Information and communication theory in molecular biology

The DNA sequencing efforts of the past years together with rapid progress in sequencing technology have generated a huge amount of sequence data available in public molecular databases. This recent development makes it statistically feasible to apply universal concepts from Shannon’s information theory to problems in molecular biology, e.g to use mutual information for gene mapping and phylogenetic classification. Additionally, the genetic information in the cell is continuously subject to mutations. However, it has to be passed from generation to generation with high fidelity, raising the question of existence of error protection and correction mechanisms similar to those used in technical communication systems. Finally, better understanding of genetic information processing on the molecular level in the cell can be acquired by looking for parallels to well established models in communication theory, e.g. there exist analogies between gene expression and frame synchronization.     

Effect of polymorphism of isotactic polybutene‐1 on peel behavior of polyethylene/polybutene‐1 peel systems

The effect of polymorphism of isotactic polybutene‐1 (iPB‐1) on the peel behavior of the specific peel system low‐density polyethylene/polybutene‐1 (LDPE/iPB‐1) was investigated using wide‐angle X‐ray scattering, calorimetry, and the T‐peel test. Melt‐crystallization of iPB‐1, initially, yields tetragonal form II crystals which transform as a function of time to trigonal form I crystals. The kinetics of transformation at ambient temperature follows an exponential function, and is completed after about 50–75 h. The presence of LDPE in the peel system does not affect the transformation kinetics. The structure of the crystalline phase of iPB‐1 controls the peel force which decreases by about 25% during the crystal–crystal transformation in a blend with 20m% iPB‐1. The reduction of the peel force depends linearly on the mass fraction of iPB‐1 crystals in the peel system which further evidences the correlation between the crystal–crystal transformation of iPB‐1 and the peel‐characteristics of LDPE/iPB‐1 blends. Isothermal reorganization of crystals of LDPE is excluded as reason for the change of the peel‐performance of LDPE/iPB‐1 blends, since it is 5 to 10 times faster than the decrease of the peel force, and crystal–crystal transformation of iPB‐1, respectively. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

Modeling of strained CMOS on disposable SiGe dots: Shape impacts on electrical/thermal characteristics

We proposed a new non-planar disposable SiGe dot (d-Dot) MOSFET based on Si-on-nothing technology. The new device concepts’ relies on self-assembled single-crystalline d-Dot. The d-Dot MOSFET is prone to a particularly high strain/stress from the underlaying SiGe 3D islands. We show that more than 50% higher mobilities of electrons can be obtained as indicated by 3D simulations performed throughout the entire fabrication process. Then, fully-depleted SOI MOSFET and d-Dot MOSFET are compared in term of short channel effects, parasitic capacitance effects and self-heating effects.     

Geschichte des Marzipans bis zum Anfange des 19. Jahrhunderts

Ohne ZusammenfassungUnd wer den Marcepan wol machen kan/ der kan allerley Sachen machen/so der Mensch erdencken kan. Rumpolt 1581.     

Zur Mikroskopie und Bewertung von Kakaowaren

Ohne Zusammenfassungbedeutet mit Abbildungen.Durchgeführt mit Unterstützung der Deutschen Gesellschaft der Wissenschaften und Künste für die Tschechoslowakische Republik     

Effects of smoking bans on passive smoking exposure at work and at home. The European Community respiratory health survey

This longitudinal study investigated whether smoking bans influence passive smoking at work and/or at home in the same subjects. Passive smoking at work and/or at home was investigated in random population samples (European Community Respiratory Health Survey) in 1990‐1995, with follow‐up interviews in 1998‐2003 and 2010‐2014. National smoking bans were classified as partial (restricted to public workplaces) or global (extended to private workplaces). Multivariable analysis was accomplished by three‐level logistic regression models, where level‐1, level‐2, and level‐3 units were, respectively, questionnaire responses, subjects, and centers. Passive smoking at work was reported by 31.9% in 1990‐1995, 17.5% in 1998‐2003, and 2.5% in 2010‐2014. Concurrently, passive smoking at home decreased from 28.9% to 18.2% and 8.8%. When controlling for sex, age, education, smoking status, and ECHRS wave, the odds of passive smoking at work was markedly reduced after global smoking bans (OR = 0.45, 95% CI 0.25‐0.81), particularly among non‐smokers, while the protective effect of global smoking bans on passive smoking at home was only detected in non‐smokers. Smoking bans both in public and private workplaces were effective in reducing passive smoking at work in Europe. However, given the inefficacy of smoking bans in current smokers’ dwellings, better strategies are needed to avoid smoking indoors.     

Contact Behavior of Microcrystalline Cellulose Pellets Depending on their Water Content

Microcrystalline cellulose pellets for oral drug delivery are often produced by a combined wet extrusion-spheronization process. During the entire process, the cylindrical as well as the spherical pellets are exposed to various stresses resulting in a change of their shape and size due to plastic deformation and breakage. In this work, the effect of moisture content of pellets on their mechanical behavior is studied. In static compression tests, the strong influence of water content on deformation behavior of pellets is confirmed. Moreover, impact tests are performed using a setup consisting of three high-speed cameras to record pellet-wall collisions. Material properties, such as stiffness, restitution coefficient, breakage force, and displacement, were analyzed depending on the water content.     

HOMO–HOMO Electron Transfer: An Elegant Strategy for p-Type Doping of Polymer Semiconductors toward Thermoelectric Applications

Unlike the conventional p-doping of organic semiconductors (OSCs) using acceptors, here, an efficient doping concept for diketopyrrolopyrrole-based polymer PDPP[T]₂-EDOT (OSC-1) is presented using an oxidized p-type semiconductor, Spiro-OMeTAD(TFSI)₂ (OSC-2), exploiting electron transfer from HOMO_OSC-1 to HOMO_OSC-2. A shift of work function toward the HOMO_OSC-1 upon doping is confirmed by ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS). Detailed X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and UV–vis–NIR absorption studies confirm HOMO_OSC-1 to HOMO_OSC-2 electron transfer. The reduction products of Spiro-OMeTAD(TFSI)₂ to Spiro-OMeTAD(TFSI) and Spiro-OMeTAD is also confirmed and their relative amounts in doped samples is determined. Mott–Schottky analysis shows two orders of magnitude increase in free charge carrier density and one order of magnitude increase in the charge carrier mobility. The conductivity increases considerably by four orders of magnitude to a maximum of 10 S m⁻¹ for a very low doping ratio of 8 mol%. The doped polymer films exhibit high thermal and ambient stability resulting in a maximum power factor of 0.07  µ W m⁻¹ K⁻² at a Seebeck coefficient of 140 µ V K⁻¹ for a very low doping ratio of 4 mol%. Also, the concept of HOMO_OSC-1 to HOMO_OSC-2 electron transfer is a highly efficient, stable and generic way to p-dope other conjugated polymers.