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Analysis of future development opportunities for OIS (Office Information Systems) methods and tools.
(1992)
Stereotactic frame systems are widely used in neurosurgery. The accuracy of frame devices is considered as a gold standard to which the accuracy of new frameless stereotactic navigation systems is compared. The purpose of this study is to develop a general approach for the prediction of the application accuracy of stereotactic systems. The approach will be applied to the frame‐based biopsy performed with three frame devices: Leksell G, Cosman–Roberts–Wells (CRW), and Brown–Roberts–Wells (BRW). A work‐flow analysis will be carried out demonstrating that the accuracy relevant for a clinical application comprises several error sources including imaging, target and entry point selection, image to frame coordinates registration, and the setting of mechanical parameters of the frame. These error sources will be postulated to obey a Gaussian distribution probability density. The linear, i.e., Gaussian, error propagation, will be used to link all error contributions thus to calculate the cumulative accuracy of the frame used in the application. Although the Gaussian approach is an approximation, it allows for an analytical treatment of the accuracy. Both the accuracy at the target point and the accuracy of the probe needle guidance along the planned trajectory have been investigated. Of great significance is the relationship found between accuracy, pixel dimension, and image slice thickness, the latter being the dominant factor for slices of more than 1.5 mm thickness, yielding inaccuracies larger than 1.5 mm. For target points the predictions for the application accuracy have been compared to the results of measurements, showing good agreement with the experimental data.
A qualitative work‐flow analysis of a neurosurgical procedure indicates that the resolution of the image used to plan the intervention is the major source of inaccuracy. Quantitative experimental measurements confirm this observation. They fail, however, to explain the relationship between the accuracy of the frame components involved in a stereotactic procedure and the overall application accuracy. This investigation shows that the novel Gaussian approach is a flexible framework for the calculation of the application accuracy of frame systems. Therefore, the Gaussian approach provides a detailed understanding of the interplay between the various factors affecting accuracy. The basic ideas and limitations of the Gaussian approach are briefly explained. The effect of fiducial marker distribution and registration is investigated and shown to introduce a spatial dependence to the accuracy. The results of the Gaussian approach are compared with experimental data for three stereotactic frame devices: Leksell G, Cosman–Roberts–Wells, and Brown–Roberts–Wells. Although the Gaussian approach is an approximation, it reproduces the accuracy measured in the experiment within the statistical error of that experiment. Comp Aid Surg 4:77–86 (1999). © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Three-dimensional magnetic resonance medical images may contain scanner- and patient-induced geometric distortion. For qualitative diagnosis, geometric errors of a few millimeters are often tolerated. However, quantitative applications such as image-guided neurosurgery and radiotherapy can require an accuracy of a millimeter or better. We have developed a method to accurately measure scanner-induced geometric distortion and to correct the MR images for this type of distortion. The method involves a number of steps. First, a specially designed phantom is scanned that contains a large number of reference structures on positions with a manufacturing error of less than 0.05 mm. Next, the positions of the reference structures are automatically detected in the scanned images and a higher-order polynomial distortion-correction transformation is estimated. Then the patient is scanned and the transformation is applied to correct the patient images for the detected distortion. The distortion-correction method is explained in detail in this paper. The accuracy of the method has been measured with synthetically generated phantom scans that contain an exactly-known amount and type of distortion. The reproducibility of the method has been measured by applying it to a series of consecutive phantom scans. Validation results are briefly described in this paper, a more-detailed description is given in another submission to SPIE Medical Imaging 2001.
Geometries, stabilities, electronic properties and NMR-shielding of cucurbit[6]uril–spermine host-ligand complexes are investigated with DFT calculations and compared to experimental results. Cucurbit[6]uril and spermine can form complexes with two different minimum energy geometries and corresponding characteristic differences in NMR shielding. The energetically preferred complex geometry has a perfect inversion symmetry and its proton NMR shielding agrees very well with experimental results. The cucurbit[6]uril host molecule shows a distinct geometrical flexibility in ligand binding which allows an induced fit of the spermine ligand. The energetic barrier for the rotation of spermine in the favourable complex is approximated to be in the order of a few kilocalories per mole.
This paper develops a framework for understanding the relationships between approaches to learning adopted by students in the context of higher education and the culture of the country they were brought up in. The paper, after examining the more widely used Kolb's learning styles, opts for another categorisation, namely the so called learning approaches developed by Entwistle and others (for example, Entwistle and Ramsden, 1983; Biggs, 1987; Entwistle, 1992; Tait, Entwistle and McCune, 1998; Biggs, Kember and Leung, 2001). Each of the main categories of learning approaches identified by his school, namely, deep, surface apathetic, and strategic are related to Hofstede's cultural dimensions, namely, power distance, individualism vs. collectivism, uncertainty avoidance, long vs. short time orientation and masculinity vs. femininity and a series of hypotheses developed that could be tested in cross cultural samples. This study would give practical hints on students moving out to study in different cultures (e.g. for higher education) and for teachers dealing with students from multiple cultures.
(PDF) Does culture influence learning styles in higher education?. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/254836756_Does_culture_influence_learning_styles_in_higher_education [accessed Jul 09 2018].
Creating chemo- & bioinformatics workflows, further developments within the CDK-Taverna Project
(2008)
It is well-known that protein-modified implant surfaces such as TiO2 show a higher bioconductivity. Fibronectin is a glycoprotein from the extracellular matrix (ECM) with a major role in cell adhesion. It can be applied on titanium oxide surfaces to accelerate implant integration. Not only the surface concentration but also the presentation of the protein plays an important role for the cellular response. We were able to show that TiOX surfaces modified with biotinylated fibronectin adsorbed on a streptavidin-silane self-assembly multilayer system are more effective regarding osteoblast adhesion than surfaces modified with nonspecifically bound fibronectin. The adsorption and conformation behavior of biotinylated and nonbiotinylated (native) fibronectin was studied by surface plasmon resonance (SPR) spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Imaging of the protein modification revealed that fibronectin adopts different conformations on nonmodified compared to streptavidin-modified TiOX surfaces. This conformational change of biotinylated fibronectin on the streptavidin monolayer delivers a fibronectin structure similar to the conformation inside the ECM and therefore explains the higher cell affinity for these surfaces.
The one-phonon inelastic low energy helium atom scattering theory is adapted to cases where the target monolayer is a p(1x1) commensurate square lattice. Experimental data for para-H2/NaCl(001) are re-analyzed and the relative intensities of energy loss peaks in the range 6 to 9 meV are determined. The case of the H2/NaCl(001) monolayer for 26 meV scattering energy is computationally challenging and difficult because it has a much more corrugated surface than those in the previous applications for triangular lattices. This requires a large number of coupled channels for convergence in the wave-packet-scattering calculation and a long series of Fourier amplitudes to represent the helium-target potential energy surface. A modified series is constructed in which a truncated Fourier expansion of the potential is constrained to give the exact value of the potential at some key points and which mimics the potential with fewer Fourier amplitudes. The shear horizontal phonon mode is again accessed by the helium scattering for small misalignment of the scattering plane relative to symmetry axes of the monolayer. For 1° misalignment, the calculated intensity of the longitudinal acoustic phonon mode frequently is higher than that of the shear horizontal phonon mode in contrast to what was found at scattering energies near 10 meV for triangular lattices of Ar, Kr, and Xe on Pt(111).
Hydrogen concentrations in ZnO single crystals exposing different surfaces have been determined to be in the range of (0.02–0.04) at.% with an error of ±0.01 at.% using nuclear reaction analysis. In the subsurface region, the hydrogen concentration has been determined to be higher by up to a factor of 10. In contrast to the hydrogen in the bulk, part of the subsurface hydrogen is less strongly bound, can be removed by heating to 550°C, and reaccommodated by loading with atomic hydrogen. By exposing the ZnO(10-10) surface to water above room temperature and to atomic hydrogen, respectively, hydroxylation with the same coverage of hydrogen is observed.
This report gives a brief overview to the state of the art of PEM fuel cell technology and a description of a newly developed fuel cell stack concept. One main research activity at the Westphalian Energy Institute of the Westphalian University of Applied Sciences is the development of PEM fuel cells, for which a range of different materials have been investigated for fuel cell pole plate construction. Whereas graphite is a material which has suitable properties concerning conductivity as well as manufacturing e.g. for milling, stainless steel foils are suitable for economical hydroforming processes. However, with steel coating is necessary to increase corrosion resistance as well as electrical conductivity. A new fuel cell stack design is currently under development using separated single fuel cells with hydraulic cell compression. The advantages of this stack concept are modularity, effective heat exchanging and constant, uniform cell compression which are further described in this work.
Gaining customer loyalty is an important goal of marketing, and loyalty programs are intended to help in reaching it. Research on loyalty programs suggests that customers differentiate between loyalty to a company and loyalty to a loyalty program, yet little is known about the consequences of these two types of loyalty. Therefore, our study intends to make two main contributions: (1) improving our understanding of the constructs “program loyalty” and “company loyalty”, (2) investigating the relative impact of the two types of loyalty on preference, intention, and purchase behavior for the case of a multi-firm loyalty program. Results indicate that company loyalty influences a customer’s choice to visit a particular provider and to prefer it over competitors, but it is not a strong predictor of purchase behavior. Conversely, program loyalty is a far more important driver of purchase behavior. This implies that company loyalty primarily attracts customers to a particular provider and program loyalty ensures that once inside the store, more money is spent.
Streptavidin-coated TiO2 surfaces are biologically inert: Protein adsorption and osteoblast adhesion
(2012)
Non‐fouling TiO2 surfaces are attractive for a wide range of applications such as biosensors and medical devices, where biologically inert surfaces are needed. Typically, this is achieved by controlled surface modifications which prevent protein adsorption. For example, polyethylene glycol (PEG) or PEG‐derived polymers have been widely applied to render TiO2 surfaces biologically inert. These surfaces have been further modified in order to achieve specific bio‐activation. Therefore, there have been efforts to specifically functionalize TiO2 surfaces with polymers with embedded biotin motives, which can be used to couple streptavidin for further functionalization. As an alternative, here a streptavidin layer was immobilized by self‐assembly directly on a biotinylated TiO2 surface, thus forming an anti‐adhesive matrix, which can be selectively bio‐activated. The anti‐adhesive properties of these substrates were analyzed by studying the interaction of the surface coating with fibronectin, lysozym, and osteoblast cells using surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, and light microscopy. In contrast to non‐modified TiO2 surfaces, streptavidin‐coated TiO2 surfaces led to a very biologically inert substrate, making this type of surface coating a promising alternative to polymer coatings of TiO2 surfaces.
This paper makes a contribution to the discussion on microfoundations of dynamic capabilities – actions and interactions in organizations that enable continuous organizational renewal. More specifically, we propose the idea that dynamic capabilities of an organization
are a positive function of corresponding dynamic capabilities of individual and collective actors in the organization. Further, we develop the assumption that not only individual acts of managers but also of individuals and teams without managerial responsibility relate to dynamic capabilities of the organization. Following a holistic view, we also take into consideration empowering working conditions as enhancing factor of this function. To
examine these roots of dynamic capabilities, we use a multi level model of competence provided by Wilkens, Keller and Schmette (2006) that operationalizes the concept of dynamic
capabilities provided by Teece (2007) on a concisely behavioural base. We investigated our hypotheses with a standardized questionnaire in a case study of a German plant engineering company with 112 participants and found first support for our assumptions. Our results show an impact of individual dynamic capabilities on dynamic capabilities of the organization which is mediated by team dynamic capabilities. Psychological and social-structural empowerment moderated this relationship. A case-specific interpretation and implications for future research and practice are discussed.
From brain drain to brain exchange: how to use better highly skilled workers; a conceptual approach.
(2012)
The biomodification of surfaces, especially titanium, is an important issue in current biomedical research. Regarding titanium, it is also important to ensure a specific protein modification of its surface because here protein binding that is too random can be observed. Specific nanoscale architectures can be applied to overcome this problem. As recently shown, streptavidin can be used as a coupling agent to immobilize biotinylated fibronectin (bFn) on a TiOX surface. Because of the conformation of adsorbed biotinylated fibronectin on a streptavidin monolayer, it is possible to adsorb more streptavidin and biotinylated fibronectin layers. On this basis, an alternating protein multilayer can be built up. In contrast to common layer-by-layer technology, in this procedure the mechanism of layer adsorption is very specific because of the interaction of biotin and streptavidin. In addition, we showed that the assembly of this multilayer system and its stability are dependent on the degree of labeling of biotinylated fibronectin. Hence we conclude that it is possible to build up well-defined nanoscale protein architectures by varying the degree of labeling of biotinylated fibronectin.
Protraction Effects in a Stochastic Cell-Cycle Tumor Model Exposed to Fractionated Radiotherapy
(2013)
The adsorption of water on r-TiO2(110) has been investigated with thermal desorption spectroscopy (TDS) and helium atom scattering. Conventional TDS using a mass spectrometer and He-TDS monitoring reflected He beam intensity consistently show the existence of a structurally well-defined monolayer as well as a highly ordered second layer of water and a disordered multilayer phase. He diffraction patterns recorded along the high symmetry [001], equation image, and equation image directions reveal a well-ordered superstructure with (1x1) symmetry, providing strong evidence for the absence of a partially dissociated monolayer on the perfect parts of the substrate. No changes in the diffraction patterns are observed after irradiation with UV-light.
Three dinuclear zinc carboxylate complexes [L1−3Zn(μ,η2-O2CPh)]2 (1, 2, 4) containing either the bidentate N,N′-chelating β-diketiminate ligand RNC(Me)C(H)C(Me)NR (R = 2,6-iPr2-C6H3, L1, complex 1), the tridentate O,N,N-chelating ligand OC(Me)C(H)C(Me)NCH2CH2NMe2 (L2, complex 2) or the bis-N,N′-chelating bis-β-diketiminate ligand RNC(Me)C(H)C(Me)NNC(Me)C(H)C(Me)NR (R = 2,6-iPr2-C6H3, L3, complex 4) were synthesized and characterized including single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Reaction of the neutral bis-β-diketimine (L3(H)2) with two equivalents of ZnMe2 leads to the expected heteroleptic dinuclear zinc complex L3(ZnMe)2 3 in 93 % yield. Further reaction with benzoic acid PhCO2H leads to complex 4. Complex 2 forms a rather strong carboxylate-bridged dimer, whereas the carboxylate groups in complexes 1 and 4 act as asymmetrical bridges between both Zn atoms, pointing to the formation of a weakly bonded dimer. The zinc atoms in 1 and 4 are tetrahedrally coordinated, whereas in 2 the coordination number is increased to five due to the coordination of the pendant donor arm. The ring opening polymerization (ROP) of rac-lactide was investigated with the zinc complexes 1–4 and diazabicycloundec-7-ene (DBU) as a co-catalyst. Complexes 2 and 3 are active polymerization catalysts, which in the presence of DBU converted 200 equiv. of rac-lactide into polylactide within 10 min at ambient temperature. The analysis of the crude polymer showed that the lactide polymerization with catalyst 2 occurs via a slightly modified activated-monomer mechanism.
To achieve high temperature stable insulation materials for the electrical insulation of fine copper wires two different bis(alkoxysilylalkyl)pyromellitamide acids 1 and 2 were prepared. These organic–inorganic sol–gel hybrid precursors were obtained via reactions of pyromellitic dianhydride and alkoxysilylalkylamines. The molecular single-source precursors 1 and 2 were comprehensively studied using FT-IR, 1H, 13C and 29Si NMR spectroscopy as well as elemental analyses. Besides, the hydrolysis and condensation processes of the different precursors were examined with solution 29Si NMR spectroscopy. The imidization process was investigated using 13C NMR spectroscopy, FT-IR spectroscopy as well as thermal analysis methods. The different precursors were applied to coat fine copper wires using an industrial coating device. The obtained coatings were cured at temperatures between 380 and 425 °C, and tested regarding thicknesses, number of pinholes, electrical breakdown voltage and elongation. FT-IR spectroscopy was used to determine the chemical structure and scanning electron microscopy to investigate the morphology of the coating materials. The obtained coatings showed very promising mechanical, thermal and electrical properties, i.e. highest breakdown voltage values well above 200 V/µm. They possess high flexibility without cracking and no pinholes or other defects were detected.
The adsorption and reaction of the amino acid glycine (NH2-CH2-COOH) are studied experimentally on the polar single crystal surface of zinc oxide, ZnO(000-1), by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) under UV light in presence and absence of molecular O2. Deposition at 350 K mainly resulted in a largely deprotonatedmonolayer (NH2-CH2-COO−(a)+OH(s); where O is surface oxygen,(a)is for adsorbed and(s)is for surface species) identified by its XPS C1s binding energy at 289.3 eV (-COO), 286.7 eV (-CH2-) and XPS O1s at 531.8 eV(-COO). A decrease in the signals of all functional groups of the adsorbed glycine (monitored by their C1s, O1s,and N1s lines) is seen upon UV excitation in the absence and presence of O2pressures up to 5 × 10−6 mbar. The photoreaction cross sections extracted from the decrease in the C1s peaks were found to be =2.6 × 10−18(COO(a)) and 1.4 × 10−18(-CH2-)cm^2. The photoactivity of the ZnO(000-1) surface under UHV-conditions is found to be comparable to that seen in direct photolysis of amino acids in solution.
We argue that effective leadership development should be evidence-based, i.e. that it combines the best available scientific evidence with
research in the specific organizational context. To illustrate our proposition, we report findings from a case study in a multinational organization. The goal was to examine which rater source in the company’s 360 degree feedback would provide the most valid information about leadership competencies. Therefore, we explored relationships between 360 degree ratings and assessment center (AC) ratings of the same leadership competencies (N=151). It was predicted that AC ratings show higher overlap with 360 degree ratings for behaviors that specific rating
sources can more easily observe in the ratees’ work life. Results showed that peers were the most accurate observers of leadership competencies in 360 degree assessments, compared to managers and subordinates. This corroborates our argument for an evidence-based instead of an
intuitive handling of 360 degree feedback results. Practical implications and avenues for future research are discussed.
Efficient tool to calculate two-dimensional optical spectra for photoactive molecular complexes
(2015)
Based on the fact that titanium and titanium alloys have poor fretting fatigue resistance and poor tribological properties, it is necessary to apply some surface engineering methods in order to increase the exploitation characteristics of these materials. One may either implement some surface treatment technologies or even deposit overlay coatings by thermal spraying.
The present study is focused on the achieved properties of the ceramic coatings (Al2O3 + 13 wt.% TiO2) deposited onto a titanium substrate using high velocity oxygen fuel (HVOF) and plasma spraying (APS) respectively.
The effect of the deposition method on the microstructure, phase constituents, and mechanical properties of the ceramic coatings was investigated by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction technique (XRD) and nanoindentation tests. The sliding wear performances of the Al2O3–TiO2 coatings were tested using a pin on disk wear tester.
BACKGROUND: In cartilage repair, scaffold-assisted single-step techniques are used to improve the cartilage regeneration. Nevertheless, the fixation of cartilage implants represents a challenge in orthopaedics, particularly in the moist conditions that pertain during arthroscopic surgery. Within the animal kingdom a broad range of species has developed working solutions to intermittent adhesion under challenging conditions. Using a top-down approach we identified promising mechanisms for biomimetic transfer OBJECTIVE: The tree-frog adhesive system served as a test case to analyze the adhesion capacity of a polyglycolic acid (PGA) scaffold with and without a structural modification in a bovine articular cartilage defect model. METHODS: To this end, PGA implants were modified with a simplified foot-pad structure and evaluated on femoral articular bovine cartilage lesions. Non-structured PGA scaffolds were used as control. Both implants were pressed on 20 mm × 20 mm full-thickness femoral cartilage defects using a dynamometer. RESULTS: The structured scaffolds showed a higher adhesion capacity on the cartilage defect than the non-structured original scaffolds. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that the adhesion ability can be increased by means of biomimetic structured surfaces without the need of additional chemical treatment and thus significantly facilitate primary fixation procedures.
In this study, a novel design concept for PEMFC (polymer electrolytemembrane fuel cell) stacks is presented with singlecells inserted in pockets surrounded by a hydraulic medium. Thehydraulic pressure introduces necessary compression forces to themembrane electrode assembly of each cell within a stack. Moreover, homogeneous cell cooling is achieved by this medium. First,prototypes presented in this work indicate that, upscaling of cells for the novelstack design is possible without significantperformancelosses. Due to its modularity and scalability, this stackdesign meets the requirements for large PEMFC units.
Due to high power density and superior efficiency, polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFC) are believed to play a significant role for carbon dioxide emissions free electrical energy systems in the future. Unlike in Carnot processes, chemical energy in the form of hydrogen and oxygen is converted directly into electrical energy without a further process step. One issue in the development of PEMFCs for mobile or stationary applications is the utilization of rare and expensive catalyst material like platinum within the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) see figure 1. In addition, the objective is to reduce production costs and to increase the lifetime of PEMFC. One approach to improve PEMFCs is the development of intelligent electrode architectures. However, cost effective high performance materials are necessary to reach the development targets.
Patient specific simulation of brain stimulation using the unfitted discontinuous galerkin method
(2015)
We show that strong non-Markovian effects can be revealed by the steady-state two-dimensional (2D) photon echo spectra at asymptotic waiting times. For this, we use a simple dimer toy model that is strongly coupled to a harmonic bath with parameters typical for photoactive biomolecules. We calculate the 2D photon echo spectra employing both the numerically exact hierarchy equation of motion and the quasiadiabatic path integral approach and compare these results with approximate results from a time-nonlocal quantum master equation approach. While the latter correctly reproduces the exact population dynamics at long times, it fails at the same time to correctly describe the 2D photon echo spectra at long waiting times. The differences show that non-Markovian effects are much more important for the steady-state 2D photon echoes than for the equilibrium populations. Thus, accurate theoretical descriptions of the energy transfer dynamics in biomolecular complexes have to be based on numerically exact simulations of the environmental fluctuations when nonlinear response functions are analyzed.
Optimization of the laser remelting process for HVOF-sprayed Stellite 6 wear resistant coatings
(2016)
Cobalt base alloys are used in all industrial areas due to their excellent wear resistance. Several studies have shown that Stellite 6 coatings are suitable not only for protection against sliding wear, but also in case of exposure to impact loading. In this respect, a possible application is the protection of hydropower plant components affected by cavitation. The main problem in connection with Stellite 6 is the deposition procedure of the protective layers, both welding and thermal spraying techniques requesting special measures in order to prevent the brittleness of the coating. In this study, Stellite 6 layers were HVOF thermally sprayed on a martensitic 13-4 stainless steel substrate, as usually used for hydraulic machinery components. In order to improve the microstructure of the HVOF-sprayed coatings and their adhesion to the substrate, laser remelting was applied, using a TRUMPF Laser type HL 124P LCU and different working parameters. The microstructure of the coatings, obtained for various remelting conditions, was evaluated by light microscopy, showing the optimal value of the pulse power, which provided a homogenous Stellite 6 layer with good adhesion to the substrate.
When an open quantum system is driven by an external time-dependent force, the coupling of the driving to the central system is usually included, whereas the impact of the driving field on the bath is neglected. We investigate the effect of a quantum bath of linearly driven harmonic oscillators on the relaxation dynamics of a quantum two-level system which is not directly driven. In particular, we calculate the frequency-dependent response of the system when the bath is subject to Dirac and Gaussian driving pulses. We show that a time-retarded effective force on the system is induced by the driven bath which depends on the full history of the perturbation and the spectral characteristics of the underlying bath. In particular, when a structured Ohmic bath with a pronounced Lorentzian peak is considered, the dynamical response of the system to a driven bath is qualitatively different than that of the undriven bath. Specifically, additional resonances appear which can be directly associated with a Jaynes-Cummings-like effective energy spectrum.
Commonly, nanosystems are characterized by their response to time-dependent external fields in the presence of inevitable environmental fluctuations. The direct impact of the external driving on the environment is generally neglected. While this approach is satisfactory for macroscopic systems, on the nanoscale, an interaction of external fields with the environment is often unavoidable on principle. We extend the standard linear response theory of quantum dissipative systems to strongly driven baths. Significant modifications are found for two paradigm examples. First, we evaluate the polarizability of a molecule immersed in a strongly polarizable medium that responds to terahertz radiation. We find an increase of the molecular polarizability by about 30%. Second, we determine the response of a semiconductor quantum dot in close proximity to a metallic nanoparticle. Both are placed in a polarizable medium and exposed to electromagnetic irradiation. We show that the response of the quantum dot is qualitatively modified by the driven nanoparticle, including the generation of an additional channel of stimulated emission.
We present a scheme for cooling a vibrational mode of a magnetic molecular nanojunction by a spin-polarized charge current upon exploiting the interaction between its magnetic moment and the vibration. The spin-polarized charge current polarizes the magnetic moment of the nanoisland, thereby lowering its energy. A small but finite coupling between the vibration and the magnetic moment permits a direct exchange of energy such that vibrational energy can be transferred into the magnetic state. For positive bias voltages, this generates an effective cooling of the molecular vibrational mode. We determine parameter regimes for the cooling of the vibration to be optimal. Although the flowing charge current inevitably heats up the vibrational mode via Ohmic energy losses, we show that due to the magnetomechanical coupling, the vibrational energy (i.e, the effective phonon temperature) can be lowered below 50% of its initial value, when the two leads are polarized anti-parallel. In contrast to the cooling effect for positive bias voltages, net heating of the vibrational mode occurs for negative bias voltages. The cooling effect is enhanced for a stronger anti-parallel magnetic polarization of the leads, while the heating is stronger for a larger parallel polarization. Yet, dynamical cooling is also possible with parallel lead alignments when the two tunneling barriers are asymmetric.
The two-state two-path model is introduced as a minimized model to describe the quantum dynamics of an electronic wave packet in the vicinity of a conical intersection. It involves two electronic potential energy surfaces each of which hosts a pair of quasi-classical trajectories over which the wave packet is assumed to be delocalized. When both trajectories evolve dynamically either diabatically or adiabatically, the full wave packet dynamics shows only features of the dynamics around avoided level crossings in the vicinity of the conical intersection. When one trajectory evolves adiabatically whereas the other trajectory follows a diabatic evolution, quantum mechanical interference of the wave packet components on each path generates Stueckelberg oscillations in the transition probability. These are surprisingly robust against a dissipative environment and, thus, should be a marker for conical intersections.
In an effort to better understand the various forms of social innovation, mapping has become a common and widely applied method for gaining insights into social innovation practices. The transdisciplinary nature of social innovation research has led to a plurality of distinct approaches and methods. Given the increasing interest in social innovation, and the apparent endeavour among policymakers to utilise social innovation to address current societal challenges, it is argued that mapping efforts need to be streamlined in order to make better use of their results. The article describes 17 ongoing or recently finalised research projects on social innovation and their methodological approaches on “mapping” social innovations. It provides a systematic overview on project objectives, SI definitions and mapping approaches for each of the scrutinised projects and ends with a synoptical analysis on methods, objectives and missing research.
The wireless data logger system “Cor/log® BAN BT” (CL) allows seamless 24/7 monitoring of relevant vital sign parameters. CL covers the entire period of acute point of care inside the hospital and the recovery period, when first mobility is achieved and when the patient is released into an ambulatory or homecare environment. The CL records the relevant vital signs such as ECG, respiration, pulse oximetry with plethysmogram and movement. The vital data collected with the CL data logger is saved on a memory card for further analysis and is simultaneously transmitted in real-time to a telemedicine server via a smartphone or tablet. The smartphone also provides GPS location information. In addition Cor/log View, an Android Application for viewing recorded vital sign data originating from the CL, was developed. CL has also a connector to the generic MedM health cloud. MedM is a generic patient data management system (PDMS) consisting of a cloud portal and a mobile health app. The app runs on Android, iOS and Windows. The app can connects wirelessly to the CL physiologic monitor and stores the vital signs in the cloud.
Carbon Nanofibers (CNF) are considered to be a promising catalyst support material due to their unique characteristics, excellent mechanical, electrical and structural properties, high surface area and nevertheless, good interaction with metallic catalyst particles. The possibility of preparing CNF decorated with platinum by an electrochemical method was tested, using a hexachloroplatinic bath solution. The experiments were carried out with the aid of a Potentiostat/Galvanostat Ivium Technologies Vertex, in a three – electrode cell. The aim of the present work was to determine the electrochemical surface area (ECSA) of the CNF-Pt catalysts in relation to the functionalization treatment of fibers, using an electrochemical method. ECSA for different functionalized CNF-Pt catalysts was determined by cyclic voltammetry in 0.5 M H2SO4 solution. The highest active surface of platinum was obtained for the samples with CNF functionalized by plasma treatment using 80 W for 1800 s. The obtained results correlate very well with the particles size and distribution of platinum, revealed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and the quantity of deposited platinum determined by thermo gravimetrical analysis (TGA) respectively. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) has been proven to be a suitable method for estimation of the ECSA of the electrocatalysts.
In the polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFC) state of the art, rare and expensive platinum group metals (PGM) or PGM alloys are used as catalyst material. Reduction of PGMs in PEMFC electrodes is strongly required to reach cost targets for this technology. An optimal catalyst utilization is achieved in case of nano-structured particles supported on carbon material with a large specific surface area. In this study, graphitic material, in form of carbon nanofibers (CNF), is decorated with Pt particles, serving as catalyst material for PEMFC electrodes with low Pt loading. As a novelty, the effect of oxygen plasma treatment of CNFs previously to platinum particle deposition has been studied. Electrodes are investigated in respect of the optimal morphology, microstructure as well as electrochemical properties. Therefore, samples are characterized by means of scanning electron microscopy combined with energy dispersive X-ray analysis, transmission electron microscopy, thermogravimetry, X-ray diffraction as well as X-ray fluorescence analysis. In order to determine the electrochemical active surface area of catalyst particles, cyclic voltammetry has been performed in 0.5 M sulphuric acid. Selected samples have been investigated in a PEMFC test bench according to their polarization behavior.
In this experimental work polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) electrodes are analysed, which are prepared by the use of two sorts of carbon nano fibres (CNF) serving as support material for platinum nano particles. Those CNFs, which are heat treated subsequently to their production, have a higher graphitisation degree than fibres as produced. The improved graphitisation degree leads to higher electrical conductivity, which is favourably for the use in PEMFC electrodes. Samples have been analysed, in order to determine graphitisation degree, electrical conductivity, as well as morphology and loading of the prepared electro catalyst. Membrane electrode assemblies manufactured from prepared electrodes are analysed in-situ in a PEM fuel cell test environment. It has been determined that power output for samples containing CNFs with higher graphitisation degree is increased by about 13.5%.
Platinum nanoparticles electrodeposition on carbon nanofibers (CNF) support has been performed with the purpose to obtain electrodes that can be further used especially in a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC). A pretreatment of CNF is required in order to enhance the surface energy, which simultaneously improves handling and wettability as well as interaction with the platinum cations. This step was performed using oxygen plasma functionalization. To produce CNF supported Pt catalysts, an electrochemical method was applied and the deposition parameters were adjusted to obtain nanosized platinum particles with a good distribution onto the graphitic surface. The morphology and structure of the obtained particles were investigated by scanning electron microscopy combined with energy dispersive X-Ray spectroscopy. The amount of deposited platinum was established using thermogravimetrical measurements. Cyclic voltammetry performed in 0.5 M H2SO4 solution was applied for determining the electrochemical surface area (ECSA) of the obtained electrodes.The functionalization degree of the CNF outer surface has a strong influence on the structure, distribution and amount of platinum particles. Moreover, the current densities, which were set for the deposition process influenced not only the particles size but also the platinum amount. Applying an oxygen plasma treatment of 80 W for 1800 s, the necessary degree of surface functionalization is achieved in order to deposit the catalyst particles. The best electrodes were prepared using a current density of 50 mA cm-2 during the deposition process that leads to a homogenous platinum distribution with particles size under 80 nm and ECSA over 6 cm2
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