In situ analysis of three-dimensional electrolyte convection evolving during the electrodeposition of copper in magnetic gradient fields

A novel three-dimensional particle tracking velocimetry technique was used to examine the flow during electrodeposition of Cu. For the first time electrode-normal, circumferential, and radial velocities were spatially resolved during deposition in superimposed low and high magnetic gradient fields. In this way the complex interaction of magnetic field gradient force and Lorentz force induced convective effects could be measured and analyzed. Magnetic field gradient force induced electrolyte flow was detected only in high gradient magnetic fields, and it was found to be directed toward regions of gradient maxima. Since this electrode-normal flow causes enhanced transport of Cu(2+) ions from the bulk electrolyte to those regions of the working electrode where maxima of magnetic gradients are present, a structured deposit is formed during diffusion-limited electrodeposition. Lorentz force driven convection was observed during deposition in the low and the high magnetic gradient experiments. The overall fluid motion and the convection near the working electrode were determined experimentally and discussed with regard to the acting magnetic forces and numerical simulations.     

Optimization of sustained-release diltiazem formulations in man by use of an in-vitro/in-vivo correlation

In-vitro/in-vivo correlations (IVIVC) are useful for predicting in-vivo results from in-vitro data. An IVIVC has been used to optimize a hydrocolloidal-based matrix tablet designed to be bioequivalent to an existing once-daily diltiazem HC1 product (Dilacor XR 240mg; Rhone-Poulenc Rorer). Data from a preliminary formulation dosed to fasted and fed subjects were used to establish the IVIVC. The correlation was then used during reformulation of the dosage forms to predict changes in the maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) and the area under the plasma-concentration-time curve (AUC) for fasted and fed subjects using in-vitro dissolution data. The IVIVC adequately predicted plasma profiles of two optimized formulations in studies with fasted and fed subjects.     

Detection of cytosine deaminase in genetically modified tumor cells by specific antibodies

Myocardial ischemia identified by ambulatory electrocardiography (AECG), exercising treadmill testing, (ETT), or 12-lead electrocardiogram at rest is associated with an adverse prognosis, but the effect of improving these ischemic manifestations by treatment on outcome is unknown. The Asymptomatic Cardiac Ischemia Pilot (ACIP) study was a National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute funded study to determine the feasibility of conducting a large-scale prognosis study and to assess the effect of 3 treatment strategies (angina-guided strategy, AECG ischemia-guided strategy, and revascularization strategy) in reducing the manifestations of ischemia as indicated by AECG and ETT. The study cohort for this database study consisted of 496 randomized patients who performed the AECG, ETT, and 12-lead electrocardiogram at rest at both the qualifying and week 12 visits. The effect of modifying ischemia by treatment on the incidence of cardiac events (death, myocardial infarction, coronary revascularization procedure, or hospitalization for an ischemic event) at 1 year was examined. In the 2 medical treatment groups (n = 328) there was an association between the number of ambulatory electrocardiographic ischemic episodes at the qualifying visit and combined cardiac events at 1 year (p = 0.003). In the AECG ischemia-guided patients there was a trend associating greater reduction in the number of ambulatory electrocardiographic ischemia episodes with a reduced incidence of combined cardiac events (r = -0.15, p = 0.06). In the revascularization strategy patients this association was absent. In the medical treatment patients the exercise duration on the baseline ETT was inversely associated with an adverse prognosis (p = 0.02). The medical treatment strategies only slightly improved the exercise time and the exercise duration remained of prognostic significance. In the revascularization group strategy patients this association was absent. Thus, myocardial ischemia detected by AECG and an abnormal ETT are each independently associated with an adverse cardiac outcome in patients subsequently treated medically.     

Cathodes for chlorate electrolysis with nanocrystalline Ti–Ru–Fe–O catalyst

Cathodes for chlorate electrolysis were prepared by mixing nanocrystalline Ti–Ru–Fe–O catalyst powder with small amounts of Teflon and subsequent hot pressing on a carbon–Teflon sublayer. Initially, the electrode materials were characterized by SEM, EDX, XRD and BET measurements. The behaviour of electrodes with catalyst loadings from 300 mg cm^–2 reduced to 10 mg cm^–2 was investigated in chlorate electrolyte with pH 6.5 and in part, for comparison, in 1 M sodium hydroxide solution at 70 C. Several methods have been used: cyclic voltammetry for the determination of double layer capacitance, Tafel plot analysis, cathodic potentiodynamic polarization and potentiostatic tests at i = –250 mA cm^–2. The as-milled catalyst powder electrodes showed a high activity for the HER in chlorate electrolyte particularly expressed in low overpotentials of about 580 mV at –250 mA cm^–2 for catalyst loadings down to 20 mg cm^–2 and high double layer capacitances in the freshly prepared state. These electrodes show increased activity at low polarization. The long-term stability during electrolysis was also analysed.     

Monitoring freeze/thaw cycles using ENVISAT ASAR Global Mode

Due to the high temporal sampling rate of ASAR Global Monitoring (GM) mode, it has a high application potential for analyzing the land surface freeze/thaw process in high latitudes. This study aims to develop effective methods of extracting freeze/thaw transition dates of permafrost areas from ASAR GM data sets. In order to use ASAR GM time-series for analyzing freeze/thaw states, a least square fitting of piecewise step function is introduced. The thawing date can be determined by minimizing the sum of squared residuals between measured backscattering time-series and a pre-defined step function. An experimental result for a Siberian permafrost region illustrates that it can be a promising approach in monitoring permafrost ecosystems.     

Porous low modulus Ti40Nb compacts with electrodeposited hydroxyapatite coating for biomedical applications

Porous ß-type non-toxic Ti40Nb alloy was prepared by compaction of mechanically alloyed powder mixed with NaCl or Mg particles as space-holder material. The compacts with porosity of 36–80% demonstrated a very low Young's modulus of ~ 1.5–3 GPa and compression strength of ~ 10–35 MPa, which is suitable for potential implant material application. Porous samples were electrochemically covered with hydroxyapatite. The influence of the deposition time and of the electrolyte concentrations on the morphology of the hydroxyapatite coating was studied. It is demonstrated that a homogenous coating of hydroxyapatite crystals with different shape and size can be obtained on the surface of the porous samples.     

Synthesis and physical characterization of magnetite nanoparticles for biomedical applications

Iron oxide nanoparticles for biomedical applications in the size range of 15–130 nm were prepared by either oxidative hydrolysis of ferrous sulfate with KOH or precipitation from ferrous/ferric chloride solutions. The magnetite particle size is controlled by variation of pH and temperature. The synthesized magnetite nanoparticles are partially oxidized as signaled by ferrous concentrations of below 24 wt% Fe²⁺ and lattice parameters of a₀ ≤ 8.39 Å which are smaller compared to 8.39 Å for stoichiometric magnetite. The extend of oxidation increases with decreasing particle size. Heating at 150–350 °C topotactically transforms the magnetite nanoparticles into stoichiometric tetragonal maghemite (ferrous ion concentration c_Fe²⁺=0 and a₀ = 8.34 Å) without significant particle growth. The magnetite–maghemite transformation is studied with thermal analysis, XRD and IR spectroscopy. The saturation magnetizations of the magnetite and maghemite particles decrease with decreasing particle size. The variation of M_s with particle size is interpreted using a magnetic core–shell particle model. Magnetite particles with d ≤ 16 nm show superparamagnetic behavior at room temperature whereas particles with diameter >16 nm display hysteresis behavior. These particles are candidates for biomedical applications, e.g. controlled drug release or hyperthermia.     

Erhöhung der Verschleißfestigkeit von Elastomerverarbeitungsmaschinen durch innovative Beschichtungsverfahren

Increasing the resistance to wear of elastomer processing machines by innovative coating processes A goal of the subsequent work is the evaluated of selected surface coating processes with respect to the attainable abrasion characteristics of the generated layers regarding to their suitability for the abrasion protection of elastomer processing equipment (e.g. interior kneading machines). Additionally the specifications of various commercial coating companies were layers compared to data concerning to the wear resistance of the created sections. On this base own experimental tests are performed dedicated to designated application cases and were evaluated by an abrasion test on its wearing properties. Apart from classical deposition‐welding, the Plasma‐Transferred‐Arc process, above all the innovative thermochemical techniques were applied. Due to of their steadily increasing market shares, particularly the arc and HVOF‐Spraying got in the center of attention thereby.