Transactional execution of hierarchical reconfigurations in cyber-physical systems

Software and Systems Modeling - Cyber-physical systems reconfigure the structure of their software architecture, e.g., to avoid hazardous situations and to optimize operational conditions like...     

Evaluation of dynamic modulus measurement for C/C-SiC composites at different temperatures

The determination of elastic properties at application temperature is fundamental for the design of fibre reinforced ceramic composite components. An attractive method to characterize the flexural modulus at room and high temperature under specific atmosphere is the nondestructive Resonant Frequency Damping Analysis (RFDA). The objective of this paper was to evaluate and validate the modulus measurement via RFDA for orthotropic C/C-SiC composites at the application temperature. At room temperature flexural moduli of C/C-SiC with 0/90° reinforcement were measured under quasi-static 4-point bending loads and compared with dynamic moduli measured via RFDA longitudinally to fibre direction. The dynamic modulus of C/C-SiC was then measured via RFDA up to 1250°C under flowing inert gas and showed an increase with temperature which fitted with literature values. The measured fundamental frequencies were finally compared to those resulting from numerical modal analyses. Dynamic and quasi-static flexural moduli are comparable and the numerical analyses proved that bending modes are correctly modeled by means of dynamic modulus measured via RFDA. The nondestructive RFDA as well as the numerical modeling approach are suitable for evaluation of C/C-SiC and may be transferred to other fibre reinforced ceramic composite materials.     

A ¹⁸F-labeled fluorobutyl-substituted spirocyclic piperidine derivative as a selective radioligand for PET Imaging of sigma₁ receptors

In this study, we synthesized and evaluated a new spirocyclic piperidine derivative 3 , containing a 4‐fluorobutyl side chain, as a PET radioligand for neuroimaging of σ₁ receptors. In vitro, compound 3 displayed high affinity for σ₁ receptors (K_i=1.2 nM ) as well as high selectivity. [¹⁸F] 3 radiosynthesis was performed from the corresponding tosylate precursor, with high radiochemical yield (45–51 %), purity (>98 %), and specific activity (>201 GBq μmol^?1). Metabolic stability of [¹⁸F] 3 in the brain of CD‐1 mice was verified, and no penetration of peripheral radiometabolites into the cerebral tissue was observed. Results of ex vivo autoradiography revealed that the distribution of [¹⁸F] 3 in the brain corresponded to regions with high σ₁ receptor density. The highest region‐specific total‐to‐nonspecific ratio was determined in the facial nucleus (4.00). Biodistribution studies indicated rapid and high levels in brain uptake of [¹⁸F] 3 (2.2 % ID per gram at 5 min p.i.). Pre‐administration of haloperidol significantly inhibited [¹⁸F] 3 uptake into the brain and σ₁ receptor‐expressing organs, further confirming in vivo target specificity.     

Abwasserreinigung mit Schilf in einer mobilen Wurzelraumkläranlage

A mobile root‐zone wastewater treatment system with a reaction zone consisting solely of reed roots as the growth surface for microorganisms was tested for temporary applications in the treatment of municipal wastewater. Pretreated municipal wastewater from a large‐scale wastewater treatment plant was fed to this system during the 2016 vegetation period. The outlet limit values for chemical oxygen demand and biochemical oxygen demand were adhered to reliably at an inlet volumetric flow rate of 1200 L d^?1. Short‐term loading peaks of up to 1800 L d^?1 did not lead to overloading of the system.     

Polarized recombination of acoustically transported carriers in GaAs nanowires

ABSTRACT: : The oscillating piezoelectric field of a surface acoustic wave (SAW) is employed to transport photoexcited electrons and holes in GaAs nanowires deposited on a SAW delay line on a LiNbO3 crystal. The carriers generated in the nanowire by a focused light spot are acoustically transferred to a second location where they recombine. We show that the recombination of the transported carriers occurs in a zinc blende section on top of the predominant wurtzite nanowire. This allows contactless control of the linear polarized emission by SAWs which is governed by the crystal structure. Additional polarization-resolved photoluminescence measurements were performed to investigate spin conservation during transport.     

Multi-photon imaging of amine-functionalized silica nanoparticles

A convenient and simple strategy for preparing water soluble, photoluminescent functionalized silica nanoparticles (M-dots) in the absence of fluorophores or metal doping is demonstrated. These M-dots can be used for bioimaging using one and two-photon microscopy. Because of their high photostability, low toxicity and high biocompatibility compared with Lumidot? CdSe/ZnS quantum dots, functionalized silica particles are superior alternatives for current bioimaging platforms. Moreover, the presence of a free amine group at the surface of the M-dots allows biomolecule conjugation (e.g. with antibodies, proteins) in a single step for converting these photoluminescent SiO(2) nanoparticles into multifunctional efficient vehicles for theragnostics.     

Comparative performance of carbon nanotube and nanoclay on thermal properties and flammability behavior of amorphous polyamide/SEBS blend

Multiwall carbon nanotubes (CNT) or montmorillonite clay (MMT-30B) were added to a poly(hexamethylene isophthalamide-co-terephthalamine) (an amorphous polyamide - aPA) and styrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene graphitized with maleic anhydride (SEBS) blend, in different concentrations, in order to investigate the morphology, thermal properties and flammability behavior. Different nanoparticle localizations in the phase blend were observed through transmission electronic microscopy. CNT nanoparticles are localized in SEBS phase, and MMT-30B nanoparticles in aPA phase. No significant changes were observed on transition temperatures and thermal stability with both nanoparticle additions. However, a slight increase on storage modulus for clay nanocomposites and a slight reduction for carbon nanotube nanocomposites were observed, due to their different phase localizations. Regarding flammability, CNT nanocomposites showed better performance as a flame retardant when compared to samples with MMT-30B. Although the MMT-30B nanocomposites could not be classified according to the UL-94 criteria, no dripped flaming particles were observed, due to the a char barrier formation on the polymer surface. The CNT nanocomposites were classified according to the UL-94 criteria as V-2. The CNT's selective localization on the SEBS phase decreases its heat-release rate, but no interconnected network structure was formed in the matrix to suppress the dripping flaming particles.     

Lignin from Annual Plants as Raw Material Source for Flavors and Basic Chemicals

The enzymatic conversion of lignins, possibly in combination with electrochemical oxidation, makes aromatics such as syringol, guaiacol, vanillin and catechol available in the qualities required by the fragrance industry. The lignins were obtained by soda digestion from wheat straw and Miscanthus, characterized and then converted with laccases. The overall yield amounted up to 9 wt % with a product spectrum confined to four substances. Catechol was the major product, with a fraction of ≈75 %. It can easily be isolated by extraction with acetone.     

A Cell-Free Multi-enzyme Cascade Reaction for the Synthesis of CDP-Glycerol

CDP-glycerol is a nucleotide-diphosphate-activated version of glycerol. In nature, it is required for the biosynthesis of teichoic acid in Gram-positive bacteria, which is an appealing target epitope for the development of new vaccines. Here, a cell-free multi-enzyme cascade was developed to synthetize nucleotide-activated glycerol from the inexpensive and readily available substrates cytidine and glycerol. The cascade comprises five recombinant enzymes expressed in Escherichia coli that were purified by immobilized metal affinity chromatography. As part of the cascade, ATP is regenerated in situ from polyphosphate to reduce synthesis costs. The enzymatic cascade was characterized at the laboratory scale, and the products were analyzed by high-performance anion-exchange chromatography (HPAEC)-UV and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS). After the successful synthesis had been confirmed, a design-of-experiments approach was used to screen for optimal operation conditions (temperature, pH value and MgCl₂ concentration). Overall, a substrate conversion of 89 % was achieved with respect to the substrate cytidine.     

Aufbaukörnungen aus gipshaltigem Mauerwerkbruch – Teil 2: Untersuchungen im Pilotmaßstab

Heterogeneous construction waste such as masonry rubble has potential as a raw material for the production of lightweight aggregates similar to expanded clays or even pumice. In the present paper, the suitability of feedstocks with considerable gypsum contents was investigated in a pilot plant. Based on the results, initial technological statements could be made. According to these, energetic advantages can be expected in comparison with lightweight aggregates made from expanded clays.