Diffusional fluorescence quenching of aromatic hydrocarbons

The quenching of the fluorescence of five aromatic hydrocarbons by three halogenated organics and by molecular oxygen has been measured. Both fluorescence intensity and fluorescence lifetime measurements have been employed to validate results and interpretation; linear Stern-Volmer analyses are shown to apply throughout. The fluorescence quenching rate constant of molecular oxygen for the five aromatic hydrocarbons is essentially equivalent to the diffusion rate constant independent of the fluorophore excitation energy. The halogenated organic-fluorophore rate constants vary by a factor of 965 and are shown to correlate roughly with the energy difference between the quencher and fluorophore excited electronic states in accord with a standard model of quantum two-level mixing. The value of the coupling interaction energy is approximately 2500 cm(-1).     

Identifying novel biomarkers through data mining—A realistic scenario?

In this article we discuss the requirements to use data mining of published proteomics datasets to assist proteomics-based biomarker discovery, the use of external data integration to solve the issue of inadequate small sample sizes and finally, we try to estimate the probability that new biomarkers will be identified through data mining alone.     

Using VNIR and SWIR field imaging spectroscopy for drought stress monitoring of beech seedlings

Drought stress is expected to become a recurrent problem for central European forests due to regional climate change. In order to study the effects on one of the most common tree species in Germany, the European beech (Fagus sylvatica), young potted beech trees were exposed to drought stress in a controlled experiment and their reaction was observed using visible/near-infrared (VNIR) and shortwave infrared (SWIR) field imaging spectroscopy cameras mounted on a platform. Equivalent water thickness (EWT) and leaf chlorophyll content (LCC) were measured and partial least squares (PLS) regression models were trained using these reference measurements and reflectance spectra of the trees. The models were applied to create maps of these properties with a spatial resolution in the millimetre range. These maps can be used to study the spatial distribution of EWT and LCC for single leaves or even for intra-leaf variability. Both properties can be estimated using only the VNIR sensor, but EWT estimation improves considerably by also incorporating SWIR data. LCC estimations with SWIR data alone do not work satisfactorily.     

Schnelle optische Tomographie zum Nachweis von OH*‐Verteilungen in Flammen

A recently developed and patented fast tomographic reconstruction system has been applied to detect two‐dimensional distributions of the OH* chemiluminescence in laminar and turbulent flames. This could be achieved by the arrangement at exposure times down to 100 – 200 μs at a spatial resolution of < 1 – 2 mm, even though the concentration of OH* in flames is in the order of some ppb and, therefore, extremely small. Among other things the results provide important information regarding the determination of the heat release rate in flames to predict unstable operating points of gas turbines.     

Proteins Marking the Sequence of Genotoxic Signaling from Irradiated Mesenchymal Stromal Cells to CD34+ Cells

Non-targeted effects (NTE) of ionizing radiation may initiate myeloid neoplasms (MN). Here, protein mediators (I) in irradiated human mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) as the NTE source, (II) in MSC conditioned supernatant and (III) in human bone marrow CD34+ cells undergoing genotoxic NTE were investigated. Healthy sublethal irradiated MSC showed significantly increased levels of reactive oxygen species. These cells responded by increasing intracellular abundance of proteins involved in proteasomal degradation, protein translation, cytoskeleton dynamics, nucleocytoplasmic shuttling, and those with antioxidant activity. Among the increased proteins were THY1 and GNA11/14, which are signaling proteins with hitherto unknown functions in the radiation response and NTE. In the corresponding MSC conditioned medium, the three chaperones GRP78, CALR, and PDIA3 were increased. Together with GPI, these were the only four altered proteins, which were associated with the observed genotoxic NTE. Healthy CD34+ cells cultured in MSC conditioned medium suffered from more than a six-fold increase in γH2AX focal staining, indicative for DNA double-strand breaks, as well as numerical and structural chromosomal aberrations within three days. At this stage, five proteins were altered, among them IQGAP1, HMGB1, and PA2G4, which are involved in malign development. In summary, our data provide novel insights into three sequential steps of genotoxic signaling from irradiated MSC to CD34+ cells, implicating that induced NTE might initiate the development of MN.     

Surface Chemical Characterization of Ceramic Materials: Adsorption and Degradation of 3,6,9-Trioxadecanoic Acid on Nano-ZrO2

This paper deals with the specific interaction of the dispersant 3,6,9-trioxadecanoic acid (TODA) with nano-ZrO₂ surfaces. Special interest was directed towards degradation behavior of the adsorbates and its influence on dispersant capabilities of TODA regarding stabilization of ethanolic nano-ZrO₂ suspensions. ZrO₂ adsorption sites and the adsorbates formed are examined by diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy, thermal analysis, ¹H-, and ¹³C-cross polarization magic angle spinning solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. ¹H as well as ¹³C-chemical shifts and the configurations of the corresponding adsorbed TODA species on zirconia sites are predicted by means of density functional theory quantum chemical calculations for supporting the interpretation of the experimental spectral data obtained. This work shows that combination of analytical and theoretical methods is an effective approach characterizing surface chemical properties of ceramic materials, determining sorption properties of organic process additives, investigating correspondent elementary and degradation reactions as well as clarifying cause-effect relationships in ceramic processes.     

Planar-junction, top-illuminated GaInAs/InP pin photodiode with bandwidth of 25 GHz

A top-illuminated GaInAs/InP pin photodiode has been produced in a planar-junction configuration, which combines high reliability (no change in dark current over 4700 h at 175 degrees C) with the widest bandwidth (25 GHz), and highest quantum efficiency (80% at 1.55 mu m), yet reported for this type of device.<>     

Production of phospholipids from spray-dried egg yolk by consecutive in situ solid phase extraction with acetone and ethanol

Egg yolk lipids were extracted and fractionated into neutral lipids and phospholipids using acetone followed by ethanol as eluting solvents to a column consisting of spray-dried egg yolk. This technique, named in situ solid phase extraction, can be performed with spray-dried egg yolk due to the properties of this material. The effect of temperature, flowrate and scale has been studied. Results suggest that the methodology is suitable for industrial implementation.     

In situ observations on the austenite stability in TRIP‐steel during tensile testing

In‐situ deformation tests have been performed on a steel displaying the transformation‐induced plasticity (TRIP) effect, while monitoring the phase transformation by means of X‐ray diffraction. A tensile stress is applied to 0.4 mm thick samples of this steel with mass contents of 0.26 % Si, 1.5 % Mn, and 1.8 % Al in a transmission geometry for a synchrotron‐radiation beam of 25 μm · 25 μm. On the diffraction patterns every grain appears as a discrete spot. The austenite {200} reflections are analysed during this investigation. The diffraction patterns are treated like a powder pattern for five different η‐angles, with η representing the angle between the tensile direction and the normal direction of the diffracting {200} planes. The results of the analysis show that η = 0° and η = 90° are the preferential orientations for the transformation to martensite. The Ludwigson and Burger model [9] is used to gain more information about the stress dependence of the deformation induced martensite formation. The microdiffraction patterns also reveal the changes in carbon concentration in austenite at each retained austenite fraction.     

Introducing a Semi-Coated Model to Investigate Antibacterial Effects of Biocompatible Polymers on Titanium Surfaces

Peri-implant infections from bacterial biofilms on artificial surfaces are a common threat to all medical implants. They are a handicap for the patient and can lead to implant failure or even life-threatening complications. New implant surfaces have to be developed to reduce biofilm formation and to improve the long-term prognosis of medical implants. The aim of this study was (1) to develop a new method to test the antibacterial efficacy of implant surfaces by direct surface contact and (2) to elucidate whether an innovative antimicrobial copolymer coating of 4-vinyl-N-hexylpyridinium bromide and dimethyl(2-methacryloyloxyethyl) phosphonate (VP:DMMEP 30:70) on titanium is able to reduce the attachment of bacteria prevalent in peri-implant infections. With a new in vitro model with semi-coated titanium discs, we were able to show a dramatic reduction in the adhesion of various pathogenic bacteria (Streptococcus sanguinis, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis), completely independently of effects caused by soluble materials. In contrast, soft tissue cells (human gingival or dermis fibroblasts) were less affected by the same coating, despite a moderate reduction in initial adhesion of gingival fibroblasts. These data confirm the hypothesis that VP:DMMEP 30:70 is a promising antibacterial copolymer that may be of use in several clinical applications.