Surface Supported Gold–Organic Hybrids: On‐Surface Synthesis and Surface Directed Orientation

The surface‐assisted synthesis of gold–organic hybrids on Au (111) and Au (100) surfaces is repotred by thermally initiated dehalogenation of chloro‐substituted perylene‐3,4,9,10‐tetracarboxylic acid bisimides (PBIs). Structures and surface‐directed alignment of the Au–PBI chains are investigated by scanning tunnelling microscopy in ultra high vacuum conditions. Using dichloro‐PBI as a model system, the mechanism for the formation of Au–PBI dimer is revealed with scanning tunnelling microscopy studies and density functional theory calculations. A PBI radical generated from the homolytic C‐Cl bond dissociation can covalently bind a surface gold atom and partially pull it out of the surface to form stable PBI‐Au hybrid species, which also gives rise to the surface‐directed alignment of the Au–PBI chains on reconstructed Au (100) surfaces.     

Numerical simulations for silicon crystallization processes—examples from ingot and ribbon casting

At ACCESS e.V. numerical simulations of casting and heat treatment processes are performed and are in use for process optimization since more than 10 years. During the last few years, a simulation technique, for the prediction of microscale texture characteristics dependent on the solidification conditions, has been additionally developed. Both simulation methods are applied to silicon crystallization processes in close collaboration with partners from the industry, namely the Deutsche Solar GmbH.In this paper, general features of numerical simulation for silicon crystallization techniques will be presented. The prospectives and limitations of these simulation methods will be discussed. Finally, examples of numerical simulation results on different length scales for two silicon-casting processes are given.     

Improved LC-MS method for the determination of fatty acids in red blood cells by LC-orbitrap MS

We report a new method for fast and sensitive analyses of biologically relevant fatty acids (FAs) in red blood cells (RBC) by liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS). A new chemical derivatization approach was developed forming picolylamides from FAs in a quantitative reaction. Fourteen derivatized FA standards, including saturated and unsaturated FAs from C14 to C22, were efficiently separated within 15 min. In addition, the use of a recently introduced benchtop orbitrap mass spectrometer under positive electrospray ionization (ESI) full scan mode showed a 2-10-fold improvement in sensitivity compared with a conventional tandem MS method, with a limit of detection in the low femtomole range for saturated and unsaturated FAs. The developed method was applied to determine FA concentrations in RBC with intra- and interday coefficients of variation below 10%.     

Special feature: family-genetic research strategies for personality disorders

Personality disorders (PD) might be considered as extremes of personality dimensions varying in the general population or as attenuated variants of major psychiatric disorders. Both personality variation and major psychiatric disorders have been shown in twin and adoption studies, to be influenced by genes. Hence, it is likely that personality disorders are also under genetic control. However, direct evidence for influential familial and genetic factors is scarce. Various research strategies in this area are described and current evidence is reported. Gene-oriented approaches seem to be particularly promising. This strategy is illustrated for personality disorders in obligate carriers of mutations in the fragile-X gene.     

The safety of treatment with recombinant human erythropoietin in clinical use: a review of controlled studies

Recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO) has now been approved for the treatment of renal anemia, anemia of prematurity, cancer-associated anemia, AIDS-associated anemia and as concomitant treatment for patients with or without autologous blood donation awaiting elective surgery. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview, based on the results of controlled studies, of the anticipated safety profile of rhEPO in various indications and to assess whether treatment with rhEPO influences the incidences of certain adverse events in these indications. The anticipated adverse events differ from indication to indication and generally reflect the corresponding underlying illness. With most indications, no relevant differences in the incidences of adverse events are observed between rhEPO and placebo-control/patients. Only in the rhEPO therapy of renal anemia is an increased incidence of hypertensive events observed in the rhEPO groups, a finding that is not reproduced with the other indications. The controlled studies forming the basis of this review provide no evidence of a relevant increase in the risk of thromboembolic events during rhEPO therapy. Overall, it may be stated that rhEPO treatment, where strictly indicated, is a safe form of therapy. As with any other treatment, the risk of side effects in certain predisposed patients must also be weighed against the desired clinical benefits.     

Thermal analysis of solids production processes

The present work investigates the energy consumption of a solids production process. Such a process consists of three different operation units: crystallization/precipitation, solid-liquid separation by centrifuges or filters and drying of wet crystals. Each unit is analyzed with the objective of minimizing the energy consumption. Operating conditions, process design and other characteristic parameters (crystal size, porosity and physical proporties) are discussed with the aim to evaluate their influence on the process.