Biosynthetic Origin of the Antibiotic Cyclocarbamate Brabantamide A (SB‐253514) in Plant‐Associated Pseudomonas.

Within the framework of our genome‐based program to discover new antibiotic lipopeptides from Pseudomonads, brabantamides A–C were isolated from plant‐associated Pseudomonas sp. SH‐C52. Brabantamides A–C displayed moderate to high in vitro activities against Gram‐positive bacterial pathogens. Their shared structure is unique in that they contain a 5,5‐bicyclic carbamate scaffold. Here, the biosynthesis of brabantamide A (SB‐253514) was studied by a combination of bioinformatics, feeding experiments with isotopically labelled precursors and in vivo and in vitro functional analysis of enzymes encoded in the biosynthetic pathway. The studies resulted in the deduction of all biosynthetic building blocks of brabantamide A and revealed an unusual feature of this metabolite: its biosynthesis occurs via an initially formed linear di‐lipopeptide that is subsequently rearranged by a novel FAD‐dependent Baeyer–Villiger monooxygenase.     

Experimental validation of a flexible modeling approach for distillation columns with packings

The two main concepts for the modeling of distillation columns are the equilibrium‐stage (EQ) and the nonequilibrium‐stage (NEQ). A model is presented which combines decisive features of both conventional concepts. Based on the idea of a reduced nonequilibrium‐stage (RNEQ), this model can be used for the simulation of distillation columns with packings. In contrast to the conventional NEQ approach, this model neglects the influence of liquid side mass‐transfer coefficients, which ultimately allows to come up with only one empirical equation describing the overall mass transfer. Thus, a considerable reduction in model complexity is reached, which allows for an efficient consideration of new experimental distillation results. Fitted to experimental data, the model is able to predict, how different pressures and chemical systems might affect the separation efficiency. By comparing calculation results with experimentally determined separation efficiencies for three different packing types, these valuable RNEQ qualities are illustrated. © 2014 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 60: 3833–3847, 2014     

A combined ion-sputtering and electron-beam annealing device for the in vacuo postpreparation of scanning probes

We describe the setup, characteristics, and application of an in vacuo ion-sputtering and electron-beam annealing device for the postpreparation of scanning probes (e.g., scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) tips) under ultrahigh vacuum (UHV) conditions. The proposed device facilitates the straightforward implementation of a common two-step cleaning procedure, where the first step consists of ion-sputtering, while the second step heals out sputtering-induced defects by thermal annealing. In contrast to the standard way, no dedicated external ion-sputtering gun is required with the proposed device. The performance of the described device is demonstrated by SEM micrographs and energy dispersive x-ray characterization of electrochemically etched tungsten tips prior and after postprocessing.     

Self-assembled chloro-bridged metallo-prismatic cations of the general formula [M6(η-C5Me5)6(μ3-tpt)2(μ-Cl)6] (M = Rh, Ir; tpt = 2,4,6-tri(pyridin-4-yl)-1,3,5-triazine)

Two cationic pentamethylcyclopentadienyl metal-based hexanuclear complexes with trigonal prismatic architecture have been synthesised through a two-step strategy. The dinuclear complexes [M(η⁵- C₅Me₅)(μ-Cl)Cl]₂ (M = rhodium and iridium) react with 2,4,6-tri(pyridin-4-yl)-1,3,5-triazine (tpt) in dichloromethane to give the trinuclear complexes [Rh₃(η⁵-C₅Me₅)₃(μ₃-tpt)Cl₆] (1) and [Ir₃(η⁵-C₅Me₅)₃(μ₃-tpt)Cl₆] (2), respectively. Addition of silver triflate to 1 and 2 in dichloromethane connects two identical triangular panels to form the hexanuclear metallo-prismatic cations [Rh₆(η⁵-C₅Me₅)₆(μ₃-tpt)₂(μ-Cl)₆]⁶⁺ (3) and [Ir₆(η⁵-C₅Me₅)₆(μ₃-tpt)₂(μ-Cl)₆]⁶⁺ (4), respectively. Cations 3 and 4 have been isolated as their triflate salts and characterised by ¹H NMR, IR and UV/visible spectroscopy.     

Novel manufacturing process of hollow polymer microspheres

A novel manufacturing process of gas-filled, hollow, poly-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate (PBCA) microspheres in an aqueous phase is the subject of this paper. The two-step process enables the control of the particle-wall size, as well as the particle size. Particles of this type are useful in the medical and pharmaceutical industry for diagnostic purposes in connection with ultrasound and for life or food science applications, such as taste masking, release on demand, etc. Depending upon the process conditions, the particle size ranges from 1 to . The microparticles are formed by using surfactant-stabilized microbubbles, which act as a template. At the interfacial area of these templates, PBCA nanoparticles create deposits that form the particle wall, as the result of a partial filming process. The density of the particles has been calculated as ranging from 100 up to and the volume fraction of the entrapped gas can be 5% or more. The developed process can operate on a scale of several kilograms.     

Electron diffraction analysis of individual single-walled carbon nanotubes

We present a detailed electron diffraction study of individual single-walled carbon nanotubes. A novel sample preparation procedure provides well-separated, long and straight individual single-shell nanotubes. Diffraction experiments are carried out at 60 kV, below the threshold for knock-on damage in carbon nanotubes. We describe experimental parameters that allow single-tube electron diffraction experiments with widely available thermal emission transmission electron microscopes. Further, we review the simulation of diffraction patterns for these objects.     

Velocity dependent friction laws in contact mode atomic force microscopy

Friction forces in the tip–sample contact govern the dynamics of contact mode atomic force microscopy. In ambient conditions typical contact radii between tip and sample are in the order of a few nanometers. In order to account for the large interaction area the dynamics of contact mode atomic force microscope (AFM) is investigated under the assumption of a multi-asperity contact interface between tip and sample. Thus, the kinetic friction force between tip and sample is the product of the real contact area between both solids and the interfacial shear strength. The velocity strengthening of the lateral force is modeled assuming a logarithmic relationship between shear-strength and velocity. Numerical simulations of the system dynamics with this empirical model show the existence of two different regimes in contact mode AFM: steady sliding and stick–slip where the tip undergoes periodically stiction and kinetic friction. The state of the system depends on the scan velocity as well as on the velocity dependence of the interfacial friction force between tip and sample. Already small viscous damping contributions in the tip–sample contact are sufficient to suppress stick–slip oscillations.     

Understanding simultaneous double-disk grinding: operation principle and material removal kinematics in silicon wafer planarization

Simultaneous double-disk grinding (DDG) is a novel and powerful technology for precision-machining mono-crystalline silicon slices (“wafers”). With DDG the extreme degrees of planarity can be achieved, which the fabrication of micro-electronic devices with minimum lateral feature dimensions of 90 nm and below demands. In DDG, both sides of the wafer are ground simultaneously between two opposite grinding wheels on collinear spindle axes. It is a chuck-less process, in which the workpiece is machined in “free-floating” fashion. Machining kinematics, removal mechanism, and resulting wafer shape differ from those known from (chuck-mounted) single-side grinding or double-sided batch lapping, which are conventionally used in mechanical wafer shaping. This article explains the kinematics of DDG and derives the basic, method-inherent features always observed on DDG-ground wafers from simple kinematic considerations without further model assumptions: global wafer shape, center dip (“navel”), edge thickness roll-off, and symmetries. The expected results are compared with experimental data.     

Modeling of glass sintering applied for the fabrication of porous glass bodies

The sintering behavior of borosilicate and soda-lime mono-sized glass beads was investigated with the aim to fabricate transparent porous glass balls and cylinders. As the glasses tend to crystallize, temperatures where the sintering was in advantage compared to crystallization were used. Isothermal studies were undertaken for modeling the evolution of sintering necks as a function of radii of beads, temperature and time. The Frenkel model of viscous flow was applied to predict first and second stage of sintering. As the sintering of the glasses without crystallization was only possible at high temperatures the process is very fast and has to be controlled precisely. The results of this work were applied for the fabrication of porous bodies with specific characteristics: different geometries and sizes, transparency, high porosities to be achieved during first stage sintering of spherical glass beads. The porous parts with these characteristics are used for the investigation of hydrodynamic processes in the pore network of glass parts.     

Entwicklung eines webbasierten Dokumentenmanagement-Systems für eine Fluggesellschaft

Ohne Zusammenfassung Zuschriften zum Studierendenforum bitte an: Universit?t Bayreuth Lehrstuhl BWL VII (Wirtschaftsinformatik) Prof. Dr. Torsten Eymann Redaktion Studierendenforum z. Hd. Dipl.-Wirtschaftsinformatiker Stefan K?nig Universit?tsstra?e 30 95447 Bayreuth E-Mail: stefan.koenig@uni-bayreuth.de