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Paper des Monats
- ja (68)
The genome of the Halomonas elongata type strain DSM 2581, an industrial producer, was reevaluated using the Illumina HiSeq2500 technology. To resolve duplication-associated ambiguities, PCR products were generated and sequenced. Outside of duplications, 72 sequence corrections were required, of which 24 were point mutations and 48 were indels of one or few bases. Most of these were associated with polynucleotide stretches (poly-T stretch overestimated in 19 cases, poly-C underestimated in 15 cases). These problems may be attributed to using 454 technology for original Genome sequencing. On average, the original genome sequence had only one error in 56 kb. There were 23 frameshift error corrections in the 29 protein-coding genes affected by sequence revision. The genome has been subjected to major reannotation in order to substantially increase the annotation quality.
Regelwerke zur zerstörungsfreien Bestimmung des Reinheitsgrades wie das SEP 1927 und die ASTM E588 erreichen ihre Vergleichbarkeit unter Anwendung von - vergleichsweise einfachen - Referenzfehlern. Hinsichtlich Realisierbarkeit wird somit der Kompromiss zwischen Herstellung des Referenzfehlers und der erreichbaren Nachweisgrenze gefunden. Zur Weiterentwicklung über die Grenzen der SEP1927 hinaus, wurde der Versuch unternommen Fehler kleiner 500 μm herzustellen - welche aufgrund der geringen geometrischen Ausdehnung fertigungsbedingt schwierig zu realisieren sind. Bei den vergleichenden Untersuchungen kristallisierten sich zwei Fertigungsverfahren, Funkenerosion (EDM: electrical discharge maching) und die Fertigung der Bohrungen unter Verwendung eines Hochleistungslasers, als vielversprechend heraus. Zunächst wurden die Fehler mit beiden Verfahren in unterschiedlichen Größen (100, 250 und 100 μm) und Tiefen (1, 1,5 und 2 mm) unter Anwendung von computertomographischen Verfahren der Röntgenprüfung, die Geometrie der eingebrachten Fehlstellen und anschließend durch hochauflösende Tauchtechnikmessungen das Reflektionsverhalten charakterisiert.
Obwohl THz-TDS-Systeme vielfältige Qualitätsparameter von Dielektrika ermitteln können, ist deren industrielle Nutzung im Bereich der zerstörungsfreien Bauteilprüfung noch nicht anerkannter Stand der Technik. Ein pragmatischer Weg, TDS-Systeme neben traditionellen Prüfverfahren zu etablieren, sind systematische Untersuchungen an Modellbauteilen, mit dem Ziel einer Methodenentwicklung zur zuverlässigen berührungslosen Prüfung von Dielektrika. Anhand von THz-TDS-Messungen an Polyethylen-Testkörpern mit künstlich eingebauten Fehlstellen werden anfänglich die Möglichkeiten der Laufzeitmessung zur Ermittlung von Tiefenlagen von Ungänzen in Testkörpern präsentiert. Im weitern Teil wird gezeigt, wie durch eine veränderte Versuchsdurchführung und Verwendung eines modifizierten SAFT-Rekonstruktions-Algorithmus Tomogramme berechnet werden können, in denen die künstlich eingebrachten Fehlstellen hinsichtlich ihrer Größe und Lage geometrisch richtig dargestellt werden.
Mit dem KorroPad Verfahren ist es dem Anwender möglich den Zustand der Passivschicht nichtrostender Stähle auf sehr einfache und schnelle Weise einschätzen zu können. Das Verfahren eignet sich dazu, den Grad der Passivität in Abhängigkeit der Umgebungsbedingungen und der Zeit nachzuvollziehen. Dies ermöglicht dem Anwender und Verarbeiter von nichtrostenden Stählen, die Lagerungsbedingungen und -zeiten einer frisch bearbeiteten Stahloberfläche zu ermitteln, welche für die Ausbildung einer stabilen Passivschicht notwendig sind, bevor diese risikoarm eingesetzt werden kann. Wie die hier dargestellten Beispiele und auch weitere zahlreiche praktische Anwendungen gezeigt haben, eignet sich das KorroPad ebenfalls für die Identifikation kritischer Prozessparameter bei der Verarbeitung nichtrostender Stähle. Mit dem Verfahren lassen sich viele rozessbedingte Einflussfaktoren auf die Oberflächengüte wie auch auf den Werkstoff charakterisieren. Aufgrund der schnellen und einfachen Auswertung der Prüfergebnisse können positive wie auch negative Veränderungen hinsichtlich der Passivschichtstabilität zügig erkannt werden. Dies ermöglicht es dem Anwender schnell zu reagieren, um kritische Einflüsse zu korrigieren und um eine Optimierung von Inhouse-Prozessen durchzuführen. Weitere Einsatzgebiete sind im Bereich der Wareneingangs- und/oder Warenausgangskontrolle denkbar, überall wo es um die Frage der Passivschichtstabilität einer nichtrostenden Stahloberfläche geht.
A facile method to probe the vascular permeability of nanoparticles in nanomedicine applications
(2017)
The effectiveness of nanoparticles (NP) in nanomedicine depends on their ability to extravasate from vasculature towards the target tissue. This is determined by their permeability across the endothelial barrier. Unfortunately, a quantitative study of the diffusion permeability coefficients (Pd) of NPs is difficult with in vivo models. Here, we utilize a relevant model of vascular-tissue interface with tunable endothelial permeability in vitro based on microfluidics. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) grown in microfluidic devices were treated with Angiopoietin 1 and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) to vary the Pd of the HUVECs monolayer towards fluorescent polystyrene NPs (pNPs) of different sizes, which was determined from image analysis of their fluorescence intensity when diffusing across the monolayer. Using 70 kDa dextran as a probe, untreated HUVECs yielded a Pd that approximated tumor vasculature while HUVECs treated with 25 μg/mL cAMP had Pd that approximated healthy vasculature in vivo. As the size of pNPs increased, its Pd decreased in tumor vasculature, but remained largely unchanged in healthy vasculature, demonstrating a trend similar to tumor selectivity for smaller NPs. This microfluidic model of vascular-tissue interface can be used in any laboratory to perform quantitative assessment of the tumor selectivity of nanomedicine-based systems.
Development of theranostic concepts that include inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and laser ablation ICP-MS (LA-ICP-MS) imaging can be hindered by the lack of a direct comparison to more standardly used methods for in vitro and in vivo evaluation; e.g. fluorescence or nuclear medicine. In this study a bimodal (or rather, hybrid) tracer that contains both a fluorescent dye and a chelate was used to evaluate the existence of a direct link between mass spectrometry (MS) and in vitro and in vivo molecular imaging findings using fluorescence and radioisotopes. At the same time, the hybrid label was used to determine whether the use of a single isotope label would allow for MS-based diagnostics.
The excitation of localized surface plasmons in noble metal nanoparticles (NPs) results in different nanoscale effects such as electric field enhancement, the generation of hot electrons and a temperature increase close to the NP surface. These effects are typically exploited in diverse fields such as surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS), NP catalysis and photothermal therapy (PTT). Halogenated nucleobases are applied as radiosensitizers in conventional radiation cancer therapy due to their high reactivity towards secondary electrons. Here, we use SERS to study the transformation of 8-bromoadenine (8BrA) into adenine on the surface of Au and AgNPs upon irradiation with a low-power continuous wave laser at 532, 633 and 785 nm, respectively. The dissociation of 8BrA is ascribed to a hot-electron transfer reaction and the underlying kinetics are carefully explored. The reaction proceeds within seconds or even milliseconds. Similar dissociation reactions might also occur with other electrophilic molecules, which must be considered in the interpretation of respective SERS spectra. Furthermore, we suggest that hot-electron transfer induced dissociation of radiosensitizers such as 8BrA can be applied in the future in PTT to enhance the damage of tumor tissue upon irradiation.
Magura Cave, north-western Bulgaria, possesses valuable rock-art paintings made with bat guano and dated from the period between the Eneolithic and Bronze Ages. Since 2008, the Art Gallery is closed to the general public in order to protect the paintings from vandalism, microclimatic changes caused by visitors and artificial illumination, and the consequent growth of fungi and phototrophs. Nevertheless, some tourist visits are allowed under the supervision of cave managers. This study provides the first scientific report on cultivable fungal assemblages dwelling different substrata in the Art Gallery. A total of 78 strains, belonging to 37 OTUs (Ascomycota 81%, Zygomycota 13%, Basidiomycota 5%), were isolated in the study. This fungal diversity was clearly dominated by Penicillium (50% of strains) and Aspergillus (13%). The most relevant visible fungal colonies were detected in sediments rich in bat guano, where, besides Penicillium, other guanophilic fungi such as Mucor, Mortierella, Trichosporon and Trichoderma were dominant. Conversely, scarce fungi were detected on rock surface of painted walls. Based on the biocide susceptibility assay, octylisothiazolinone (OIT) and benzalkonium chloride (BAC) were effective inhibiting the in vitro growth of dominant fungal species in Magura Cave, when applied at concentrations ranged from 100 to 1,000 mg/L. These data provide a valuable knowledge about Magura fungi, and exemplify a type of preliminary test that may be conducted before planning any biocide treatment. However, considering the irreversible effects of biocides on the ecological balance in caves, and the low fungal contamination in painted walls of Magura Cave, there is no reason to use conventional biocides in this cave. Further studies, monitoring microbial communities and microclimatic parameters, should be conducted to improve the knowledge on microbial ecology in Magura Cave and possible human impacts, as well as to allow the early detection of potential microbial outbreaks.
The VSSA approach has the important advantage over classifying, imaging and counting techniques that it does not involve dispersion protocols. Further, the BET technique as the basis for VSSA determination it is in widespread use, generates low costs and is specified for many commercial materials. Finally, the same equipment allows for a deeper analysis by full isotherm evaluation.
The present deliverable assesses all NanoDefine powders, supplemented by further real-world materials (in total 26 powders), and quantitatively compares the relationship between the median size (by Electron Microscopy – considered as benchmark for the EC nanomaterial definition) vs. the size derived from VSSA. The VSSA method mitigates the challenges of EM to assess the thickness of platelets, but worked as well on fibbers and particles of irregular shapes. A screening strategy is proposed. If applied to the further data from real-world materials as validation set, this screening does achieve a correct classification, leaving only borderline materials for tier 2 assessment.
Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) is a well-implemented analytical technique for the investigation of complex biological samples. In MS, the sample preparation strategy is decisive for the success of the measurements. Here, sample preparation processes and target materials for the investigation of different pollen grains are compared. A reduced and optimized sample preparation process prior to MALDI-TOF measurement is presented using conductive carbon tape as target. The application of conductive tape yields in enhanced absolute signal intensities and mass spectral pattern information, which leads to a clear separation in subsequent pattern analysis. The results will be used to improve the taxonomic differentiation and identification, and might be useful for the development of a simple routine method to identify pollen based on mass spectrometry.
Distributed measurement of humidity is a sought-after capability for various fields of application, especially in the civil engineering and structural health monitoring sectors. This article presents a method for distributed humidity sensing along polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) polymer optical fibers (POFs) by analyzing wavelength-dependent Rayleigh backscattering and attenuation characteristics at 500 nm and 650 nm wavelengths. Spatially resolved humidity sensing is obtained from backscatter traces of a dual-wavelength optical time domain reflectometer (OTDR). Backscatter dependence, attenuation dependence as well as the fiber length change are characterized as functions of relative humidity. Cross-sensitivity effects are discussed and quantified. The evaluation of the humidity-dependent backscatter effects at the two wavelength measurements allows for distributed and unambiguous measurement of relative humidity. The technique can be readily employed with low-cost standard polymer optical fibers and commercial OTDR devices.
In granular soils, long-term cyclically loaded structures can lead to an accumulation of irreversible strain by forming closed convective cells in the upper layer of the bedding. The size of the convective cell, its formation and grain migration inside this closed volume have been studied with reference to different stiffness of the embedded structure and different maximum force amplitudes applied at the head of the structure.
This relation was experimentally investigated by applying a cyclic lateral force to a scaled flexible vertical element embedded in a dry granular soil. The model was monitored with a camera in order to derive the displacement field by means of the PIV technique. Furthermore, the ratcheting convective cell was also simulated with DEM with the aim of extracting some micromechanical information. The main results regarded the different development, shape and size of the convection cell and the surface settlements.
Ti-6Al-4V bridges were additively fabricated by selective laser melting (SLM) under different scanning speed conditions, to compare the effect of process energy density on the residual stress state. Subsurface lattice strain characterization was conducted by means of synchrotron diffraction in energy dispersive mode. High tensile strain gradients were found at the frontal surface for samples in an as-built condition. The geometry of the samples promotes increasing strains towards the pillar of the bridges. We observed that the higher the laser energy density during fabrication, the lower the lattice strains. A relief of lattice strains takes place after heat treatment.
The novel heat treatment concept, “quenching and partitioning” (Q&P) has been developed for high strength steels with enhanced formability. This heat treatment involves quenching of austenite to a temperature between martensite start and finish, to receive a several amount of retained austenite. During the subsequent annealing treatment, the so called partitioning, the retained austenite is stabilized due to carbon diffusion, which results in enhanced formability and strength regarding strain induced austenite to martensite transformation. In this study a Q&P heat treatment was applied to a Fe-0.45C-0.65Mn-0.34Si-13.95Cr stainless martensite. Thereby the initial quench end temperature and the partitioning time were varied to characterize their influence on microstructural evolution. The microstructural changes were analysed by dilatometer measurements, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy, including electron backscatter diffraction. Compression testing was made to examine the mechanical behaviour. It was found that an increasing partitioning time up to 30 min leads to an enhanced formability without loss in strength due to a higher amount of stabilized retained and reversed austenite as well as precipitation hardening.
The duplex stainless steel 1.4062 (X2CrNiN22-2) is used as alternative material to austenitic stainless steels in the construction industry. The corrosion resistance of welded seams is influenced by the base material, the weld filler material, the welding process and also by the final surface treatment. The scale layer next to the weld seam can be removed by grinding, pickling, electro-polished or blasting depending on the application and the requested corrosion resistance. Blasted surfaces are often used in industrial practice due to the easier and cheaper manufacturing process compared to pickled or electro-polished surfaces. Furthermore blasting with corundum-grain is more effective than blasting with glass-beads which also lower the process costs. In recent years, stainless steel surfaces showed an unusually high susceptibility to pitting corrosion after grinding with corundum. For this reason, it is now also questioned critically whether the corrosion resistance is influenced by the applied blasting agent. This question was specifically investigated by comparing grinded, pickled, corundum-grain- and glass-bead-blasted welding seams. Results of the SEM analyses of the blasting agents and the blasted surfaces will be presented and correlated with the different performed corrosion tests (potential measurement, KorroPad-test and pitting potential) on welding seams with different surface treatments.
A wide range of aspects concerning microscope slides, their preparation, long-time storage, curatorial measures in collections, deterioration, restoration, and study is summarized based on our own data and by analyzing more than 600 references from the 19th century until 2016, 15 patents, and about 100 Materials Safety Data Sheets. Information from systematic zoology, conservation sciences, chemistry, forensic sciences, pathology, paleopathology, applied sciences like food industry, and most recent advances in digital imaging are put together in order to obtain a better understanding of which and possibly why mounting media and coverslip seals deteriorate, how slides can be salvaged, which studies may be necessary to identify a range of ideal mounting media, and how microscope studies can benefit from improvements in developmental biology and related fields. We also elaborate on confusing usage of concepts like that of maceration and of clearing.
The chemical ingredients of a range of mounting media and coverslip seals are identified as much as possible from published data, but this information suffers in so far as the composition of a medium is often proprietary of the manufacturer and may vary over time. Advantages, disadvantages, and signs of deterioration are documented extensively for these media both from references and from our own observations. It turns out that many media degrade within a few years, or decades at the latest, except Canada balsam with a documented life-time of 150 years, Euparal with a documented life-time of 50 years, and glycerol-paraffin mounts sealed with Glyceel, which represents almost the only non-deteriorating and easily reversible mount. Deterioration reveals itself as a yellowing in natural resins and as cracking, crystallization, shrinkage on drying or possibly on loss of a plasticizer, detachment of the coverslip, segregation of the ingredients in synthetic polymers, as well as continued maceration of a specimen to a degree that the specimen virtually disappears. Confusingly, decay does not always appear equally within a collection of slides mounted at the same time in the same medium. The reasons for the deteriorative processes have been discussed but are controversial especially for gum-chloral media. Comparing data from conservation sciences, chemical handbooks, and documented ingredients, we discuss here how far chemical and physical deterioration probably are inherent to many media and are caused by the chemical and physical properties of their components and by chemicals dragged along from previous preparation steps like fixation, chemical maceration, and physical clearing. Some recipes even contain a macerating agent, which proceeds with its destructive work. We provide permeability data for oxygen and water vapor of several polymers contained in mounting media and coverslip seals. Calculation of the penetration rate of moisture in one example reveals that water molecules reach a specimen within a few days up to about a month; this lays to rest extensive discussions about the permanent protection of a mounted specimen by a mounting medium and a coverslip seal.
Based on the ever growing evidence of the unsuitable composition and application of many, and possibly almost all, mounting media, we strongly encourage changing the perspective on microscope slides from immediate usability and convenience of preparation towards durability and reversibility, concepts taken from conservation sciences. Such a change has already been suggested by Upton (1993) more than 20 years ago for gum-chloral media, but these media are still encouraged nowadays by scientists. Without a new perspective, taxonomic biology will certainly lose a large amount of its specimen basis for its research within the next few decades. Modern non-invasive techniques like Raman spectroscopy may help to identify mounting media and coverslip seals on a given slide as well as to understand ageing of the media. An outlook is given on potential future studies.
In order to improve the situation of existing collections of microscope slides, we transfer concepts as per the Smithsonian Collections Standards and Profiling System, developed for insect collections more than 25 years ago, to collections of slides. We describe historical and current properties and usage of glass slides, coverslips, labels, and adhesives under conservational aspects. In addition, we summarize and argue from published and our own experimental information about restorative procedures, including re-hydration of dried-up specimens previously mounted in a fluid medium. Alternatives to microscope slides are considered. We also extract practical suggestions from the literature concerning microscope equipment, cleaning of optical surfaces, health risks of immersion oil, and recent improvements of temporary observation media especially in connection with new developments in digital software.
Um den wachsenden Anforderungen an den stofflichen und konstruktiven Leichtbau sowie den Forderungen nach Ressourceneffizienz Rechnung zu tragen, werden in vielen Industriebranchen zunehmend höherfeste Feinkornbaustähle mit Streckgrenzen ≥ 690 MPa eingesetzt. Allerdings werden mit zunehmender Festigkeit deutlich höhere Anforderungen an deren schweißtechnische Verarbeitung gestellt. Weil gerade die Sensibilität gegenüber einer Degradation der mechanischen Eigenschaften der höherfesten Feinkornbaustähle durch den beim Schweißen aufgenommenen Wasserstoff mit steigender Festigkeit zunimmt, ist auf eine geeignete Wärmeführung zu achten. Für konventionelle MAG-Schweißprozesse liegen bereits Erfahrungen und Regelwerke zur Wärmeführung und entsprechende Wasserstoffgrenzwerte vor. Moderne Invertertechnik ermöglichte die Entwicklung modifizierter Sprühlichtbögen (mod. SLB). Im Vergleich zu konventionellen Lichtbogenprozessen wird ein äußerst kurzer und richtungsstabiler Lichtbogen, eine höhere Abschmelzleistung, ein größerer Kontaktrohrabstand und ein tieferer Einbrand realisiert. Neben den bekannten Vorteilen lassen außerdem reduzierte mögliche Nahtöffnungswinkel einen anderen Lagenaufbau und unterschiedliche Geometrien der einzelnen Schweißraupen erwarten. Jedoch fehlen hierzu Aussagen über den schweißverfahrensspezifisch eingetragenen Wasserstoff und die damit einhergehende Kaltrissgefahr. Hierzu lagen in der Industrie, besonders bei den KMU, kaum Kenntnisse vor und sollten deshalb als Ziel dieses Forschungsprojektes erarbeitet werden.
Die vergleichenden Untersuchungen mit konventionellem Übergangslichtbogen und mod. SLB mit angepasster Nahtkonfiguration erfolgten an freischrumpfenden Stumpfstoßverbindungen sowohl mit Massivdraht als auch Metallpulverfülldraht. Zur Durchführung der Untersuchungen wurde eine Methodik entwickelt, die es ermöglicht, im Schweißgut realer Verbindungsschweißungen die Wasserstoffkonzentration reproduzierbar zu bestimmen. Anhand der Analysen konnte gezeigt werden, dass die Schweißprozessparameter die in das Schweißgut eingebrachte Wasserstoffkonzentration in Einlagenschweißungen beeinflussen. Auch beim Mehrlagenschweißen gestaltet sich der Wasserstoffeintrag abhängig von den Schweißprozessparametern und ist auf den unterschiedlichen Lagenaufbau zurückzuführen. Grundsätzlich ist den erarbeiteten Ergebnissen zu entnehmen, dass im Schweißgut von Stumpfstoßverbindungen mit abgesenktem Nahtöffnungswinkel erhöhte mittlere Wasserstoffkonzentrationen existieren. Außerdem beinhalten Schweißgüter aus Metallpulverfülldraht höhere Wasserstoffmengen als Massivdrahtschweißungen. Geeignete Wärmeführungen führten zu einer signifikanten Reduzierung der Wasserstoffkonzentration bei dem Einsatz der Nahtkonfiguration mit abgesenktem Nahtöffnungswinkel. Dabei erwies sich eine Nachwärmprozedur aus der Schweißwärme heraus als zielführend. Die Vorstellung von Zwischenergebnissen in Normungsgremien erfolgten, um mittelfristig vor allem den KMU eine sichere Verarbeitung höherfester Feinkornbaustähle zu ermöglichen.
Die dargestellten Ergebnisse stellen einen wichtigen Beitrag zur sicheren Auslegung von Schweißkonstruktionen aus höherfestem Feinkornbaustahl dar und ermöglichen den KMU die technischen und wirtschaftlichen Vorteile der mod. SLB-Prozesse auszunutzen sowie unter Berücksichtigung der wasserstoffunterstützten Kaltrissbildung kostenintensive Nacharbeiten zu reduzieren.
The mechanochemical Knoevenagel condensation of malononitrile with p-nitrobenzaldehyde was studied in situ using a tandem approach. X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy were combined to yield time-resolved information on the milling process. Under solvent-free conditions, the reaction leads to a quantitative conversion to p-nitrobenzylidenemalononitrile within 50 minutes. The in situ data indicate that the process is fast and proceeds under a direct conversion. After stopping the milling process, the reaction continues until complete conversion. The continuous and the stopped milling process both result in crystalline products suitable for single crystal X-ray diffraction.
Approximation of the crack driving force for cracks at notches under static and cyclic loading
(2017)
The work deals with the efficient calculation of the elastic-plastic crack driving force (J-integral for monotonic loading andΔJ-integral under cyclic loading) for short cracks at notches as essential parameter for the reliable static and fatigue assessment of notched structures. The J- or ΔJ-integral is calculated based on analytical solutions for stress intensity factors, estimated by means of well-known weight function solutions in the case of cracks under power-law stress distributions. A plasticity-correction function is applied to the stress intensity factors to obtain the final expression of the crack driving force. The comparison between analytical solutions and finite element calculations in case of cracks at the weld toe in welded joints shows good agreement.
Unity in defence: honeybee workers exhibit conserved molecular responses to diverse pathogens
(2017)
Background: Organisms typically face infection by diverse pathogens, and hosts are thought to have developed specific responses to each type of pathogen they encounter. The advent of transcriptomics now makes it possible to test this hypothesis and compare host gene expression responses to multiple pathogens at a genome-wide scale. Here, we performed a meta-analysis of multiple published and new transcriptomes using a newly developed bioinformatics approach that filters genes based on their expression profile across datasets. Thereby, we identified common and unique molecular responses of a model host species, the honey bee (Apis mellifera), to its major pathogens and parasites: the Microsporidia Nosema apis and Nosema ceranae, RNA viruses, and the ectoparasitic mite Varroa destructor, which transmits viruses.
Results: We identified a common suite of genes and conserved molecular pathways that respond to all investigated pathogens, a result that suggests a commonality in response mechanisms to diverse pathogens. We found that genes differentially expressed after infection exhibit a higher evolutionary rate than non-differentially expressed genes. Using our new bioinformatics approach, we unveiled additional pathogen-specific responses of honey bees; we found that apoptosis appeared to be an important response following microsporidian infection, while genes from the immune signalling pathways, Toll and Imd, were differentially expressed after Varroa/virus infection. Finally, we applied our bioinformatics approach and generated a gene co-expression network to identify highly connected (hub) genes that may represent important mediators and regulators of anti-pathogen responses.
Conclusions: Our meta-analysis generated a comprehensive overview of the host metabolic and other biological processes that mediate interactions between insects and their pathogens. We identified key host genes and pathways that respond to phylogenetically diverse pathogens, representing an important source for future functional studies as well as offering new routes to identify or generate pathogen resilient honey bee stocks. The statistical and bioinformatics approaches that were developed for this study are broadly applicable to synthesize information across transcriptomic datasets. These approaches will likely have utility in addressing a variety of biological questions.
Bees are considered to be threatened globally, with severe overwinter losses of the most important commercial pollinator, the Western honeybee, a major concern in the Northern Hemisphere. Emerging infectious diseases have risen to prominence due to their temporal correlation with colony losses. Among these is Deformed wing virus (DWV), which has been frequently linked to colony mortality. We now provide evidence of a strong statistical association between overwintering colony decline in the field and the presence of DWV genotype-B (DWV-B), a genetic variant of DWV that has recently been shown to be more virulent than the original DWV genotype-A. We link the prevalence of DWV-B directly to a quantitative measure of overwinter decline (workforce mortality) of honeybee colonies in the field. We demonstrate that increased prevalence of virus infection in individual bees is associated with higher overwinter mortality. We also observed a substantial reduction of infected colonies in the spring, suggesting that virus-infected individuals had died during the winter. Our findings demonstrate that DWV-B, plus possible A/B recombinants exhibiting DWV-B at PCR primer binding sites, may be a major cause of elevated overwinter honeybee loss. Its potential emergence in naïve populations of bees may have far-reaching ecological and economic impacts.
Avoiding aerial microfibre contamination of environmental samples is essential for reliable analyses when it comes to the detection of ubiquitous microplastics. Almost all laboratories have contamination problems which are largely unavoidable without investments in clean-air devices. Therefore, our study supplies an approach to assess background microfibre contamination of samples in the laboratory under particle-free air conditions. We tested aerial contamination of samples indoor, in a mobile laboratory, within a laboratory fume hood and on a clean bench with particles filtration during the examining process of a fish. The used clean bench reduced aerial microfibre contamination in our laboratory by 96.5%. This highlights the value of suitable clean-air devices for valid microplastic pollution data. Our results indicate, that pollution levels by microfibres have been overestimated and actual pollution levels may be many times lower. Accordingly, such clean-air devices are recommended for microplastic laboratory applications in future research work to significantly lower error rate
Advanced structural characterisation techniques which are rapid to use, non-destructive and structurally definitive on the nanoscale are in demand, especially for a detailed understanding of extended-defects and their influence on the properties of materials. We have applied the electron
backscatter diffraction (EBSD) technique in a scanning electron microscope to non-destructively
characterise and quantify antiphase domains (APDs) in GaP thin films grown on different (001)Si substrates with different offcuts. We were able to image and quantify APDs by relating the asymmetrical intensity distributions observed in the EBSD patterns acquired experimentally and comparing the same with the dynamical electron diffraction simulations. Additionally mean angular error maps were also plotted using automated cross-correlation based approaches to image APDs.
Samples grown on substrates with a 4° offcut from the [110] do not show any APDs, whereas samples grown on the exactly oriented substrates contain APDs. The procedures described in our work can be
adopted for characterising a wide range of other material systems possessing non-centrosymmetric point groups.
This paper is concerned with the inverse identification of the stress state in axially loaded slender members of iron and steel truss structures using measured dynamic data. A methodology is proposed based on the finite element model updating coupled with nature-inspired optimization techniques, in particular the particle swarm optimization. The numerical model of truss structures is calibrated using natural frequencies and mode shapes from vibration tests, as well as additional information of the axial forces in selected truss members based on the experimentally identified modal parameters. The results of the identification are the axial forces or corresponding stresses in truss structures and the joint rigidity in relation to pinned and rigid conditions. Attention is given to several examined aspects, including the effects of the axial tensile and compressive forces on the dynamic responses of trusses, mode pairing criteria, as well as modeling assumptions of joints and the use of a joint rigidity parameter. Considering the pairing of modes, it is performed by adapting an enhanced modal assurance criterion that allows the selection of desired clusters of degrees-of-freedom. Thus, information extracted from the measurements related to specific modes is utilized in a more beneficial way. For modeling of joints, the numerical model of a truss structure includes rotational springs of variable stiffness to represent semi-rigid connections. Moreover, a fixity factor is introduced for practical estimation of the joint flexibility. The effectiveness of the proposed methodology is demonstrated by case studies involving simulated and laboratory experimental data.
Radiation-induced attenuation of perfluorinated polymer optical fibers for radiation monitoring
(2017)
Due to some of their unique properties, optical fiber dosimeters are attractive and extensively researched devices in several radiation-related areas. This work evaluates the Performance and potential of commercial perfluorinated polymer optical fibers (PF-POFs) for radiation Monitoring applications. Gamma radiation-induced attenuation (RIA) of two commercial PF-POFs is evaluated in the VIS spectral region. Influence of a dose rate and temperature on RIA measurement is investigated, along with defect stability and measurement repeatability. Co-extruded PF-POFs are identified as more suitable for radiation monitoring applications due to lower dose-rate dependence.
With co-extruded PF-POF, RIA measurement holds potential for highly-sensitive radiation Monitoring with good reproducibility. The results show that operation in the blue part of the spectrum provides most favorable performance in terms of the largest nominal Radiation sensitivity, lower temperature, and dose-rate dependence as well as higher defect stability. We demonstrate for the first time to our knowledge, that PF-POFs can be used for distributed detection of radiation with doses down to tens of Grays. The off-the-shelf, user-friendly PF-POF could be of interest as a cheap, disposable sensor for various applications, especially of a more qualitative nature.
Discoloration Effects of High-Dose gamma-Irradiation and Long-Term Thermal Aging of (U) HMW-PE
(2017)
Two polyethylene types with ultra-high (UHMWPE) and high molecular weight (HMW-PE) used as neutron radiation shielding materials in casks for radioactive waste were irradiated with doses up to 600 kGy using a 60Co gammasource. Subsequently, thermal aging at 125∘C was applied for up to one year. Degradation effects in the materials were characterized using colorimetry, UV-Visspectroscopy, IR spectroscopy, and DSC. Both materials exhibited a yellowing upon irradiation.The discoloration of UHMW-PE disappeared again after thermal aging.Therefore, the yellowing is assumed to originate fromannealable color centers in the formof free radicals that are trapped in the crystalline regions of the polymer and recombine at elevated temperatures. For the antioxidantcontaining HMWPE, yellowing was observed after both irradiation and thermal aging. The color change was correlated mainly to decomposition products of the antioxidant in addition to trapped radicals as in UHMW-PE. Additionally, black spots appeared after thermal aging of HMW-PE.
Environmental and sustainable economical concerns are generating a growing interest in biofuels predominantly produced from biomass. It would be ideal if an energy conversion device could directly extract energy from a sustainable energy resource such as biomass. Unfortunately, up to now, such a direct conversion device produces insufficient power to meet the demand of practical applications. To realize the future of biofuel-fed fuel cells as a green energy conversion device, efforts have been devoted to the development of carbon-based nanomaterials with tunable electronic and surface characteristics to act as efficient metal-free electrocatalysts and/or as supporting matrix for metal-based electrocatalysts. We present here a mini review on the recent advances in carbon-based catalysts for each type of biofuel-fed/biofuel cells that directly/indirectly extract energy from biomass resources, and discuss the challenges and perspectives in this developing field
Miniaturized pacemakers with a surface consisting of a Ti alloy may have to be removed after several years from their implantation site in the heart and shall, therefore, not be completely overgrown by cells or tissue. A method to avoid this may be to create at the surface by laser-ablation self-organized sharp conical spikes, which provide too little surface for cells (i.e., fibroblasts) to grow on. For this purpose, Ti-alloy substrates were irradiated in the air by 790 nm Ti:sapphire femtosecond laser pulses at fluences above the ablation threshold. The laser irradiation resulted in pronounced microstructure formation with hierarchical surface morphologies. Murine fibroblasts were seeded onto the laser-patterned surface and the coverage by cells was evaluated after 3–21 days of cultivation by means of scanning electron microscopy. Compared to flat surfaces, the cell density on the microstructures was significantly lower, the coverage was incomplete, and the cells had a clearly different morphology. The best results regarding suppression of cell growth were obtained on spike structures which were additionally electrochemically oxidized under acidic conditions. Cell cultivation with additional shear stress could reduce further the number of adherent cells.
Sowohl die 3D-Formbestimmung als auch die Thermografie sind Verfahren der Qualitätssicherung. Im vorgestellten Projekt wird versucht, die beiden Methoden zusammenzuführen.
Das Prinzip des für die Formbestimmung verwendeten 3D-Scanners beruht auf dem bereits bekannten Verfahren der Streifenlichtprojektion. Die Neuartigkeit des hier verwendeten 3D-Scanners besteht darin, dass nicht im sichtbaren, sondern im infraroten Spektralbereich gearbeitet wird. Dadurch wird es möglich, nicht die Reflexion, sondern die Wärmestrahlung des Prüfobjektes nach Absorption der eingebrachten Strahlung auszuwerten. Dies ermöglicht, auch optisch „nicht-kooperative“ Oberflächen zu erfassen. Die Anregung mit Wärmestrahlung stellt das Bindeglied zum Verfahren der aktiven Thermografie für die Detektion verdeckter Schäden dar. Bei letzterem Verfahren wird der Wärmestau über Defekten beim Eindringen der Wärme in die Tiefe des Materials gemessen. Dabei stellen Defekte eine Störung des 3D-Scan-Verfahrens dar, während umgekehrt unregelmäßig geformte Oberflächen das thermografische Verfahren erschweren, d.h. der Messeffekt eines der Verfahren ist ein Störeffekt für das jeweils andere Verfahren.
Es wird zum einen der Frage nachgegangen, inwieweit das 3D-Scan-Verfahren durch verdeckte thermische Defekte beeinträchtigt wird, und zum anderen die Möglichkeit untersucht, den vorhandenen 3D-Scanner auch für die aktive Thermografie einzusetzen. Es werden CFK-Proben mit künstlich eingebrachten thermischen Defekten untersucht und die Möglichkeiten und Grenzen der vorhandenen Messapparatur für die Defekterkennung aufgezeigt.
The use of novel multi-scale correlative methods, which involve the coordinated characterisation of matter across a range of length scales, are becoming of increasing value to materials scientists. Here, we describe for the first time how a multi-scale correlative approach can be used to investigate the nature of ductile fracture in metals. Specimens of a nuclear pressure vessel steel, SA508 Grade 3, are examined following ductile fracture using medium and high-resolution 3D X-ray computed tomography (CT) analyses, and a site-specific analysis using a dual beam plasma focused ion beam scanning electron microscope (PFIB-SEM). The methods are employed sequentially to characterise damage by void nucleation and growth in one volume of interest, allowing for the imaging of voids that ranged in size from less than 100 nm to over 100 mm. This enables the examination of voids initiated at carbide particles to be detected, as well as the large voids initiated at inclusions. We demonstrate that this multi-scale correlative approach is a powerful tool, which not only enhances our understanding of ductile failure through detailed characterisation of microstructure, but also provides quantitative information about the size, volume fractions and spatial distributions of voids that can be used to inform models of failure. It isfound that the vast majority of large voids nucleated at MnS inclusions, and that the volume of a void varied according to the volume of its initiating inclusion raised to the power 3/2. The most severe voiding was concentrated within 500 mm of the fracture surface, but measurable damage was found to extend to a depth of at least 3 mm. Microvoids associated with carbides (carbide-initiated voids) were found to be concentrated around larger inclusion-initiated voids at depths of at least 400 mm. Methods for quantifying X-ray CT void data are discussed, and a procedure for using this data to calibrate parameters in the Gurson-Tvergaard Needleman (GTN) model for ductile failure is also introduced.
The Cambrian explosion, the rapid appearance of most animal phyla in the geological record, occurred concurrently with bottom seawater oxygenation. Whether this oxygenation Event was triggered through enhanced nutrient supply and organic carbon burial forced by increased continental weathering, or by species engaging in ecosystem engineering, remains a fundamental yet unresolved question. Here we provide evidence for several simultaneous developments that took place over the Ediacaran–Cambrian transition: expansion of siliceous sponges, decrease of the dissolved organic carbon pool, enhanced organic carbon burial, increased phosphorus removal and seawater oxygenation. This evidence is based on Silicon and carbon stable isotopes, Ge/Si ratios, REE-geochemistry and redox-sensitive elements in a chert-shale succession from the Yangtze Platform, China. According to this reconstruction, sponges have initiated seawater oxygenation by redistributing organic carbon oxidation through filtering suspended organic matter from seawater. The resulting increase in dissolved oxygen levels potentially triggered the diversification of eumetazoans.
Measurements of downburst wind loading acting on an overhead transmission line in Northern Germany
(2017)
Along an overhead transmission line in Northern Germany, a unique instrumentation of anemometers and force measurements is installed. Details of this test line with wind measurements along a horizontal axis are given. A recent event of a presumable downburst wind event is analyzed by means of available data and precedent works on thunderstorm analysis. The measured response of the conductors at the suspension tower is investigated and compared with time domain simulation of a finite element model.
We analyse the signal formation process for scanning electron microscopic imaging applications on crystalline specimens. In accordance with previous investigations, we find nontrivial effects of incident beam diffraction on the backscattered electron distribution in energy and momentum. Specifically, incident beam diffraction causes angular changes of the backscattered electron distribution which we identify as the dominant mechanism underlying pseudocolour orientation imaging using multiple, angle-resolving detectors. Consequently, diffraction effects of the incident beam and their impact on the subsequent coherent and incoherent electron transport need to be taken into account for an in-depth theoretical modelling of the energy- and momentum distribution of electrons backscattered from crystalline sample regions. Our findings have implications for the level of theoretical detail that can be necessary for the interpretation of complex imaging modalities such as electron channelling contrast imaging (ECCI) of defects in crystals. If the solid angle of detection is limited to specific regions of the backscattered electron momentum distribution, the image contrast that is observed in ECCI and similar applications can be strongly affected by incident beam diffraction and topographic effects from the sample surface. As an application, we demonstrate characteristic changes in the resulting images if different properties of the backscattered electron distribution are used for the analysis of a GaN thin film sample containing dislocations.
Ancient papyri are a written heritage of culture that flourished more than 3000 years ago in Egypt. One of the most significant collections in the world is housed in the Egyptian Museum and Papyrus Collection in Berlin, from where the samples for our investigation come. The papyrologists, curators and conservators of such collections search intensely for the analytical detail that would allow ancient papyri to be distinguished from modern fabrications, in order to detect possible forgeries, assess papyrus deterioration state, and improve the design of storage conditions and conservation methods. This has become the aim of our investigation. The samples were studied by a number of methods, including spectroscopic (FTIR, fluorescent-FS, Raman) diffractional (XRD) and chromatographic (size exclusion chromatography-SEC), selected in order to determine degradation parameters: overall oxidation of lignocellulosic material, degree of polymerization and crystallinity of cellulose. The results were correlated with those obtained from carefully selected model samples including modern papyri and paper of different composition aged at elevated temperature in humid air. The methods were classified in the order SEC > FS > FTIR > XRD, based on their effectiveness in discriminating the state of papyri degradation. However, the most trustworthy evaluation of the age of papyri samples should rely on several methods.
The order Chaetothyriales (Pezizomycotina, Ascomycetes) harbours obligatorily melanised fungi and includes numerous etiologic agents of chromoblastomycosis, phaeohyphomycosis and other diseases of vertebrate hosts. Diseases range from mild cutaneous to fatal cerebral or disseminated infections and affect humans and cold-blooded animals globally. In addition, Chaetothyriales comprise species with aquatic, rock-inhabiting, ant-associated, and mycoparasitic life-styles, as well as species that tolerate toxic compounds, suggesting a high degree of versatile extremotolerance. To understand their biology and divergent niche occupation, we sequenced and annotated a set of 23 genomes of main the human opportunists within the Chaetothyriales as well as related environmental species. Our analyses included fungi with diverse life-styles, namely opportunistic pathogens and closely related saprobes, to identify genomic adaptations related to pathogenesis. Furthermore, ecological preferences of Chaetothyriales were analysed, in conjuncture with the order-level phylogeny based on conserved ribosomal genes. General characteristics, phylogenomic relationships, transposable elements, sex-related genes, protein family evolution, genes related to protein degradation (MEROPS), carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes), melanin synthesis and secondary metabolism were investigated and compared between species. Genome assemblies varied from 25.81 Mb (Capronia coronata) to 43.03 Mb (Cladophialophora immunda). The bantiana-clade contained the highest number of predicted genes (12 817 on average) as well as larger genomes. We found a low content of mobile elements, with DNA transposons from Tc1/Mariner superfamily being the most abundant across analysed species. Additionally, we identified a reduction of carbohydrate degrading enzymes, specifically many of the Glycosyl Hydrolase (GH) class, while most of the Pectin Lyase (PL) genes were lost in etiological agents of chromoblastomycosis and phaeohyphomycosis. An expansion was found in protein degrading peptidase enzyme families S12 (serine-type D-Ala-D-Ala carboxypeptidases) and M38 (isoaspartyl dipeptidases). Based on genomic information, a wide range of abilities of melanin biosynthesis was revealed; genes related to metabolically distinct DHN, DOPA and pyomelanin pathways were identified. The MAT (MAting Type) locus and other sexrelated genes were recognized in all 23 black fungi. Members of the asexual genera Fonsecaea and Cladophialophora appear to be heterothallic with a single copy of either MAT-1-1 or MAT-1-2 in each individual. All Capronia species are homothallic as both MAT1-1 and MAT1-2 genes were found in each single genome. The genomic synteny of the MAT-locus flanking genes (SLA2-APN2-COX13) is not conserved in black fungi as is commonly observed in Eurotiomycetes, indicating a unique genomic context for MAT in those species. The heterokaryon (het) genes expansion associated with the low selective pressure at the MAT-locus suggests that a parasexual cycle may play an important role in generating diversity among those fungi.
X-ray tomography characterisation of lattice structures processed by selective electron beam melting
(2017)
Metallic lattice structures intentionally contain open porosity; however, they can also contain unwanted closed porosity within the structural members. The entrained porosity and defects within three different geometries of Ti-6Al-4V lattices, fabricated by Selective Electron Beam Melting (SEBM), is assessed from X-ray computed tomography (CT) scans. The results suggest that horizontal struts that are built upon loose powder show particularly high (~20 x 10⁻³ vol %) levels of pores, as do nodes at which many (in our case 24) struts meet. On the other hand, for struts more closely aligned (0° to 54°) to the build direction, the fraction of porosity appears to be much lower (~0.17 x 10⁻³%) arising mainly from pores contained within the original atomised powder particles.
The vast experience with the automated, ultrasonic system for the inspection of hollow railway axles used by Deutsche Bahn shows that much smaller flaws are detectable than required. This results in a number of false calls. False calls lead to unnecessary demounting and disassembling of wheelsets, which generates unnecessary additional costs. In order to adjust the sensitivity of the inspection system to reduce the number of false calls without compromising safety, the capability of the system to detect cracks needs to be comprehensively established. This capability can be quantified by using probability of detection (POD) curves for the system. The multi-parameter POD model makes it possible to include several factors that influence the crack detection in the analysis. The analysis presented in this paper shows that crack position, orientation, depth extension, and shape as well as the geometry of the axle all have influence on the ultrasonic response amplitude. For future work, calculation of the POD using multi-parameter POD model with these parameters is planned.
This contribution presents some principles and some examples of the mitigation of railway-induced ground vibrations. The principles are different for the mitigation measures at the track, in the soil or at the building. Force transfer functions of isolated and un-isolated track-soil systems, reflected and transmitted wave amplitudes at walls and trenches in the soil, and the transfer of the (free-field) vibration amplitudes to the foundation amplitudes of the building are analysed. The mitigation effect can be calculated by exact or simplified formulas. Some examples with 3D (finite-element boundary-element), 2D (beam-on-support), and 1D track models, 2D and 1D soil models, detailed 3D building models and finite or infinite 1D wall-floor models are investigated to find out if simple models can be used for a satisfactory prediction of the mitigation effect. The 1D track examples show that the force transfer of the track without vehicle can be exactly calculated, whereas the total force transfer can be calculated approximately if appropriate wheelset masses per track length are used for the isolated and the un-isolated track. The mitigation effect of a filled trench is calculated by a 2D finite element model and the results compare with simple transmission formula if the stiffness per area rather than the wave impedances are used for the infill material. The base isolation of a building is analysed by a detailed 3D model and the results are similar to the analytic results of a single wall with floors on the soil. Other reduction measures as different floor and column dimensions are usually less effective so that the clearly best mitigation solution at a building is a partly or a complete base isolation.
Measurements on the vehicle-track interaction and the excitation of railway-induced ground vibration
(2017)
Two railway measurement campaigns have been performed in Germany and Switzerland which yield insight in the vehicle-track-soil interaction. The campaign in Germany has included simultaneous measurement of vehicle, track, and soil vibrations during train runs with 16, 25, 40, 63, 80, 100, 125, 140, 160 km/h, and impulse measurements of the passenger car, three track sections and the soil. Two ballast tracks, one on the soil surface and one on a concrete bridge, have been investigated as well as a slab track in a tunnel. Ten different sites in Switzerland have been measured for soil properties and train-induced ground vibrations, which allow to determine the excitation forces of the railway traffic. New axle-box measurements at some of the Swiss sites have been analysed to get further experimental evidence. All these measurements have been evaluated to characterize the excitation processes. Relations between vehicle vibration and ground vibration can be observed. The vehicle vibrations, namely the accelerations of the wheelsets, yield the dynamic forces due to the passage over the irregularities of the vehicle and the track. The ground vibrations are correlated to these dynamic forces to a certain extent. Some mid-frequency ground vibration amplitudes, however, are higher than expected from the dynamic excitation forces. The experimental observations can be explained by an irregular response to the passage of the static loads, that means the passage of the static loads over an irregular ballast or soil. This correct understanding of the excitation processes is important for the prediction as well as for the mitigation of railway induced ground vibrations.
Im EMRP-Projekt VITCEA werden komplementäre ZFP-Verfahren zur Prüfung von Faserverbundwerkstoffen weiterentwickelt und validiert. In diesem Beitrag werden Ergebnisse verschiedener Techniken der aktiven Thermografie und des Ultraschalls vorgestellt. Die Nachweisempfindlichkeiten bezüglich künstlicher und natürlicher Fehler mit unterschiedlichen lateralen Ausdehnungen und in verschiedenen Tiefen werden miteinander verglichen.
A complex measuring campaign has been performed including the simultaneous measurement of vehicle, track, and soil vibrations during train runs at 16, 25, 40, 63, 80, 100, 125, 140, 160 km/h, and impulse measurements of the passenger car, three track sections and the soil. A ballast track on the soil surface and on a concrete bridge have been investigated as well as a slab track in a tunnel. The evaluation and comparison of all these data shows a generally good agreement for all components if the strong low- and high-frequency cut-off characteristics of the layered and damped soil are incorporated. There is a strong causal correlation between the vehicle and the soil by the dynamic excitation forces and a weak relation between the track and the soil by the axle-sequence spectrum of the train. However, the similarity between the axle-impulse spectrum observed at the track and the spectra of the ground vibration lead to the special excitation component of “scattered axle impulses” which is pre-dominant at the far-field points of the soil.
The choice of a pure cohesive or a pure frictional viscoplastic model to represent the rheological behaviour of a flowslide is of paramount importance in order to obtain accurate results for real cases. The principal Goal of the present work is to clarify the influence of the type of viscous model—pure cohesive versus pure frictional—with the numerical reproduction of two different real flowslides that occurred in 1966: the Aberfan flowslide and the Gypsum tailings impoundment flowslide. In the present work, a depth-integrated model based on the v-pw Biot–Zienkiewicz formulation, enhanced with a diffusion-like equation to account for the pore pressure Evolution within the soil mass, is applied to both 1966 cases. For the Aberfan flowslide, a frictional viscous model based on Perzyna viscoplasticity is considered, while a pure cohesive viscous model (Bingham model) is considered for the case of the Gypsum flowslide. The numerical approach followed is the SPH method, which has been enriched by adding a 1D finite difference grid to each SPH node in order to improve the description of the pore water evolution in the propagating mixture. The results obtained by the performed simulations are in agreement with the documentation obtained through the UK National Archive (Aberfan flowslide) and the International Commission of large Dams (Gypsum flowslide).
Magnetic iron oxide nanoparticle clusters (mnpc) coated with organic stabilizers were investigated using scanning transmission x-ray microscopy (STXM). Simultaneous surface and bulk sensitive Fe L₃ edge absorption spectra, obtained using a photomultiplier tube and a channeltron, were used to detect subtle changes in the oxidation state in the surface and bulk of Iron Oxide mnpc. The effectiveness of this mode of STXM operation is demonstrated for these nanoparticle clusters.
Die Größenbewertung von Anzeigen und die Bestimmung der Nachweisgrenze spielen bei der Ultraschallprüfung eine zentrale Rolle: Sie stellen sicher, dass kritische Ungänzen erfasst und bruchmechanisch behandelt werden können.
Bei SAFT wurde bisher die Größe von Ungänzen dadurch bestimmt, dass die räumliche Anzeigenausdehnung im Rekonstruktionsergebnis ausgewertet wird, d.h. die Anzahl von Voxel über die sich eine Anzeige erstreckt. Auf diese Weise lassen sich jedoch nur Defektanzeigen bewerten, die größer oder gleich der Wellenlänge sind. Bei kleinen Defekten versagt diese Methode, d.h. es ist keine Größenbewertung möglich. Außerdem bietet diese Methode keine Aussage über die Nachweisgrenze des Verfahrens.
Ein Hauptvorteil von SAFT gegenüber der konventionellen Ultraschallprüfung ist aber gerade die Verbesserung der Nachweisgrenze, denn SAFT steigert das Signal-Rausch-Verhältnis (SNR) gegenüber dem Gefügerauschen und reduziert statistisches Rauschen. Um diesen Hauptvorteil nutzen (und quantifizieren) zu können, wird für SAFT eine Methode zur Nachweisgrenzenbestimmung und zur Größenbewertung der Anzeigen kleiner Ungänzen benötigt.
Neben ihrer räumlichen Ausdehnung lassen sich Anzeigen im SAFT-Ergebnis auch durch ihre Amplitude charakterisieren, wenn die Prüfkopfeigenschaften und die geometrischen Verhältnisse beim Scan berücksichtigt werden. Genauer gesagt durch die Amplitudensumme, in die - neben der Echoamplitude - auch die winkelabhängige Streucharakteristik eingeht.
Im Folgenden wird dargelegt, dass sich die Amplitudensumme zur Nachweisgrenzenbestimmung und zur Größenbewertung kleiner Ungänzen eignet.
Es wird der Zusammenhang zwischen der Amplitudensumme und der Größe von Ungänzen dargestellt, und es wird gezeigt, dass auch die Anzeigenposition und die Form des Prüfobjektes eine Rolle spielen können. Auf dieser Basis wird eine Methode zur Größenbestimmung kleiner Anzeigen im SAFT-Ergebnis entwickelt.
Damit lässt sich das SAFT-Ergebnis als Ersatzfehlergröße darstellen, so wie das bei konventioneller Ultraschallprüfung z.B. mit Hilfe von AVG-Diagrammen erfolgt.
Durch die Vervollständigung um die Größenbewertung ist SAFT nicht mehr nur ein bildgebendes Verfahren, sondern es kann vielmehr als vollwertiges Messverfahren dienen.
Scattering on scattering
(2017)
Here we investigate the physical mechanisms behind the surface erosion of a cohesive granular soil induced by an impinging jet by means of numerical simulations coupling fluid and grains at the microscale. The 2D numerical model combines the Discrete Element and Lattice Boltzmann methods (DEM-LBM) and accounts for the granular cohesion with a contact model featuring a paraboloidal yield surface. Here we review first the hydrodynamical conditions imposed by the fluid jet on a solid granular packing, turning then the attention to the impact of cohesion on the erosion kinetics. Finally, the use of an additional subcritical debonding damage model based on the work of Silvani and co-workers provides a novel insight into the internal solicitation of the cohesive granular sample by the impinging jet.
We focus here on the major and still relevant issue of soil erosion by fluid flows, and more specifically on the determination of both a critical threshold for erosion occurrence and a kinetics that specifies the rate of eroded matter entrainment. A state-of-the-art is first proposed with a critical view on the most commonly used methods and erosion models. It is then discussed an alternative strategy, promoting the use of model materials that allow systematic parametric investigations with the purpose of identifying more precisely the local mechanisms responsible for soil particle erosion and ultimately quantifying both critical onsets and kinetics, possibly through existing or novel empirical erosion laws. Finally, we present and discuss several examples following this methodology, implemented either by means of experiments or numerical simulations, and coupling erosion tests in several particular hydrodynamical configurations with wisely selected mechanical tests.
Erosion of soils affects both natural landscapes and engineering constructions as embankment dams or levees. Improving the safety of such earthen structures requires in particular finding out more about the elementary mechanisms involved in soil erosion. Towards this end, an experimental work was undertaken in three steps. First, several model materials were developed, made of grains (mostly glass beads) with solid bridges at particle contacts whose mechanical yield strength can be continuously varied. Furthermore, for most of them, we succeeded in obtaining a translucent system for the purpose of direct visualization. Second, these materials were tested against surface erosion by an impinging jet to determine a critical shear stress and a kinetic coefficient. Note that an adapted device based on optical techniques (combination of Refractive Index Matching and Planar Laser Induced Fluorescence) was used specifically for the transparent media. Third, some specifically developed mechanical tests, and particularly traction tests, were implemented to estimate the mechanical strength of the solid bridges both at micro-scale (single contact) and at macro-scale (sample) and to investigate a supposed relationship with soil resistance to erosion.
Unusual Corrosion Behavior of 1.4542 Exposed a Laboratory Saline Aquifer Water CCS-Environment
(2017)
Differently heat treated coupons of 1.4542 were kept at T=60 °C and ambient pressure as well as p=100 bar for 700 h - 8000 h in an a) water saturated supercritical CO2 and b) CO2-saturated synthetic aquifer environment similar to on-shore CCS-sites in the Northern German Basin. Surface corrosion layers are homogeneous but unusually discontinuously ellipsoidal. After 8000 h at 100 bar maximum corrosion rate in the liquid phase is approximately 0.014 mm/year, with normalizing providing best corrosion resistance and approximately 0.003 mm/year in the supercritical phase where hardening+tempering at 670 °C leads to lowest corrosion rates.
X5CrNiCuNb16-4 has been proven to be sufficient resistant in corrosive environments, but shows rather unusual corrosion behaviour in CCS environment. Therefore a series of 30 specimens was tested at stress amplitudes between 150 MPa and 500 MPa (sinusoidal dynamic test loads, R=-1; resonant frequency ∼ 30 Hz). Due to the rather heterogeneous fine machined surfaces (Rz=4) the specimens are comparable with prefabricated parts. X5CrNiCuNb16-4 reached the maximum number of cycles (10 x 106) at a stress amplitude of 150 MPa and lies 60% below the stress amplitude measured in air. The scatter range TN = 1:34 is disproportionately large. Although the fracture surface exhibited the typical striations and corroded surface areas no significant differences were found. The hardness was found to be homogeneous in all specimens tested at 335 HV10. Non-metallic inclusions were found within the microstructure, but no correlation could be found between the inclusions and early rupture. Still specimens that showed inclusions at the fracture surface and its cross section endured lower number of cycles. Additionally Aluminium was analysed in specimens with low number of cycles and may be cause for early rupture during corrosion fatigue tests. These findings reveal a very high sensitivity on a homogeneous microstructure upon the corrosion and corrosion fatigue behaviour of X5CrNiCuNb16-4 and needs to be taken into account when regarding this steel as pipe steel during injection of CO2 into saline aquifers.