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A light-addressable potentiometric sensor (LAPS) can measure the concentration of one or several analytes at the sensor surface simultaneously in a spatially resolved manner. A modulated light pointer stimulates the semiconductor structure at the area of interest and a responding photocurrent can be read out. By simultaneous stimulation of several areas with light pointers of different modulation frequencies, the read out can be performed at the same time. With the new proposed controller electronic based on a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), it is possible to control the modulation frequencies, phase shifts, and light brightness of multiple light pointers independently and simultaneously. Thus, it is possible to investigate the frequency response of the sensor, and to examine the analyte concentration by the determination of the surface potential with the help of current/voltage curves and phase/voltage curves. Additionally, the ability to individually change the light intensities of each light pointer is used to perform signal correction.
Objective
To investigate the feasibility of 7T MR imaging of the kidneys utilising a custom-built 8-channel transmit/receive radiofrequency body coil.
Methods
In vivo unenhanced MR was performed in 8 healthy volunteers on a 7T whole-body MR system. After B0 shimming the following sequences were obtained: 1) 2D and 3D spoiled gradient-echo sequences (FLASH, VIBE), 2) T1-weighted 2D in and opposed phase 3) True-FISP imaging and 4) a T2-weighted turbo spin echo (TSE) sequence. Visual evaluation of the overall image quality was performed by two radiologists.
Results
Renal MRI at 7T was feasible in all eight subjects. Best image quality was found using T1-weighted gradient echo MRI, providing high anatomical details and excellent conspicuity of the non-enhanced vasculature. With successful shimming, B1 signal voids could be effectively reduced and/or shifted out of the region of interest in most sequence types. However, T2-weighted TSE imaging remained challenging and strongly impaired because of signal heterogeneities in three volunteers.
Conclusion
The results demonstrate the feasibility and diagnostic potential of dedicated 7T renal imaging. Further optimisation of imaging sequences and dedicated RF coil concepts are expected to improve the acquisition quality and ultimately provide high clinical diagnostic value.
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.
The demand of replacements for inoperable organs exceeds the amount of available organ transplants. Therefore, tissue engineering developed as a multidisciplinary field of research for autologous in-vitro organs. Such three dimensional tissue constructs request the application of a bioreactor. The UREPLACE bioreactor is used to grow cells on tubular collagen scaffolds OPTIMAIX Sponge 1 with a maximal length of 7 cm, in order to culture in vitro an adequate ureter replacement. With a rotating unit, (urothelial) cells can be placed homogeneously on the inner scaffold surface. Furthermore, a stimulation is combined with this bioreactor resulting in an orientation of muscle cells. These culturing methods request a precise control of several parameters and actuators. A combination of a LabBox and the suitable software LabVision is used to set and conduct parameters like rotation angles, velocities, pressures and other important cell culture values. The bioreactor was tested waterproof successfully. Furthermore, the temperature controlling was adjusted to 37 °C and the CO2 - concentration regulated to 5 %. Additionally, the pH step responses of several substances showed a perfect functioning of the designed flow chamber. All used software was tested and remained stable for several days.
Reasoning with Qualitative Positional Information for Domestic Domains in the Situation Calculus
(2011)
Numerical and experimental investigation of tensile behavior of laser beam welded TRIP700 steel
(2011)
Harmful effects of electromagnetic fields (EMF) on cognitive and behavioural features of humans and rodents have been controversially discussed and raised persistent concern about adverse effects of EMF on general brain functions. In the present study we applied radio-frequency (RF) signals of the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) to full brain exposed male Wistar rats in order to elaborate putative influences on stress hormone release (corticosteron; CORT and adrenocorticotropic hormone; ACTH) and on hippocampal derived synaptic long-term plasticity (LTP) and depression (LTD) as electrophysiological hallmarks for memory storage and memory consolidation. Exposure was computer controlled providing blind conditions. Nominal brain-averaged specific absorption rates (SAR) as a measure of applied mass-related dissipated RF power were 0, 2, and 10 W/kg over a period of 120 min. Comparison of cage exposed animals revealed, regardless of EMF exposure, significantly increased CORT and ACTH levels which corresponded with generally decreased field potential slopes and amplitudes in hippocampal LTP and LTD. Animals following SAR exposure of 2 W/kg (averaged over the whole brain of 2.3 g tissue mass) did not differ from the sham-exposed group in LTP and LTD experiments. In contrast, a significant reduction in LTP and LTD was observed at the high power rate of SAR (10 W/kg). The results demonstrate that a rate of 2 W/kg displays no adverse impact on LTP and LTD, while 10 W/kg leads to significant effects on the electrophysiological parameters, which can be clearly distinguished from the stress derived background. Our findings suggest that UMTS exposure with SAR in the range of 2 W/kg is not harmful to critical markers for memory storage and memory consolidation, however, an influence of UMTS at high energy absorption rates (10 W/kg) cannot be excluded.
Plant physiology and plant stress: Plant physiology will be much more important for human mankind because of yield and cultivation limits of crops determined by their resistance to stress. To assess and counteract various stress factors it is necessary to conduct plant research to gain information and results on plant physiology.
Lignocellulosic biorefinery: Process integration of hydrolysis and fermentation (SSF process)
(2011)
The aim of the present work is the process integration and the optimization of the enzymatic hydrolysis of wood and the following fermentation of the products to ethanol. The substrate is a fiber fraction obtained by organosolv pre-treatment of beech wood. For the ethanol production, a co-fermentation by two different yeasts (Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Pachysolen tannophilus) was carried out to convert glucose as well as xylose. Two approaches has been followed: 1. A two step process, in which the hydrolysis of the fiber fraction and the fermentation to product are separated from each other. 2. A process, in which the hydrolysis and the fermentation are carried out in one single process step as simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF). Following the first approach, a yield of about 0.15 g ethanol per gram substrate can be reached. Based on the SSF, one process step can be saved, and additionally, the gained yield can be raised up to 0.3 g ethanol per gram substrate.
In our case the double-side-method is used to minimize the complexity of a matrix-readout. Here the number of channels is reduced to 2√N̅. It is also possible to benefit from the method in a single pixel readout system. One signal can be used to measure position and energy of the event, the other one can be applied to a fast trigger-circuit at the same time. In a next step we will investigate timing behavior and electrical crosstalk of the circuit.
Purpose:
At 1.5 T, real-time MRI of joint movement has been shown to be feasible. However, 7 T, provides higher SNR and thus an improved potential for parallel imaging acceleration. The purpose of this work was to build an open, U-shaped eight-channel transmit/receive microstrip coil for 7 T MRI to enable high-resolution and real-time imaging of the moving ankle joint.
Methods:
A U-shaped eight-channel transmit/receive array for the human ankle was built.urn:x-wiley:00942405:mp3399:equation:mp3399-math-0001-parameters and urn:x-wiley:00942405:mp3399:equation:mp3399-math-0002-factor were measured. SAR calculations of different ankle postures were performed to ensure patient safety. Inhomogeneities in the transmit field consequent to the open design were compensated for by the use of static RF shimming. High-resolution and real-time imaging was performed in human volunteers.
Results:
The presented array showed good performance with regard to patient comfort and image quality. High acceleration factors of up to 4 are feasible without visible acceleration artifacts. Reasonable image homogeneity was achieved with RF shimming.
Conclusions:
Open, noncylindrical designs for transmit/receive coils are practical at 7 T and real-time imaging of the moving joint is feasible with the presented coil design.
Preclinical development of highly effective and safe DNA vaccines directed against HPV 16 E6 and E7
(2011)
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.
The proposed Den Haag Zuidwest district heating system of the city of The Hague consists of a deep doublet in a Jurassic sandstone layer that is designed for a production temperature of 75 °C and a reinjection temperature of 40 °C at a flow rate of 150 m3 h−1. The prediction of reservoir temperature and production behavior is crucial for success of the proposed geothermal doublet. This work presents the results of a study of the important geothermal and geohydrological issues for the doublet design. In the first phase of the study, the influences of the three-dimensional (3D) structures of anticlines and synclines on the temperature field were examined. A comprehensive petrophysical investigation was performed to build a large scale 3D-model of the reservoir. Several bottomhole temperatures (BHTs), as well as petrophysical logs were used to calibrate the model using thermal conductivity measurements on 50 samples from boreholes in different lithological units in the study area. Profiles and cross sections extracted from the calculated temperature field were used to study the temperature in the surrounding areas of the planned doublet. In the second phase of the project, a detailed 3D numerical reservoir model was set up, with the aim of predicting the evolution of the producer and injector temperatures, and the extent of the cooled area around the injector. The temperature model from the first phase provided the boundary conditions for the reservoir model. Hydraulic parameters for the target horizons, such as porosity and permeability, were taken from data available from the nearby exploration wells. The simulation results are encouraging as no significant thermal breakthrough is predicted. For the originally planned location of the producer, the extracted water temperature is predicted to be around 79 °C, with an almost negligible cooling in the first 50 years of production. When the producer is located shallower parts of the reservoir, the yield water temperatures is lower, starting at ≈76 °C and decreasing to ≈74 °C after 50 years of operation. This comparatively larger decrease in temperature with time is caused by the structural feature of the reservoir, namely a higher dip causes the cooler water to easily move downward. In view of the poor reservoir data, the reservoir simulation model is constructed to allow iterative updates using data assimilation during planned drilling, testing, and production phases. Measurements during an 8 h pumping test carried out in late 2010 suggest that a flow rate of 150 m3 h−1 is achievable. Fluid temperatures of 76.5 °C were measured, which is very close to the predicted value.