zunehmend an Bedeutung gewonnen. Die Aceton-Butanol-Ethanol-Fermentation (ABE-Fermentation) mit dem anaeroben Bakterium Clostridium acetobutylicum zur Gewinnung von Biobutanol könnte in diesem Zusammenhang eine Möglichkeit der nachhaltigen Kraftstoffproduktion darstellen. In dieser Arbeit wird der Einfluss zusätzlich verfügbarer Elektronen durch den Einsatz des Phenazin-Farbstoffs Neutralrot als Redoxmediator sowie das Anlegen eines elektrischen Potenzials während der ABE-Fermentation untersucht. Es wird gezeigt, dass das Neutralrot keinen Einfluss auf die Leerlaufspannung von ca. 500 mV vs. Ag/AgCl während der Fermentation hat. Der Mediator bewirkt allerdings eine frühere Butanolbildung sowie höhere Butanolkonzentrationen. Wird zudem die Mediatorkonzentration von 125 mM auf 250 mM angehoben, wird dabei auch die maximale Butanolkonzentration um 36 % ± 1,8 % innerhalb von28 Stunden gesteigert.
Robots are widely used as a vehicle to spark interest in science and technology in learners. A number of initiatives focus on this issue, for instance, the Roberta Initiative, the FIRST Lego League, the World Robot Olympiad and RoboCup Junior. Robotic competitions are valuable not only for school learners but also for university students, as the RoboCup initiative shows. Besides technical skills, the students get some project exposure and experience what it means to finish their tasks on time. But qualifying students for future high-tech areas should not only be for students from developed countries. In this article, we present our experiences with research and education in robotics within the RoboCup initiative, in Germany and South Africa; we report on our experiences with trying to get the RoboCup initiative in South Africa going. RoboCup has a huge support base of academic institutions in Germany; this is not the case in South Africa. We present our ‘north–south’ collaboration initiatives in RoboCup between Germany and South Africa and discuss some of the reasons why we think it is harder to run RoboCup in South Africa.
In this study, we show that synthetic sapphire (Al₂O₃), an established implant material, can also serve as a platform material for biosensors comparable to nanocrystalline diamond. Sapphire chips, beads, and powder were first modified with (3-aminopropyl) triethoxysilane (APTES), followed by succinic anhydride (SA), and finally single-stranded probe DNA was EDC coupled to the functionalized layer. The presence of the APTES-SA layer on sapphire powders was confirmed by thermogravimetric analyis and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. Using planar sapphire chips as substrates and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) as surface-sensitive tool, the sequence of individual layers was analyzed with respect to their chemical state, enabling the quantification of areal densities of the involved molecular units. Fluorescence microscopy was used to demonstrate the hybridization of fluorescently tagged target DNA to the probe DNA, including denaturation- and re-hybridization experiments. Due to its high thermal conductivity, synthetic sapphire is especially suitable as a chip material for the heat-transfer method, which was employed to distinguish complementary- and non-complementary DNA duplexes containing single-nucleotide polymorphisms. These results indicate that it is possible to detect mutations electronically with a chemically resilient and electrically insulating chip material.
IoT von der Stange
(2016)
Das IoT ist ohne eingebettete Systeme undenkbar. Erst kleine und kleinste Mikrocontroller mit intelligenten Kommunikationsschnittstellen und Anbindung ans Internet ermöglichen sinnvolles und flächendeckendes Einsammeln von Daten. Doch wie kompliziert ist der Einstieg in die Embedded-Welt? Dieser Artikel gibt Einblick, wie die »Arduino-Plattform« die Einstiegshürden für eingebettete Systeme dramatisch reduzieren kann.
Low-end-Embedded-Plattformen stellen eine hohe Anforderung an die Entscheidungsfähigkeit des Entwicklers: Zum nächstgrößeren Prozessor greifen und ein Betriebssystem benutzen oder doch besser auf das Betriebssystem verzichten? Die Frage lässt sich einfach beantworten: Einen Nanokernel verwenden und das Embedded-System mit einem minimalen Footprint realisieren. Adam Dunkels Protothreads sind eine ausgesprochen effiziente Art, Mikrocontroller gut strukturiert zu programmieren und gleichzeitig auf Overhead zu verzichten. So können auch mit kleinen 8-bit-Prozessoren anspruchsvolle Aufgaben in einem Thread-Modell bearbeitet werden. Man muss also nicht immer das Rad neu erfinden oder gleich auf Linux-basierte Systeme zurückgreifen.
In order to efficiently convert lignocellulose, it is often necessary to conduct a pretreatment. The biomass considered in this study typically comprises of agricultural and horticultural residues, as well as beechwood. A very environmentally friendly method, namely, fungal pretreatment using white-rot fungi, leads to an enhanced enzymatic hydrolysis. In contrast to other processes presented, the energy input is extremely low. However, the fungal growth on the lignocellulosic substrates takes several weeks at least in order to be effective. Thus, the reduction of chemicals and energy for thermal processing is a target of our current research. Liquid hot water (LHW) and solvent-based pretreatment (OrganoSolv) require more complex equipment, as they depend on high temperatures (160 – 180 °C) and enhanced pressure (up to 20 bar). However, they prove to be promising processes in regard to the fractioning of lignocellulose. For optimal lignin recovery the parameters differ from those established in cellulose extraction. A novel screening system scaled down to a reaction volume of 100 mL has been developed and successfully tested for this purpose.