Molecular Heterojunctions of Oligo(phenylene ethynylene)s with Linear to Cruciform Framework

Electrical transport properties of molecular junctions are fundamentally affected by the energy alignment between molecular frontier orbitals (highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) or lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO)) and Fermi level (or work function) of electrode metals. Dithiafulvene (DTF) is used as substituent group to the oligo(phenylene ethynylene) (OPE) molecular wires and different molecular structures based on OPE3 backbone (with linear to cruciform framework) are achieved, with viable molecular orbitals and HOMO–LUMO energy gaps. OPE3, OPE3–DTF, and OPE3–tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) can form good self‐assembled monolayers (SAMs) on Au substrates. Molecular heterojunctions based on these SAMs are investigated using conducting probe–atomic force microscopy with different tips (Ag, Au, and Pt) and Fermi levels. The calibrated conductance values follow the sequence OPE3–TTF > OPE3–DTF > OPE3 irrespective of the tip metal. Rectification properties (or diode behavior) are observed in case of the Ag tip for which the work function is furthest from the HOMO levels of the OPE3s. Quantum chemical calculations of the transmission qualitatively agree with the experimental data and reproduce the substituent effect of DTF. Zero‐bias conductance, and symmetric or asymmetric couplings to the electrodes are investigated. The results indicate that improved fidelity of molecular transport measurements may be achieved by systematic studies of homologues series of molecular wires applying several different metal electrodes.     

Growth effects of regional policy in Germany: results from a spatially augmented multiplicative interaction model

Private investment subsidies are a key instrument for regional policy making to foster the economic development in lagging regions. In this paper, we analyze their effect on labor productivity growth for German labor market regions for the period from 1994 to 2006. A spatially augmented multiplicative interaction model based on neoclassical growth theory is used, which allows us to assess the marginal effect of regional policy proxied by overall payments of the main German regional development program on the region’s convergence speed conditional on its initial income position as well as policy-related spillovers from its spatial neighborhood. Our results show a statistically significant positive effect of regional policy on labor productivity growth, which increases, the further away the supported region is from its steady-state income level, and the more grants are provided to its geographical neighborhood. The latter effect highlights the existence of positive spatial spillover effects from regional policy in Germany, which enhance the attractiveness of the whole macro region for private sector investments. The additional growth stimulus provided by a 1 % increase in the region’s funding volume is thereby related to an up to 0.3 % gain in terms of labor productivity growth. For regions with the highest initial gaps to steady-state income in the sample distribution, the regional policy stimulus accounts for almost 8 % of the regions’ productivity growth performance.     

Bioavailability Studies and in vitro Profiling of the Selective Excitatory Amino Acid Transporter Subtype 1 (EAAT1) Inhibitor UCPH‐102

Although the selective excitatory amino acid transporter subtype 1 (EAAT1) inhibitor UCPH‐101 has become a standard pharmacological tool compound for in vitro and ex vivo studies in the EAAT research field, its inability to penetrate the blood–brain barrier makes it unsuitable for in vivo studies. In the present study, per os (p.o.) administration (40 mg kg^?1) of the closely related analogue UCPH‐102 in rats yielded respective plasma and brain concentrations of 10.5 and 6.67 μm after 1 h. Three analogue series were designed and synthesized to improve the bioavailability profile of UCPH‐102, but none displayed substantially improved properties in this respect. In vitro profiling of UCPH‐102 (10 μm ) at 51 central nervous system targets in radioligand binding assays strongly suggests that the compound is completely selective for EAAT1. Finally, in a rodent locomotor model, p.o. administration of UCPH‐102 (20 mg kg^?1) did not induce acute effects or any visible changes in behavior.     

3D reconstruction of existing concrete bridges using optical methods

Routine bridge inspections usually consist of visual observations. These inspections are time-consuming and subjective. There is a need to identify new inspection techniques for infrastructure that reduce traffic disturbance, and improve the efficiency and reliability of the acquired data. This study compared the performance of three different imaging technologies for the three-dimensional (3D) geometric modeling of existing structures: terrestrial laser scanning, close-range photogrammetry, and infrared scanning. Each technology was used to assess six existing concrete railway bridges. The technologies were compared in terms of geometric deviations, visualization capabilities, the level of the inspector’s experience, and degree of automation. The results suggest that all methods investigated can be used to create 3D models, however, with different level of completeness. Measurements such as span length, deck widths, etc. can be extracted with good accuracy. Although promising, a full off-site inspection is currently not feasible as some areas of the bridges were difficult to capture mainly due to restricted access and narrow spaces. Measurements based on terrestrial laser scanning were closer to the reality compared to photogrammetry and infrared scanning. The study indicates the no special training is needed for photogrammetry and infrared scanning to generate a 3D geometric model.     

Designing oligomeric ethylene terephtalate building blocks by chemical recycling of polyethylene terephtalate

The intelligent recycling of plastics waste is a major concern. Because of the widespread use of polyethylene terephtalate, considerable amounts of PET waste are generated that are ideally re‐introduced into the material cycle by generating second generation products without loss of materials performance. Chemical recycling methods are often expensive and entail environmentally hazardous by‐products. Established mechanical methods generally provide materials of reduced quality, leading to products of lower quality. These drawbacks can be avoided by the development of new recycling methods that provide materials of high quality in every step of the production cycle. In the present work, oligomeric ethylene terephthalate with defined degrees of polymerization and defined molecular weight is produced by melt‐mixing PET with different quantities of adipic acid as an alternative pathway of recycling PET with respect to conventional methods, offering ecofriendly and economical aspects. Additionally, block‐copolyesters of defined block length are designed from the oligomeric products. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 39786.     

Chemikalienfreie Bekämpfung von Holzschädlingen durch dielektrische Erwärmung mit Radiowellen und Mikrowellen

Thermal pest control requires long treatment times due to the low thermal conductivity of wood and may lead to the formation of cracks. Here, the thermal treatment with radio waves as well as microwaves has been studied. The direct dielectric heating has the advantage of a good homogeneity. The obtained temperature profiles for radio waves were more homogeneous compared to microwaves. Detailed studies showed that elimination of pests was not related to the application of the electromagnetic field itself, but due to the temperature increase.     

Plastic-containing materials as alternative reductants for base metal production

Shredder residue materials are produced after the removal of ferrous and non-ferrous fractions from end-of-life electronic equipment. Despite the high plastic content and metal value in the ash, high percentages of these materials are currently sent to landfills. In this study, the potential of utilising shredder residue material and other plastic-containing materials as reducing agents was studied. Plastic-containing materials were co-injected with coal into a zinc-fuming furnace in Boliden-Rönnskär smelter. The data obtained from the trial, such as the data from the chemical analysis of the slag and the steam production, are discussed. The observations indicate that plastic-containing material can replace up to 1?ton?h^?1 of coal without a significant decrease in the zinc reduction rate.