Publications Repository - Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf

Solid-liquid interfaces are important locations for various reactions to occur in biological, chemical and physical processes [1-3]. Recently, an experimental setup for in-situ Rutherford Backscattering Spectrometry (RBS) technique has been installed at the 2 MV Van-de-Graaff accelerator at Ion Beam Center (IBC) of the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf to analyze solid-liquid interfaces as well as to conduct electro-chemistry experiments. The focus of the project is to perform experiments in different fields utilizing this quantitative, non-destructive and standard free ion beam analysis technique for solid-liquid interfaces. A Si3N4 window separates the liquid in the cell from vacuum in the beam line. He+ beam with E = 1.7 MeV is employed to bombard the samples. For feasibility tests, the cell was filled with air, Ne, He, Xe and DIH2O respectively and RBS and Particle Induced X-Ray Emission Spectroscopy (PIXE) spectra were recorded. To examine the efficiency of the technique, ion backscattering studies of the solid-liquid using 0.1M solutions of Cu(NO3) and AgNO3 have been performed and are compared to the literature [4].
[1] Kötz et al., Electrochimica acta. 31 (1986) 169.
[2] Morita et al., Radiation Physics and Chemistry. 49 (1997) 603.
[3] Hodnik et al., Accounts of chemical research. 49 (2016) 2015.
[4] Forster et al., Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section B. 28 (1987) 385.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of the asphericity (ASP) as a novel quantitative parameter, reflecting the spatial heterogeneity of tracer uptake, in the staging process of patients with Ga-68-PSMA-HBED-CC positron emission tomography (PET)-positive prostate cancer (PC). In this study, 37 patients (median age 72 years, range 52-82 years) with newly diagnosed PC, who received a Ga-68-PSMA-HBED-CC PET fused with computed tomography (Ga-68-PSMA-PET/CT), a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the prostate, and a core needle biopsy (within 74.2 8 +/- 80.2 days) with an available Gleason score (GSc) were extracted from the local database. The ASP and the viable tumor volume (VTV) was calculated using the rover software (ABX GmbH, Radeberg, Germany), a segmentation tool for automated tumor volume delineation. Additionally, parameters including total lesion binding rate (TLB), maximum, mean and peak standardized uptake value (SUVmax/mean/peak), prostate-specific antigen (PSA), D'Amico classification, and prostate imaging reporting and data system (PI-RADS) were analyzed.

Results: The ASP mean differed significantly (p = 0.05) between the different GSc groups: GSc 6-7: 11.9 +/- 4.8%, GSc 8: 25.5 +/- 4.8%, GSc
9-10: 33.3 +/- 6.8%. A significant correlation between ASP and GSc (rho = 0.88; CI 0.78-0.94; p < 0.05) was measured. The ASP enabled an independent (p > 0.05) prediction of the GSc. A moderate correlation was measured between ASP and the D'Amico classification (rho = 0.6; CI 0.32-0.78; p < 0.05). The VTV showed a moderate correlation with the SUVmax (rho = 0.58; CI 0.32-0.76; p < 0.05) and the GSc (rho = 0.51; CI 0.23-0.72; p < 0.05).

Conclusion: The asphericity in Ga-68-PSMA-PET could represent a promising novel quantitative parameter for an improved non-invasive tumor staging of patients with PC.

During the last two field seasons, two different type of Unmanned Aerial Systems were tested and evaluated for mineral mapping in Central-West Greenland. A fixed wing system turned out to be more suitable as large areas can be covered faster and more efficiently.
In 2017, a sensefly ebeePlus fixed-wing system with a 4 channel multispectral Sequoia camera (4 channels in VIS-NIR with 1.2 MP + 16 MP RGB camera) was deployed. Flight altitude was set to achieve 11cm ground sampling distance (GSD). Processing followed in-house routines using Structure-from-Motion photogrammetry to get Digital Surface Models (DSM) and geometrically corrected orthomosaics. In total 6.4 km2 of the VMS showings in Kangiusap Kuua at Svartenhuk were covered. The VMS showings are hosted in the Nukavsak Fm of the Paleoproterozoic Karrat group. In certain stratigraphic horizon within the meta-turbidites, basalt flows with associated sulphide-rich sea-floor alteration occur. Flight plans were set to cover both alteration and host-rock. A validation dataset includes sampling and spectral characterisation of selected hand specimen.
Gossans are easily mappable by integrated morphological and spectral analysis as they form ridges with a distinct iron feature. Moreover, traces of fractures and faults, their spatial distribution and relation to the altered horizon is retrieved.
This further highlights the capability of drone-borne application for high-resolution reconnaissance mapping within short turn-around times. Intermediate insights from the project Multi-sensor drones for geological mapping (MULSEDRO) will facilitate the application of drones under unfavourable conditions.

A crown-bridged calix[4]arene scaffold was investigated as lead compound for the ligation of heavy alkaline earth metals such as strontium and barium, which appear to be useful for radiopharmaceutical applications in diagnosis as well as in radiotherapy. The ability of p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene-1,3-crown-6 (1) in particular to chelate cations, such as group 1 and 2 metal ions or ammonium ions is well known. Also, the manifold possibilities of structural modification on the upper- and lower-rim as well as on the crown itself produce properties that may lead to a highly selective and effective chelating agent. In this work, titration experiments of the perchlorate salts of Ba²⁺, Sr²⁺ and Pb²⁺ with ligand 1 were performed to determine their stability constants (logK = 4.7, 4.3, and 3.3, respectively) by ¹H NMR measurements in acetonitrile-d₃.

Feasible device architectures for ultra-scaled CNTFETs are studied down to 5.9 nm using a multiscale simulation approach covering electronic quantum transport simulations and TCAD numerical device simulations. Schottky-like and ohmic-like contacts are considered. The simplified approach employed in the numerical device simulator is critically evaluated and verified by means of comparing the results with electronic quantum simulation results of an identical device. Different performance indicators such as the switching speed, switching energy, the subthreshold slope, Ion/Ioff-ratio, among others, are extracted for different device architectures. These values guide the evaluation of the technology for different application scenarios. For high-performance logic applications, the buried gate CNTFET is claimed to be the most suitable structure.

The investigation of the environmental impact of nanoparticles is greatly hindered by a lack of suitable detection methods, especially at the low, environmentally relevant concentrations. The radiolabeling of nanoparticles can overcome these setbacks and provides a possibility of detecting nanoparticles at minimal concentrations against high elemental and particle backgrounds.
In addition to that the sophisticated use of different labeling strategies allows the direct measurement of processes such as dissolution and their relevant in, for example, plant uptake. Using different labeling stragies we produce radiolabeled CeO2 nanoparticles with different radioactivity release kinetics upon dissolution. This enabled us to measure the uptake and translocation of CeO2 nanoparticles in plants and to identify the predominant uptake pathway in the form of particles, as opposed to an uptake of their dissolved remains.

Prostate cancer is the most common noncutaneous malignancy in men. The prostate stem cell Ag (PSCA) is a promising target for immunotherapy of advanced disease. Based on a novel mAb directed to PSCA, we established and compared a series of murine and humanized anti-CD3–anti-PSCA single-chain bispecific Abs. Their capability to redirect T cells for killing of tumor cells was analyzed. During these studies, we identified a novel bispecific humanized Ab that efficiently retargets T cells to tumor cells in a strictly Ag-dependent manner and at femtomolar concentrations. T cell activation, cytokine release, and lysis of target cells depend on a cross-linkage of redirected T cells with tumor cells, whereas binding of the anti-CD3 domain alone does not lead to an activation or cytokine release. Interestingly, both CD8+ and CD4+ T cells are activated in parallel and can efficiently mediate the lysis of tumor cells. However, the onset of killing via CD4+ T cells is delayed. Furthermore, redirecting T cells via the novel humanized bispecific Abs results in a delay of tumor growth in xenografted nude mice.

BACKGROUND. Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most common malignant disease in men. Novel treatment options are needed for patients after development of metastatic, hormone-refractory disease or for those who have failed a local treatment. The prostate stem cell antigen (PSCA) is expressed in >80% of primary PCa samples and bone metastases. Its expression is increased both in androgen-dependent and independent prostate tumors, particularly in carcinomas of high stages and Gleason scores. Therefore, PSCA is an attractive target for immunotherapy of PCa by retargeting of T cells to tumor cells.
METHODS. Aseries of different bispecific antibody formats for retargeting of T cells to tumor cells were described but, only very limited data obtained by side by side comparison of the different antibody formats are available. We established two novel bispecific antibodies in different formats. The functionality of both constructs was analyzed by FACS and chromium release assays. In parallel, the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines was determined by ELISA.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS. Irrespective of the underlying antibody format, both novel bispecific antibodies cause an efficient killing of PSCA-positive tumor cells by preand non-pre-activated T cells. Killing and release of pro-inflammatory cytokines requires an antigen specific cross-linkage of the T cells with the target cells.

Bispecific Abs hold great potential for immunotherapy of malignant diseases. Because the first components of this new drug class are now entering clinical trials, all aspects of their mode of action should be well understood. Several studies proved that CD8+ and CD4+ effector T cells can be successfully redirected and activated against tumor cells by bispecific Abs both in vitro and in vivo. To our knowledge, this study provides the first evidence that bispecific Abs can also redirect and activate regulatory T cells against a surface Ag, independently of their TCR specificity. After cross-linking, via a bispecific Ab, redirected regulatory T cells upregulate the activation markers CD69 and CD25, as well as regulatory T cell-associated markers, like CTLA-4 and FOXP3. The activated regulatory T cells secrete the immunosuppressive cytokine IL-10, but, in contrast to CD8+ and CD4+ effector T cells, almost no inflammatory cytokines. In addition, the redirected regulatory T cells are able to suppress effector functions of activated autologous CD4+ T cells both in vitro and in vivo. Therefore, the potential risk for activation of regulatory T cells should be taken into consideration when bispecific Abs are applied for the treatment of malignant diseases. In contrast, an Ag/tissue-specific redirection of regulatory T cells with bispecific Abs holds great potential for the treatment of autoimmune diseases and graft rejection.

The nuclear autoantigen La can be detected on the surface of dying cells. Here we present an assay which enables us to show that La protein is not limited to the surface of dying cells but will be released upon stress-induced cell death. As released La protein tightly binds to the surface of neighboring intact cells we asked the question whether or not La protein could serve as a stress-inducible target e.g. for redirecting of regulatory T cells (Tregs) into damaged tissues to downregulate an immune response. In order to provide first proof of concept we developed a novel fully humanized single-chain bispecific antibody (bsAb) which on the one hand is directed to the La antigen and on the other hand to the CD3 complex of T cells. A cross-linkage of Tregs with La-decorated target cells mediated by this bsAb resulted indeed in the activation of the Tregs in a target-dependent manner. Moreover, such bsAb activated Tregs displayed a potent suppressive capacity and negatively influenced proliferation, expansion and cytokine production of autologous CD4+ and CD8+ Teff cells.

Abstract for this presentation is only available in Japanese.

The effect of externally applied stress on the dislocation bias factor (BF) in bcc iron has been studied using a combination of atomistic static calculations and finite element integration. Three kinds of dislocations were considered, namely, a0/2〈1 1 1〉{1 1 0} screw, a0/2〈1 1 1〉{1 1 0} edge and a0〈1 0 0〉{0 0 1} edge dislocations. The computations reveal that the isotropic crystal expansion leads to an increasing or constant dislocation bias, depending on the Burgers vector and type of dislocation. On the other hand, compressive stress reduces the dislocation bias for all the dislocations studied. Variation of the dislocation BF depending on dislocation type and Burgers vector is discussed by analysing the modification of the interaction energy landscape and the capture efficiency values for the vacancy and self-interstitial atom.

Current T-cell engineering approaches redirect patient T cells to tumors by transducing them with antigen-specific T-cell receptors (TCRs) or chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) that target a single antigen. However, few truly tumor-specific antigens have been identified, and healthy tissues that express the targeted antigen may undergo T cell–mediated damage. Here we present a strategy to render T cells specific for a tumor in the absence of a truly tumor-restricted antigen. T cells are transduced with both a CAR that provides suboptimal activation upon binding of one antigen and a chimeric costimulatory receptor (CCR) that recognizes a second antigen. Using the prostate tumor antigens PSMA and PSCA, we show that co-transduced T cells destroy tumors that express both antigens but do not affect tumors expressing either antigen alone. This ‘tumor-sensing’ strategy may help broaden the applicability and avoid some of the side effects of targeted T-cell therapies.

Redirection of T cells with a first fully humanized bispecific
CD33–CD3 antibody efficiently eliminates AML blasts without
harming hematopoietic stem cells

The distorted kagome-lattice compound Nd₃Ru₄Al₁₂ has the hexagonal structure. This compound is reported as a ferromagnet in which spins are aligned along the c-axis with the Curie temperature T_c = 39 K. The nature of localized f-electrons is expected in Nd₃Ru₄Al₁₂, and magnetic anisotropy can be attributed to a crystal electric field (CEF) effect. We performed ultrasonic measurements on a Nd₃Ru₄Al₁₂ single-crystalline sample in order to investigate the phase transition at T_C and the CEF effect. All longitudinal and transverse elastic moduli increase monotonically with decreasing temperature, and no clear elastic softening due to a quadrupole interaction is detected under the hexagonal CEF. This result is in contrast to an isomorphic compound Dy₃Ru₄Al₁₂ with a remarkable elastic softening of the transverse modulus C₄₄. At the ferromagnetic phase transition, the moduli show obvious elastic anomalies, suggesting characteristic couplings between a strain and a magnetic order parameter.

Übersicht über Theorie und numerische Simulation von Aluminium-Reduktionszellen.

Magnetic nanomaterials and their assembly in highly correlated structures are of great interest for future applications as e.g. spin-based data storage media or as material for magnon-spintronics. These systems exhibit unique physical properties like superparamagnetism or symmetry breaking emerging due to their limited size. Individual nanomaterials can be combined as building blocks for so called superstructures where the combination of the different functionalities creates a novel multi-functional system.
Recently, more and more well-defined nanoobjects became available and the advances in measurement methods allow a characterization of these systems. For example, single micrometer-sized three-dimensional magnetic nanoparticle assemblies are available, exhibiting a high degree of structural order close to that of an atomic crystal [1,2]. These systems provide a good basis for the magnetic investigation of nanoparticle superstructures.
The work to be presented focuses on the fundamental structural and magnetic research on such objects and their functionalization. For the investigation we make use of different complementary measurement methods like small angle x-ray and neutron scattering or using microresonators, which provide the necessary sensitivity for the investigation of magnetic properties of a single nano- or micrometer-sized object using ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) [3].

Magnetic nanoparticles and their assembly into highly correlated superstructures are of great interest for future applications, e.g. as material for magnon-spintronic. These systems are not only distinguished by the obvious miniaturization but by their novel physical properties emerging due to their limited size and ordered arrangement. These superstructures are formed from nanometer-sized building blocks ordered like atoms in a crystal, which render them a new class of materials.
Recently, single micrometer-sized three-dimensional magnetic nanoparticle assemblies became available, exhibiting a high degree of structural order close to that of an atomic crystal. These systems provide a good basis for the magnetic investigation of nanoparticle superstructures.

Novel microresonators, provide the necessary sensitivity for the investigation of magnetic properties of nano- and micrometer-sized objects using ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) [1,2]. Due to the much higher filling factor as compared to conventional microwave cavities, they offer several orders of magnitude increased sensitivity gain. A focused ion beam was used to isolate an individual 3D mesocrystal from an ensemble and to transfer it into the microresonator loop (Fig. 1). The FMR study reveals the magnetic anisotropy of the single mesocrystal (Fig. 2), which is corroborated by micromagnetic simulations. It was possible for us to functionalize the system and to set the magnetic easy axis of the mesocrystal via pre-defining their shape.

We present a RTM workflow which is based on the direct experimental derivation of effective volume and velocity vector field from sequential positron emission tomograms (PET) of the tracer transport in geologic materials. The focus on tracer concentration incorporates unconstrained upscaling from molecular sensitivity to the millimeter scale. This workflow allows minimizing deviations from the experiment and computational expenses.

Underground ion accelerator laboratories such as the LUNA 0.4 MV accelerator in Italy are indispensable in order to precisely measure charged particle induced nuclear reaction cross sections. The rock overburden attenuates the cosmic ray induced background and enables the measurement of very low interaction rates. The first of the new generation of higher-energy underground accelerators is the Felsenkeller 5 MV machine in Dresden/Germany, under construction and due to open late 2017. The cross sections of several nuclear reactions relevant to nucleosynthesis in a supernova and/or its precursor are not well known, with effects on the nucleosynthetic output of these events. Of these reactions, it is planned to study the 12C(alpha,gamma), 22Ne(alpha,gamma), 40Ca(alpha,gamma), and several other cases at Felsenkeller. The scientific motivation and state of work will be reviewed. It is hoped that the Felsenkeller accelerator will be widely used, including researchers from as many German universities as possible.

Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) are intriguing due to their potency to deliver anti-cancer drugs. This paper presents the inference from our experimental attempts to add merit to the concept of magnetic drug carrier, by designing calcium ferrite nanoparticles and coating them with a biocompatible dextran tethered with a hydrophobic cavity-containing molecule, β-cyclodextrin (β-CD). The size, crystal system, and the morphology of the MNPs are studied. The magnetic properties are explored using vibrating sample magnetometry, SQUID and Mössbauer spectroscopy. The roughly 75 nm MNPs, encapsulated with the β-CD–dextran conjugate allows a slow and sustained in vitro release of the loaded anti-cancer drug, Camptothecin, from the polymer shell. The study of cytotoxicity reveals that the loaded Camptothecin retains its potency as efficient as an effective carrier of the anti-cancer drug. Further, the toxicity of the nanomaterial is tested on an organism which is highly sensitive to toxicity i.e., brine shrimp (Artemia salina). The polymer coating brings down the toxicity of the MNPs.

Motivated by the success of the world's only underground ion accelerator, LUNA 0.4 MV in Italy, a project for a higher-energy underground accelerator is underway in Dresden. A 5\,MV Pelletron accelerator with double charging chains and provision for intensive ^1H^+, ^4He^+, and ^{12}C^+ beams based on external and internal ion sources is currently being installed in the Felsenkeller underground site in Dresden. Civil construction work in Felsenkeller will be completed in August 2017. The nine Felsenkeller tunnels are shielded from cosmic rays by 45\,m rock overburden, attenuating the background in radiation detectors. New data on the muon, neutron, and $\gamma$ background in Felsenkeller will be shown, and used for a discussion on the feasibility of low-background experiments there. The new accelerator will be open for outside users, and its most important experimental capabilities will be summarized.

n-beam radiative-capture experiments at low astrophysical energies require experiments in ultra-low background conditions. The Laboratory for Underground Nuclear Astrophysics (LUNA) 0.4\,MV accelerator at INFN Gran Sasso, Italy, is so far the only underground ion accelerator in the world. Recent progress at LUNA regarding the $^{22}$Ne(p,$\gamma$)$^{23}$Na [1,2], $^{22}$Ne($\alpha$,$\gamma$)$^{26}$Mg, and $^{17}$O(p,$\alpha$)$^{14}$N [3] reactions will be reviewed. The project for the new, 3.5 MV LUNA-MV accelerator is on track and will be summarized.

Among the solar fusion reactions, the rate of the 7Be(p,γ)8B reaction is one of the most difficult to determine rates. In a number of previous experiments, its astrophysical S-factor has been measured at E = 0.1-2.5 MeV center-of-mass energy. However, no experimental data is available below 0.1 MeV. Thus, an extrapolation to solar energies is necessary, resulting in significant uncertainty for the extrapolated S-factor. On the other hand, the measured solar neutrino fluxes are now very precise. Therefore, the problem of the S-factor determination is turned around here: Using the measured 7Be and 8B neutrino fluxes and the Standard Solar Model, the 7Be(p,γ)8B astrophysical S-factor is determined at the solar Gamow peak. In addition, the 3He(α,γ)7Be S-factor is redetermined with a similar method.

The essential ingredients of nuclear astrophysics are the thermonuclear reactions which shape the life and death of stars and which are responsible for the synthesis of the chemical elements in the Universe. Deep underground in the Gran Sasso Laboratory the cross sections of the key reactions responsible for the hydrogen burning in stars have been measured with two accelerators of 50 and 400 kV voltage right down to the energies of astrophysical interest. As a matter of fact, the main advantage of the underground laboratory is the reduction of the background. Such a reduction has allowed, for the first time, to measure relevant cross sections at the Gamow energy. The qualifying features of underground nuclear astrophysics are exhaustively reviewed before discussing the current LUNA program which is mainly devoted to the study of the Big-Bang nucleosynthesis and of the synthesis of the light elements in AGB stars and classical novae. The main results obtained during the study of reactions relevant to the Sun are also reviewed and their influence on our understanding of the properties of the neutrino, of the Sun and of the Universe itself is discussed. Finally, the future of LUNA during the next decade is outlined. It will be mainly focused on the study of the nuclear burning stages after hydrogen burning: helium and carbon burning. All this will be accomplished thanks to a new 3.5 MV accelerator able to deliver high current beams of proton, helium and carbon which will start running under Gran Sasso in 2019. In particular, we will discuss the first phase of the scientific case of the 3.5 MV accelerator focused on the study of 12C+12C and of the two reactions which generate free neutrons inside stars: 13C(α,n)16O and 22Ne(α,n)25Mg.

We investigate the implication of modified surface morphology on wettability of stainless steel (AISI 304) and silicon (100) targets covered by laser-induced periodic surface structures (LIPSS) on extended areas (10 × 10 mm2). Using multiple pulses from a Ti: Sapphire laser (790 nm/100 fs/1 kHz) at a fluence in the range of 0.35–2.1 J/cm2 on a spot of 1.13 × 10− 4 cm2, we scanned the target under the spot to cover a large area. A systematical variation of the irradiation dose by changing the scanning speed and thus dwelling time per spot results in the formation of surface patterns ranging from very regular linear structures with a lateral period of about 500–600 nm to complex patterns of 3D microstructures with several-µm feature size, hierarchically covered by nano-ripples.

Single crystalline 128°Y-cut LiNbO3 thin films with a thickness of 670 nm are fabricated onto Si substrates by means of crystal ion slicing (CIS) technique, adhesive wafer bonding using BCB as the medium layer to alleviate the large thermal coefficient mismatch between LiNbO3 and Si, and the X-ray diffraction pattern indicates the exfoliated thin films have good crystalline quality. The LiNbO3 thin films are modified by low energy Ar+ irradiation, and the surface roughness of the films is decreased from 8.7 nm to 3.4 nm. The sputtering of the Ar+ irradiation is studied by scanning electron microscope, atomic force microscope and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and the results show that an amorphous layer exists at the surface of the exfoliated film, which can be quickly removed by Ar+ irradiation. A two-stage etching mechanism by Ar+ irradiation is demonstrated, which not only establishes a new non-contact surface polishing method for the CIS-fabricated single crystalline thin films, but also is potentially useful to remove the residue damage layer produced during the CIS process.

Präzise neutroneninduzierte Spaltquerschnitte von Actinoiden wie den Plutoniumisotopen haben für die Entwicklung zukünftiger Transmutationstechnologien eine große Bedeutung. Die Unsicherheiten des ²⁴²Pu-Spaltquerschnitts im schnellen Bereich des Spektrums betragen derzeit etwa 21 %. Aktuelle Sensitivitätsstudien haben gezeigt, dass nur eine Reduzierung dieser Unsicherheiten auf unter 5 % verlässliche neutronenphysikalische Simulationen zulässt.
Diese anspruchsvolle Aufgabe konnte im Rahmen der vorliegenden Arbeit an der Neutronen-Flugzeitanlage nELBE durchgeführt werden. Dünne, homogene und großflächige Actinoiden-Proben wurden dem Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden - Rossendorf innerhalb des TRAKULA-Verbundprojektes zur Verfügung gestellt. Eingesetzt in eine neu entwickelte Spaltionisationskammer ermöglichten sie eine akkurate Bestimmung des Spaltquerschnitts relativ zu ²³⁵U. Die Flächendichten der Plutoniumschichten wurden anhand der spontanen Spaltrate von ²⁴²Pu bestimmt. Aufwändige Teilchentransportsimula-
tionen (durchgeführt mit Geant 4, MCNP 6 und FLUKA) wurden genutzt, um die auftretende Neutronenstreuung zu korrigieren. Die gewonnenen Ergebnisse sind im Rahmen ihrer Unsicherheiten in guter Übereinstimmung mit aktuellen Kerndatenevaluierungen. /
Neutron induced fission cross sections of actinides like the Pu-isotopes are of relevance for the development of nuclear transmutation technologies. For ²⁴²Pu, current uncertainties are of around 21 \%. Sensitivity studies show that the total
uncertainty has to be reduced to below 5\% to allow for reliable neutron physics simulations. This challenging task was performed at the neutron time-of-flight facility of the new German National Center for High Power Radiation Sources at HZDR, Dresden. Within the TRAKULA project, thin, large and homogeneous deposits of ²³⁵U and ²⁴²Pu have been produced successfully. Using two consecutively placed fission chambers allowed the determination of the neutron induced fission cross section of ²⁴²Pu relative to ²³⁵U. The areal density of the Plutonium targets was calculated using the measured spontaneous fission rate. Experimental results of the fast neutron induced fission of ²⁴²Pu acquired at nELBE will be presented and compared to recent experiments and evaluated data. Corrections addressing the neutron scattering are discussed by using
results of different neutron transport simulations (Geant4, MCNP6 and FLUKA).

The inelastic neutron scattering reaction on 56Fe was studied at the nELBE time-of-flight facility of HZDR. The incoming neutron energy ranges in the fast neutron spectrum from 100 keV to 10 MeV, where high precision nuclear data are needed. Regarding the recent CIELO evaluation on 56Fe, there is a great interest in improving the knowledge of inelastic scattering angular distribution and increasing the resolution on the few literature data of gamma-ray-angular distribution.
To investigate angular distributions of the emitted gamma-rays, a new detector setup has been installed. It contains five HPGe detectors and five LaBr3 scintillation detectors, which can be set under different angles. For this measurement they were positioned under 30°; 55°; 90°; 125° and 150°, relative to the beam axis. By cyclical measurement with and without the natural Fe-target the intrinsic and the neutron induced background from the setup, except the target, has been subtracted. Corrections for gamma-self-absorption inside the target and extended source effciency were achieved using GEANT4 simulations.
The gamma-ray-angular distribution data measured with the HPGe detectors are compared with data from D. L. Smith, Argonne, 1976. Due to the much better time resolution in LaBr3 detectors high resolution data have been obtained and very interesting resonant structures have been observed for the gamma-ray-angular distribution. In the end, the influence of angular distribution coeffcient a4 is demonstrated by a anisotropy correction factor for experiments, using only one detector under an angle of 125°.

In diesem Betrag stellen wir von uns durchgeführte Untersuchungen zur katalytischen Aktivität verschiedener Gold(III) Verbindungen vor.

We present our investigations on the catalytic activity of Au(III) complexes in organic synthesis.

The program package Orca will be introduced and the use in computational actinide chemistry will be demonstrated.

In the contribution we discuss the application of computational chemistry to calculate spectroscopical parameters. We first present the foundations of computational chemistry in a very short form. We will show problems and advantages of DFT. Then we will show how spectroscopical parameters (IR,UV-VIS,NMR) can be calculated and what accuracy can be expected.

This work discusses the progress in the development of an ASTEC computational model for investigation of molten corium pool behaviour in the lower head of a VVER-1000 reactor in case of a hypothetical accident with core degradation. The model was tested with variation of characterizing parameters which could have an influence on the molten pool behaviour and respectively the response behaviour of the reactor pressure vessel wall. An accident scenario with external cooling of the RPV wall was analysed. The preliminary code results give an estimation of the thermal load on the RPV wall. The sensitivity of the model depending on RPV wall nodalization was investigated. The analysis is performed in support to the numerical investigations realized within the frames of the EU HORIZON 2020 IVMR project (grant agreement number 662157).

In this study we have combined batch sorption and laser spectroscopic investigations to study the sorption of Eu(III) and Cm(III), on the aluminum oxide corundum in single- and multi-metal systems. Experiments were performed using a constant equilibrium time as a function of pH (pH-edges) or at constant pH as a function of equilibrium time (kinetic experiments) in 0.01 M NaClO4 and carbonate free conditions. The objective was to investigate how the sorption behavior of trivalent actinides and lanthanides is affected by the presence of another trivalent metal, Y(III). Our hypothesis was that the addition of higher concentrations of trivalent Y(III) together with a chemically similar trivalent metal, would affect the sorption behavior of that metal. Batch experiments show that when the concentration of competing Y(III) is high enough (1×10-4 M) to occupy most of the surface sites, there is a clear shift in the position of the Eu(III) pH-edge to higher pH. Spectroscopic studies using time-resolved laser fluorescence spectroscopy (TRLFS) clearly confirm sorption competition between the trivalent metals Cm(III) and Y(III), but they also indicate a change in the surface speciation of the trivalent actinide in the presence of the competing metal if the concentration of that competing metal is high enough.

In Finland, the repository for spent nuclear fuel (SNF) will be excavated at a depth of about 500 meters in the fractured crystalline bedrock in Olkiluoto at Eurajoki implemented by Posiva Oy. The engineered barrier systems (EBS), consisting of a solid fuel capsule, a copper-iron canister and the bentonite buffer should prevent the migration of radionuclides to the biosphere. Montmorillonite, the main mineral of bentonite, is like other aluminosilicates known to retain radionuclides, thus, preventing them from migrating from the repository with the groundwater. Bentonite erosion resulting in the formation of colloids may have a direct impact on the overall performance of the bentonite buffer. The potential relevance of colloids for radionuclide transport is highly dependent on the formation of colloids, the stability and mobility of colloids in different chemical environments, and their interaction with radionuclides [1]. Stable and mobile bentonite colloids can be formed when the glacial meltwater dilutes the groundwater. In these mildly oxic conditions, neptunium(V) will be present in its pentavalent oxidation state as the neptunyl cation (NpO2+), which is rather soluble, highly mobile and poorly adsorbed. Due to the long half-life of Np-237 (2.144·106 y), it will be a major dose contributor after 100,000 years in the SNF repository.
In our previous study, the interaction of Np(V) with Na-montmorillonite purified from MX-80 bentonite and corundum was investigated [2]. Corundum was used as a reference mineral in order to study the aluminol surface sites present on clay minerals, which are regarded as the main adsorption sites for radionuclide attachment [3]. This study aimed at investigating two processes: retardation of Np(V) on the bentonite colloids and granitic rock and the effect of the stable and mobile bentonite colloids on the migration of Np(V) in intact and crushed granitic rock columns.
The materials used in this study were colloids prepared from MX-80 Volclay type bentonite (76% montmorillonite) and Kuru Grey granite. Np(V) sorption on these materials under stagnant conditions was studied as a function of pH, solid concentration, time, and Np(V) concentration. The sorption experiments as a function of pH (3-11), were performed at a constant Np(V) concentration of 10-6 M. The sorption isotherms as a function of Np(V) concentration were conducted at concentration from 10-9 to 5·10-6 M at pH 8, 9, and 10. Solid concentrations were 0.08 g/L and 0.8 g/L for colloids and 40 g/L for granite. The samples were prepared by adding a small aliquot of colloid stock solution or crushed granite, Np-237 tracer and the background electrolyte in 20 ml polypropylene vials. The solution was buffered to the desired pH and after one week equilibration time the solid phase was separated from the liquid by centrifugation and 1 ml aliquots were taken immediately for liquid scintillation counting (Perkin Elmer Tri-Carb 3100 TR or Quantulus liquid scintillation counter). All the batch sorption studies were conducted in 10 mM NaClO4 either in carbonate-free N2-atmosphere (bentonite colloids, 0.08 g/L) or under ambient air conditions (granite and bentonite colloids 0.8 g/L).
The effect of bentonite colloids on Np(V) migration was studied in column experiments, where the column material was either crushed granite (grain size 0.01-0.1 mm) or an intact drill core of the Kuru Grey granite. The crushed granite column diameter was 1.5 cm and the length 15 cm. Drill core columns were constructed from Kuru grey granite cores which were placed inside a tube to form a flow channel (L = 28 cm, w = 4.4 cm) representing an artificial fracture formed by the 0.5 mm gap between the core and the tube [3]. In the experiments, colloid solution was injected into the water flow and the colloid breakthrough was detected by photon correlation spectroscopy (PCS) measurements. The column experiments were performed under ambient air conditions in 10 mM NaClO4 solution using flowrates of 1.5 mL/h, 0.8 mL/h, and 0.3 mL/h. The Np-tracer was injected into the flow, through an injection loop of known volume. The flow conditions in the columns were determined using chloride (36Cl-) as a conservative tracer. The effect of bentonite colloids on Np(V) transport at pH 8 and pH 10 was determined in the absence and presence of colloids (0.7 and 0.9 g/L). The colloid concentration in the collected fractions was determined by PCS and the Np(V) concentration was determined after PCS measurements from the same samples by liquid scintillation counting.
Np(V) adsorption onto MX-80 bentonite colloids and crushed Kuru Grey granite in 10 mM NaClO4 is shown as a function of pH in Figure 1a and as a function of Np concentration in Figure 1b. Sorption onto colloids was rather weak (20%) at pH 8 and higher adsorption occurred only above pH 10. According to the pH-edge results, the sorption isotherms for bentonite colloids are as expected, linear and the slopes are close to one another. The weak sorption of Np(V) on the colloids indicates that Np(V) will be mobilized as a neptunyl cation in solution. Despite the low uptake of Np(V) by the bentonite colloids, the obtained column results show that Np(V) breakthrough from the granite columns is enhanced in the presence of colloids (Figure 2).

The incorporation of actinides in solid lanthanide phosphates crystallizing in the monazite structure has been intensely investigated in the past decades due to the relevance of these monazites as potential ceramic phases for the immobilization of specific high level radioactive waste (HLW) streams [1-3]. In recent years, understanding the incorporation behaviour of trivalent dopants in the LnPO4×nH2O rhabdophane structure, which is the hydrated phosphate precursor in the synthesis of monazites through precipitation routes and a potential secondary mineral controlling actinide solubility in dissolution and re-precipitation reactions of monazite host-phases, has been given more attention [4,5]. Despite the large interest in lanthanide phosphates and the interaction of actinides with these solids, very little data is available on the complexation of lanthanides and actinides with aqueous phosphates, even though these complexation reactions precede any aqueous synthesis of monazite ceramics and are expected to occur in natural waters as well as in the proximity of monazite-containing HLW repositories. It also suffers from an almost systematic absence of independent spectroscopic validation of the stoichiometry of the proposed complexes. Both from the perspective of aqueous rhabdophane synthesis, which is often carried out at elevated temperatures, and heat-generating HLW immobilization in monazites, the lanthanide and actinide complexation reactions with aqueous phosphates under ambient conditions should be complemented with data obtained at higher temperatures.

In the present work, time-resolved laser fluorescence spectroscopy (TRLFS) has been employed to study the phosphate complexation of Eu3+ (5×10-6 M) and Cm3+ (5×10-7 M) as a function of total phosphate concentration (0-1 M ΣPO4) in the temperature regime 25-80°C, using NaClO4 as a background electrolyte. These studies have, in a first step, been conducted in the acidic pH-range (pH = 1) to avoid precipitation of solid Eu or Cm rhabdophane. Both trivalent metal cations form a complex with the anionic H2PO4- species, i.e. EuH2PO42+ and CmH2PO42+. As expected, the complexation reaction occurs at lower total phosphate concentration when increasing the temperature. In addition, our preliminary results show the presence of a second Eu-phosphate species which is tentatively assigned to Eu(H2PO4)2+. The presence of this species will be verified with mass-spectrometric methods.
Temperature-dependent complexation constants for the identified species will be derived from the recorded luminescence emission spectra. These will be recalculated to standard conditions with the van´t Hoff equation and the Specific Ion Interaction Theory. For this, the required ion interaction coefficients have been preliminary determined at 25 °C by varying the ionic strength (0.6 to 3 M).

The progress on the PhD thesis is presented in an oral talk. The results include complexes of tetradentate and hexadentate salen complexes with several actinides in tetravalent state.

Life extension of aging nuclear power plant components requires knowledge of the properties of the service-exposed materials. For instance, in long term service the tensile and creep properties might decline and the ductile-to-brittle transition temperature (DBTT) might shift towards higher temperatures. Monitoring of structural components in nuclear power plants receives much attention – in particular in the context of lifetime extension of current plants, where the amount of material available for destructive testing is limited. Much effort has therefore been invested in the development of miniature testing techniques that allow characterizing structural materials with small amounts of material. The small punch (SP) test is one of the most widely used of these techniques. It has been developed for nuclear applications but its use is spreading to other industries.

Recent advancements of accelerator technology enable the generation of carrier-envelope-phase stable THz pulses with high-fields at adjustably high repetition rates. The appropriate choice of THz radiator allows generating narrow-band, spectrally dense, multicycle THz transients of tunable THz frequency which are ideally suited to selectively excite low-energy excitations such as magnons or phonons. They also allow one to study the frequency dependence of nonresonant THz-field interactions with various order parameters with high dynamic range. In this paper we discuss the future prospects of this new type of THz light sources for studying the coherent control of magnetic order based on recent results.

Pipe section reactor (PSR) is a well-controlled laboratory reactor, which is used to simulate the water quality variations in drinking water distribution systems. However, the hydraulics condition within PSR, which is an essential prerequisite of the water quality studies, still remains unclear. Consequently, the objective of this study is to analyze the hydraulic conditions within PSR by means of a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) approach. The influences of configuration parameters on the hydraulic conditions were tested including propeller diameter, inclined angle of the propeller, distance between the top and inner cylinder, distance between the bottom and inner cylinder, outer cylinder length, baffle length, number of the baffles, rotational speed of the propeller, and inner and outer cylinder diameters. According to the CFD analysis, an optimal structure of PSR was suggested. The data presented here could facilitate the PSR application and improve the simulation of water quality in distribution systems

An extended smooth profile method which can deal with particle-dynamics dispersed in a binary fluid is presented. The smooth profile method, originally developed for the simulation of particle transport in a homogeneous fluid, has been successfully combined with a binary fluid model based on Ginzburg-Landau free energy functional. In this approach, the three types of interfaces among particles and two fluids are treated as diffuse interfaces. By using the method, we simulated the attachment and detachment dynamics of a colloidal particle to the surface of a position fixed bubble in a Newtonian fluid under various capillary numbers. It is found that the method can reproduce the three micro-processes associated with the particle attachment ((i) particle approach, (ii) collision, (iii) sliding down on the bubble surface) (Gregory et al, 2016). The present method will make it possible to simulate a froth flotation process, where the capture of hydrophobic particles by rising bubbles is of primary importance.
Keywords: Flotation; Direct Numerical Simulation; Smoothed Profile Method; Immersed Boundary Method

The electric field has a large effect on the stoichiometry and grain growth of UO2+x during Spark Plasma Sintering. UO2+x is gradually reduced to UO2.00 as a function of sintering temperature and time. A gradient in the oxidation state within the pellets is observed in intermediate conditions. The shape of the gradient depends unequivocally on the direction of the electrical field. The positive surface of the pellet shows a higher oxidation state compared to the negative one. An area with larger grain size is found close to the positive electrode, but not in contact with it. We interpret these findings with the redistribution of defects under an electric field, which affect the stoichiometry of UO2+x and thus the cation diffusivity. The results bear implications for understanding the electric field assisted sintering of UO2 and non-stoichiometric oxides in general.

In this work, the hot zero power experiments conducted during the startup of the fresh core of Khmelnitsky-2 NPP are modelled with the Serpent and DYN3D codes.

This study summarizes some initial results of nuclear data uncertainty quantification for the FREYA fast critical experiments

This study presents the Serpent-DYN3D solution of the Phenix EOL benchmark

The document describes the concept of a software system that synthesises and analyses image data from multidimensional measurement data generated in scientific large-scale infrastructures. The aim is to reach a new level of efficiency, competency, and flexibility by combining highly efficient algorithms with domain-specific knowledge and changeable control structures. Applications are established to investigate samples or mass flows of rock, ore, material, or waste in ion beam analytics respectively recycling facilities.

This paper presents an overview of results for the geostatistical analysis of collocated multivariable data sets, in which the variables form a composition, i.e. where the components inform of the relative important of the parts forming a whole. Such data sets occur most often in mining, hydrogeochemistry and soil science, but the results gathered here are relevant for any regionalised compositional data set. The paper covers the basic definitions, the analysis of the spatial codependence between components, mapping methods of cokriging and cosimulation honoring the compositional constraints, the role of pre- and post-transformations like logratios or multivariate normal score transforms, and block-support upscaling. Proofs of all statements are included in an appendix.

Gamma-ray strength functions deduced from nuclear resonance fluorescence (NRF) and from light-ion induced reactions are compared.
Model assumptions in the analysis and differences in the reaction mechanisms and their influence on the results are considered.
New results from NRF experiments at ELBE and from calculations within the shell model are presented.

Ziel: Cyclic nucleotide phoshodiesterases (PDEs) are enzymes that hydrolyze cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP. These ubiquitous second messengers are involved in important cellular processes, such as proliferation, differentiation, migration, survival, and apoptosis. Accordingly PDEs are regarded as therapeutic targets to alter these processes. The expression of PDE2A was found to be related to a variety of tumors (1). Our aim was to synthesis novel PDE2A inhibitors based on the benzoimidazotriazine (BIT) moiety that might be prospective as a lead compound for the development of an F-18 labeled ligand for PDE2A imaging with PET.

Methodik: Three BIT derivatives (BIT1, BIT2, BIT3) were prepared (in 7-10 steps) by introducing different moieties to the C-1 and C-8 position of a BIT intermediate, using two-step Suzuki coupling and bromination. The derivatives were characterized by NMR, MS, and HPLC. Thereafter, the inhibitory potential of the three new compounds towards PDE2A and other PDE subtypes was estimated. Thereafter other derivatives were synthesized using a similar strategy. For radiolabeling, the nitro precursor of BIT1 was prepared employing a four-step synthesis, starting from Miyaura-Borylation instead of Suzuki coupling reaction.

Ergebnisse: BIT derivatives were successfully prepared in 6-8 % overall yield. The affinity and selectivity of BIT1 (82.9 % inhibition of PDE2A3 at 10 nM) was much higher than that of BIT2 and BIT3 (8.52 % and 13.2 % inhibition, respectively). Furthermore, BIT1 provided a promising IC50 of 3.33 nM. The precursor nitro-BIT1 was successfully obtained and is expected to be suitable for one-step radiofluorination via aromatic nucleophilic substitution.

Schlussfolgerungen: It is suggested that BIT1 if radiolabeled with the PET radionuclide F-18 using nitro-BIT1 precursor via aromatic nucleophilic substitution could be a promising PDE2A imaging agent.

Literatur:

(1) S. Schröder et al. Molecules 2016, 21, 650.

Die Treiberschaltung umfasst einen ersten Knoten (J1), welcher mit einem ersten Anschluß der Pockelszelle (CP) verbindbar ist, einem zweiten Knoten (J2), welcher mit einem zweiten Anschluß der Pockelszelle (CP) verbindbar ist, wobei der erste Knoten (J1) über eine erste Schalteinheit (S1) mit einem ersten Potential (+HV) verbindbar ist und der zweite Knoten (J2) über eine zweite Schalteinheit (S2) mit dem ersten Potential (+HV) verbindbar ist, und wobei der erste Knoten (J1) über einen ersten Widerstand (R1) mit einem zweiten Potential (-HV) verbindbar ist und der zweite Knoten (J2) über einen zweiten Widerstand (R2) mit dem zweiten Potential (-HV) verbindbar ist, und wobei der erste Knoten (J1) mit dem zweiten Knoten (J2) über eine Serienschaltung aus einem dritten Widerstand (R3) und einer Induktivität (L1) verbunden ist.

In this paper, a concept for inertial position tracking of flow following sensor particles based on data fusion of inertial sensors is presented. The employed data fusion technique is quaternion based and uses an extended Kalman filter algorithm. A generalized sensor system kinematics has been developed to test the filter algorithm where three data conditions have been considered. Eventually, first simulation results are compared which shows the performance of the filter regarding sensor drift and noise are being discussed.

Noncentrosymmetric superconductors have attracted tremendous research interest due to the possibility of mixed spin-singlet and spin-triplet pairing in these materials. In this work, physical properties of a noncentrosymmetric superconductor BeAu were investigated. It was established that BeAu undergoes a structural phase transition from a room-temperature noncentrosymmetric FeSi structure type to a high-temperature CsCl structure type at Ts = 860 K. The room-temperature modification exhibits a superconducting transition below Tc = 3.3 K. The values of lower (Hc1 = 32 Oe) and upper (Hc2 = 335 Oe) critical fields are rather small, confirming that this Type II (κG−L=2.3) weakly coupled (λe−p= 0. ∆ Ce/γnTc≈1.26) superconductor can be well understood within the Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer theory. The muon spin relaxation analysis indicates that the time-reversal symmetry is preserved when the superconducting state is entered, supporting conventionalsuperconductivity in BeAu. From the density functional calculations, a considerable contribution of the Be electrons to the superconducting state was established. Moreover, on average, a rather small mass renormalization was found, consistent with the experimental data.

In this short review, the recently found experimental evidence that Fulde–Ferrell–Larkin–Ovchinnikov (FFLO) states are realized in quasi-two-dimensional (2D) organic superconductors is reported. At low temperatures and when a high magnetic field is aligned parallel to the conducting organic layers, an upturn of the upper critical field much beyond the Pauli limit is observed, as proven by thermodynamic measurements. Under certain conditions, a second thermodynamic transition emerges inside the FFLO state. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) work has added strong microscopic support for the realization of the FFLO state. The NMR spectra in the FFLO phase can very well be explained by a nonuniform one-dimensionally modulated superconducting order parameter. All These features, appearing only in a very narrow angular region close to parallel-field orientation, give robust evidence for the realization of the FFLO state in organic superconductors.

The ISO 14000 norm provides a framework in which a continuous improvement of the environmental performance of a process may be realised. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) forms an integral part of ISO 14000, however, ist inventory analysis presently often simplifies process routes for metals processing to simple averaging black-boxes that represent whole process. This approach hardly makes it possible to capture the detail of complex interconnected material processing systems as found in metals processing.

• HSC Chemistry platform may be used to create process flowsheet models and link them to Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) tools.
• Environmental footprints - which are based on the physical process models – will meet element and energy balances.
• Process models make it possible to optimize process yields and profits, and the connection to LCA will also optimize environmental footprints.
• Outotec Silver refining process is used to demonstrate this procedure.
• Exergy analysis of a power plant will show the thermodynamic basis.

Fairphone is a social enterprise since 2013 using the power of business to tackle step by step the social and environmental challenges of the electronics industry.
By manufacturing our own products we are able to work with partners to increase the increase the sustainability in the supply chain at the same time that we grow the demand for such products in the market. Fairphone.

The non-enzyme direct electrochemical sensing of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) by nanostructured electrodes of Pt- and Au-containing bimetallic or monometallic nanocatalysts including paramecium-like nanostructures of PtAu supported on silica nanorods, Pt and Au nanoparticles supported on silica nanorods, and the non-supported Pt and Au nanoparticles (NPs) is reported. The nanocatalysts modified electrodes were fabricated by simple self-assembling on 3-aminopropyl-trimethoxysilane (APTMS) modified glassy carbon. The cyclic voltammetric and amperometric results showed that PtAu supported on silica nanorods has superior performance over the corresponding monometallic counterparts, with a broad linear range from 5.0 µM to 72000 µM for H₂O₂, a detection limit of 2.6 µM, a sensitivity of 46.7 µA mM^-1cm^-2 at a lower working potential of -0.20 V vs SCE, and has good stability and reproducibility. In addition, a systematic test showed that the non-supported Pt NPs sensor has a surprisingly high performance, even better than the paramecium-like nanostructure of PtAu supported on silica nanorods, where the existence of silica nanorod templates in the nanocatalysts retards the electrocatalytic reduction/oxidation of H₂O₂. Among the nanocatalysts tested in this work, the Pt NPs sensor showed fastest response within 3 s, a broad linear response from 5 µM to 58000 µM, a detection limit of 4.2 µM, and the highest sensitivity of 110.3 µA mM^-1cm^-2 at the lowest working potential of -0.08 V vs SCE. Notably, the performance of the Pt NPs sensor is also among the best Pt-containing monometallic or bimetallic nanostructured electrochemical sensors toward H₂O₂ reported so far. This work shows a simple method to fabricate H₂O₂ electrochemical sensors of high performance and indicates the importance of considering not only bimetallic effects but also the influences of the nanostructure of nanocatalysts on the electrocatalytic performance and electrochemical sensing property.

The compact neutron-time-of-flight facility nELBE at the superconducting electron accelerator ELBE of Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf has been rebuilt. A new enlarged experimental hall with a flight path of up to 10 m is available for neutron time-of-flight experiments in the fast energy range from about 50 keV to 10 MeV.
nELBE is intended to deliver nuclear data of fast neutron nuclear interactions e.g. for the transmutation of nuclear waste and improvement of neutron physical simulations of innovative nuclear systems. The experimental programme consists of transmission measurements of neutron total cross sections, elastic and inelastic scattering cross section measurements, and neutron induced fission cross sections. The inelastic scattering to the first few excited states in 56Fe was investigated by measuring the gamma production cross section with an HPGe detector. The neutron induced fission of 242Pu was studied using fast ionisation chambers with large homogeneous actinide deposits.

Summary: In summary, we demonstrated that the expansion of WT1 peptide-specific CD8+ T cells by peptide-loaded MoDCs followed by streptamer-based selection represents an attractive strategy to significantly enrich such T cells prior to cloning. By using this technology, we generated high-avidity, WT1 peptide-reactive CD8+T cell clones with anti-leukemic activity. This strategy may be particular useful for the generation of CD8+T cell clones from healthy donors, in which blood circulating T cells recognizing tumor-associated antigens are rare or not detectable.

Finite element simulations of the small punch test are performed in order to critically evaluate and improve empirical correlations for the estimation of the ultimate tensile stress from force-deflection and force-displacement curves. For this purpose, generic elastic-plastic material properties are used. A systematic variation of the ultimate tensile stress and total uniform elongation is performed to investigate the effects of these parameters of the uniaxial stress-strain curve on the characteristics of small punch test curves. It is shown, that the maximum force Fm of the small punch test curve is not the appropriate parameter for the estimation of the ultimate tensile stress. Instead, the force Fi at a punch displacement of 1.29 times the specimen thickness (or alternatively at bottom deflection of 1.1 times the specimen thickness) should be used. This force is associated with the onset of plastic instability. A correlation between the force Fi and the ultimate tensile strength is proposed and validated by more than 100 small punch tests of nine different steel heats.

Background: Prostate stem cell antigen (PSCA) has been suggested as biomarker and therapeutic target for prostate cancer. Recent advances showed that PSCA is upregulated in other cancer entities, such as bladder or pancreatic cancer. However, the clinical relevance of PSCA-expression in breast cancer patients has not yet been established and is therefore addressed by the current study.
Methods: PSCA-protein expression was assessed in 405 breast cancer patients, using immunohistochemistry (PSCA antibody MB1) and tissue microarrays.
Results: PSCA-expression was detected in 94/405 patients (23%) and correlated with unfavorable histopathological grade (p=0.011) and increased Ki67 proliferation index (p=0.006). We observed a strong positive correlation between PSCA-protein expression and HER2/neu receptor status (p<0.001). PSCA did not provide prognostic information in the analyzed cohort. Interestingly, the distribution of PSCA-expression among triple negative patients was comparable to the total population.
Conclusion: We identified a subgroup of PSCA-positive breast cancer patients, which could be amenable for a PSCA-targeted therapy. Moreover, given that we found a strong positive correlation between PSCA- and HER/neu expression, targeting PSCA may provide an alternative therapeutic option in case of trastuzumab resistance.

The integration of high-mobility III-V compound semiconductors emerges as a promising route for Si device technologies to overcome the limits of further down-scaling. In this work, we investigate the possibilities to form InAs nanocrystals in a thin Si layer at laterally defined positions with the help of masked ion beam implantation and flash lamp annealing. In detail, a cladding layer was deposited on a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) wafer and patterned by electron beam lithography in order to serve as an implantation mask. The wafer was subsequently implanted with As and In, followed by flash lamp annealing leading to the formation of InAs nanoparticles in the implanted areas. The structures were investigated by Raman spectroscopy, scanning and transmission electron microscopy as well as energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Depending on the size of the implantation window, several, one or no nanoparticle is formed. Finally, the perspectives for using this technique for the local modification of Si nanowires are discussed.

We report on the growth of epitaxial Fe_1+δSe_0.5Te_0.5 thin films on 0°, 5°, 10°, 15° and 20° vicinal cut CaF₂ single crystals by pulsed laser deposition. In situ electron and ex situ x-ray diffraction studies reveal a tilted growth of the Fe_1+δSe_0.5Te_0.5 films, whereby under optimized deposition conditions the c-axis alignment coincides with the substrate [001] tilted axis up to a vicinal angle of 10°. Atomic force microscopy shows a flat island growth for all films. From resistivity measurements in longitudinal and transversal directions, the ab- and c-axis components of resistivity are derived and the mass anisotropy parameter is determined. Analysis of the critical current density indicates that no effective c-axis correlated defects are generated by vicinal growth, and pinning by normal point core defects dominates. However, for H||ab the effective pinning centers change from surface defects to point core defects near the superconducting transition due to the vicinal cut. Furthermore, we show in angular-dependent critical current density data a shift of the ab-planes maxima position with the magnetic field strength.

A new approach to evaluate the relaxation contribution to the total elastic moduli for crystals with Jahn–Teller (JT) impurities is worked out and applied to the analysis of the experimentally measured ultrasound velocity and attenuation in SrF₂:Cr²⁺. Distinguished from previous work, the background adiabatic contribution to the moduli, important for revealing the impurity relaxation contribution, is taken into account. The temperature dependence of the relaxation time for transitions between the equivalent configurations of the JT centers has been obtained, and the activation energy for the latter in SrF₂:Cr²⁺. as well as the linear vibronic coupling constant have been evaluated.

Mass spectrometry-based identification of a naturally presented receptor tyrosine kinase-like orphan receptor 1-derived epitope recognized by CD8+ cytotoxic T cells

Minute amounts of proteins are required for immunization of mice for the development of antibodies including monoclonal antibodies. Here we describe a rapid procedure for the isolation of proteins from polyacrylamide gels after sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in sufficient amounts for immunization of animals.

There are several reasons for drying of polyacrylamide gels after gel electrophoresis. E.g. if autoradiography should be performed from radioactive-labeled proteins. Another reason may be to simply store the gel in the laboratory book. Aside laborious commercial solutions, especially for storage of the dried gel in the lab book the here presented simple and cheap drying protocol may be sufficient.

After SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis the separated proteins have to be visualized by staining in the gel. The same is true after transfer of separated proteins to a blotting membrane in order to verify an efficient transfer and to visualize the amount of protein(s) which remained in the gel. Several different staining techniques exist for staining of proteins in SDS-polyacrylamide gels. The sensitivity of these staining procedures are different, also the expenditure of time and other aspects. Still, silver staining is among the most sensitive and reliable staining.

Proteins can easily be separated by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) in the presence of a detergent and under (heat-) denaturing and (non- or) reducing conditions. The most commonly used detergent is sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). The major function of SDS is to shield the respective charge of the proteins present in the mixture to be analyzed and to provide all proteins with a negative charge. As a consequence, the proteins will be separated according to their molecular weight. Electrophoresis of proteins can also be performed in the absence of SDS. Using such “native” conditions, the charge of each of the proteins, which will depend on the primary amino acid sequence of the protein (isoelectric point) and the pH during electrophoresis, will mainly influence the mobility of the respective protein during electrophoresis. Here we describe a starting protocol for “native” PAGE.

Over the past a series of staining procedures for proteins were published. Still, the most commonly used staining dye for proteins is Coomassie-Brilliant Blue. The major reasons are: Coomassie-Brilliant Blue staining is simple, fast and sensitive. As Coomassie-Brilliant Blue is almost insoluble in water a series of procedures including colloidal aqueous procedures were described.

This presentation gives a short overview of our recent investigations devoted to the formation of III-V nanocrystals in bulk Si, in SOI substrates and at laterally defined positions. The group III and group V elements are incorporated by ion beam implantation, and the formation of III-V nanocrystals is due to liquid phase epitaxy during flash lamp annealing.

Ge was deposited on silicon as a superlattice with 10 layers of Ge embedded in Si3N4 or ZrO2 matrices via plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition or RF-sputtering, respectively. Raman spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy and capacitance-voltage (CV) measurements were performed in order to investigate the structural and electrical properties of the superlattices. It will be shown that, in contrast to furnace annealing, flash lamp annealing of Ge-ZrO2-superlattices leads to crystalline Ge nanoparticles in an amorphous matrix. As revealed by CV measurements, these layers show excellent charge storage capabilities. In comparison, a higher thermal budget is needed to crystallize Ge in case of Si3N4-based superlattices, and no significant charge trapping could be detected during CV measurements.

Introduction:

Image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT) of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) based on implanted fiducial markers and daily orthogonal kV X-ray imaging or cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) has been shown to significantly reduce the setup error as compared to bony alignment1. In state-of-the-art IGRT solid gold markers are implanted into the pancreas using endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS), a procedure that is well established and generally well tolerated. However, solid gold markers not only deteriorate image quality in both CT and MRI, but additionally cause significant dose alterations in particle therapy, showing local dose perturbations up to 80% of the prescribed dose. Recently, a new biodegradable liquid marker has been developed, which forms a semisolid gel after injection into soft tissue. This marker may particularly benefit patients with PDAC who are scheduled for particle therapy, because it can be implanted using very thin (≤25 G) needles, its low Z-elemental (non-ferrous and non-magnetic) composition causes minimal proton dose perturbation in soft tissues, its size and visibility on X-ray images, CT and CBCT can be adjusted by controlling the injected volume and compound composition, and its soft-surface adhesiveness may decrease migration behaviour relative to solid markers. So far, the characteristics of the liquid marker on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have not been investigated.
It is the aim of the present work to provide a quantitative, pulse sequence-independent assessment of the visibility and artefacts of the new liquid fiducial marker on MRI and compare them against those of two gold markers commonly applied in IGRT of PDAC.
Methods:
To quantify the propensity of the different markers to generate signal voids and signal shifts on MRI, a spherical gel phantom mimicking the relaxation properties of healthy pancreatic tissue at 3 Tesla was constructed. Different volumes (10 µL, 25 µL, 50 µL and 100 µL) of the liquid marker (BioXmark®, Nanovi Radiotherapy A/S) were casted into the gel as well as four Gold Anchor™ (Naslund Medical AB; 0.28 mm diameter, 10 mm and 20 mm length) and three VisiCoil™ (IBA Dosimetry; 0.35 mm diameter, 5 mm and 10 mm length) markers, implanted in different orientations. MR relaxometry was performed to quantify the size and magnitude of the decrease in the effective transversal relaxation time T2* and water proton density ρ(H) relative to pure water as a measure of potential visibility, and to quantify the size and magnitude of the increase in magnetic field inhomogeneity ΔB0 as a measure of potential signal artefacts. The phantom was scanned with a 3.0 T Philips Ingenuity TF PET/MR scanner using an 8-channel head coil.
Results:
The solid fiducial markers showed a direct linear relationship between the potentially visible size and artefact size. The liquid fiducial marker showed a tendency towards a potentially visible size at smaller artefacts. Liquid markers from 25-100 μL generated visible volumes comparable to the visible size of the solid markers. The visible magnitude was the largest for the liquid fiducial marker with volumes of 25μL – 100μL showing no correlation with the magnitude of artefact. The solid markers showed a strong non-linear correlation between magnitude of visibility and artefact. The gold-iron alloy marker induced the strongest artefacts.
Discussion:
The liquid fiducial marker causes signal voids on MRI due to its absence of water hydrogen atoms without strongly affecting the magnetic field in the surrounding tissue. The alteration of the static magnetic field was found to be the main effect leading to the visibility of the solid fiducial markers.
Conclusion:
BioXmark® has beneficial MRI properties regarding the trade-off between potential visibility and artefacts compared to the tested solid gold markers that are currently being used for IGRT of PDAC. Contrary to the solid markers, an increase in visibility of BioXmark® was not directly coupled to an increase in artefact. Due to the proton density effect, BioXmark® behaves comparably in all pulse sequences if acquired at similar resolution.

Magnetic skyrmions have exciting potential for future device applications in low dissipation information storage [1-3]. While much research has been focused on DMI-stabilized skyrmions in bulk crystals or multilayers, we recently realized Bloch-type artificial skyrmion lattices which are stable at room temperature under zero magnetic field [4], offering a convenient platform for investigating transport characteristics such as the Topological Hall Effect (THE). Here, we report a study of the THE in a different type of planar skyrmion lattice, without any protruding magnetic dots on top.

The synthesis and characterization of tetravalent actinide complexes with different amidinates is presented. The synthesized thorium and uranium amidinates were characterized in solution with NMR and UV-Visible spectroscopy and in solid state with SC-XRD and IR spectroscopy. The molecular structures were discussed in detail showing differences between the coordination behavior of different amidinates.

Bone metastases, often a consequence of breast, prostate, and lung carcinomas, are characterized by an increased bone turnover, which can be visualized by positron emission tomography (PET), as well as single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). Bisphosphonate complexes of 99mTc are predominantly used as SPECT tracers. In contrast to SPECT, PET offers a higher spatial resolution and, owing to the 68Ge/68Ga generator, an analog to the established 99mTc generator exists. Complexation of Ga(III) requires the use of chelators. Therefore, DOTA (1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetraacetic acid), NOTA (1,4,7-triazacyclododecane-1,4,7-triacetic acid), and their derivatives, are often used. The combination of these macrocyclic chelators and bisphosphonates is currently studied worldwide. The use of DOTA offers the possibility of a therapeutic application by complexing the β-emitter 177Lu. This overview describes the possibility of diagnosing bone metastases using [68Ga]Ga-BPAMD (68Ga-labeled (4-{[bis-(phosphonomethyl))carbamoyl]methyl}-7,10-bis(carboxymethyl)-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododec-1-yl)acetic acid) as well as the successful application of [177Lu]Lu-BPAMD for therapy and the development of new diagnostic and therapeutic tools based on this structure. Improvements concerning both the chelator and the bisphosphonate structure are illustrated providing new 68Ga- and 177Lu-labeled bisphosphonates offering improved pharmacological properties.

Recently, we reported on the design of a multimodal peptide conjugate useful as delivery platform for targeting hypoxic cells. A nitroimidazole (2-(2-nitroimidazol-1-yl)acetic acid, NIA) moiety, which is selectively entrapped in hypoxic cells, was coupled to a cell-penetrating peptide serving as the transporter. Furthermore, attachment of a bifunctional linker allowed the introduction of a diagnostic or therapeutic radiometal. However, although selective tumor accumulation could be detected in vivo, a fast renal clearance of the compound was observed. The present study aims to improve the system by using the more proteolytically stable all-d version of the peptide carrier (DsC18), by attaching two NIA moieties instead of one (DsC18(NIA)2 ) to enhance the tumor uptake, and by incorporating the bifunctional chelator NODAGA instead of DOTA (NODAGA-DsC18(NIA)2 ) to optimize labeling chemistry. First, we characterized in vitro the novel all-d peptide compared with its parent l-version. Then, in order to investigate and compare the pharmacological profiles of the peptides, these were radiolabeled with 64 CuII and 68 GaIII , and the biodistribution and kinetics were evaluated in vivo. Our results show the versatility of the d-peptide as cell-penetrating peptide and transporter. However, attaching two NIA groups modified the system in such a way that no selective tumor uptake could be observed compared with the peptide without NIA moieties. Still, this work highlights new pharmacokinetic data on the biodistribution of such compounds in vivo.

S-layer proteins appear to be suitable for wide variety of different technical applications due to their distinctive physico-chemical properties and their multifunctionality.Since several years the focus has been placed especially on their potential use for biosensor applications. There are many approaches under investigation to develop sensors that are highly specific and sensitive as well as robust, reliable and not expensive. Optical methods currently appear an attractive solution. Colloidal gold nanoparticle suspensions as sensory active systems, for instance, have been the subject of intensive investigations for many years. An additional promising approach is the use of proteins as template structures for the production of highly fluorescent, size-controlled gold nanoclusters. These gold nanoclusters can be synthesized directly at the protein by a simple chemical reaction. We present current investigations on different kind of proteins such as bovine serum albumin, calmodulin, and S-layer protein. In combination with the known S-layer or calmodulin mediated selective and specific binding of ionic analytes, e.g. rare earth elements as surrogates/analogues for intrinsic protein bound Ca2+, a subsequent analyte-induced change in the fluorescence intensity of the gold nanoclusters might be used as sensory system for the detection of such strategic relevant elements.

The universal modular chimeric antigen receptor (UniCAR) platform redirects CAR-T cells using a separated, soluble targeting module with a short half-life. This segregation allows precise controllability and flexibility. Herein we show that the UniCAR platform can be used to efficiently target solid cancers in vitro and in vivo using a pre-clinical prostate cancer model which overexpresses prostate stem cell antigen (PSCA). Short-term administration of the targeting module to tumor bearing immunocompromised mice engrafted with human UniCAR-T cells significantly delayed tumor growth and prolonged survival of recipient mice both in a low and high tumor burden model. In addition, we analyzed phenotypic and functional changes of cancer cells and UniCAR-T cells in association with the administration of the targeting module to reveal potential immunoevasive mechanisms. Most notably, UniCAR-T cell activation induced upregulation of immune-inhibitory molecules such as programmed death ligands. In conclusion, this work illustrates that the UniCAR platform mediates potent anti-tumor activity in a relevant in vitro and in vivo solid tumor model.

Recent treatments of leukemias with T cells expressing chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) underline their impressive therapeutic potential but also their risk of severe side effects including cytokine release storms and tumor lysis syndrome. In case of cross-reactivities, CAR T cells may also attack healthy tissues. To overcome these limitations, we previously established a switchable CAR platform technology termed UniCAR. UniCARs are not directed against typical tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) but instead against a unique peptide epitope: Fusion of this peptide epitope to a recombinant antibody domain results in a target module (TM). TMs can cross-link UniCAR T cells with tumor cells and thereby lead to their destruction. So far, we constructed TMs with a short half-life. The fast turnover of such a TM allows to rapidly interrupt the treatment in case severe side effects occur. After elimination of most of the tumor cells, however, longer lasting TMs which have not to be applied via continous infusion would be more convenient for the patient. Here we describe and characterize a TM for retargeting UniCAR T cells to CD19 positive tumor cells. Moreover, we show that the TM can efficiently be produced in vivo from producer cells housed in a sponge-like biomimetic cryogel and, thereby, serving as an in vivo TM factory for an extended retargeting of UniCAR T cells to CD19 positive leukemic cells.

Geological 3D modelling delivers essential information on distribution of enrichment zones and structures in (complex) mineral deposits and fosters a better guidance to subsequent exploration stages. The Paleoproterozoic Epembe carbonatite complex showcases the close relation between enrichment of specific elements (Nb, Ta, P, TREE+Y) and shear zones by structural modelling combined with geochemical interpolation. Three-dimensional fault surfaces based on structural field observations, geological maps, cross-sections and drill-hole data are visualised. The model shows a complex, dextral transpressive fault system. Three dimensional interpolation of geochemical data demonstrates enrichment of Nb, Ta, P and TREE+Y in small isolated, lens shaped high-grade zones in close spatial distance to faults. Based on various indicators (e.g., oscillating variograms, monazite rims around the apatite) and field evidence, we see rather evidence for enrichment during hydrothermal (re-)mobilisation than due to magmatic differentiation related to the formation of the alkaline system. This is further supported by geostatistical analysis of three-dimensional distribution of Nb, Ta, P and LREE with respect to discrete shear zones.

We report on the magnetic properties of monovacancy defects in neutron-irradiated graphite, probed by ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The bulk paramagnetism of the defect moments is revealed by the temperature dependence of the NMR frequency shift and spectral linewidth, both of which follow a Curie behavior, in agreement with measurements of the macroscopic magnetization. Compared to pristine graphite, the fluctuating hyperfine fields generated by the defect moments lead to an enhancement of the ¹³C nuclear spin-lattice relaxation rate 1/T₁ by about two orders of magnitude. With an applied magnetic field of 7.1 T, the temperature dependence of 1/T₁ below about 10 K can well be described by a thermally activated form, 1/T1 α exp(−Δ/k_BT), yielding a singular Zeeman energy of (0.41 ± 0.01) meV, in excellent agreement with the sole presence of polarized, non-interacting defect moments.

A study is made of the effects of various factors such as time (7 years), temperature, high magnetic field up to 580 kOe and heat treatment (HT) on the morphological structure and magnetic hysteresis properties of a high-coercive nanocrystalline (Nd_0.55Ho_0.45)_2.7(Fe_0.8Co_0.2)₁₄B_1.2 alloy with a low temperature coefficient of remanence. We find a rather weak time effect on (Nd_0.55Ho_0.45)_2.7(Fe_0.8Co_0.2)₁₄B_1.2. After 7 years, the loss in the maximum magnetic energy product (BH)_max is no more than 5%. Annealing of the sample at 250 °C for 30 min decreases the amount of amorphous phase from 7.2 to 1.7%, while the grains’ size of the 2-14-1 phase increases from 83 to 109 nm. For the HT alloy, a magnetization jump is observed at H ~ 500 kOe. It can be attributed to the first-order magnetization process or a spin-flip magnetic transition. Rectangularity of the hysteresis loop degrades after annealing. In case of the short-time heat treatment, losses in (BH)_maxare ~ 10%.

Effects of the Co substitution for Fe on the strongly anisotropic ferrimagnet HoFe₅Al₇ are studied on single-crystalline samples with a tetragonal crystal structure of the ThMn₁₂-type. For HoFe5-xCoxAl7, we found the homogeneity range up to x = 2.5. The Co substitution results in a shrinkage of the tetragonal lattice within the basal plane, whereas the c parameter does not change. The exchange interactions and magnetic anisotropy are strongly affected by the Co substitution. The detrimental effect of Co on the Curie temperature T_C in HoFe_5-xCo_xAl₇ compounds is very unusual. The Curie temperature linearly falls from 216 K for x = 0-67 K for x = 2.5, which is unexpected because the Co substitution for Fe in 3d-4f intermetallic compounds usually increases the magnetic ordering temperatures due to the strengthening of exchange interactions. At the same time, the compensation temperature changes very little between 65 K and 72 K. At 2 K, spontaneous magnetic moment increases from 2 µ_B at x = 0-4.2 µ_B at x = 2.5. Magnetization measurements have been performed in pulsed magnetic fields up to 58 T. The compounds exhibit a high magnetic anisotropy of the easy-plane type with the [110] axis as the easy-magnetization direction. Along the easy axis, two first-order field-induced magnetic transitions (at 17 T and 37 T) are observed for HoFe₅Al₇ and one transition at 27 T for HoFe₄CoAl₇. The magnetization curve has an S-shape for HoFe₃Co₂Al₇.

A liquid-liquid system inside a capillary in which an interfacial reaction leads to in situ production of a surfactant was studied experimentally. The resulting chemo-Marangoni convection induces periodic spreading-dewetting cycles in laboratory experiments. By selected experiments in microgravity, the individual phenomena of the system dynamics could be isolated. The spreading-dewetting cycles result from a complex interplay between the decrease in interfacial tension due to the production of surfactant, the chemo-Marangoni convection, and the gravity-driven deformation of the meniscus shape.

Since many years precession is regarded as an alternative flow driving mechanism that may account, e.g., for remarkable features of the ancient lunar magnetic field [Dwyer 2011; Noir 2013; Weiss 2014] or as a complementary power source for the geodynamo [Malkus 1968; Vanyo 1991]. Precessional forcing is also of great interest from the experimental point of view because it represents a natural forcing mechanism that allows an efficient driving of conducting fluid flows on the laboratory scale without making use of propellers or pumps. Within the project DRESDYN (DREsden Sodium facility for DYNamo and thermohydraulic studies) a dynamo experiment is under development at Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR) in which a precession driven flow of liquid sodium with a magnetic Reynolds number of up to Rm=700 will be used to drive dynamo action.

Our present study addresses preparative numerical simulations and flow measurements at a small model experiment running with water. In dependence of precession ratio and Reynolds number the resulting flow patterns and amplitudes provide the essential ingredients for kinematic dynamo models that are used to estimate whether the particular flow is able to drive a dynamo.

In the strongly non-linear regime the flow essentially consists of standing inertial waves. Most remarkable feature is the occurrence of a resonant-like axisymmetric mode which emerges around a precession ratio of Omega_p/Omega_c = 0.1 on top of the directly forced recirculation flow. The combination of this axisymmetric mode and the forced m=1 Kelvin mode is indeed capable of driving a dynamo at a critical magnetic Reynolds number of Rm_c=430 which is well within the range achievable in the experiment. However, the occurrence of the axisymmetric mode slightly depends on the absolute rotation rate of the cylinder and future experiments are required to indicate whether this instability persists at the extremely large Re that will be obtained in the large scale experiment.

We used a model water experiment and hydrodynamic simulations to estimate the flow in a precessing cylinder. The resulting velocity fields are dominated by standing inertial waves which makes them appropriate for the application in a kinematic dynamo model based on the time-averaged flow. We found dynamo action at magnetic Reynolds numbers of the order of Rm~500.
Essential for the dynamo is the coupling of the primary (directly forced) flow with azimuthal wave number m = 1 and a non-geostrophic axisymmetric mode which at Re = 10000 emerges in a narrow regime around Po = 0.10.

Our results point out a first promising – but narrow – regime
where we may expect dynamo action in the large scale dynamo
experiment currently under construction at HZDR.

We report results of magnetic and ultrasound studies of the sulfide spinel CoCr₂S₄, for which the multiferroicity has recently been suggested. Clear anomalies in the magnetic and acoustic properties have been observed at T_N = 222 K and in applied magnetic fields evidencing the important role of magnetoelastic interac-tions in this material. In contrast, no anomalies have been detected at T_C = 28 K, where a spontaneous electric polarization and isostructural distortions have been reported. We have extracted the H–T phase diagram of CoCr2S4 from our experiments for magnetic fields applied along the <111> direction. We discuss our observa-tions in relation to our earlier results obtained for the oxide multiferroic spinel CoCr₂O₄.

The electronic structure of semimetallic transition-metal dichalcogenides, such as WTe₂ and orthorhombic γ-MoTe₂, are claimed to contain pairs of Weyl points or linearly touching electron and hole pockets associated with a nontrivial Chern number. For this reason, these compounds were recently claimed to conform to a new class, deemed type-II, of Weyl semimetallic systems. A series of angle-resolved photoemission experiments (ARPES) claim a broad agreem nt with these predictions detecting, for example, Fermi arcs at the surface of these crystals. We synthesized single crystals of semimetallic MoTe₂ through a Te flux method to validate these predictions through measurements of its bulk Fermi surface (FS) via quantum oscillatory phenomena.We find that the superconducting transition temperature of γ-MoTe₂ depends on disorder as quantified by the ratio between the room- and low-temperature resistivities, suggesting the possibility of an unconventional superconducting pairing symmetry. Similarly to WTe₂, the magnetoresistivity of γ-MoTe₂ does not saturate at high magnetic fields and can easily surpass 10₆%. Remarkably, the analysis of the de Haas–van Alphen (dHvA) signal superimposed onto the magnetic torque indicates that the geometry of its FS is markedly distinct from the calculated one. The dHvA signal also reveals that the FS is affected by the Zeeman effect precluding the extraction of the Berry phase. A direct comparison between the previous ARPES studies and density-functional-theory (DFT) calculations reveals a disagreement in the position of the valence bands relative to the Fermi level ε_F . Here, we show that a shift of the DFT valence bands relative to ε_F , in order to match the ARPES observations, and of the DFT electron bands to explain some of the observed dHvA frequencies, leads to a good agreement between the calculations and the angular dependence of the FS cross-sectional areas observed experimentally. However, this relative displacement between electron and hole bands eliminates their crossings and, therefore, the Weyl type-II points predicted for γ-MoTe₂.

We give an overview on how dilatometric methods have been developed in the last decade. The concept of capacitive dilatometry was successfully adapted to dilution refrigerators with a resolution of 10^-9. Miniaturized dilatometers with an overall diameter of 18 mm or less are optimally suited for measuring longitudinal and transversal components of the striction tensor. Going to another extreme, to the highest (pulsed) fields, optical methods, such as the FBG technology, were developed for investigations up to 100 T.
As examples for utilizing dilatometry at low temperatures we show results for the spin-ice materials Dy₂Ti₂O₇ and Ho₂Ti₂O₇. To characterise the magneto-elastic coupling in these materials, we investigated the thermal expansion and magnetostriction between 80 mK and 15 K and in magnetic fields aligned along the [111] direction and found field-induced phases and strong correlations below 500 mK. Our data demonstrate, that the formation of the field-induced phase is strongly influenced by lattice distortions: any change in interatomic distances will result in a variation of the exchange couplings.

Any integrative interpretation by the aid of independent geophysical disciplines benefits from modern computational techniques. Today 3D seismic surveying and imaging, gradients of potential field (mostly aero- and/or satellite observations) are combined with on-/off-shore electro-magnetic surveys. In this paper we aim to describe new algorithms and software tools for 3D potential field and gradients of remanent and induced magnetization of complicated underground structures, the local stress field, and the distribution of stress beneath salt domes on base of constrained 3D models. E.g. the presence of salt domes causes a significant perturbation of in situ stress, which may cause serious implications e.g. for the stability of boreholes drilled in the vicinity of salt structures. Geological structures will be approximated by extremely flexible homogeneous polyhedrons (with respect to the domain’s density and/or susceptibility) and their fields and gradients are calculated by the transformation of volume integrals into a sum of line integrals. Alternatively, the approximating polyhedrons consist of variable density distributions which are recalculated from studies of seismic velocities. Magnetic modeling is possible by either applying Poisson’s Theorem or a modification of the derived formulas for gravity modeling. The inversion of potential fields is performed by the CMA-ES, the “covariance-matrix-adoption Evolution Strategy”. A new robust method was introduced for the reduction of edge effects of potential field data. Although the main structure of the new software already existed for 3D gravity modeling, it had be extended by a tool for magnetic modeling, a borehole gravity/susceptibility modeling tool and an immersive visualization of even complicated geological underground structures by 3D printing. Examples from the Gifhorn Trough and KTB are presented here to illustrate the user friendly newly developed software tools.

Thallium (Tl) is a very toxic heavy metal. As a part of ongoing investigations, the mobility, sources and fate of Tl were investigated for sediments from a watershed in the northern part of the Pearl River, South China, whose catchment has been seriously impacted by large-scale Pb-Zn smelting activities onshore. A wide dispersion of severe Tl contamination was observed throughout the depth profiles. A modified IRMM (Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements, Europe) sequential extraction procedure of a selected depth profile uncovered an exceptionally high enrichment of Tl in geochemically-mobile fractions (i.e., weak-acid-exchangeable, reducible and oxidizable fractions), on average 5.94 ± 2.19 mg/kg (74.6% ± 5.1% of the total Tl content) not only in the surface sediments but also in deep sediments. The proximal quantitative source apportionment using Pb isotopic fingerprinting technique indicated that a majority (80% - 90%) of Tl contamination along the depth profiles is anthropogenically derived from the Pb-Zn smelting wastes. The results highlight the pivotal role of smelting activities in discharging huge amounts of geochemically-mobile Tl to the sediments down to approximately 1 m in length, which is quantitatively evidenced by Pb isotopic tracing technique. Lead isotopes combined with distribution of Tl and Pb contents identified a potential marker for a point source from the Pb-Zn smelter in the river catchment, which also provides a theoretical framework for source apportionment of metal contamination in a larger river/marine system and in other sulfide mining/smelting areas likewise.

Liquid metal two-phase flows are widely used in metallurgy and continuous casting. For example Argon gas is injected during metal casting to enhance mixing of the melt and for the floatation process in which Argon gas bubbles separate undesired inclusions from the melt by transporting them towards the slag layer at the free surface improving the melt cleanliness. The floatation process is highly dependent not only on the properties of the inclusions but also on the size and surface characteristics of the dispersed gas phase. The bubble size distribution and interfacial area inside the melt are strongly influenced by the bubble coalescence and breakup. Despite a considerable number of numerical studies on bubble coalescence and breakup in liquid metals only few experimental data exists. Therefore, direct investigation of bubble coalescence and breakup in liquid metals becomes crucial.
Bubble breakup processes in a bubble chain ascending in non-transparent liquid metal were examined by X-ray radiography through high-speed video imaging. The Argon gas bubbles were injected through a single bevel-shaped nozzle positioned in the middle at the bottom of a flat Plexiglas vessel filled with eutectic GaInSn alloy at isothermal conditions. The bubble breakup mechanisms observed in the chosen experimental geometry were mainly initiated by bubble collisions or by the interaction of the bubbles with the flow pattern developed in the vessel due to viscous shear forces influencing the bubble interface. We present experimental results accompanied by statistical analysis of the bubble breakup frequency, number of daughter bubbles and their size distribution, bubble velocities before and after the breakup process, etc. for a broad range of Argon gas flow rates.

The worldwide incidence of malignant melanoma is steadily increasing, suggesting a probable melanoma “epidemic.” From a clinical point of view, malignant melanoma still is an unpredictable disease and, once in the advanced stage, allows only scarce therapeutic options. There is an urgent need to identify, characterize, and validate informative biomarkers, biomarker patterns, or surrogate markers in order to not only improve early diagnosis of melanoma but also for differential diagnosis, staging, prognosis, therapy selection, and therapy monitoring.
In this chapter, an update on the ongoing debate on serologic and histologic markers such as lactate dehydrogenase, tyrosinase, S100 family of calcium-binding proteins, cyclooxygenase-2, matrix metalloproteinases, and stem and/or progenitor cell markers are presented, and novel, innovative, and promising trends currently being explored are discussed.

BaZrO3 exhibits excellent proton conductivity and good high-temperature stability. It is therefore a promising electrolyte material for solid oxide fuel cells. The stability of BaZrO3 at high temperatures is generally explained by the low diffusivity of O vacancy. Present first principle density functional theory calculations show that the slow migration of the doubly charged O vacancy at high temperature cannot be solely caused by the ground-state migration energy but by the contribution of phonon excitations to the free migration energy. With increasing temperature, the effective barrier for oxygen vacancy migration increases. At about 1000 K, which is the operating temperature of fuel cells, the calculated O vacancy diffusivity is more than one order of magnitude lower than that determined using ground-state migration barrier. The calculated diffusivity data agree well with experimental results from literature. The present work reveals that the high-temperature stability of BaZrO3 is mainly due to the phonon contribution to the free migration energy of the O vacancy.

Dual-phase ErZn2/ErZn composite was obtained by induction-melting method. The composite crystallizes in the phases of ErZn2 and ErZn with the weight ratio of 53.8:46.2. The composite undergoes two successive magnetic phase transitions. And accordingly two peaks (partly overlapped) are appeared in the temperature dependence of magnetic part of entropy change SM(T) curves which resulting in a table-like magnetocaloric effect (MCE) and large refrigerant capacity (RC). The MCE parameters are comparable or even larger than most of the recently reported potential magnetic refrigerant materials at similar temperature region, making the dual-phase ErZn2/ErZn composite attractive for low-temperature magnetic refrigeration.

Ion beams for the Creation of magnonic circuits

For ion energy loss measurements in plasmas with near solid densities, an indirect laser heating scheme for carbon foils has been developed at GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung GmbH (Darmstadt, Germany). To achieve an electron density of 10^22 cm^3 and an electron temperature of 10–30 eV, two carbon foils with an areal density of 100 μg/cm^2 heated in a double-hohlraum configuration have been chosen. In this paper we present the results of temperature measurements of both primary and secondary hohlraums for two different hohlraum designs. They were heated by the PHELIX laser with a wavelength of 527 nm and an energy of 150 J in 1.5 ns. For this purpose the temperature has been investigated by an x-ray streak camera with a transmission grating as the dispersive element.

In fast 10.000 kommunalen Kläranlagen in Deutschland werden jährlich 4.400 GWh Strom benötigt, um den Nährstoffgehalt des Abwassers zu reduzieren. Der höchste Energiebedarf besteht dabei mit einem Anteil von bis zu 80 % bei dem Prozess-schritt der biologischen Abwasserreinigung. Während der Nitrifikation benötigen die Mikroorganismen Sauerstoff, welcher durch Druckbelüftung vom Beckenboden bereitgestellt wird. Die Gebläse müssen den Druckverlust der Belüftungselemente und den hydrostatischen Druckverlust aufgrund von 4 bis 6 m Wassertiefe überwinden, woraus der hohe Energieaufwand resultiert. Jedoch wird aufgrund des limitierten Stoffübergangs nicht der gesamte Sauerstoff der im Nitrifikationsbecken aufsteigenden Blasen in die flüssige Phase übertragen. Durch einen verbesserten Sauerstoffübergang kann der benötigte Luftvolumenstrom und somit die Gebläse-leistung reduziert werden. Dafür wird die dynamische Belüftung vorgeschlagen.
Die dynamische Belüftung beruht auf einer zeitlichen Dynamik im Gasvolumen-strom, welcher durch die Belüftungselemente geleitet wird. Der Volumenstrom kann harmonisch oder gepulst variiert sein. Dies hat zur Folge, dass die Blasenfahne über dem Belüfter diskontinuierlich wird. Im Vergleich zur kontinuierlichen Blasenfahne entstehen Bereiche, in denen die Flüssigphase vermischt wird und Konzentrationsgradienten größer werden.
Im Rahmen dieser Arbeit werden optimale Belüftungsregime für dynamische, gepulste Belüftung untersucht, welche in Stoffübergang und Durchmischung der kontinuierlichen Belüftung überlegen sein sollen. Hierfür werden in transienten Euler-Euler Simulationen die wichtigsten Parameter variiert. Dazu zählen die Parameter Pulsfrequenz, Pulsweite, Pulshöhe und Pulsoffset. Die simulativ gefundenen Regime werden experimentell überprüft. Weiterhin wird das Sedimen-tationsverhalten von Belebtschlamm simuliert, um dessen Ablagerung am Beckenboden bei dynamischer Belüftung untersuchen und geeignete Kriterien zur Verhinderung der Sedimentation ableiten zu können.

Adsorption and transport of the herbicide 2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid (MCPA) in a homogeneous sand-goethite system were investigated as a function of pH. Interaction of MCPA with the solid surface was geochemically modeled according to the charge distribution multisite complexation (CD-MUSIC) approach. Based on this calibration, retardation of MCPA transport in column experiments was significantly underestimated by conventional 1D simulations.
As a new approach, Positron Emission Tomography (PET) was employed to analyze the flow field, using ¹⁸F^– as a radiotracer. The observed heterogeneity was reproduced in 2D simulations assuming increased permeability and porosity at the periphery of the column. With this flow model, predicted retardation factors for MCPA were in agreement with the experimental data. Thus, this study demonstrates quantitatively that inconsistencies between static (batch) and dynamic (column) systems can be caused by heterogeneities in fluid flow, i.e., not necessarily by non-equilibrium conditions, which are commonly taken into account. This in turn highlights the need to consider realistic flow fields in studies of contaminant transport in natural matrices.

BACKGROUND:

Hypoxia is a well recognised parameter of tumour resistance to radiotherapy, a number of anticancer drugs and potentially immunotherapy. In a previously published exploration cohort of 25 head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients on [18F]fluoromisonidazole positron emission tomography (FMISO-PET) we identified residual tumour hypoxia during radiochemotherapy, not before start of treatment, as the driving mechanism of hypoxia-mediated therapy resistance. Several quantitative FMISO-PET parameters were identified as potential prognostic biomarkers. Here we present the results of the prospective validation cohort, and the overall results of the study.
METHODS:

FMISO-PET/CT images of further 25 HNSCC patients were acquired at four time-points before and during radiochemotherapy (RCHT). Peak standardised uptake value, tumour-to-background ratio, and hypoxic volume were analysed. The impact of the potential prognostic parameters on loco-regional tumour control (LRC) was validated by the concordance index (ci) using univariable and multivariable Cox models based on the exploration cohort. Log-rank tests were employed to compare the endpoint between risk groups.
RESULTS:

The two cohorts differed significantly in several baseline parameters, e.g., tumour volume, hypoxic volume, HPV status, and intercurrent death. Validation was successful for several FMISO-PET parameters and showed the highest performance (ci=0.77-0.81) after weeks 1 and 2 of treatment. Cut-off values for the FMISO-PET parameters could be validated after week 2 of RCHT. Median values for the residual hypoxic volume, defined as the ratio of the hypoxic volume in week 2 of RCHT and at baseline, stratified patients into groups of significantly different LRC when applied to the respective other cohort.
CONCLUSION:

Our study validates that residual tumour hypoxia during radiochemotherapy is a major driver of therapy resistance of HNSCC, and that hypoxia after the second week of treatment measured by FMISO-PET may serve as biomarker for selection of patients at high risk of loco-regional recurrence after state-of-the art radiochemotherapy.

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