In-Situ and Real-Time Investigation of Columnar-to-Equiaxed Transition in Metallic Alloy

In this article, we present a review of observations during Al-3.5 wt pct Ni alloy solidi.cation experiments performed at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF) in Grenoble. These experiments provide direct access to dynamical phenomena during columnar growth (initial transient and breakdown of a planar solid-liquid interface), and for the first time to the transition from columnar-to-equiaxed microstructure (nucleation ahead of a columnar front and blocking of a columnar front by an equiaxed microstructure) and fully equiaxed growth (propagation of an effective front). Based on these experimental observations, critical parameters such as columnar growth velocity variation during the transition or equiaxed-grain diameter are measured and discussed. This article is based on a presentation made in the symposium entitled “Solidi.cation Modeling and Microstructure Formation: In Honor of Prof. John Hunt,” which occurred March 13–15, 2006, during the TMS Spring Meeting in San Antonio, Texas, under the auspices of the TMS Materials Processing and Manufacturing Division, Solidification Committee.     

Das Blockieren einer Internet-Seite als strafbare Nötigung

Zusammenfassung  Aus der Sicht eines informationstechnischen Laien scheinen Denial of Service-Angriffe mit Online-Demonstrationen in keinem Zusammenhang zu stehen. Das Gegenteil ist der Fall, wenn durch derartige Angriffe der Anbieter einer Webseite buchst?blich lahm gelegt wird. Ob die an sich lautere Intention einer kritischen Meinungs?u?erung derartige Angriffe rechtfertigen kann, ist fraglich und besch?ftigt die Justiz. Der Verfasser dieses Beitrages bewertet den Sachverhalt eines Denial-of-Service-Angriffes strafrechtlich. Dr. jur. Jan Eichelberger, LL.M.oec. Rechtsreferendar am Kammergericht Interessenschwerpunkte im Gewerblichen Rechtsschutz, im Kapitalmarktrecht und im Recht der neuen Medien     

The microscopy cell (MicCell), a versatile modular flowthrough system for cell biology, biomaterial research, and nanotechnology

We describe a novel microfluidic perfusion system for high-resolution microscopes. Its modular design allows pre-coating of the coverslip surface with reagents, biomolecules, or cells. A poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) layer is cast in a special molding station, using masters made by photolithography and dry etching of silicon or by photoresist patterning on glass or silicon. This channel system can be reused while the coverslip is exchanged between experiments. As normal fluidic connectors are used, the link to external, computer-programmable syringe pumps is standardized and various fluidic channel networks can be used in the same setup. The system can house hydrogel microvalves and microelectrodes close to the imaging area to control the influx of reaction partners. We present a range of applications, including single-molecule analysis by fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS), manipulation of single molecules for nanostructuring by hydrodynamic flow fields or the action of motor proteins, generation of concentration gradients, trapping and stretching of live cells using optical fibers precisely mounted in the PDMS layer, and the integration of microelectrodes for actuation and sensing.     

Response Selection in Visual Search: The Influence of Response Compatibility of Nontargets.

The authors used visual search tasks in which components of the classic flanker task (B. A. Eriksen & C. W. Eriksen, 1974) were introduced. In several experiments the authors obtained evidence of parallel search for a target among distractor elements. Therefore, 2-stage models of visual search predict no effect of the identity of those distractors. However, clear compatibility effects of the distractors were obtained: Responses were faster when the distractors were compatible with the response than when they were incompatible. These results show that even in parallel search tasks identity information is extracted from the distractors. In addition, alternative interpretations of the results in terms of the occasional identification of a distractor before or after the target was identified could be ruled out. The results showed that flat search slopes obtained in visual search experiments provide no benchmark for preattentive processing. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Innovation Leaders Should be Controlled Schizophrenics

Innovating is a multi‐faceted process. In this paper, four different, yet intertwined aspects of this process are distinguished. The first aspect concerns the content of the innovation; a new product, a new technology or a new market. The second aspect concerns the group dynamics of the innovation team. The third aspect concerns seeing the innovation process as a creative process. And the fourth aspect has to do with leadership. Since these four aspects are simultaneously working together during the innovation process, the leaders of this process are working in a very difficult situation, as all four aspects need to be dealt with in different ways. Nearly all of them are, in one way or another, in conflict with one another. They may conflict in real actions, in time horizons (past, present or future) or in effect (positive reactions during market introduction do not garantee ultimate market success). This means that innovation leaders need to show a special kind of leadership. This leadership must be balanced, people‐focused and must include a high tolerance for ambiguity and paradoxes. They have to be nice and nasty at the same time. In short: innovation leaders should be some kind of controlled schizophrenics.     

Mesa and planar SiGe-HBTs on MBE-wafers

SiGe-HBTs have the potential for outstanding analog and digital or mixed-signal high frequency circuits widely based on standard Si technology. Here we review on MBE grown transistors and circuits. Processes and results of a research-like SiGe HBT and two possible production relevant HBT versions are presented. The high frequency results with f_max and f_T up to 120 GHz and a minimum noise figure of 0.9 dB at 10 GHz demonstrate the advantage of using MBE samples with steep and high base doping and high germanium contents. A comparison to the concept of reported low doped, low germanium and triangular profiled SiGe base layers, realized by UHV-CVD, is given. In addition, some circuit demonstrators of SiGe-ICs will be presented.     

T cells of the human intestinal lamina propria are high producers of interleukin-10

BACKGROUND: The transmission of hepatitis A virus (HAV) has been associated with the use of a number of solvent/detergent-treated factor VIII concentrates and possibly a factor IX concentrate. These reports have emphasized the necessity of using virus-inactivation methods for plasma products that are capable of inactivating nonenveloped viruses such as HAV. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: A simple, highly accurate titration procedure for HAV, which allows extensive kinetic investigations of virus-inactivation procedures, has been developed. This system has now been used to evaluate the efficacy of vapor heating in inactivating HAV after the addition of the virus to a range of human plasma products. RESULTS: It was demonstrated that HAV was significantly more thermostable than other picornaviruses, which reinforced the fact that such viruses cannot be used as model viruses for HAV-inactivation studies. A one-step vapor-heating procedure was demonstrated to inactivate between 5.9 and > 6.3 log10 of HAV in different products. A two-step vapor-heating procedure had the capacity to inactivate between > 8.7 and > 10.4 log10 of HAV. Both procedures were more effective in inactivating HAV than was the pasteurization procedure used for virus inactivation in human albumin solutions. CONCLUSION: These data demonstrate the efficacy of vapor heating in inactivating high-titer HAV after the spiking of plasma products with virus. This study confirms and explains the results of controlled clinical trials and long-term clinical usage with respect to the lack of HAV transmission by such vapor-heated products.     

A randomized trial of cisplatin, etoposide and bleomycin (PEB) versus carboplatin, etoposide and bleomycin (CEB) for patients with 'good-risk' metastatic non-seminomatous germ cell tumors

BACKGROUND: Cisplatin-based combination chemotherapy will cure 70% to 80% of patients with metastatic non-seminomatous germ cell tumors but is associated with the possibility of severe neuro-, oto- and nephro-toxicities. Carboplatin, a cisplatin analogue, is an active drug in testicular cancer with a more favourable spectrum of side effects. In a randomized trial, the German Testicular Cancer Study Group compared a combination regimen of carboplatin, etoposide and bleomycin (CEB) to standard cisplatin, etoposide and bleomycin (PEB) chemotherapy for patients with 'minimal-' and moderate-disease' non-seminomatous germ cell tumors, according to the Indiana University classification. PATIENTS AND METHODS: PEB was given for three cycles at standard doses (given days 1-5), and the CEB regimen consisted of carboplatin (target AUC of 5 mg/ml x min) on day 1, etoposide 120 mg/m2 on days 1 to 3 and bleomycin 30 mg on days 1, 8 and 15. Four cycles of CEB were given, with the omission of bleomycin in the fourth cycle. Thus, the cumulative doses of etoposide and bleomycin applied in the two treatment arms were comparable. Fifty-four patients were entered on the trial, 29 were treated with PEB and 25 with CEB chemotherapy. Patients were stratified according to disease extent (minimal versus moderate) and the degree of tumor marker elevation. Thirty-two patients (59%) belonged to the group with minimal disease and low markers. RESULTS: No significant difference in response to chemotherapy was seen between the two arms, with CR rates of 81% for the PEB arm and 76% for CEB treatment. However, more patients treated with CEB (32% versus 13%) have relapsed after therapy, and 4 patients (16%) have died of disease progression after CEP in contrast to 1 (3%) after PEB therapy. The first interim analysis of negative events (relapse, vital tumor at secondary resection, death from disease and therapy-associated death) showed a significantly higher rate after CEB than after PEB therapy, and the trial was terminated early. After a median follow-up of 33 months for all patients, the calculation of negative events is still significantly in favour of PEB-treated patient, particularly since three late relapses > 2 years have been observed in the CEB arm (P = 0.03). CONCLUSION: This randomized trial demonstrates that even with the use of adequate doses of etoposide and full-dose bleomycin, carboplatin cannot altogether replace cisplatin in patients with testicular cancer. Treatment with the PEB regimen remains the standard approach in patients with 'good-risk' non-seminomatous germ cell tumors.