Publications Repository - Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf

Materialcharakterisierungen mit Antimaterie: Atomaren Defekten auf der Spur

The defect density of the epitaxial SiC layers on Si result from the high defect density in the seeding layer formed by carbonization of the Si substrate. A method to reduce the defect density is flash lamp annealing. The recrystallisation can be improved if a three layers stack consisting of 3C-SiC/Si/3C-SiC/Si-substrate is used (iFLASiC-process). To improve the recrystallization C, Ge or both elements were added to Si. Ge and C additions to the Si and subsequent FLASiC processing l ead t o a s ubstantial increase o f t he m ass t ransfer. T he g rowth r ate r eached 1 0.0 μm/s. T he a chieved thickening of the lower layer strongly depends on the Si composition and is caused by the modification of the optical properties and the mass transport properties of the Si. Ge incorporation into Si and therefore into the Si melt enhance the mass transport from the upper SiC layer to the lower one. C incorporation into Si increases the available C contributing to SiC growth. Both elements lower the Si band gap increasing light absorption. Beside the growth modification the in plane strain in the 3C-SiC layer turns from tensile strain with a value of 0.0004 in the non buckling case to an in plane compressive strain with a strain value of - 0.0046. Non annealed layers of comparable thickness deposited under the same conditions exhibit tensile residual strain in the range of 0.002 to 0.006. FLASiC is not only able to improve the layer quality but also reduces the residual stress.

Treatment of spent nuclear fuels (SNFs) is one of the critical issues in the world’s nuclear power industry. The international consensus thus far is that the SNFs are supposed to be reprocessed to extract reusable nuclides (e.g., Pu or U) by solvent extraction, or buried deep in the ground to permanently isolate them from human contact. The basic- and applied research related with these SNFs treatments always requires fundamental information on the chemical behaviour of radionuclides in solution, since most chemical processes relevant to the treatment of SNFs (e.g., solvent extraction or geological disposal) occur in solution.
As one of the powerful experimental probes for radioactive materials research, synchrotron-based X-ray techniques have been extensively employed for the last few decades. This seminar will focus on the application of synchrotron-based X-ray methods to the study of radionuclides in solution systems, including the following three sub-topics: (1) X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and high energy X-ray scattering (HEXS) for characterizing the hydrolytic species of tetravalent cerium (Ce(IV)) in aqueous solution, (2) X-ray absorption spectroscopy for understanding the redox behaviour of actinides in aqueous solution, (3) multiple spectroscopic (XAS and UV-visible-NIR) and quantum chemical approach for acquiring structural information of individual chemical species in the mixed system.

The ATHLET code (GRS®) has been used for the numerical analyses of the EC (Emergency Condenser) and the CCC (Containment Cooling Condenser) performance at the INKA (INtegralversuchsanlage KArlstein) test facility. Three ATHLET 2.2 Cycle A models have been developed: EC, CCC and Integral model.
The EC model predictions for the postulated steady state scenario (EC characteristic curves) were compared with the old simulations (ATHLET 2.1 Cycle A model for of the EC). INKA EC transient run at 45 bar primary pressure was used as second validation step for the assessment of the different ATHLET versions influence on the numerical predictions. The EC ATHLET Cycle 2.2 A model validation was extended further with the transient EC INKA experiment at 80 bar primary pressure.
Technically, the CCC ATHLET model was based on the old CCC ATHLET 2.1 Cycle A one. However, significant improvements have been accomplished in order to make it capable of adequately representing the INKA CCC experimental layout and conditions. Two models have been developed to account for the different sparger designs. Experimental data (information) analyses have been in addition carried out due the initial poor model performance. The CCC ATHLET 2.2 Cycle A model ability to correctly capture the CCC heat transfer and in general the process has been demonstrated. Second CCC ATHLET model has been developed to incorporate the new sparger design. The model has been partly validated against the provided experimental data. While it was able to calculate well the initial stage of the experiment, it failed to represent the final one.
An integral INKA ATHLET model, which includes both the EC and the CCC, has been developed. This model incorporates the CCC one with new sparger design. Two LOCA scenarios have been postulated for the investigation of the EC-CCC performance under the INKA configuration. These scenarios include RPV (Reactor Pressure Vessel) and RSL (Reactor Steam Line) break. The EC – CCC joined operation under the break scenarios has been analysed.

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The study of Ni-Ti shape memory alloy films is of great technological interest for applications in the field of microengineering. They can work as sensors and actuators at the same time. However, there are still important issues unresolved like formation of film texture and its control. Films exhibiting the two-way shape memory effect are also required. A better understanding of the underlying growth mechanisms and their microstructural development requires sophisticated in-situ techniques. A two-magnetron sputter deposition chamber mounted into the six-circle diffractometer of the Rossendorf Beamline at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility has been used for the processing of the Ni-Ti films. The in-situ x-ray diffraction studies enabled us to identify the different steps of the structural evolution during deposition with a set of parameters as well as to evaluate the effect of changing parameters (Ti target power) during film growth. It has been found that the type of substrate plays an important role for the preferential orientation of sputtered Ni-Ti films. In some cases they exhibit a pronounced depth dependence of their preferential orientations. Amorphous SiO2 and TiN buffer layers have been used to successfully control their crystallographic orientations. This is an important achievement since the texture has a strong influence on the extent of the strain recovery of the Ni-Ti films. The deposition conditions leading to films mainly containing grains with (100) or (110) planes of the B2 phase parallel to the film surface are presented. The deposition of graded Ni-Ti films by changing deliberately the Ti:Ni ratio, thereby altering microstructure and transformation temperatures across the film thickness, has also been performed. The aim has been the optimization of the deposition parameters in order to fabricate films with a “two-way” actuation (films with a combination of superelasticity and shape memory characteristics). It will lead to the development of smaller devices due to an optimal design of microdevices regarding size and weight (i.e., no consideration has to be paid to a resetting spring).

We present a numerical model of a pulsed, diode-pumped Yb:YAG laser amplifier for the generation of high energy ns-pulses. This model is used to explore how optical-to-optical efficiency depends on factors such as pump duration, pump spectrum, pump intensity, doping concentration, and operating temperature. We put special emphasis on finding ways to achieve high efficiency within the practical limitations imposed by real-world laser systems, such as limited pump brightness and limited damage fluence. We show that a particularly advantageous way of improving efficiency within those constraints is operation at cryogenic temperature. Based on the numerical findings we present a concept for a scalable amplifier based on an end-pumped, cryogenic, gas-cooledmulti-slab architecture.

Time and wavelength resolved spectroscopy requires optical sources emitting very short pulses and a fast detection mechanism capable of measuring the evolution of the output spectrum as a function of time. We use table-top Ti:sapphire lasers and a free-electron laser (FEL) emitting ps pulses as excitation sources and a streak camera coupled to a spectrometer for detection. One of the major aspects of this setup is the synchronization of pulses from the two lasers which we describe in detail. Optical properties of the FEL pulses are studied by autocorrelation and electro-optic sampling measurements. We discuss the advantages of using this setup to perform photoluminescence quenching in semiconductor quantum wells and quantum dots. Carrier redistribution due to pulsed excitation in these heterostructures can be investigated directly. Sideband generation in quantum wells is also studied where the intense FEL pulses facilitate the detection of the otherwise weak nonlinear effect.

Magneto-optical properties of nominally 10, 20, and 30 nm thick ferromagnetic Ni films have been investigated at room temperature by vector-magneto-optical generalized ellipsometry under saturated magnetization conditions in the sample surface plane. The magneto-optical dielectric tensor of Ni has been determined by reflection Mueller matrix ellipsometry in the spectral range from 300 to 1100 nm. Different sets of magnetic field induced Mueller matrix elements enable us to identify the magnetization directions in the sample. The extracted magnetic field and thickness independent magneto-optical coupling constant is useful for modeling the Mueller matrix and complex Kerr angle of magnetized Ni thin films in layered sample systems in dependence of the incident angle of light, wavelength, and magnetization.

Results to the U(VI) complexation with lactate and citrate and the influence of these ligands on U(VI) sorption onto Opalinus Clay (OPA) (Mont Terri, Switzerland) between 10°C and 60°C are shown.

Die Komplexierung von Uran(VI) und Cm(III) mit den Zellwandkompartimenten Lipopolysaccharid und Peptidoglycan, charakterisiert durch TRLFS, EXAFS und FT-IR, wird dargestellt.

New concepts of high-density and ultrafast nonvolatile data storage devices involve the controlled motion of magnetic domain walls (DWs) in nanowires [1]. To realize such a device, reproducible and reliable pinning sites for individual DWs are required. Geometric constrictions are widely used to create local confining potentials acting as pinning sites [2]. As an alternative, pinning sites can be induced via a local modification of magnetic properties by ion irradiation [3]. In this case, a variation in the wire geometry on the nanoscale is not required. Implantation of chromium ions into permalloy is known to cause alloying and structural defects which lead to a reduction in the saturation magnetization MS, and the magnetic anisotropy as well as to a change in the exchange constant and the damping parameter [4]. The strength of the pinning potential can be tuned by the chromium ion fluence applied to induce the so-called magnetic soft spots [3].
Micromagnetic simulations, high resolution magnetic transmission soft X-ray microscopy at beamline 6.1.2 of the Advanced Light Source in Berkeley, CA, USA, and electrical measurements of the anisotropic magnetoresistance are employed to characterize the pinning potential which significantly differs for transverse and vortex walls. We demonstrate field-induced DW pinning and depinning as well as reliable DW depinning by single current pulses in a permalloy nanowire containing a square-shaped magnetic soft spot [5]. Lower requirements on the lithography in comparison to geometric constrictions on the nanoscale, a smaller distribution of properties due to parallel processing during implantation, and fine tunability of the pinning potential via the chromium ion fluence make the magnetic soft spots a promising candidate for applications.
Financial support by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft via Grant Nos. FA314/3-2 and MC9/7-2, the SFB 668 and the GrK 1286 as well as the Forschungs- und Wissenschaftsstiftung Hamburg via the Exzellenzcluster “Nano- Spintronik” is gratefully acknowledged. Operation of the X-ray microscope is supported by the US Department of Energy under Contract No. DE-AC02-05-CH11231.
References: [1] D. A. Allwood, Gang Xiong, M. D. Cooke, C. C. Faulkner, D. Atkinson, N. Vernier, R. P. Cowburn, Science 296, 2003 (2002); S. S. P. Parkin, U. S. Patent No. US 683 400 5 (2004).
[2] M.-Y. Im, L. Bocklage, P. Fischer, and G. Meier, Phys. Rev. Lett. 102, 147204 (2009).
[3] A. Vogel, S. Wintz, J. Kimling, M. Bolte, T. Strache, M. Fritzsche, M.-Y. Im, P. Fischer, G. Meier, and J. Fassbender, IEEE Trans. Mag. 46, 1708 (2010).
[4] J. Fassbender and J. McCord, J. Magn. Magn. Mater. 320, 579 (2008).
[5] A. Vogel, S. Wintz, T. Gerhardt, L. Bocklage, T. Strache, M.-Y. Im, P. Fischer, J. Fassbender, J. McCord, and G. Meier, Appl. Phys. Lett. 98, 202501 (2011).

It is known that microorganisms exist in host rocks of potential nuclear waste disposals. In this talk, some results will be presented from the current project about the microbial diversity in clay (Opalinus clay) and the interactions of dominant microorganisms with actinides. Especially the interactions of a Sporomusa sp. clay isolate with Curium(III) will be shown. In the second part of the talk, some information’s will be given about Halophiles in general and future plans to investigate the microbial diversity in salt rocks.

Computer simulations using classical interatomic potentials are an efficient tool to investigate and understand atomic-level properties and processes in advanced materials. They allow the consideration of length and time scales which are often hardly accessible by experiments. However, the accuracy of the interatomic potentials employed in such type of simulations determines decisively the quality of the obtained results. Therefore, these potentials must be continuously improved and evaluated.
In the talk two applications of atomistic computer simulations are illustrated. The focus is on kinetics and thermodynamics of defects and nanostructures in materials for micro- and nanoelectronics and in structural materials for fission reactors.
The first example deals with the investigation of basic migration mechanisms of mono- and di-(self-)interstitials in Si using molecular dynamics simulations. Both the atomic mobility due to the presence of the defect and the defect mobility itself were determined. The mechanism of di-interstitial migration depends on temperature, in contrast to that of the mono-interstitial.
The subject of the second example is the structure, energetics and thermodynamics of coherent nanoclusters in bcc-Fe containing vacancies, Cu and Ni. For clusters up to a size of 200 monomers (vacancies, Cu and Ni atoms) the most stable configurations at T=0 are determined by Metropolis Monte Carlo simulations and their formation and binding energies are calculated. The temperature-dependent free formation and free binding energies of the nanoclusters are determined by taking into account configurational contributions which are calculated using the Wang-Landau Monte Carlo method.

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Gallium (Ga) implantation induced self-atom mixing in crystalline and amorphous germanium (Ge) is investigated utilizing isotopically controlled Ge multilayer structures grown by molecular beam epitaxy. The distribution of the Ga ions and the ion-beam induced depth-dependent mixing of the isotope structure was determined by means of secondary ion mass spectrometry. Whereas the distribution of Ga in the crystalline and amorphous Ge is very similar and accurately reproduced by computer simulations based on binary collision approximation (BCA), the ion-beam induced self-atom mixing is found to depend strongly on the state of the Ge structure. The experiments reveal stronger self-atom mixing in crystalline than in amorphous Ge. Atomistic simulations based on BCA reproduce the experimental results only when unphysically low Ge displacement energies are assumed. Analysis of the self-atom mixing induced by silicon implantation confirms the low displacement energy deduced within the BCA approach. This demonstrates that thermal spike mixing contributes significantly to the overall mixing of the Ge isotope structures. The disparity observed in the ion-beam mixing efficiency of crystalline and amorphous Ge indicates different dominant mixing mechanisms. We propose that self-atom mixing in crystalline Ge is mainly controlled by radiation enhanced diffusion during the early stage of mixing before the crystalline structure turns amorphous, whereas in an already amorphous state self-atom mixing is mediated by cooperative diffusion events.

It is widely accepted that proton or light ion beams may have a high potential for improving cancer cure by means of radiation therapy. However, at present the large dimensions of electromagnetic accelerators prevent particle therapy from being clinically introduced on a broad scale. Therefore, several technological approaches among them laser driven particle acceleration are under investigation.
Parallel to the development of suitable high intensity lasers, research is necessary to transfer laser accelerated particle beams to radiotherapy, since the relevant parameters of laser driven particle beams dramatically differ from those of beams delivered by conventional accelerators: The duty cycle is low, whereas the number of particles and thus the dose rate per pulse are high. Laser accelerated particle beams show a broad energy spectrum and substantial intensity fluctuations from pulse to pulse. These properties may influence the biological efficiency and they require completely new techniques of beam delivery and quality assurance.
For this translational research a new facility is currently constructed on the campus of the university hospital Dresden. It will be connected to the department of radiooncology and host a petawatt laser system delivering an experimental proton beam and a conventional therapeutic proton cyclotron. The cyclotron beam will be delivered on the one hand to an iso-centric gantry for patient treatments and on the other hand to an experimental irradiation site. This way the conventional accelerator will deliver a reference beam for all steps of developing the laser based technology towards clinical applicability.

Die Verifikation von Auslegungsverbesserungen an Brennelement-Abstandhaltern und ihr Einfluss auf den kritischen Wärmestrom erfordert kostspielige Experimente. Deswegen ist die Ergänzung oder sogar der Ersatz dieser Experimente durch numerische Analysen von großem Interesse. CFD-Modelle haben das Potential der Entwicklung von Modellansätzen unabhängig von der bestimmten Geometrie.
Der Vortrag beschreibt den aktuellen Stand der CFD-Modellierung wan Wandsieden und mögliche Beiträge zur Brennelementauslegung. Mit dem aktuellen Stand ist zumindest die vergleichende qualitative Analyse möglich. Bessere quantitativ zuverlässige Resultate sind mit verbesserten Modellen möglich, die auf CFD-tauglichen Experimenten basieren. Der kürzliche Fortschritt bei der Kopplung des Wandsiedemodells mit einem Populationsbilanzmodell wurde gezeigt. Vieleversprechende Reultate sind mit der in Entwicklung befindlichen schnellen Röntgentomographie zu erwarten.

The verification of design improvements of a fuel assembly of a nuclear reactor core and their influence on the critical heat flux require expensive experiments. Therefore the supplementation or even the replacements of experiments by numerical analyses are of relevant interest in fuel assembly design. The CFD modeling has the potential of simulation independent on the certain geometry.
The presentation describes the actual state of CFX modeling of subcooled boiling and their possible contribution for rod bundle design. The comparative investigation of different designs is possible at least qualitatively. For more quantitatively reliable results the models have to be improved. In the presentation the demands on the accuracy of measured values are established. Most promising results are expected by tomographic methods like by fast X-ray tomography.

The time-dependent, one-dimensional diffusion equation is solved for a finite slab of two layers. An external source is supplied to one of the layers. The differential equations are subject to the reflecting boundary conditions at the two outer boundary surfaces. The flux and the current density are continuous across the interface between two media. The exact analytical solution is expressed in terms of a Green's function. The solution is developed by the application of the Laplace transformation.

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Der Vortrag bietet eine Übersicht und befasst sich mit den Möglichkeiten und der Bedeutung von Radiopharmaka hinsichtlich ihres Einsatzes für die nuklearmedizinische Diagnostik und Therapie von Krebserkrankungen.

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Die Entwicklung von mehrfunktionellen Komplexbildnern für Radiometallnuklide im Hinblick auf eine medizinische Anwendung stellt ein intensiv bearbeitetes Forschungsgebiet dar. Als sehr interessant erweisen sich makrocyclische Tetraamin-Systeme, die eine Mehrfachfunktionalisierung mit löslichkeitsvermittelnden, fluoreszierenden und zielsuchenden Einheiten am selben Molekülkern gestatten. Komplexe des 1,4,8,11-Tetraazacyclotetradecans (Cyclam) mit radioaktiven Kupferisotopen nehmen einen besonderen Stellenwert ein, da diese eine hohe thermodynamische Stabilität aufweisen, kinetisch inert sind und den Zugang zur nuklearmedizinischen Radiodiagnostik (⁶⁴Cu) sowie Radiotherapie (⁶⁷Cu) eröffnen.
Umfangreiche Untersuchungen zur Anwendung in der Radiopharmazie sind bisher zu Essigsäure-Derivaten des Cyclams - insbesondere zum 1,4,8,11-Tetraessigsäure-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecan (TETA) - durchgeführt worden ^{[1, 2]}. Demgegenüber sind Propionsäure-Derivate I - IV in diesem Zusammenhang wenig untersucht ^[3]. Wir konnten zeigen, dass die Cyclamtetrapropionsäure IV unter physiologischen Bedingungen sehr stabile Komplexe mit ⁶⁴Cu^II bildet und durch Kupplung von spezifischen Peptiden an dieses Ligandgerüst ein Targeting in biologischen Systemen möglich ist ^[4].

Es werden die Synthese von Cyclampropionsäure-Derivaten vorgestellt sowie koordinations- und radiochemische Aspekte dieser Liganden mit Cu^II diskutiert.

Literatur:

[1] R. Delgado, V. Felix, L. M. P. Lima, D. W. Price, Dalton Trans. 2007, 2734-2745.
[2] X. Liang, P. J. Sadler, Chem. Soc. Rev. 2004, 33, 246-266.
[3] M. Kuhlmann, H. Stephan, J. Steinbach, A. Röhrich, In “Technetium and other Radiometals in Chemistry and Medicine“, U. Mazzi, W. C. Eckelman, W. A. Volkert (Eds.), SGE Editoriali, Padova, Italy, 2010, 77-80.
[4] A. Röhrich, R. Bergmann, A. Kretzschmann, S. Noll, J. Steinbach, J. Pietzsch, H. Stephan J. Inorg. Biochem. 2011, submitted.

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Dreizähnige makrocyclische Liganden auf der Basis des 1,4,7-Triazacyclononans (TACN) bilden mit Metallionen Koordinationsverbindungen sehr hoher Stabilität. Aufgrund der kleinen Ringgröße des Makrocyclus sind die Zentralionen außerhalb der Ringebene in der Weise angeordnet, dass die Donoratome eine maximale Überlappung der Bindungsorbitale gestatten ^[1]. Dadurch wird eine hohe thermodynamische Stabilität bei gleichzeitig schneller Komplexbildungskinetik erzielt. Derartige Liganden weisen damit günstige Eigenschaften für einen Einsatz in der nuklearmedizinischen Diagnostik und Therapie auf. Der bekannteste Vertreter ist hier der hexadentate Ligand 1,4,7-Triessigsäure-1,4,7-triazacyclononan (NOTA), der sehr stabile Komplexe mit Radionukliden der dreiwertigen Metalle Ga^III, In^III und Y^III bildet, aber auch in der Diskussion für Cu^II ist ^[2].
Wir konnten zeigen, dass insbesondere Pyridin-haltige Derivate des TACN I sehr stabile Komplexe mit dem Radionuklid ⁶⁴Cu^II bilden und damit nach entprechender Funktionalisierung mit spezifischen Peptiden und Proteinen in der nuklearmedizinischen Diagnostik eingesetzt werden können ^[3].
Es werden Arbeiten zur Synthese von kupplungsfähigen Markierungsbausteinen Ia – Ic sowie Konjugationsreaktionen mit geeigneten Biomolekülen vorgestellt. Der Einfluss von Pyridineinheiten auf die Koordinationsgeometrie und Stabilität von Cu^II-Komplexen sowie die Eignung ausgewählter radioaktiv markierter Komplexe für die Tumordiagnostik werden diskutiert.

Literatur:

[1] P. Chaudhuri, K. Wieghardt, Prog. Inorg. Chem. 1987, 37, 329-436.
[2] T. J. Wadas, E. H. Wong, G. R. Weisman, C. J. Anderson, Chem. Rev. 2010, 110, 2858-2902.
[3] G. Gasser, L. Tjioe, B. Graham, M. J. Belousoff, S. Juran,, M. Walther, J.-U. Künstler, R. Bergmann, H. Stephan, L. Spiccia, Bioconjugate Chem. 2008, 19, 719-730.

The aim of this study was to investigate the response to and the physiological consequences of copper-mediated cross-linking of S100A2 and S100A4, two members of the S100 family of EF-hand calcium-binding proteins. As demonstrated by electrophoresis and mass spectrometry techniques S100A2 and S100A4 show formation of cross-links due to copper-mediated oxidation of cysteine residues. For S100A4, but not for S100A2, this results in both increased activation of NFκB and secretion of TNF-α in human A375 and, to a higher extent, in RAGE-transfected melanoma cells. The data suggest that a prooxidative tumor microenvironment enhances proinflammatory and prometastatic action of S100A4.

Objectives:

Optimized production and separation parameters, use of only ultra-pure reagents with ppt-levels of metal traces are necessary for the production of high specific activities (SA) ⁶¹Cu. From previous studies regarding production of ⁶¹Cu there is little data on SA published. McCarthy et al. [1] measured SA ranging from 47 to 190 GBq/µmol for ⁶¹Cu produced via ⁶¹Ni(p,n)⁶¹Cu and ⁶⁰Ni(d,n)⁶¹Cu reaction. An alternative method for production is the use of the ⁶⁴Zn(p,α)61Cu reaction [2]. The use of 99% enriched ⁶⁴Zn is considerably cheaper than use of enriched ⁶¹Ni.
Methods:
A target setup was developed using approximately 100 mg enriched ⁶⁴Zn electroplated on a massive gold disk for proton irradiation. The radiochemical separation technique included recycling of the target material and was based on ion exchange methods described in the literature [3-8]. It consisted of a system of cation and anion exchange columns. This ion exchanger cascade included a twofold cation exchange step developed for effective removal of gallium by-products (^66/67/68Ga) and one anion exchange step to separate ⁶¹Cu from the target material. This separation procedure took one hour. After the recycling procedure for the target material a new electrodeposition of the ⁶⁴Zn could be carried out. The method used small ion exchange columns, aqueous hydrochloric acid solutions and is described in detail by Thieme et al. [2]. The SA was evaluated by TETA binding assay with radio TLC. Two different cyclotrons were used for the irradiations: a Cyclone 18/9 (IBA, Belgium) at the Insitute of Radiopharmacy in Dresden-Rossendorf with a home-made solid target holder and a CC 18/9 (Efremov Institute, St. Petersburg, Russia) at Turku PET Centre in Turku also with a home-made solid target holder.
Results:
With the Cyclone 18/9 the irradiations were performed with 12 µA of 16 MeV protons on target for 30 min and yielded about 300 MBq ⁶¹Cu at EOB. The CC 18/9 irradiations with 30 µA of 13 MeV protons on target for 30 min yielded 330-400 MBq ⁶¹Cu, and with 3 hours 1150 MBq ⁶¹Cu, respectively. SA of 500 GBq/µmol were achieved with the CC 18/9 which is equipped with a solid target holder completely made of aluminum preventing contamination of the target disk with non-radioactive copper. Compared to the low specific activities, less than 1 GBq/µmol was achieved at the Cyclone 18/9. This low SA is most likely caused by contamination with non-radioactive copper from the currently used solid target holder containing brass/copper parts.
Conclusions:
These results show the possibility to produce high SA ⁶¹Cu (SA up to 500 GBq/µmol) via the ⁶⁴Zn(p,α)⁶¹Cu reaction at low proton energies. Together with the used radiochemical separation method it is possible to produce high quality ⁶¹Cu routinely.

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We have studied thermal fluctuations of the electrical conductivity in melt-textured YBa₂Cu₃O₇ (YBCO) samples under low magnetic fields. Measurements were performed either for current applied parallel or perpendicular to the c-axis and fluctuation conductivity was studied in the proximity of the superconducting transition. Two melt processed samples were prepared with different concentrations of Y₂Ba₁Cu₁O₅ (Y211) phase. For the sample with lower concentration, 3D-Gaussian and genuine critical 3D-XY-E fluctuation regimes were identified in the conductivity parallel to the ab plane and a regime beyond 3D-XY was also observed. The 3D-XY-E scaling was also identified in the fluctuation conductivity along the c-axis. In the sample with higher concentration of the Y211 phase, disorder effects are relevant. The results indicate that the superconducting state in YBCO has a three-dimensional character, and suggest the presence of a sub-dominant order-parameter component that has an appreciable projection along the c-axis.

In this paper we present a magnetic study of Co_1-xBi_xFe₂O₄ nanoparticles obtained by applying magnetic fields up to 14 T and for temperatures in the range of 5 to 340 K. Hysteresis loops yield a saturation magnetization (M_s), coercive field (H_c), and remanent magnetization (M_r) that vary significantly with temperature and bismuth content. The T-dependence of M_s obtained for H = 5 T presents a maximum at 150 K and a minimum at 25 K that are also dependent on the value of x. However, for H = 14 T, this anomalous behavior disappears and the magnetization smoothly approaches saturation down to 5 K. The magnetic cubic anisotropy constant for different Bi contents, determined by a “law of approach” to saturation, was found to be smaller than those values for pure cobalt ferrite nanoparticles and strongly dependent on temperature. A discussion on the implications of the anomalous behavior in the determination of the anisotropy constant in these sample materials is also presented.

Visualizations of the solidification process were obtained by means of X-ray radioscopy within a Hele-Shaw cell filled with Ga-25wt%In alloy. The complete temperature field was measured in additional experiments by an infrared camera (Trotec IC 080 LV). The evolution of segregation channels (so-called ‘chimneys’) and microstructure of mushy zone was investigated and convection effects were highlighted. In the case of thermo-solutal convection the probability of chimney formation depends sensitively on variations of the horizontal temperature distribution. The temperature difference between the central part and the periphery of the solidification cell may cause a modification of the natural circulation inside the melt.
The second part of this study concerns the case when the natural convection is superimposed by an electromagnetically driven flow perpendicular to the dendrites growth direction. The main effects of forced melt flow are a modification of the dendritic structure and flow-induced redistribution of the solute concentration.
A quantitative assessment of the melt convection directly at the solid-liquid interface was obtained by applying the optical flow approach, which provided information about the velocity field. This quantitative analysis and experimental data of flow field and temperature distribution gives a better understanding of the interplay be-tween melt flow and solidification process.

High magnetic fields are one of the most powerful tools available to scientists for the study, modification, and control of the state of matter. The application of magnetic fields, therefore, has become a commonly used instrument in condensed-matter physics. For the observation of many phenomena very high magnetic fields are es-sential. Consequently, the demand for the highest possible magnetic-field strengths is increasing. At the Dresden High Magnetic Field Laboratory (Hochfeld-Magnetlabor Dresden, HLD), that in 2007 has opened its doors for external users, pulsed magnetic fields up to about 72 T are readily available and a European record field of 87.2 T has been reached. The laboratory has set the ambitious goal of reaching 100 T on a 10 ms timescale. As a unique feature, a free-electron-laser facility next door allows high-brilliance radiation to be fed into the pulsed field cells of the HLD, thus making possible high-field magneto-optical experiments in the range 3-250 µm. Cryotech-niques and different sample probes for a broad range of experimental techniques custom designed for the pulsed magnets are available for users. In-house research of the HLD focuses on electronic properties of strongly correlated materials at high magnetic fields. Besides introducing some highlights of the HLD experimental infra-structure, some recent scientific research results will be presented. This includes the determination of the doping-dependent evolution of the Fermi surface of elec-tron-doped high-temperature superconductors by means of Shubnikov de Haas measurements. The observed reconstruction of the Fermi surface gives evidence for the existence of a superlattice potential, the origin of which is still under debate. Fur-ther, the recently found evidence for the Fulde Ferrell Larkin Ovchinnikov state in an organic superconductor will be presented. Emphasis will be laid on such examples where neutron research at high fields might be able to contribute in unravelling topical open questions.

AC magnetic fields unlock an enormous potential to realize a variety of flow structures in molten metals, which makes the electromagnetic stirring attractive for control-ling the melt flow during solidification. Many studies have shown that beneficial effects like a distinct grain refinement or the promotion of a transition from a columnar to an equiaxed dendritic growth (CET) can be obtained. However, electromagnetically-driven melt convection may also produce segregation freckles on the macro-scale especially in solute-rich alloys showing different equilibrium concentrations of solute in the mixed crystal and the surrounding melt. The achievement of superior casting structures needs a well-aimed control of melt convection during solidification, which in turn requires a detailed knowledge of the flow structures and a profound understanding of the complex interaction between melt flow, temperature and concentration field.
Previous investigations considered the use of time-modulated AC magnetic field to control the heat and mass transfer at the solidification front. It has been shown recently under laboratory conditions, that an accurate tuning of the magnetic field parameters can avoid segregation effects, however, a mismatch of the relevant modulation parameter may lead to worse results. Further investigations in form of numerical simulations accompanied by model experiments are necessary to achieve a quantitative understanding of the effect of fluid flow on the microstructure evolution.
This paper presents an experimental study which at first is focused on obtaining quantitative information about the isothermal flow field exposed to various magnetic field configurations. In a second step solidification experiments are carried out to verify the effect of a certain flow field on the solidification process. Furthermore, a new experimental set-up has been constructed to investigate electromagnetically-driven flows under realistic conditions of directional solidification, in particular the behaviour of the flow pattern in case of a propagating interface.

At the Dresden High Magnetic Field Laboratory (Hochfeld-Magnetlabor Dresden, HLD), that in 2007 has opened its doors for external users, pulsed magnetic fields up to 70 T on a timescale of 150 ms as well as 60 T with 1.5 s pulse duration are available and a European record field of 87.2 T has been reached [1,2]. The laboratory has set the ambitious goal of reaching 100 T on a 10 ms timescale. As a unique feature, a free-electron-laser facility next door allows high-brilliance radiation to be fed into the pulsed-field cells of the HLD, thus making possible high-field magneto-optical experiments in the range 3-250 µm. Cryotechniques and different sample probes for a broad range of experimental techniques custom designed for the pulsed magnets are readily available for users. These techniques include magnetization, ultrasound, electron spin resonance, cyclotron resonance, as well as nuclear magnetic resonance and specific-heat measurements. Recent improvements in signal-to-noise ratios allow to resolve relative resistance changes in electrical-transport measurements of about 10^-4 [3] and relative length changes in magnetostriction experiments of about 10^-7 [4]. In reply to the very strong user demand an extension of the HLD with additional pulse-field cells, capacitor bank, and improved infrastructure will be built starting from 2011. In-house research of the HLD focuses on electronic properties of strongly correlated electron systems at high magnetic fields. Besides introducing some highlights of the HLD experimental infrastructure, some recent scientific research results will be presented.

Oscillatory flow instabilities in a liquid metal cylinder with a free upper surface, exposed to a rotating magnetic field (RMF), are analysed by numerical simulations of the axisymmetric Navier-Stokes equations. The critical Taylor number designating the onset of the oscillatory flow regime decreases with increasing aspect ratio A= H/R while the Taylor-number interval, where the flow oscillations occur, becomes narrower. The instability is initiated near the free surface, where an oscillatory variation of the size and position of the upper vortex in the secondary flow can be observed accompanied by a horizontal oscillation of the azimuthal velocity maximum at the free surface. The predicted flow regimes have been observed in corresponding model experiments with GaInSn using the Ultrasound Doppler Velocimetry (UDV) for flow field measurements. The occurrence of the oscillatory flow regime depends sensitively on the cleanliness of the liquid metal surface.

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The Dresden High Magnetic Field Laboratory (HLD) is a pulsed-field user facility which offers to researches a variety of experimental techniques combined with nondestructive pulsed magnetic fields. Recently a new, 9.5 MJ dualcoil magnet has been commissioned. This magnet has achieved magnetic field of 91.4 T in a 16 mm bore and it is available for users now. In this paper, we report on some key upgrades in the magnet design which have led to breaking the 90 T limit at the HLD. Further possible design improvements are discussed. In addition, we share our operational experience obtained with the pulsed magnets.

The effect of multivalency manganese doping on the defect structure and enhanced electrical resistivity is studied for the high-temperature piezoelectric (1 - x)BiScO₃-xPbTiO₃ (BSPT) solid-solution system by means of multifrequency electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy combined with conductivity measurements. The results show that manganese is rather incorporated on a scandium than a titanium site as an isovalent substitute (Mn_Sc ^x) instead of acceptor-type centers, such as Mn(Ti)', Mn(Ti)'', or Mn(Sc)'. The enhanced electric resistivity is found being on the one hand due to the trapping of conduction electrons at the manganese functional center sites (Mn(Sc)(x) + e' -> Mn(Sc)'). On the other hand, through the formation of (Mn(Sc)' - V(O)(center dot center dot))(center dot) defect complexes the ionic conductivity is reduced. Concerning the overall mechanism of charge compensation in that material, both kinds of defects mutually compensate.

The bimetallic subsulfide Bi₈Ni₈S was synthesized by reduction of Bi₈Ni₈SI₂ with n-BuLi. Bi₈Ni₈S is metastable and decomposes exothermically at about 180°C. In a pseudomorphosis, the shiny black crystals of the precursor were preserved, while the iodide ions were extracted and the pre-formed ¹ _\infinity[Bi₈Ni₈S] fragments rearranged into a pseudo-hexagonal rod packing [space group Pbam, a = 1750.14(7) pm, b = 1007.7(2) pm, c = 419.6(3) pm]. The rods have an effective diameter of about 1 nm and consist of an outer octagonal tube of bismuth atoms and an inner octagonal tube of nickel atoms. This arrangement markedly resembles the columnar Ta₄Te₄Si structure type. The difference comes with the disulfide groups that reside on the cen-tral axis. Interatomic distances inside the rods are almost not affected by the reduction, and thus the electronic band structure is not much altered. Yet, the additional electrons raise the Fermi level into a local maximum of the density of states and occupy predominantly antibonding Ni–Ni and S–S states. The dominant Bi–Ni multicenter bonding is accompanied by localized two-center bonds between nickel atoms. The charges of the nickel atoms as well as ELI-D basin populations of Ni– Ni and Ni–Bi bonds change considerably, indicating that the tube is (un)charging quite flexibly and acts as an electron reservoir. In contrast to the iodide precursor, the weak Pauli paramagnetism of Bi₈Ni₈S is slightly enhanced and spin correlations are observed below 20 K.

Rare-earth intermetallic compounds R₂Co₁₇ and R₂Fe₁₇ form an interesting group of magnetic materials and their properties have been extensively studied in the last decades. In these compounds, as generally in R-T transition-metal compounds, the strongest interaction is the 3d-3d interaction which primarily determines T_C. The 4f-3d interaction, although much weaker than the 3d-3d interaction, is of special importance since it couples the strongly anisotropic R-sublattice moment to that one of much less anisotropic T-sublattice. R₂Co₁₇ and R₂Fe₁₇ compounds (crystallizing in the hexagonal Th₂Ni₁₇-type structure), where R is a heavy rare-earth element, are ferrimagnetic and high magnetic fields are needed to induce changes in the magnetic configuration.

The low-temperature excitation spectrum in copper pyrimidine dinitrate, a spin-1/2 antiferromagnetic chain with alternating g-tensor and Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interactions that exhibits a eld-induced spin gap, is probed by means of ESR spectroscopy in magnetic elds up to 63 T. In particular, we report on a minimum of the gap in the vicinity of the saturation field Hsat = 48:5 T associated with a transition from the sine-Gordon region (with soliton-breather elementary excitations) to a spin-polarized state (with magnon excitations). This interpretation is fully conrmed by the quantitative agreement over the entire eld range of the experimental data with the DMRG calculations for spin-1/2 Heisenberg chain with a staggered transverse field.
This work was partly supported by the DFG and EuroMagNET II under the EU contract 228043.

We report the observation of highly anisotropic Dirac fermions in a Bi square net of SrMnBi₂, based on a first-principles calculation, angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy, and quantum oscillations for high-quality single crystals. We found that the Dirac dispersion is generally induced in the (SrBi)⁺ layer containing a double-sized Bi square net. In contrast to the commonly observed isotropic Dirac cone, the Dirac cone in SrMnBi₂ is highly anisotropic with a large momentum-dependent disparity of Fermi velocities of ~8. These findings demonstrate that a Bi square net, a common building block of various layered pnictides, provides a new platform that hosts highly anisotropic Dirac fermions.

CeAu₂Ge₂ single crystals (with tetragonal ThCr₂Si₂ structure) have been grown in Au-Ge flux (AGF) as well as in Sn flux (SF). X-ray powder diffraction and EDX measurements indicate that in the latter case, Sn atoms from the flux are incorporated in the samples, leading to a decrease of the lattice constants by ≈0.3% compared to AGF samples. For both types of samples, a strong anisotropy of the magnetization M for the magnetic field B parallel and perpendicular to the c direction is observed with M||/M⊥ ≈ 6–7 in low fields just above 10 K. This anisotropy is preserved to high fields and temperatures and can be quantitatively explained by crystal electric field effects. Antiferromagnetic ordering sets in around 10 K as previously found for polycrystalline samples. From the magnetization data of our single crystals we obtain the phase diagrams for the AGF and SF samples. The magnetic properties depend strongly on the flux employed. While the AGF samples exhibit a complex behavior indicative of several magnetic transitions, the SF samples adopt a simpler antiferromagnetic structure with a single spin-flop transition. This effect of a more ordered state induced by disorder in form of Sn impurities is qualitatively explained within the anisotropic next-nearest neighbor Ising (ANNNI) model, which assumes ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic interactions in agreement with the magnetic structure previously inferred from neutron-scattering experiments on polycrystalline CeAu₂Ge₂ by Loidl et al.

We reportmarkedly different transport properties ofABA- andABC-stacked trilayer graphenes. Our experiments in double-gated trilayer devices provide evidence that a perpendicular electric field opens an energy gap in the ABC trilayer, while it causes the increase of a band overlap in the ABA trilayer. In a perpendicular magnetic field, the ABA trilayer develops quantum Hall plateaus at filling factors of nu = 2,4,6, . . . with a step of Δnu = 2, whereas the inversion-symmetric ABC trilayer exhibits plateaus at nu = 6 and 10 with fourfold spin and valley degeneracy.

A thermodynamic method to extract the interchain coupling (IC) of spatially anisotropic 2D or 3D spin-1/2 systems from their empirical saturation field H_s(T = 0) is proposed. Using modern theoretical methods we study how H_s is affected by an antiferromagnetic (AFM) IC between frustrated chains described in the J₁-J₂-spin model with ferromagnetic 1st and AFM 2nd neighbor in-chain exchange. A complex 3D-phase diagram has been found. For Li₂CuO₂ and Ca₂Y₂Cu₅O₁₀, we show that H_s is solely determined by the IC and predict H_s \apprx 61 T for the latter. With H_s \approx 55 T from magnetization data one reads out a weak IC for Li₂CuO₂ close to that obtained from inelastic neutron scattering.

We report new experimental results on how superconductivity in gallium-doped germanium (Ge:Ga) is influenced by hole concentration and microstructure. Ion implantation and subsequent flash-lamp annealing at various temperatures have been utilized to prepare highly p-doped thin films consisting of nanocrystalline and epitaxially grown sublayers with Ga-peak concentrations of up to 8 at.%. Successive structural investigations were carried out by means of Rutherford-backscattering spectrometry in combination with ion channelling, secondaryion-mass spectrometry, and high-resolution cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy. Hole densities of 1.8·10²⁰ to 5.3·10²⁰ cm^-3 (0.4 to 1.2 at.%) were estimated via Hall-effect measurements revealing that only a fraction of the incorporated gallium has been activated electrically to generate free charge carriers. The coincidence of a sufficiently high hole and Ga concentration is required for the formation of a superconducting condensate. Our data reflect a critical hole concentration of around 0.4 at.%. Higher concentrations lead to an increase of T_c from 0.24 to 0.43 K as characterized by electrical-transport measurements. A short mean-free path indicates superconductivity in the dirty limit. In addition, small critical-current densities of max. 20 kA/m² point to a large impact of the microstructure

Improvement of CBERS-3/4 Imaging Camera Pin-pull Components by Plasma Immersion Ion Implantation

RAGE, the receptor for advanced glycation endproducts, is a pattern recognition receptor that belongs to the immunoglobulin superfamily. In homeostasis, RAGE is expressed ubiquitously high only in the lung, and moderate to low in a wide range of cells such as endothelial cells, mononuclear phagocytes, smooth muscle cells, mesangial cells, and certain neurons. It is found either as a membrane-bound or soluble protein that is markedly and quickly upregulated by stress in both epithelial and inflammatory cells. RAGE binds multiple ligands, including advanced glycation end products (AGEs), amyloid fibrils, amphoterin, and various members of the S100 family of EF-hand calcium-binding proteins such as S100A4, S100A8/A9, S100A11, S100A12, and S100B. Activation and upregulation through a positive feedback loop of RAGE and, subsequently, perpetual RAGE S100 engagement effects the activation of diverse signaling cascades that initiate and stimulate chronic stress and survival pathways, depending on the distinct interacting S100 protein, environment, and developmental stage. This can result in chronic inflammation and is supposed a setting in which predominantly epithelial malignancies can arise. Therefore, exploring the function of RAGE and its panoply of S100 ligands in the setting of inflammation is critically important in understanding the role of this receptor in carcinogenesis and metastasis, but also in other pathological conditions such as radiation therapy-related vascular dysfunction. In this review, we summarize novel findings on RAGE S100 protein interaction and subsequently triggered signaling cascades from published reports and own ongoing studies. In particular, a comprehensive evaluation of S100 protein metabolism in rodent models using fluorine-18 radiolabeled recombinant S100 proteins and small animal positron emission tomography, further underlining the role of RAGE S100 protein interaction in normal and disease states in vivo, is demonstrated. These recent experiments also support the potential of RAGE and its S100 ligands as attractive theragnostic markers and targets, respectively.

Human polo-like kinase 1 (Plk1) is involved in cell proliferation and overexpressed in a broad variety of different cancer types. Due to its crucial role in cancerogenesis Plk1 is a potential target for diagnostic and therapeutic applications. Peptidic ligands can specifically interact with the polo-box domain (PBD) of Plk1, a C-terminal located phosphoepitope binding motif. Recently, phosphopeptide MQSpTPL has been identified as ligand with high binding affinity. However, a radiolabeled version of this peptide showed only insufficient cellular uptake. The present study investigated peptide dimers consisting of PBD-targeting phosphopeptide MQSpTPL and a cell-penetrating peptide (CPP) moiety. The new constructs demonstrate superior uptake in different cancer cell-lines compared to the phosphopeptide alone. Furthermore, we could demonstrate binding of phosphopeptide-CPP dimers to PBD of Plk1 making the compounds interesting leads for the development of molecular probes for imaging Plk1 in cancer.

Thomson sources, either driven by small linacs or laser-wakefield accelerated (LWFA) electrons are compact in size and can provide ultrashort, hard X-ray pulses of high brilliance. However, the finite Rayleigh length at small interaction diameters makes it increasingly difficult in head-on (180°) Thomson scenarios to avoid higher laser intensities and thus the onset of the nonlinear regime. Effectively, such a geometry limits the peak brilliance of all future Thomson sources.

We present a novel concept, Traveling-wave Thomson scattering (TWTS), which allows obtaining centimeter to meter long optical undulators, where interaction length and diameter are independent of each other. With an ultrashort, high-power laser pulse in an oblique angle scattering geometry using tilted pulse fronts, electrons and laser remain overlapped while both beams travel over distances much longer than the Rayleigh length.
This allows realizing side-scattering in laser-electron beam interactions, without compromises with regard to luminosity or overlap. Furthermore, the smallest achievable scattered bandwidth is controlled by the width of a cylindrically focused laser beam and thus is independent of the ultrashort laser bandwidth. Due to the flexibility in side-scattering angle, photon energies become tunable over a large spectral range without requiring a change in electron energy.

TWTS is particularly interesting for “pink beam” experiments at hard X-rays in which high photon yields in single, ultrashort pulses are needed. Above 100keV photon energy, this approach potentially leads to peak brilliances that are beyond the capabilities of existing synchrotron radiation sources and 2-3 orders of magnitudes higher than in current head-on Thomson scattering designs.

Towards experimental realization, we show how such a Traveling-wave setup has to be implemented. An emphasis is put on the use of varied-line spacing (VLS) gratings for dispersion precompensation of the laser beam at large interaction angles to achieve the required overlap between laser and electrons within the interaction region.

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Chemical processes are often controlled by monitoring pressure and temperature in the process chamber. However, usually these parameters are only available at selected positions, e.g. the inlet and outlet. And they are often not sufficient to operate the processes at the limit, i.e., to ensure high production rates and safety requirements, respectively. The knowledge of temperature fields is even more required if multiphase processes with a high tendency of segregation are considered due to occurrence of dead zones or by-passes.
A sensor concept for two-dimensional measurement of temperature fields for the monitoring of mixing processes was developed and tested. The sensor consists of a 32x32 matrix of small NTC temperature sensors. The measurement electronics is based on a multiplexing driving scheme. This set up enables the measurement of liquid temperatures at the surface of the sensor in each crossing point of the matrix. Applying the new electronic scheme, scanning frequencies up to 100 Hz allow fast temperature measurement to derive conclusions about heat transfer, flow regimes and mixing conditions.
The sensor performance was tested in two experimental setups. Heated phantoms of known geometric shape were applied to study the spatial resolution of the sensor. Furthermore, the 32x32 temperature sensor was installed at the wall of a flat mixing chamber. The flow chamber was fed by two liquid streams of different temperature connected at the inlet ports. Temporal evolution of the mixing temperature and steady-state mixing temperature patterns were observed.

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X-ray irradiation has an influence on survival and metastatic properties of tumor cells. In turn, metastasis and cellular motility can be modified by EphA2 and EphA3, two members of the Eph receptor/ephrin family of receptor tyrosine kinases. However, links between irradiation, Eph receptor expression and modification of metastasis-relevant cellular properties have not yet been shown. In this study, we irradiated one pre-metastatic and three metastatic human melanoma cells lines, including one self-generated metastatic cell line with X-rays. At day 1 and day 7 post irradiation we analyzed cellular viability, proliferation, motility, adhesion, migration, and clonal growth. Additionally, selected Eph receptors and ephrin ligands were analyzed regarding radiationdependent changes in mRNA and protein content.

In all cell lines a dose-dependent decrease in viability and cell growth for up to 1 week after irradiation was demonstrated. Motility was decreased 1 day after treatment but showed recurrence at 7 days after X-ray. In adhesion to fibronectin, we detected an irradiation-induced increase with similar decrease in migration and clonal growth. Thus, we assume that X-ray acts merely antimetastatic on the investigated melanoma cells. For EphA2 we detected an increase in mRNA in 2 of 3 metastatic cell lines, with simultaneously decreased protein level. EphA3 was found to be upregulated in mRNA and protein in 3 of 4 cell lines. Expression of ephrinA1 and A5 was generally low and seemed unaffected by irradiation.
In conclusion, our data indicate irradiation-induced downregulation of EphA2 and up-regulation of EphA3 in human melanoma cells, leading to anti-metastatic effects such as decreased motility and migration and increased adhesion to fibronectin. Ongoing studies will further clarify underlying mechanisms and the importance of EphA2 and EphA3 in melanoma metastasis.

Hintergrund:

Der epidermale Wachstumsfaktor-Rezeptor (EGFR) wird in einer Vielzahl maligner Tumore überexprimiert. Die Hemmung des Rezeptors durch den monoklonalen Antikörper Cetuximab (C225) in Kombination mit fraktionierter Bestrahlung führte bei dieser Tumorentität (prä)klinisch zu einer verbesserten lokalen Tumorkontrolle (1).
Ziel:
Radiochemische Entwicklung, Charakterisierung und Herstellung von [⁹⁰Y]Y-CHX-A´´-DTPACetuximab ([⁹⁰Y]C225). Präklinische Evaluierung von [⁹⁰Y]C225 in Kombination mit externer Bestrahlung. Kann [⁹⁰Y]C225 die lokale Tumorkontrolle in Mäusen nach externer Bestrahlung weiter verbessern?
Methoden:
CHX-A´´-DTPA wurde über Thioharnstoffkupplung in HEPES-Puffer bei pH 7,2 mit C225 konjugiert. Die Reinigung des Konjugates erfolgte durch Ultrafiltration. Das Chelator-C225-Verhältnis wurde durch MALDI-TOF-MS bestimmt. Die Affinität gegenüber EGFR wurde durchflusszytometrisch ermittelt. Die Radiomarkierung erfolgte in MES-Puffer durch 30-minütige Inkubation mit [⁹⁰Y/⁸⁶Y]YCl₃ bei pH 6,1 und 30°C. Die radiopharmakologische Charakterisierung erfolgte mittels Ex-vivo-Autoradiographie ([⁹⁰Y]C225) und Kleintier-Positronen-Emissions-Tomographie ([⁸⁶Y]C225) nach intravenöser Applikation in NMRI-Nacktmäusen (nu/nu) mit subkutan xenotransplantiertem humanen Plattenepithelkarzinom (FaDu) als Modell. Im Rahmen der Therapieexperimente wurden FaDu-NMRI(nu/nu)-Mäuse mit [⁹⁰Y]C225 (je 2,8 MBq/13 μg C225 i.v.) und/oder externer Bestrahlung (26, 32 und 38 Gy, 200 kV Röntgen, 0,5 mm Cu-Filter, 1,1 Gy/min, Einzeldosis) behandelt. Endpunkte der Therapieexperimente waren Wachstumsverzögerung und lokale Tumorkontrolle 180 Tage nach externer Bestrahlung.
Ergebnisse:
Es wurden 4 CHX-A´´-DTPA-Moleküle an C225 gekuppelt. Das Konjugat weist mit einem KD-Wert von 0,33 nM im Vergleich zu nativem C225 keinen Affinitätsverlust gegenüber EGFR auf. Bei der Radiomarkierung mit [⁹⁰Y]YCl₃ wurden reproduzierbar spezifische Aktivitäten bis zu 9 GBq/mg C225 und radiochemische Ausbeuten von >95% erzielt. Autoradiographie und PET zeigten 48 h p.i. eine hohe Anreicherung im Tumor. Diese Ergebnisse zeigen, dass das Konjugat für Therapieversuche geeignet ist. Die Kombinationstherapie wurde gut toleriert und es konnten im Vergleich zu den Kontrolltieren histologisch keine Organveränderungen festgestellt werden. Die Tumorkontrolle nach alleiniger externer Bestrahlung zeigt einen klaren Dosiseffekt. Nach 26 Gy externer Bestrahlung war eine signifikant höhere Tumorkontrolle nach Applikation von 13 μg [⁹⁰Y]C225 im Vergleich zu alleiniger externer Bestrahlung oder zu externer Bestrahlung und unmarkiertem Cetuximab zu verzeichnen.
Referenzen:
(1) Krause et al. Radiother Oncol. 2005 Feb;74(2):109-15
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High molecular (above 10 kDa) melanoidins isolated from coffee beans of varying roasting degree were found to be efficient inhibitors for the zinc-containing matrix metalloproteases MMP-1, MMP-2, and MMP-9 with IC50 values ranging between 0.2 and 1.1 mg/mL in vitro. The inhibitory potential increased with roasting degree. No or only slight inhibition of other zinc-containing peptidases closely related to MMPs, namely, Clostridium histolyticum collagenase and angiotensin converting enzyme, was found, indicating specific structural features of melanoidins to be responsible for the interaction with MMPs. A continuous increase on the apparent molecular weight of melanoidins as well as incorporation of phenolic substances into the melanoidin structure with progress of roasting was observed, concomitant with a significant increase in the carbon/nitrogen of the melanoidins. This suggests that the melanoidins are mainly formed by incorporation of carbohydrates and phenolic compounds onto a proteinaceous backbone. As MMP-1, MMP-2, and MMP-9 play a pivotal role in pathogenesis of colorectal cancer, studies on possible physiological effects of melanoidins are mandatory.

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The neutronics model of the nodal reactor dynamics code DYN3D developed for 3D analyses of steady states and transients in Light-Water Reactors has been extended by a simplified P3 (SP3) neutron transport option – to overcome the limitations of the diffusion approach at regions with significant anisotropy effects.
To provide a method being applicable to reactors with hexagonal fuel assemblies and to furthermore allow flexible mesh refinement, the nodal SP3 method has been developed on the basis of a flux expansion in trigonal-z geometry.
In this paper, the derivation of the trigonal SP3 method is presented in a condensed form and a verification of the methodology on quasi-pin level is performed by means of single-assembly test examples. The corresponding pin-wise few-group cross sections were obtained by the deterministic lattice code HELIOS. The power distributions were calculated using both the trigonal DYN3D diffusion and SP3 solver and compared to the HELIOS reference solutions. Close to regions with non-negligible flux anisotropies, e.g., caused by the presence of a strong absorbing material, the power distribution calculated by DYN3D-SP3 shows a significant improvement in comparison to the diffusion method.

The electron accelerator facility ELBE is the central experimental site of the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Germany. Experiments with Bremsstrahlung started in 2001 and since that, through a series of expansions and modifications, ELBE has evolved to a 24/7 user facility running a total of seven secondary sources including two IR FELs. As its control system, ELBE uses WinCC on top of a networked PLC architecture. For data acquisition with high temporal resolution, PXI and PC based systems are in use, applying National Instruments hardware and LabVIEW application software. Machine protection systems are based on in-house built digital and analogue hardware. An overview of the system is given, along with an experience report on maintenance, reliability and efforts to keep track with ongoing IT, OS and security developments. Limits of application and new demands imposed by the forthcoming facility upgrade as a centre for high intensity beams (in conjunction with TW/PW femtosecond lasers) are discussed.

Fe-Cr alloys play an important role both in science and technology. The former stems from their interesting and unique properties which make them to be regarded as model alloys. The latter follows from the fact that they are a basic component of stainless steels (SS) that, thanks to their properties, have been used as construction materials in various branches of industry like power plants or fusion and fission reactors. In these applications they often undergo radiation damage that causes degradation of materials properties. A new generation of SS should provide better characteristics, and, in particular, better resistance to the radiation damage. To achieve this goal, one has to better understand effects caused by the radiation like short-range ordering (SRO).

QCD sum rules for chiral partners in the open-charm meson sector are presented at nonzero baryon net density or temperature. We focus on the differences between pseudo-scalar and scalar as well as vector and axial-vector D mesons and derive the corresponding Weinberg-type sum rules. This allows for the identification of such QCD condensates which drive the nondegeneracy of chiral partners in the lowest order of the strong coupling αs and which, therefore, may serve as “order parameters” for chiral restoration (or elements thereof).

Introduction: Our GeoEPT-method allows the 4D monitoring of transport processes in geological material on laboratory scale (Gründig et al., 2007; Kulenkampff et al., 2008; Richter et al., 2005). We apply COMSOL Multiphysics for reproducing our experiments and extracting parameter sets for our 4D problems. We learn that importing realistic structures from computer tomography (CT) as well as matching our experimental and simulated 4D data sets are complex tasks.

Use of COMSOL Multiphysics: A granite drill core (length = 198 mm, diameter = 50 mm) with a prominent fracture is scanned by means of a medical CT with a spatial resolution of about 1 mm³ (3∙106 voxels, Figure 1, bottom). The data segmentation is conducted with Avizo® Fire under consideration of beam hardening effects. A voxel based fracture geometry is transferred to COMSOL Multiphysics in stl-file format (11 MB, Figure 1, top). After scaling the geometry object and converting it to solid, we allocate the material water to its volume of about 20 ml. First Laminar flow is assigned to the domain and solved stationary. By attributing No slip walls, initial (u = 0, p0 = 0), inflow (u0 = 2∙10-5 m/s) and outflow conditions (p = 0) the experimental conditions are well represented by the model. A user-controlled mesh (free tetrahedral, normal element size) calibrated for Fluid dynamics consists of ~370,000 elements (Figure 2). The stationary flow and pressure field is solved by the GMRES solver in less than four minutes. We add Transport of a diluted species with a Gaussian concentration-input function (standard deviation ~14 min at t = 30 min) for simulating our time dependent experiment (Figure 3). This computing time amounts to additional 23 minutes.

Results: We obtain 4D simulation results covering 10 hours with 10 min resolution. The 4D data sets (Figure 3) as well as breakthrough curves (BTC) are matched with our 4D experimental results obtained in GeoPET experiments (Figure 4). Although effects caused by filter plates at the flange facings were not yet considered in the COMSOL, model the BTC matches fairly well.

Conclusion: The development of algorithms for flow pattern identification, parameterisation of pattern evolution and pattern tracking might allow for quantitative similarity studies of 4D flow and transport processes. In parallel, refining the geometry on the basis of higher resolution CT measurements will help approaching better matches between simulated and measured 4D data sets of flow and transport in heterogeneous geological media.

Outlook: Intermediate and long-term aim of such matching attempts of 4D simulation results with corresponding measurement results is (A) to quantify the effect a simplified geometry from high resolution CT measurements has on the quality of reproducing our real GeoPET flow and transport monitoring results, (B) to quantify the effect a simplified geometry has on the quality of reactive transport in geological material, when additional interactions have to be considered and (C) to evaluate appropriate algorithms for reducing high resolution, high dimension, complex physics models to continuum scale models capable of capturing the relevant processes ruling on the field scale.

References:

Gründig, M., Richter, M., Seese, A. and Sabri, O., 2007. Tomographic radiotracer studies of the spatial distribution of heterogeneous geochemical transport processes. Appl. Geochem., 22: 2334-2343.
Kulenkampff, J., Gründig, M., Richter, M. and Enzmann, F., 2008. Evaluation of positron emission tomography for visualisation of migration processes in geomaterials. Physics and Chemistry of the Earth, 33: 937-942.
Richter, M., Gründig, M., Zieger, K., Seese, A. and Sabri, O., 2005. Positron Emission Tomography for modelling of geochmical transport processes in clay. Radiochim. Acta, 93: 643-651.

Neutron radiation is a highly penetrating probe, routinely used for non-destructive testing of engineering components and for analysis of the structure and dynamics of novel advanced materials. The same analytical techniques can be employed for characterizing objects of art, museum pieces and archaeological findings. In particular, neutron radiography, neutron diffraction and neutron activation analysis provide valuable and complementary information to address questions of provenance, authenticity, fabrication techniques and conservation. This paper surveys some basic concepts and recent applications of neutrons in cultural heritage research at the ISIS neutron spallation source.

Depleted uranium used a ammunition corrodes in the environment forming mineral phases and then dissolved uranium species like uranium carbonates (Schimmack et al. 2007) and hydroxides. These hydroxide species were contacted with plant cells (canula). After 24 h contact time the cells were fractionated and the uranium speciation in the fraction was determined by TRLFS (time resolved laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy) at room temperature as well at 120K. It could be shown that the uranium speciation in the fractions is different to that in the nutrient solution. Comparison of the emission bands with literature data allows assignment of the uranium binding forms.

Application of laser-induced and time-resolved methods allow the direct determination of uranium speciation at extremely low concentrations. This behaviour can be directly observed due to the extraordinary luminescence properties of uranium-(VI).
Some examples for luminescence properties of uranium species relevant to the environment are shown. As for example carbonate species do not show any luminescence behaviour at room temperature cryogenic techniques were applied to decrease the quench processes of the excited species and to determine the uranium speciation. Change of this speciation can be observed due to a change in luminescence properties (emission wavelength and luminescence lifetime). Due to different dependence of the lifetime on temperature for the several uranium species additional luminescence measurements of the prepared solutions at room temperature and in the frozen state give more detailed information about the uranium speciation.
Contact of dissolved uranium with living cells at ambient conditions changes dramatically the uranium speciation. Besides of several organic phosphate binding forms although other uranium species were found as uranium bond to phenolic and thiol groups. Some of them do not emit any luminescence at room temperature. Nevertheless the low temperature measurements allow the assignment of species not fluorescing at room temperature, due to strong dynamic quench effects of H2O molecules and COO- groups. By use of the combined temperature dependent methods for several plant cell compartments we can now assign the uranium speciation in more detail.
Besides this plant cells provide a reducing environment in order to prevent oxidative stress. Due to the redox properties of uranium, it might be possible that uranium-(VI) in a cell matrix is reduced. By laser-induced photo-acoustic spectroscopy we were able to detect also uranium-(IV).

First results on luminescence of upconverting Nanoparticles are given

Heavy metals are explained from a radiochemist’s view. The Interaction of uranium with widespread flavanoids like quercetin have been discussed. Additionally glutathione can be seen as a multifunctional ligand. Information about the binding of uranium is provided. Last not least some onformation about binding forms of uranium in cell compartments of plant cells were given

Presently, argillaceous rock formations are under investigation as potential host rocks for nuclear waste repositories. In addition to the diffusion the sorption of radionuclides on mineral phases is an important physicochemical process in a nuclear waste repository in the case of a water inleakage. Concerning the required long-term safety and risk assessment of the storage of high-level radioactive waste the understanding of these processes is essential.
Opalinus Clay (OPA) is a complex composed argillaceous rock. This natural occurring clay rock is discussed as host rock formation for nuclear waste repositories.
In a repository based on argillaceous rock an initial temperature of around 100°C is expected due to the radioactive decay and the release of geothermal energy. But although elevated temperatures are able to influence the sorption behaviour of radionuclides on mineral phases the temperature effect is still investigated insufficiently.
The investigations concentrated on the sorption of Eu(III) on OPA under realistic OPA pore water conditions (pH 7.6, I = 0.4 mol•L-1) up to 50°C. In addition to the temperature dependent investigations the influence of organic matter (tartrate, citrate) on the Eu(III) sorption on OPA was studied up to 50°C.
The Eu(III) sorption is characterized by a very strong sorption to the clay surface. A significant temperature dependency of the Eu(III) sorption was observed. In the presence of tartrate or citrate the Eu(III) sorption decreases with rising ligand concentration. A surface species, most likely a EuCO3 surface species, was detected using TRLFS. The formation of a surface species containing tartrate or citrate was not observed with TRLFS.

Im Vortrag werden die experimentellen Schwierigkeiten bei der spektroskopischen Charakterisierung von U(VI) in salinaren Lösungen aufgezeigt. Desweiteren wird der Einflusses von der Ionenstärke auf die U(VI)-Komplexierung durch Citronensäure vorgestellt.

for Nuclear Reactors called NURESIM is being developed. This development follows a roadmap which is consistent with the SRA (Strategic Research Agenda) of the European SNETP (Sustainable Nuclear Energy Technology Platform). After delivery of two successive versions during the course of the NURESIM project, the numerical simulation platform is presently being developed in the frame of the NURISP European Collaborative Project (FP7), which includes 22 organizations from 14 European countries.
NURESIM intends to be a reference platform providing high quality software tools, physical models, generic functions and assessment results.
The NURESIM platform provides an accurate representation of the physical phenomena by promoting and incorporating the latest advances in core physics, two-phase thermal-hydraulics and fuel modelling. It includes multi-scale and multi-physics features, especially for coupling core physics and thermalhydraulics models for reactor safety. Easy coupling of the different codes and solvers is provided through the use of a common data structure and generic functions (e.g., for interpolation between nonconforming meshes).
More generally, the platform includes generic pre-processing, post-processing and supervision functions through the open-source SALOME software, in order to make the codes more user-friendly.
The platform also provides the informatics environment for testing and comparing different codes. For this purpose, it is essential to permit connection of the codes in a standardized way. The standards are being progressively built, concurrently with the process of developing the platform.
The NURESIM platform and the individual models, solvers and codes are being validated through challenging applications corresponding to nuclear reactor situations, and including reference calculations, experiments and plant data. Quantitative deterministic and statistical sensitivity and uncertainty analyses tools are also developed and provided through the platform.
A Users’ Group of European and non-European countries, including vendors, utilities, TSOs, and additional research organizations (beyond the current partners) has also been established in order to enhance the role of the simulation platform in meeting the needs of the nuclear industry, as applied to current and future nuclear reactors.
This presentation summarizes the achievements and ongoing developments of the simulation platform in core physics, thermal-hydraulics, multi-physics, uncertainties and code integration.

not available, please ask the authors

We present strangeness data taken with the High Acceptance Di-Electron Spectrometer (HADES) at the SchwerIonenSynchrotron SIS18 at the GSI Helmholtzzentrum Darmstadt. HADES, primarily designed to measure dielectrons, offers excellent hadron identification capabilities, too. Yields and phase-space distributions have been determined for the collision system Ar+KCl at 1.76A GeV and for strange particle species, with a substantial number of them being produced well below the production threshold in elementary nucleon-nucleon collisions. Here, sub-threshold production of φ mesons appeared to contribute substantially to the K⁻ yield. Confronting the K⁰ _s spectra, measured over a wide range in momentum and rapidity, to predictions of the IQMD transport model points to a repulsive in-medium K⁰ potential of about 40 MeV. Furthermore, we present our results on Λ-p intensity interferometry in Ar+KCl and compare them to other data.

ZnO:Al films with a thickness of about 880nm were deposited by magnetron sputtering. The glass substrate was not heated neither before during nor after the deposition. Subsequently the deposited layers were treated by flash lamp annealing (FLA) at 1.3 ms. Using this method, the resistivity of the ZnO:Al films was decreased by a factor of two, down to 1.0 x 10-3 Ωcm. These results are in good agreement with results reported from rapid thermal processing or furnace annealing treatments. Despite the very short annealing time of only 1.3 ms not only the resistivity but also the transmittance in the UV and the blue range were considerably improved.

Using the methods of cold neutron capture and photon scattering the electric dipole strength function of the nuclei 78Se and 196Pt are investigated. Considering that the deexcitation process could be described by the same strength functions one could describe both experiments in a statistical model code. The report shows the data analysis as well as a new very fast statistical code, which was used to get the complete strength information up to the neutron seperation energy.

An experimental study on drag-reduction phenomenon in dispersed oil-water flow has been performed in a 26-mm-i.d. 12 m long horizontal glass pipe. The flow was characterized using a novel wire-mesh sensor based on capacitance measurements and high-speed video recording. New two-phase pressure gradient, volume fraction and phase distribution data have been used in the analysis. Drag reduction and slip ratio were detected at oil volume fractions between 10% and 45% and high mixture Reynolds numbers, and with water as the dominant phase. Phase-fraction distribution diagrams and cross-sectional imaging of the flow suggested the presence of a higher amount of water near to the pipe wall. Based on that, a phenomenology for explaining drag reduction in dispersed flow in a flow situation where slip ratio is significant is proposed. A simple phenomenological model is developed and the agreement between model predictions and data, including data from the literature, is encouraging.

The provenance of at least five out of seven variously colored glass beakers in the collection of the Naturalienkabinett Waldenburg (Saxony) indicates their relation to the famous glass chemist Johann Kunckel. The technological characteristics of four corner-cut glasses, which show a ruby-rose, transparent blue-green, transparent dark purple, respectively an opaque striated brownish-red color, are described. Crizzling phenomena, cracking due to frozen strains and inhomogeneous coloring were closer examined with a light microscope and under a short-wave UV-lamp.
Combined simultaneous PIXE and PIGE analysis conducted at the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf allowed the detection of all glass constituents from lead up to boron in elemental concentrations above c. 0.01 w%. Different types of potassium-rich crystal glasses with varying amounts of calcium, arsenic and lead were found. There is evidence for the use of highly refined raw materials and the addition of various ionic and colloidal glass colorants.
The Waldenburg beakers seem to be early examples of Kunckel’s experimental efforts to establish elevated standards for the production of luxury glass in northern Europe, as additionally supported by accounts in his publications from the years between 1678 and 1716.

Radiation therapy is an important treatment modality in cancer therapy. New radiation species, like protons and light ions have the potential to increase tumor conformality of irradiation. Because of the way these particles deposit energy on their path through tissue they allow for an increased dose deposition in the tumor volume and reduce the damage of the surrounding normal tissue.
Such high precision radiotherapy treatment requires efficient quality assurance techniques. Small changes in the irradiated volume will lead to a mismatch of the deposited dose maximum and the tumor. This causes missing dose in the tumor volume and potential damage to healthy tissue. Therefore, a dose monitoring system is highly desirable. Between 1997 and 2008, the in-beam Positron Emission Tomography (PET) method was used at the GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung, Darmstadt, Germany, for monitoring the dose delivered by 12C beams (cf. figure 1). The spatial distribution of positron emitters generated via nuclear interactions between projectile ions and atomic nuclei of the tissue is measured during and shortly after the irradiation. Due to different physical processes for dose deposition and activity production a simulation of the expected activity is required. By means of a comparison between measured and simulated activity distribution conclusions on the accuracy of the dose localization can be drawn. Since ion therapy is normally applied during a fractionated treatment over more than 15 days, detected deviations can be corrected for in the following fractions. Different modalities of PET, i.e. measuring during the irradiation versus taking data after the treatment have been compared. Since the positive clinical impact of the method has been shown, an in-room PET/CT will be installed for the same purpose at the Dresden Proton Therapy facility. Recent investigation and limits of the PET method used for in vivo dose monitoring at ion beams will be presented and discussed.

Due to inherent physical restrictions of this method, a direct quantification of the delivered dose is not feasible. Therefore, another approach based on dose monitoring by detection of prompt gamma rays is currently under investigation. In contrast to PET this method relies on the detection of prompt gamma rays emitted almost instantaneously during the therapeutic irradiation. These gammas are expected to possess a wide energy range between 0 and 10 MeV. To measure these photons a Compton camera design was evaluated with respect to the special requirements and conditions that arise from this application (cf. figure 1). Different concepts were compared by means of simulation. The complete chain from simulation based on the treatment plan to the iterative reconstruction of the data was developed and is now under optimization. First measurements have been successfully performed with radioactive sources and ion beams. Results of the first test of this prototype at a proton beam will be shown.

This paper describes a new methodology for volumetric assay of defects in large engineering materials nondestructively. It utilizes high energy photons produced by nuclear reaction to create positrons in situ whose fate is followed using conventional positron spectroscopic techniques. The photon induced positron annihilation (PIPA) spectroscopy system has been set-up using a Folded Tandem Ion Accelerator (FOTIA). Possibility of using prompt gamma-rays produced in nuclear reactions 27Al (1H,γ)28Si and 19F(1H,γ)16O have been examined. The reaction 19F(1H,γ)16O is seen to provide higher photon flux and measurements have been carried out in large samples of metals and polymers. We could establish good sensitivity of the technique as well as reproducibility in a number of samples. This technique has been used to carry out defect studies in cold worked Zircaloy-2 plates. The measured S-parameter, indicative of defect concentration, was seen to correlate well with the measured residual stress using X-ray technique. The results were validated by gamma-induced positron annihilation lifetime measurements at ELBE LINAC based GiPS facility.

The R2PdSi3 intermetallic compounds have been reported to crystallize in a hexagonal AlB2-derived structure, with the rare earth atoms on the Al sites and Pd and Si atoms randomly distributed on the B sites. However, the intricate magnetic properties observed in the series of compounds have always suggested complications to the assumed structure. To clarify the situation, x-ray and neutron diffraction measurements were performed on the heavy rare earth compounds with R=Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, which revealed the existence of a crystallographic superstructure. The superstructure features a doubled unit cell in the hexagonal basal plane and an octuplication along the perpendicular c direction with respect to the primitive cell. No structural transition was observed between 300 and 1.5 K. Extended x-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) analysis as well as density functional theory (DFT) calculations were utilized to investigate the local environments of the respective atoms. In this paper the various experimental results will be presented and it will be shown that the superstructure is mainly due to the Pd-Si order on the B sites. A structure model will be proposed to fully describe the superstructure of Pd-Si order in R2PdSi3. The connection between the crystallographic superstructure and the magnetic properties will be discussed in the framework of the presented model.

Transition metal oxides exhibit a wealth of physical phenomena, among them ferroic properties such as ferroelasticity, ferroelectricity and ferromagnetism, or their combination in multiferroics. In addition, transition metal oxides are sensitive to the chemical environment via the external partial pressure of oxygen; changes induce stoichiometry deviations, which cause conductivity changes and modify the ferroic characteristics. Ternary and quaternary compounds from the perovskite family will be discussed as examples, which correlate local changes due to point and planar defects with changes of the elastic, polarization and magnetic properties. The microscopic interactions are determined by density functional calculations, which yield the basis for more large-scale simulations with effective Hamiltonian approaches. Under oxygen-poor conditions, oxygen vacancies in SrTiO3 accumulate in an external electric field and reduce the hardness. In an Sr/O-rich environment the phases SrO(SrTiO3)n are formed, which yield a distinct change of the X-Ray reflectivity due to the regular arrangement of extrinsic SrO(001) stacking faults. YMn2O5 has a series of complex antiferromagnetic phases in coexistence with ferroelectricity. In YFeMnO5, only one commensurable ferrimagnetic phase was found and ferroelectricity is absent. Based on spin-polarized DFT calculations a Heisenberg model yields the coupling constants of the Fe-substituted and the mangenese-only compounds and relates them to
crystal-field interactions. BiFeO3 is a rhombohedral multiferroic with several domain wall configurations. Among them, the 109° and 180º degrees walls have a significant change in the component of their polarization perpendicular to the wall; the corresponding step in the electrostatic potential is consistent with a recent report of electrical conductivity at the domain walls. Changes in the Fe-O-Fe bond angles at the walls change the canting of the Fe magnetic moments which can enhance the local magnetization.

The basic concept of two-group average bubble number density equations along with three-fluid model has been demonstrated for vertical gas-liquid flow. Specifically, the current study focused on:

(i) classification of bubble interaction between spherical bubbles (Group-1) and cap bubbles (Group-2),
(ii) preliminary consideration of source and sink terms in the averaged bubble number density equations via the model of Hibiki and Ishii [1] and (iii) assessment by means of experimental data sets at bubbly-to-cap flow transition. Reasonable agreement was achieved between measured and predicted distributions of void fraction, interfacial area concentration (IAC) and volume equivalent bubble diameter.

This work describes the mechanisms of uranium biomineralization at acidic conditions by Bacillus sphaericus JG-7B and Sphingomonas sp. S15-S1 both recovered from extreme environments. The U bacterial interaction experiments were performed at low pH values (2.0-4.5) and using 0.1 M NaClO₄ as electrolyte background where the uranium aqueous speciation is dominated by the free uranyl ion. As demonstrated by X-ray absorption (XAS) studies, the cells of the studied strains precipitated uranium at pH 3.0 and 4.5 as a uranium phosphate mineral phase belonging to the meta-autunite group. The observed U(VI) biomineralization was associated with the activity of indigenous acid phosphatase detected at these pH values without the supply of an organic phosphate substrate. At pH 2.0, however, no uranium biomineralization occurred, and U(VI) formed complexes with organically bound phosphates of the cells. Transmission electron microscopic (TEM) analyses showed strain-specific localization of the uranium precipitates. In the case of B. sphaericus JG-7B U(VI) was bound to the cell wall while in the case of Sphingomonas sp. S15-S1, U(VI) precipitates were found not only on the cell surface but also intracellularly. This study contributes to the expansion of the number of bacterial strains that have been demonstrated to precipitate uranium phosphates at acidic conditions via the activity of acid phosphatase.

Bei einem Kühlmittelverluststörfall (Loss of coolant Accident LOCA) eines Druckwasserreaktors (DWR) können sich in der Anfangsphase an den Sumpfansaugsieben des Notkühlsystems Mineralwolleablagerungen aus dem Isolationsmaterial der Anlagenkomponenten bilden und dadurch die Notkühlung beeinträchtigen. Im weiteren Verlauf des Störfalles verursacht das borsäurehaltige Primärkühlmittel eine Korrosion an Einbauten im Containment, die überwiegend aus feuerverzinktem Stahl bestehen. Feste Korrosionsprodukte bewirken in diesem Falle durch Anlagerung an die Mineralwolleablagerungen einen Anstieg des Differenzdrucks über den Sumpfansaugsieben, der bis zur Blockade und dem Ausfall der Notkühlung führen kann.
Zur Untersuchung der chemischen Aspekte dieses Vorgangs wurde im HZDR eine Laborversuchsanlage (KorrVA) errichtet, in welcher die Korrosion verzinkter Materialproben unterschiedlicher Größe und Geometrie bei verschiedenen Anströmbedingungen des borsäurehaltigen Kühlmittels und bei Temperaturen bis 70°C untersucht werden kann. Volumen, Durchfluss, Größe von Proben und Sumpfansaugsieb sowie dessen Belegung wurden skaliert an den Verhältnissen eines typischen DWR-Sumpfes nach einem LOCA.
Dabei sind verschiedene Einflüsse auf die Korrosion zu beobachten, die von der Zusammensetzung des Mediums (Borsäurekonzentration, pH-Anhebung durch LiOH-Zusatz), Temperatur des Mediums, Größe und Geometrie der Probe sowie auch von der Anströmung durch das Medium abhängen und einen unterschiedlichen Differenzdruckverlauf bewirken.
Ausgehend vom Schichtaufbau der Feuerverzinkung konnte der Ablauf der Korrosion aufgeklärt werden, wobei zunächst lösliche Korrosionsprodukte des Zinks entstehen und erst nach Freilegung von Stahl Rost gebildet wird, der sich am Faserbett anlagern kann. Die Ergebnisse, die auf den Analysen von Lösungen und Ablagerungen auf den Faserbetten und den Untersuchungen der Metallproben nach Ende der Versuche beruhen, stehen in Übereinstimmung mit dem Differenzdruckanstieg als technisch wichtigem Parameter, der im Wesentlichen durch Rost verursacht wird. Die anfangs starke Korrosion unter Bildung von Zinkionen bedingt eine Zunahme des pH-Werts, die aber zu einer wesentlichen Verringerung der Korrosionsrate führt. Bei ausreichender Zinkmenge kommt die Korrosion nahezu zum Erliegen. Im weiteren Verlauf bilden sich aber auch an der Oberfläche des Zinks weiße Korrosionsprodukte.
Entscheidend für den Ablauf der Korrosion sind neben dem Angebot an Zinkoberfläche besonders die Strömungsverhältnisse und die Zusammensetzung des Primärkühlmittels nach lokaler Freilegung des Basismaterials. Verursacht wird eine Verblockung des Faserbetts nicht nur durch eine Bildung von Rost sondern erst durch dessen Transport und Ablagerung am Fasermaterial.

Intersubband transitions and quantum cascade lssers

Corrosion products of hot-dip galvanized steel containment internals may cause serious problems during a loss-of-coolant accident (LOCA) at a nuclear power plant by clogging insulation debris laden sump strainers of the emergency core cooling system. The chemical and physical conditions influence the formation and deposition of the sparingly soluble corrosion products. In nearly neutral boric acid media, the corrosion starts by a dissolution process of zinc. A fast local coolant flow accelerates the dissolution of Zn (flow accelerated corrosion) and leads to rust formation on steel rapidly. Additionally, the local flow conditions prevent the known cathodic protection mechanism of zinc on steel. Furthermore, a sufficient flow impact is presumed to transport the rust particles into the insulation fibres mats on the strainers where they may blocked in the worst case. As a result of fibre bed analyses, corrosion products of iron and not of zinc are regarded as the main source of clogging. The mechanism of zinc dissolution in the absence of other anions can be explained by formation of borate ions originate from boric acid as a coolant ingredient in pressurized water reactors (PWR).

Investigations of bacterial composition of biofilm samples from uranium contaminated underground mine Königstein by molecular methods and FISH.

Talk on prospects of laser proton acceleration for applications in oncology.

The idea is use S-layer proteins as binding matrix to couple aptamers and fluorescence dyes in a sequential way. This sensory layer will be able to detect very small amounts of analyte in aqueous environment. The fluorophores which are able to perform a FRET serve as optical system whereas aptameres work as specific receptor for one analyte.

Biotechnologische Methoden zur Metallgewinnung; Vortrag zum 1. Workshop des Innovationsforums Geobiotechnologie

The aim of the study was to estimate normal ranges and test-retest measures for various parameters characterising dopamine metabolism from a prolonged F-18-dopa positron emission tomography (PET) measurement using a reference tissue model and compare their value for the detection of early Parkinson's disease (PD).
Healthy volunteers (n = 9) and patients (n = 36) in an early stage of PD underwent an F-18-dopa PET measurement lasting 4 h. The influx rate constant k(occ) and the effective distribution volume ratio (EDVR, its inverse is an indicator for dopamine turnover) were estimated by a graphical approach using dynamic data in the striatum and, as a reference region, the occipital cortex. Furthermore, ratios of activity concentrations between striatum and occipital brain taken for three time intervals completed the data analysis. All parameters were determined both in eight small volumes of interest placed in the striatum as well as averaged for caudate nucleus and putamen. For the control group, reproducibility was checked in a second study 3 months later and ranges for normal values were derived from mean +/- 2 standard deviations. Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) analyses were performed to assess the value of the parameters for diagnostic purposes.
Patients with early-stage PD and healthy volunteers could be separated by the values of the putamen, not the caudate nucleus. The normal ranges of the putamen were 0.0151-0.0216/min for the influx rate constant k(occ) and 2.02-3.00 for EDVR. For the various time intervals used the striato-occipital ratios yielded 2.24-3.06, 2.43-3.42 and 2.35-3.21, respectively. Patients were characterised by significantly lower values (p < 0.001) and significant differences between ipsi- and contralateral sides (p < 0.001) with regard to their clinical symptoms and a rostrocaudal gradient. EDVR as well as k(occ) for the putamen were able to effectively differentiate between groups (sensitivity > 97%, specificity 100%). In contrast, striato-occipital ratios showed a sensitivity of about only 85%.
For clinical applications, our data do not demonstrate any superiority of the EDVR determination compared to influx rate constant, while requiring long and tedious acquisition protocols. The normal range estimates do not represent absolute quantitative measures for dopamine metabolism but are specific for the chosen acquisition and processing procedures.