Publications Repository - Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf

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41421 Publications

Measurements to verify different concepts of multi-plane detectors for ultrafast electron beam X-ray computed tomography

Bieberle, A.
Project Member: Barthel, Frank; Project Member: Windisch, Dominic; DataCollector: Bieberle, André

The measurements in this dataset repository contain raw signal data obtained from novel multi-plane detectors that are experimentally tested with the ultrafast electron beam X-ray CT (UFXCT) scanner at the HZDR. The CT scanner is operated with a constant deflection frequency of 2 kHz, an acceleration voltage of +150 keV and in dual-plane CT scanning mode. The voltage output signals of four multi-plane detector channels are sampled with 2 MHz and 24 bit (±5 V) using a commercial eight-channel data acquisition system (LTT24, Labortechnik Tasler GmbH). The applied reverse voltage to the avalanche photodiodes and the three deflection coil signals are recorded simultaneously. The detectors are collimated with lead and are analysed for

  • various electron beam currents,
  • various detector heights and
  • two different designs.

Keywords: ultrafast X-ray CT; scintillation detectors; multi-plane imaging

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Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-30914
Publ.-Id: 30914


Voxel-based finite element modelling of wood elements based on spatial density and geometry data using computed tomography

Hartig, J. U.; Bieberle, A.; Engmann, C.; Haller, P.

In this paper, voxel-based finite element modelling based on spatial geometry and density data is applied to simulate the detailed stress and strain distribution in a large wooden element. As example, a moulded wooden tube with a length of 3 m and a diameter of 0.3 m is examined. Gamma-ray computed tomography is used to obtain the spatial distribution of elastic properties based on the correlation with density. Correlation functions between density and elastic material properties are experimentally determined and serve as link for defining the non-uniform distribution of the material properties in the finite element model. Moreover, also the geometry is obtained by the computed tomography. Due to the consideration of both the geometric imperfections and the spatial variation of the material properties, a detailed analysis of the stress and strain distribution of the wood element is performed. Additionally, a non-destructive axial compression test is performed on the wooden tube to analyse the load-bearing behaviour. By means of digital image correlation, the deformation of the surface is obtained, which also serves for validation of the finite element model.

Keywords: large wooden elements; gamma-ray computed tomography; finite element model

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Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-30913
Publ.-Id: 30913


Ferromagnetism in Undoped ZnO Grown by Pulsed Laser Deposition

Waqar, A.; Cai-Qin, L.; Xu, C.; Zhou, S.; Wagner, A.; Butterling, M.; Muhammad, Y.; Francis, C.-C. L.

Undoped ZnO films grown on sapphire by pulsed laser deposition are magnetic at room temperature. A comprehensive study involving x-ray diffraction, positron annihilation spectroscopy, and superconducting quantum Interference device-vibrating sample magnetometer is performed to study the origin of the observed magnetization. Correlations between the saturation magnetization, VZn-2VO concentration and surface to volume ratio of the grain found experimentally show that the magnetization is associated with the vacancy cluster and probably VZn-2VO residing on the grain surface.

Keywords: ZnO films; pulsed laser deposition; magnetic x-ray diffraction; positron annihilation spectroscopy; magnetization vacancy; cluster grain surface

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Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-30912
Publ.-Id: 30912


Extended half-life target module for sustainable UniCAR T-cell treatment of STn-expressing cancers

Loureiro, L. R.; Feldmann, A.; Bergmann, R.; Koristka, S.; Berndt, N.; Máthé, D.; Hegedüs, N.; Szigeti, K.; Videira, P. A.; Bachmann, M.; Arndt, C.

Adapter chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) approaches have emerged has promising strategies to increase clinical safety of CAR T-cell therapy. In the UniCAR system, the safety switch is controlled via a target module (TM) which is characterized by a small-size and short half-life. The rapid clearance of these TMs from the blood allows a quick steering and self-limiting safety switch of UniCAR T-cells by TM dosing. This is mainly important during onset of therapy when tumor burden and the risk for severe side effects are high. For long-term UniCAR therapy, the continuous infusion of TMs may not be an optimal setting for the patients. Thus, in later stages of treatment, single infusions of TMs with an increased half-life might play an important role in long-term surveillance and eradication of residual tumor cells. Given this, we aimed to develop and characterize a novel TM with extended half-life targeting the tumor-associated carbohydrate sialyl-Tn (STn).

Keywords: Immunotherapy; UniCAR T-cells; IgG4-based TM; Sialyl-Tn (STn)

Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-30911
Publ.-Id: 30911


Novel Therapeutic Strategies for Ovarian Cancer Stem Cells

Terraneo, N.; Jacob, F.; Dubrovska, A.; Grünberg, J.

Ovarian cancer (OC) is one of the most lethal gynecologic malignancies. Due to the lack of specific symptoms and screening methods, this disease is usually diagnosed only at an advanced and metastatic stage. The gold-standard treatment for OC patients consists of debulking surgery followed by taxane combined with platinum-based chemotherapy. Most patients show complete clinical remission after first-line therapy, but the majority of them ultimately relapse, developing radio- and chemoresistant tumors. It is now proposed that the cause of recurrence and reduced therapy efficacy is the presence of small populations of cancer stem cells (CSCs). These cells are usually resistant against conventional cancer therapies and for this reason, effective targeted therapies for the complete eradication of CSCs are urgently needed. In this review article, we highlight the mechanisms of CSC therapy resistance, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, stemness, and novel therapeutic strategies for ovarian CSCs.

Keywords: Auger electron and alpha particle emitter; scancer stem cells; epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition; L1CAM; ovarian cancer; radioimmunotherapy; therapeutic strategies

Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-30910
Publ.-Id: 30910


Passive Shutdown Systems for Fast Neutron Reactors

International Atomic Energy Agency; Batra, C.; Baudrand, O.; Bubelis, E.; Burgazzi, L.; Farmer, M.; Fomin, O.; Gugiu, D.; Hidemasa, Y.; Kriventsev, V.; Kuzina, J.; Kuznetsov, V.; Lamberts, D.; Lee, J.; Lüley, J.; Monti, S.; Nikitin, E.; Qvist, S.; Rineiski, A.; Schikorr, M.; Sorokin, A.; van Wert, C.; Vijayashree, R.; Vrban, B.; Yllera, J.

Designs for nuclear power plants increasingly include passive features. A major focus of the design of modern fast reactors is on inherent and passive safety. Inherent and passive safety features are especially important when active systems such as emergency shutdown systems for reactor shutdown are not functioning properly. This publication discusses the past experience in the development of such systems along with the research that is ongoing. It is a comprehensive publication which provides information on the basic design principles for passive shutdown systems and the related operational experience gathered so far, and also reviews the innovative concepts under development and the needs for research and development and qualification tests.

Keywords: Fast reactors; Passive safety measures; Nuclear reactors; Safety measures

  • Other report
    IAEA Nuclear Energy Series No. NR-T-1.16: International Atomic Energy Agency, 2020
    110 Seiten

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Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-30909
Publ.-Id: 30909


Tuning Tailored Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes by Highly Energetic Heavy Ions

El-Said, A. S.; Rao, S.; Akhmadaliev, S.; Facsko, S.

Carbon-based nanomaterials have attracted a lot of interest lately due to their highly promising applications. Here, we report on the modifications of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) induced by swift (highly energetic) heavy ions. Using scanning force microscopy and Raman spec- troscopy, we observed a dramatic change in the structure of the irradiated SWCNTs, accompanied by an increase of the adhesion force as a function of ion fluence and electronic energy loss. With increasing ion fluence the SWCNTs exhibit a partial transformation from metallic to more semicon- ducting. Moreover, at high fluence they break into segments of 10–20 nm length.

Keywords: Swift Heavy Ion; Ion Irradiation; Carbon Nanotubes

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Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-30908
Publ.-Id: 30908


Chemical manipulation of hydrogen induced high p-type and n-type conductivity in Ga₂O₃

Islam, M. M.; Liedke, M. O.; Winarski, D.; Butterling, M.; Wagner, A.; Hosemann, P.; Wang, Y.; Uberuaga, B. P.; Selim, F. A.

Advancement of optoelectronic and high-power devices is tied to the development of wide band gap materials with excellent transport properties. However, bipolar doping (n-type and p-type doping) and realizing high carrier density while maintaining good mobility have been big challenges in wide band gap materials. Here P-type and n-type conductivity was introduced in β-Ga₂O₃, an ultra-wide band gap oxide, by controlling hydrogen incorporation in the lattice without further doping. Hydrogen induced a 9-order of magnitude increase of n-type conductivity with donor ionization energy of 20 meV and resistivity of 10⁻⁴ Ωcm. The conductivity was switched to p-type with acceptor ionization energy of 42 meV by altering hydrogen incorporation in the lattice. Density functional theory calculations were used to examine hydrogen location in the Ga₂O₃ lattice and identified a new donor type as the source of this remarkable n-type conductivity. Positron annihilation spectroscopy measurements confirm this finding and the interpretation of the experimental results. This work illustrates a new approach that allows a tunable and reversible way of modifying the conductivity of semiconductors and it is expected to have profound implications on semiconductor field. At the same time, it demonstrates for the first time p-type and remarkable n-type conductivity in Ga₂O₃ which should usher in the development of Ga₂O₃ devices and advance optoelectronics and high-power devices.

Keywords: optoelectronics high-power wide band gap transport bipolar doping β-Ga₂O₃ semiconductors

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Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-30907
Publ.-Id: 30907


Lift force coefficient of ellipsoidal single bubbles in water

Hessenkemper, H.; Ziegenhein, T.; Rzehak, R.; Lucas, D.; Tomiyama, A.

For the simulation of bubbly flows, knowledge of the lift force as an interaction between gas bubbles and a surrounding shear field is of great importance. The sign of the lift coefficient Cᴸ changes with increasing bubble size, i.e. with more pronounced bubble deformation. Beside this, impurities in terms of surface-active components are well-known to change the complete hydrodynamic behavior of a bubble even if the amount is very small. In the present work, the lift coefficient of single ellipsoidal bubbles is determined with a recently developed method, which is suitable to overcome difficulties connected to low viscous systems. In order to investigate the influence of impurities on the lift force, we conducted experiments with single bubbles of different sizes in purified, deionized and tap water. Overall, the determined lift coefficients show no difference between deionized and tap water but reveal differences to results obtained with purified water. As no significant differences in shape and velocity are found between the different water qualities, it remains unclear how the impurities cause the observed differences. For the deionized and tap water results that are more relevant in practice, a new correlation is proposed to account for the observed differences in comparison to data from the literature. It can be used to calculate Cᴸ of ellipsoidal bubbles in the investigated size range.

Keywords: Lift coefficient; Bubbly flows; Turbulent flow; Impurities

Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-30905
Publ.-Id: 30905


Sigma-1 and dopamine D2/D3 receptor occupancy of pridopidine in healthy volunteers and patients with Huntington disease: a [18F] fluspidine and [18F] fallypride PET study

Grachev, I.; Meyer, P.; Becker, G.; Bronzel, M.; Marsteller, D.; Pastino, G.; Voges, O.; Rabinovich, L.; Knebel, H.; Zientek, F.; Rullmann, M.; Sattler, B.; Patt, M.; Gerhards, T.; Strauss, M.; Kluge, A.; Brust, P.; Savola, J.; Gordon, M.; Geva, M.; Hesse, S.; Barthel, H.; Hayden, M.; Sabri, O.

Pridopidine is an investigational drug in late stage development for the treatment of Huntington disease and originally postulated to act as dopamine stabilizer by modulating dopamine-dependent motor behavior. However, preclinical studies show pridopidine has highest affinity to sigma-1 receptors. Importantly, mediated by sigma-1 receptors, pridopidine has neuroprotective properties and enhances neuronal plasticity. The aim of our study was to determine the in-vivo the target engagement (receptor occupancy) of pridopidine at clinically relevant doses in healthy volunteers and Huntington disease patients. We used sigma-1 receptor-specific (S)-(-)-[18F]Fluspidine and dopamine D2/D3 receptor-specific [18F]Fallypride PET imaging to quantify the sigma-1 and dopamine D2/D3 receptor occupancy of pridopidine. Eleven male healthy volunteers (pridopidine 0.5 to 90 mg in six dose groups) and three male Huntington disease patients (pridopidine 90 mg) were studied twice before and 2h following single oral doses of pridopidine using S-(-)-[18F]Fluspidine PET (300 MBq, 0-90min p.i.). Distribution volume VT was quantified using kinetic modeling (One-tissue compartment model; metabolite correction). Four male healthy volunteers were studied twice using [18F]Fallpride PET (200 MBq, 0-210min p.i.) before and 2h after a single oral dose of pridopidine (90 mg). Binding potential BPND was assessed by the simplified reference model. Volume-of-interest analyses were performed. For each subject/tracer, the receptor occupancy was calculated by the Lassen plot analysis. In healthy volunteers, there was high sigma-1 receptor occupancy (87 to 91%) across all brain regions at doses ranging from 22.5 to 90 mg. The sigma-1 receptor occupancy was 43% at 1 mg pridopidine. In Huntington disease patients, very similar to healthy volunteers, at 90 mg pridopidine, there was high sigma-1 receptor occupancy (87±7%, n.s.). In contrast, in healthy volunteers, there was only negligible dopamine D2/D3 receptor occupancy (3±2%) at 90 mg pridopidine. We established a sigmoid-shaped dose/sigma-1 receptor occupancy relation (Hill equation) with Hill coefficient larger than 1 in healthy volunteers, suggesting a positive cooperative binding nature of the sigma-1 receptor. Using PET, we report for the first time in the living human brain that after a single dose of 90 mg, pridopidine acts as a selective sigma-1 receptor ligand showing near to complete sigma-1 receptor occupancy (~90%) but only minimal (~3%) dopamine D2/D3 receptor occupancy. Our findings provide significant clarification about pridopidine’s mechanism of action and support further use of the 45 mg bidaily dose to achieve full and selective targeting of the sigma-1 receptor in future clinical trials in Huntington disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Keywords: PET; pridopidine; sigma-1 receptor occupancy; dopamine D2/D3 receptor occupancy; Huntington disease

Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-30903
Publ.-Id: 30903


Phase-resolved Higgs response in superconducting cuprates

Chu, H.; Kim, M.-J.; Katsumi, K.; Kovalev, S.; Dawson, R. D.; Schwarz, L.; Yoshikawa, N.; Kim, G.; Putzky, D.; Li, Z. Z.; Raffy, H.; Germanskiy, S.; Deinert, J.-C.; Awari, N.; Ilyakov, I.; Green, B. W.; Chen, M.; Bawatna, M.; Christiani, G.; Logvenov, G.; Gallais, Y.; Boris, A. V.; Keimer, B.; Schnyder, A.; Manske, D.; Gensch, M.; Wang, Z.; Shimano, R.; Kaiser, S.

In high energy physics, the Higgs field couples to gauge bosons and fermions and gives mass to their elementary excitations. Experimentally, such couplings can be verified from the decay product of the Higgs boson, the scalar (amplitude) excitation of the Higgs field. In superconductors, Cooper pairs bear a certain analogy to the Higgs field. Coulomb interactions between the Cooper pairs give mass to the electromagnetic field, which leads to the Meissner effect. Additional coupling with other types of interactions or collective modes is foreseeable, and even highly probable for high-Tc superconductors, where multiple degrees of freedom are intertwined. The superconducting Higgs mode may reveal such couplings spectroscopically and uncover interactions directly relevant to Cooper pairing. To this end, we investigate the Higgs mode of several cuprate thin films using phase-resolved terahertz third harmonic generation (THG) to. In addition to the heavily damped Higgs mode itself, we observe a universal jump in the phase of the driven Higgs oscillation as well as a non-vanishing THG above Tc. These findings indicate coupling of the Higgs mode to other collective modes and a nonzero pairing amplitude above Tc. Our study demonstrates a new approach for investigating unconventional superconductivity. We foresee a fruitful future for phase-resolved spectroscopy in various superconducting systems.

Keywords: Superconductors; terahertz; Higgs; Nonlinear dynamics; ultrafast

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Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-30902
Publ.-Id: 30902


PET Imaging of Sigma1 Receptors

Toyohara, J.; Brust, P.; Jia, H.; Sakata, M.; Ishiwata, K.

Sigma receptors are classified into sigma1 and sigma2 subtypes. Sigma1 receptors are widely distributed in the central nervous system (CNS) and in peripheral tissues. Sigma1 receptors play a role in a variety of human CNS diseases, including mood disorders, stroke, neurodegenerative disease, and drug addiction. Therefore, there is a great deal of interest in imaging of sigma1 receptors in the living human brain. In contrast, sigma2 receptors have also been the focus of tumor imaging studies. A number of radioligands have been developed for imaging of sigma1 receptors in the human brain, and a few, including [11C]SA4503 and (-)-S-[18F]fluspidine, have been used in clinical studies. Sigma1 receptors are distributed throughout the grey matter of the human brain. A widespread decrease in [11C]SA4503 binding in patients with Alzheimer’s disease and a significant decrease in binding on the more affected side of the anterior putamen in patients with Parkinson’s disease have been reported. Receptor occupancy studies with [11C]SA4503-PET have shown that some antidepressants and antipsychotics have an affinity for sigma1 receptors in the human brain in addition to their main targets. Recently, it has been reported that the binding of (-)-S-[18F]fluspidine is increased in patients with untreated major depressive disorder (MDD).

Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-30901
Publ.-Id: 30901


Preclinical and clinical aspects of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor imaging

Brust, P.; Deuther-Conrad, W.; Donat, C.; Barthel, H.; Riss, P.; Paterson, L.; Hoepping, A.; Sabri, O.; Cumming, P.

Innovations in radiochemistry and pharmacology are opening new vistas for studies of nicotinergic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) in human brain by positron emission tomography (PET) and by single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). In parallel, instrumentation optimized for molecular imaging in rodents facilitates preclinical studies in models of human diseases with perturbed nAChR signalling, notably Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative conditions, schizophrenia and other neuropsychiatric disorders, substance abuse, and traumatic brain injury. The nAChRs are ligand-gated ion channels composed of five subunits forming a central pore for cation flux. The most abundant nAChRs in the central nervous system are heteropentamers (designated α4β2), followed by the α7 homopentamer. We present a systematic review of published findings with the various nAChR ligands using imaging techniques in vivo, emphasizing preclinical models and human studies.. Molecular PET imaging of the α4β2 nAChR subtype with the antagonist 2-[18F]fluoro-A-85380 is hampered by the long acquisition times. Newer agents such as (-)-[18F]flubatine, [18F]XTRA or [18F]nifene permit quantitation of α4β2 receptors with PET recordings lasting 90 minutes or less, and without the toxicity risk of earlier epibatidine derivatives. The early PET studies of α7 nAChRs suffered from low pharmacological specificity, further hampered by low natural abundance of the receptor. However, several good α7 nAChR ligands such as [18F]ASEM and [18F]DBT10 have emerged in the past few years. There are still no ligands selective for α6-containing nAChRs, despite their importance for nicotine-induced dopamine release in striatum. Selective α3β4 nAChR radioligands are under development, but remain untested in clinical studies of depression and addiction. Several nAChR ligands find use for pharmacological occupancy studies, and competition from endogenous acetylcholine reduces α4β2 binding site availability, a property that enables monitoring by PET of acetylcholine release in living brain.

Keywords: PET; molecular imaging; nicotinic receptors; acetylcholine; Alzheimer’s disease

Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-30900
Publ.-Id: 30900


Role of Hydrogen-Related Defects in Photocatalytic Activity of ZnO Films Grown by Atomic Layer Deposition

Peter, R.; Salamon, K.; Omerzu, A.; Grenzer, J.; Badovinac, I. J.; Saric, I.; Petravic, M.

The photocatalytic activity of ZnO films, grown by atomic layer deposition on sapphire, was investigated for different amounts of residual hydrogen incorporated unintentionally into the matrix during the crystal growth. A close correlation was found between the level of incorporated hydrogen ; the rate of photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue on ZnO films. The rate of degradation is consistent with predominantly zero-order reaction kinetics. An enhanced photocatalytic activity, observed for films of predominantly (001)-oriented grains ; low concentration of residual hydrogen, is explained by the reduced number of hydrogen-related defects responsible for recombination of charge carriers in combination with the preferential adsorption of water on polar (001) surfaces of ZnO grains.

Keywords: atomic layer deposition; photocatalytic degradation

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Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-30899
Publ.-Id: 30899


Simulation of diffusive uranium transport and sorption processes in the Opalinus Clay

Hennig, T.; Stockmann, M.; Kühn, M.

Diffusive transport and sorption processes of uranium in the Swiss Opalinus Clay were investigated as a function of partial pressure of carbon dioxide pCO2, varying mineralogy in the facies and associated changes in porewater composition. Simulations were conducted in one-dimensional diffusion models on the 100m-scale for a time of one million years using a bottom-up approach based on mechanistic surface complexation models as well as cation exchange to quantify sorption. Speciation calculations have shown, uranium is mainly present as U(VI) and must therefore be considered as mobile for in-situ conditions. Uranium migrated up to 26m in both, the sandy and the carbonate-rich facies, whereas in the shaly facies 16m was the maximum. The main species was the anionic complex CaUO2(CO3)3-2 and hence the effect of anion exclusion was taken into account. This further reduced the migration distances by 30%. The concentrations of calcium and Carbonates reflected by the set pCO2 determine speciation and activity of uranium due to the formation of ternary uranyl complexes and consequently the sorption behaviour. Our simulation results showed, that sorption processes are controlled in descending priority by the carbonate and calcium concentrations, pH, pe and the clay mineral content. Therefore, the variation in porewater composition resulting from the heterogeneity of the facies in the Opalinus Clay formation needs to be considered in the assessment of uranium migration in the far field of a potential repository.

Keywords: Reactive transport; facies; heterogeneity; carbonate; PHREEQC; Mont Terri; speciation

Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-30898
Publ.-Id: 30898


Electronic structure and thermoelectric properties of Mo-based dichalcogenide monolayers locally and randomly modified by substitutional atoms

Vallinayagam, M.; Posselt, M.; Chandra, S.

Density Functional Theory and Boltzmann transport equations are used to investigate electronic band structure and thermoelectric (TE) properties of different two-dimensional (2D) materials containing Mo, S, Nb, Se, and Te. In MoS2-based monolayers (MLs) the substitution of S atoms by Te atoms up to the concentrations of 12.5 at % leads to a more significant change of the band structure than in the corresponding case with Se atoms. In particular, the bandgap is reduced. At the high concentration of Se or Te the electronic structure becomes more similar to that of the SeMoS or TeMoS Janus layers, and the MoSe2 or MoTe2 MLs. It is found that local and random introduction of substitutional Se or Te atoms yields not very different results. The substitution of Mo by Nb, at the concentration of 2.1 at% leads to hole levels. The thermoelectric properties of the considered 2D materials are quantified by the Seebeck coefficient and thermoelectric figure of merit. The two characteristics are determined for different levels of p- or n-doping of the MLs and for different temperatures. Compared to the pristine MoS2 ML, Te substitutional atoms cause more changes of the thermoelectric properties than Se atoms. However, MLs with Se substitutional atoms show a high thermoelectric figure of merit in a broader range of possible p- or n-doping levels. In most cases, the maximum thermoelectric figure of merit is about one, both in p- and n-type material, and for temperatures between 300 and 1200 K. This is not only found for MoS2-based MLs with substitutional atoms but also for the Janus layers and for MoSe2 or MoTe2 MLs. Interestingly, for MLs with one Nb as well as two or four Te substitutional atoms highest values of the TE figure of merit of 1.2 and 1.40, respectively, are obtained at a temperature of 1200 K.

Keywords: Mo-based dichalcogenide monolayers; Electronic structure; Thermoelectric properties

Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-30897
Publ.-Id: 30897


Sigma-1 Receptor Positron Emission Tomography: A New Molecular Imaging Approach Using ( S)-(-)-[ 18 F]Fluspidine in Glioblastoma

Toussaint, M.; Deuther-Conrad, W.; Kranz, M.; Fischer, S.; Ludwig, F.-A.; Juratli, T.; Patt, M.; Wünsch, B.; Schackert, G.; Sabri, O.; Brust, P.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most devastating primary brain tumour characterised by infiltrative growth and resistance to therapies. According to recent research, the sigma-1 receptor (sigmaR1), an endoplasmic reticulum chaperone protein, is involved in signaling pathways assumed to control the proliferation of cancer cells and thus could serve as candidate for molecular characterisation of GBM. To test this hypothesis, we used the clinically applied sigmaR1-ligand (S)-(−)-[18F]fluspidine in imaging studies in an orthotopic mouse model of GBM (U87-MG) as well as in human GBM tissue. A tumour-specific overexpression of sigmaR1 in the U87-MG model, revealed in vitro by autoradiography, was confirmed by dynamic PET. The binding parameters demonstrated target-selective binding according to identical KD values in the tumour area and the contralateral side but a higher density of sigmaR1 in the tumour. Different kinetic profiles were observed in both areas, with a slower washout in the tumour tissue compared to the contralateral side. The translational relevance of sigmaR1 imaging in oncology is reflected by the autoradiographic detection of tumour-specific expression of sigmaR1 in samples obtained from patients with glioblastoma. Thus, the herein presented data support further research on sigmaR1 in neuro-oncology.

Keywords: Sigma-1 receptor availability; orthotopic xenograft of glioblastoma in mouse; small animal PET/MR imaging; (S)-(−)-[18F]fluspidine; imaging-based biomarker

Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-30895
Publ.-Id: 30895


Formation of Defects in Two-Dimensional MoS2 in the Transmission Electron Microscope at Electron Energies below the Knock-on Threshold: The Role of Electronic Excitations

Kretschmer, S.; Lehnert, T.; Kaiser, U.; Krasheninnikov, A.

Production of defects under electron irradiation in a transmission electron microscope (TEM) due to inelastic effects has been reported for various materials, but the microscopic mechanism of damage development in periodic solids through this channel is not fully understood. We employ non-adiabatic Ehrenfest, along with constrained density functional theory molecular dynamics, and simulate defect production in two-dimensional MoS2 under electron beam. We show that when excitations are present in the electronic system, formation of vacancies through ballistic energy transfer is possible at electron energies which are much lower than the knock-on threshold for the ground state. We further carry out TEM experiments on single layers of MoS2 at electron voltages in the range of 20−80 kV and demonstrate that indeed there is an additional channel for defect production. The mechanism involving a combination of the knock-on damage and electronic excitations we propose is relevant to other bulk and nanostructured semiconducting materials.

Keywords: Two-dimensional materials; transition-metal dichalcogenides; high-resolution transmission electron microscopy; defects

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Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-30894
Publ.-Id: 30894


A multimethod dating study of ancient permafrost, Batagay megaslump, east Siberia

Murton, J. B.; Opel, T.; Toms, P.; Blinov, A.; Fuchs, M.; Wood, J.; Gärtner, A.; Merchel, S.; Rugel, G.; Savvinov, G.; Wetterich, S.

Dating of ancient relict permafrost is essential for understanding permafrost stability and interpreting past climate and environmental conditions over Pleistocene timescales but presents substantial challenges to geochronology. Here, we date ancient permafrost from the world’s largest thaw slump at Batagay, East Siberia, which potentially provides one of the longest records of Pleistocene environments in western Beringia (East Siberia). We apply four dating methods to the permafrost deposits: (1) optically-stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating of quartz and (2) post-infrared infrared-stimulated luminescence (pIRIR) dating of K-feldspar from sand, (3) ³⁶Cl/Cl dating of ice wedges, and (4) radiocarbon dating of organic material from within wedge ice and its host sediments. Individually, each of the four independent chronometers produces ages consistent with their relative stratigraphic position. Comparability of ages between dating methods is also observed. However, at Batagay quartz OSL appears to date MIS 2/MIS 3 deposits more reliably than K-feldspar pIRIR250, whereas the latter is more consistent with independent chronological controls for older deposits. Collectively, the ages indicate that the lower ice complex developed approximately 650 ka ago during Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 16, and the upper ice complex approximately 60 to 30 ka ago during late MIS 4 to MIS 3. Sand units below and above the upper ice complex are dated to MIS 6 and 3–2, respectively. Overall, the lower ice complex represents the oldest dated relict permafrost in western Beringia and indicates that thick and cold permafrost at a depth of ~50 m below the ground surface has survived multiple warm interglacials, including the MIS 11c super-interglacial.

Keywords: permafrost; climate; AMS; Siberia; luminescence; dating; OSL; radiocarbon; ice

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Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-30893
Publ.-Id: 30893


Mirror to measure Small Angle X-ray Scattering signal in high energy density experiments

Smid, M.; Bähtz, C.; Laso García, A.; Göde, S.; Grenzer, J.; Kluge, T.; Konôpková, Z.; Makita, M.; Pelka, A.; Prencipe, I.; Preston, T.; Rödel, M.; Cowan, T.

Small angle x-ray scattering (SAXS) is a well established technique to detect nanometer scale structure in matter. In typical setup, this diagnostics has an detector directly opened towards the scattering target. However, in a harsh environment of high intensity laser interaction, many high energetic particles and strong radiation are emerging from the laser target interaction. Such setup would therefore suffer a significant increase of noise due to this background which could eventually disable this measurement. In this paper, we present a novel tool consisting of mosaic graphite crystal which works as a mirror for the SAXS signal and allows to hide the detector behind proper shielding. This paper studies the performance of such mirror both by experiment at the European XFEL laboratory and by simulations.

Keywords: HAPG crystal; SAXS; XFEL; Bragg reflection; x-ray diagnostics

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Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-30891
Publ.-Id: 30891


Recent advances in experimental techniques for flow and mass transfer analyses in thermal separation systems

Hampel, U.; Schubert, M.; Döß, A.; Sohr, J.; Vishwakarma, V.; Repke, J.-U.; Gerke, S. J.; Leuner, H.; Rädle, M.; Kapoustina, V.; Schmitt, L.; Grünewald, M.; Brinkmann, J. H.; Plate, D.; Kenig, E. Y.; Lutters, N.; Bolenz, L.; Buckmann, F.; Toye, D.; Arlt, W.; Linder, T.; Hoffmann, R.; Klein, H.; Rehfeldt, S.; Winkler, T.; Bart, H.-J.; Wirz, D.; Schulz, J.; Scholl, S.; Augustin, W.; Jasch, K.; Schlüter, F.; Schwerdtfeger, N.; Jupke, A.; Kabatnik, C.; Braeuer, A. S.; D'Auria, M.; Runowski, T.; Casal, M. F.; Becker, K.; David, A.-L.; Górak, A.; Skiborowski, M.; Groß, K.; Qammar, H.

Modelling flow and mass transfer of thermal separation equipment constitutes one of the most challenging tasks in fluids process engineering. The difficulty of this task comes from the multiscale multiphase flow phenomena in rather complex geometries. Both analysis of flow and mass transfer on different scales as well as validation of models and simulation results require advanced experimental and measurement techniques. As a follow-up to intensive discussions during the 2019 Tutzing Symposium “Separation Units 4.0” we present in this article a wide set of available modern experimental technologies, which are used in different research and industry laboratories.

Keywords: Thermal separation systems; experimental techniques; measurement techniques

Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-30890
Publ.-Id: 30890


Anomalous Lattice Softening Near a Quantum Critical Point in a Transverse Ising Magnet

Matsuura, K.; Pham, T. C.; Zherlitsyn, S.; Wosnitza, J.; Abe, N.; Arima, T.

We have investigated the elastic response of a transverse Ising magnet CoNb2O6 by means of ultrasound velocity measurement. A huge elastic anomaly in the C66 mode is observed near a quantum critical Point when sweeping a magnetic field perpendicular to the Ising axis. This anomaly appears to become critical only for the Faraday configuration (field parallel to the sound propagation direction) but is much less pronounced for the Voigt geometry (field perpendicular to the sound propagation direction). We propose that the relativistic spin-orbit interaction plays a crucial role in the quantum critical regime resulting in the elastic anomaly, which is enhanced by quantum fluctuations.

Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-30889
Publ.-Id: 30889


Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography Tracer

Pietzsch, H.-J.; Mamat, C.; Müller, C.; Schibli, R.

Single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) is the state-of-the-art imaging modality in nuclear medicine despite the fact that only a few new SPECT tracers have become available in the past 20 years.
Critical for the future success of SPECT is the design of new and specific tracers for the detection, localization, and staging of a disease and for monitoring therapy. The utility of SPECT imaging to address oncologic questions is dependent on radiotracers that ideally exhibit excellent tissue penetration, high affinity to the tumor-associated target structure, specific uptake and retention in the malignant lesions, and rapid clearance from non-targeted tissues and organs. In general, a target-specific SPECT radiopharmaceutical can be divided into two main parts: a targeting biomolecule (e.g., peptide, antibody fragment) and a γ-radiation-emitting radionuclide (e.g., 99mTc, 123I). If radiometals are used as the radiation source, a bifunctional chelator is needed to link the radioisotope to the targeting entity. In a rational SPECT tracer design, these single components have to be critically evaluated in order to achieve a balance among the demands for adequate target binding, and a rapid clearance of the radiotracer. The focus of this chapter is to depict recent developments of tumor-targeted SPECT radiotracers for imaging of cancer diseases.
Possibilities for optimization of tracer design and potential causes for design failure are discussed and highlighted with selected examples.

  • Book chapter
    Schober, Otmar, Kiessling, Fabian, Debus, Jürgen: Molecular Imaging in Oncology, Switzerland: SpringerNature, 2020, 978-3-030-42617-0
    DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-42618-7

Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-30888
Publ.-Id: 30888


Wieviel 'normales' Risiko birgt COVID in sich?

Spiegelhalter, D.; Steinbach, P.

Eine Übersetzung des Artikels "How much ‘normal’ risk does Covid represent?" von David Spiegelhalter, der am 21. März 2020 auf https://medium.com/wintoncentre/how-much-normal-risk-does-covid-represent-4539118e1196 erschien. Sir David John Spiegelhalter ist britischer Statistiker und Winton Professor für das öffentliche Verständnis von Risiko an der the Universität Cambridge. Er ist Fellow am Churchill College, Cambridge.

Keywords: COVID19; Corona; Risk; Statistics; Mortality

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Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-30887
Publ.-Id: 30887


Nonlinear Charge Transport in InGaAs Nanowires at Terahertz Frequencies

Rana, R.; Balaghi, L.; Fotev, I.; Schneider, H.; Helm, M.; Dimakis, E.; Pashkin, O.

We probe the electron transport properties in the shell of GaAs/In0.2Ga0.8As core/shell nanowires at high electric fields using optical pump/THz probe spectroscopy with broadband THz pulses and peak electric fields up to 0.6 MV/cm. The plasmon resonance of the photoexcited charge carriers exhibits a systematic redshift and a suppression of its spectral weight for THz driving fields exceeding 0.4 MV/cm. This behavior is attributed to the intervalley electron scattering that results in the doubling of the average electron effective mass. Correspondingly, the electron mobility at the highest fields drops to about half of the original value. We demonstrate that the increase of the effective mass is nonuniform along the nanowires and takes place mainly in their middle part, leading to a spatially inhomogeneous carrier response. Our results quantify the nonlinear transport regime in GaAs-based nanowires and show their high potential for development of nanodevices operating at THz frequencies.

Keywords: Terahertz (THz); Nanowire; Localized Plasmon; Intervalley Scattering

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Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-30886
Publ.-Id: 30886


Numerical framework for a morphology adaptive multi-field two-fluid model in OpenFOAM

Meller, R.; Schlegel, F.; Lucas, D.; Tekavčič, M.

This development is further maintained under the following software publication: https://doi.org/10.14278/rodare.767

A solver for multiphase flows based on the incompressible Eulerian multi-field two-fluid model for the OpenFOAM release of The OpenFOAM Foundation for numerical simulations of multiphase flows with morphology changes and resolved interfaces.

Features:

  • morphology adaptive modeling framework for modelling of dispersed and resolved interfaces based on Eulerian multi-field two-fluid model
  • compact interpolation method according to Cubero et al. (Comput Chem Eng, 2014, Vol. 62, 96-107), including virtual mass
  • numerical drag according to Strubelj and Tiselj (Int J Numer Methods Eng, 2011, Vol. 85, 575-590) to describe resolved interfaces in a volume-of-fluid like manner
  • n-phase partial elimination algorithm for momentum equations to resolve strong phase coupling
  • bubble induced turbulence model of Ma et al. (Phys Rev Fluids, 2017, Vol. 2, 034301)
  • turbulent wall functions of Menter according to Rzehak & Kriebitzsch (Int J Multiphase Flow, 2015, Vol. 68, 135–152)
  • free surface turbulence damping for k-ω SST (symmetric and asymmetric damping, Frederix et al., Nucl Eng Des, 2018, Vol. 333, 122-130)
  • dynamic time step adjustment via PID controller
  • selected test cases:
    • a two-dimensional gas bubble, rising in a liquid, which is laden with micro gas bubbles, and
    • a two-dimensional stagnant stratification of water and oil, sharing a large-scale interface
    • a two-dimensional stratified flow based on WENKA experiment (Stäbler, Ph.D. thesis, 2007)

Keywords: OpenFOAM; C++; CFD; Finite volume method; Multiphase flow; Multi-field two-fluid model; Eulerian-Eulerian model; Momentum interpolation; Partial elimination algorithm; Free Surface

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Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-30885
Publ.-Id: 30885


Rühr- und Mischvorgänge in Biogasanlagen: Potentiale und Erfolgschancen

Annas, S.; Elfering, M.; Jantzen, H.-A.; Scholz, J.; Janoske, U.; Heller, A.; Buntkiel, L.

Im Rahmen des Forschungsvorhabens NeoBio wird die Problematik des optimalen Mischprozesses in Biogasanlagen aufgegriffen, um praktikable Lösungsansätze für die optimale Auslegung der Mischprozesse zu finden.
In diesem Zusammenhang steht die Bestimmung instationärer Geschwindigkeitsfelder in Biogasanlagen über in der Fermentersuspension mitschwimmende Funksensoren im Fokus, welche ihre Position über Laufzeitmessungen detektieren. In Kombination mit Inertialsensoren können Bewegungen auch unterhalb des Flüssigkeitsspiegels be-stimmt werden. Die ermittelten Geschwindigkeitsdaten werden für die Auslegung von Rührwerksgeometrien, -korrespondenzen und die Validierung von Modellversuchen genutzt.
In modellmaßstäblichen Untersuchungen an einem Fermenter mit Paddelrührwerk (Maßstab 1:40) konnte bereits gezeigt werden, welchen Einfluss alternative Rührwerk-spositionen auf den Mischprozess haben. Eine Verringerung von Totzonen sowie die Reduzierung der Rühr- bzw. Mischzeit um bis zu 80 % sind erreichbar. Dabei sind die notwendigen Anpassungen überschaubar und somit in der Praxis leicht zu realisieren.
Diese Erkenntnisse werden bereits in aktuellen Anlagen umgesetzt und sind ein Bau-stein bei der Wirkungsgradsteigerung. Um das Optimierungspotential sicher bewerten zu können, müssen die Ergebnisse noch im Originalmaßstab validiert werden. In die-sem Zusammenhang soll die beschriebene Messtechnik eingesetzt werden

  • Open Access Logo Contribution to proceedings
    14. Rostocker Bioenergieforum, 16.-17.06.2020, Rostock, Deutschland
    Tagungsband zum 14. Rostocker Bioenergieforum / 19. DIALOG Abfallwirtschaft MV
    DOI: 10.18453/rosdok_id00002650

Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-30884
Publ.-Id: 30884


Convective Instability in Sheared Foam

Heitkam, S.; Eckert, K.

This work provides evidence that anisotropic drainage in sheared foam is at the origin of convective instability (CI) in very long foam channels. CI occurs in foam under forced drainage when a critical liquid fraction is exceeded. Liquid spontaneously accumulates at one side of the channel. The weight imbalance induces convection rolls in the foam. Experiments in a very long vertical foam channel demonstrate that the critical liquid fraction is smaller than in previous findings by a factor of five. The critical liquid fraction depends on both the channel length and the inhomogeneity of the liquid feed. Well below the critical liquid fraction, a static, elastic shear deformation of the foam structure occurs. At the critical liquid fraction, initial steady convection rolls are located at the lower region of the channel and expand as the liquid fraction further increases. Combining the drainage equation with both the elastic response of the foam and a model for anisotropic drainage, a critical liquid fraction for the growth of an initial liquid imbalance is derived analytically, which corresponds very well to the experimental findings. Numerical simulations of the drainage equation and the elastic response of the foam reproduce these experimental and analytical findings.

Keywords: Foam Drainage; Convective Instability; Yield Stress

Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-30883
Publ.-Id: 30883


Synthesis and evaluation of new 1-oxa-8-azaspiro[4.5]decane derivatives as candidate radioligands for sigma-1 receptors

Tian, J.; He, Y.; Deuther-Conrad, W.; Fu, H.; Xie, F.; Zhang, Y.; Wang, T.; Zhang, X.; Zhang, J.; Brust, P.; Huang, Y.; Jia, H.

We report the design, synthesis, and evaluation of a series of 1-oxa-8-azaspiro[4.5]decane and 1,5-dioxa-9-azaspiro[5.5]undecane derivatives as selective σ1 receptor ligands. All seven ligands exhibited nanomolar affinity for σ1 receptors (Ki(σ1) = 0.61 – 12.0 nM) and moderate selectivity toward σ2 receptors (Ki(σ2)/ Ki(σ1) = 2 – 44). Compound 8 with the best selectivity among these ligands was selected for radiolabeling and further evaluation. Radioligand [18F]8 was prepared via nucleophilic 18F-substitution of the corresponding tosylate precursor, with an overall isolated radiochemical yield of 12-35%, a radiochemical purity of >99%, and molar activity of 94 – 121 GBq/μmol. Biodistribution studies of [18F]8 in mice demonstrated high initial brain uptake at 2 min. Pretreatment with SA4503 resulted in significantly reduced brain-to-blood ratio (70% - 75% at 30 min). Ex vivo autoradiography in ICR mice demonstrated high accumulation of the radiotracer in σ1 receptor-rich brain areas. These findings suggest that [18F]8 could be a lead compound for further structural modification to develop potential brain imaging agent for σ1 receptors.

Keywords: 1-oxa-8-azaspiro[4.5]decane derivatives; 1,5-dioxa-9-azaspiro[5.5]undecane derivatives; σ1 receptor; fluorine-18; positron emission tomography

Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-30882
Publ.-Id: 30882


Establishment and Characterisation of Heterotopic Patient-Derived Xenografts for Glioblastoma

Meneceur, S.; Annett, L.; Matthias, M.; Sandra, H.; Steffen, L.; Rebecca, B.; Dietmar, K.; Gabriele, S.; Achim, T.; Baumann, M.; Krause, M.; Cläre, V. N.

Glioblastoma is an aggressive brain tumour with a patient median survival of approximately 14 months. The development of innovative treatment strategies to increase the life span and quality of life of patients is hence essential. This requires the use of appropriate glioblastoma models for preclinical testing, which faithfully reflect human cancers. The aim of this study was to establish glioblastoma patient-derived xenografts (PDXs) by heterotopic transplantation of tumour pieces in the axillae of NMRI nude mice. Ten out of 22 patients’ samples gave rise to tumours in mice. Their human origin was confirmed by microsatellite analyses, though minor changes were observed. The glioblastoma nature of the PDXs was corroborated by pathological evaluation. Latency times spanned from 48.5 to 370.5 days in the first generation. Growth curve analyses revealed an increase in the growth rate with increasing passages. The methylation status of the MGMT promoter in the primary material was maintained in the PDXs. However, a trend towards a more methylated pattern could be found. A correlation was observed between the take in mice and the proportion of Sox2+ cells (r = 0.49, p = 0.016) and nestin+ cells (r = 0.55, p = 0.007). Our results show that many PDXs maintain key features of the patients’ samples they derive from. They could thus be used as preclinical models to test new therapies and biomarkers.

Keywords: patient-derived xenografts; preclinical models; cancer stem cell markers; glioblastoma; growth data

Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-30881
Publ.-Id: 30881


Photocatalytic biocidal effect of copper doped TiO2 nanotube coated surfaces under laminar flow, illuminated with UVA light on Legionella pneumophila

Podlipec, R.

Raw datasets and images performed on the Helium Ion Microscope for the published study with the title Photocatalytic biocidal effect of copper doped TiO2 nanotube coated surfaces under laminar flow, illuminated with UVA light on Legionella pneumophila.

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Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-30880
Publ.-Id: 30880


Disturbance-Promoted Unconventional and Rapid Fabrication of Self-Healable Noble Metal Gels for (Photo-)Electrocatalysis

Du, R.; Joswig, J.-O.; Fan, X.; Hübner, R.; Spittel, D.; Hu, Y.; Eychmüller, A.

As an emerging class of porous materials, noble metal aerogels (NMAs) have drawn tremendous attention and displayed unprecedented potential in diverse fields. However, the development of NMAs is impeded by the fabrication methods because of their time- and cost-consuming procedures, limited generality, and elusive understanding of the formation mechanisms. Here, by revealing the self-healing behavior of noble metal gels and applying it in the gelation process at a disturbing environment, an unconventional and conceptually new strategy, i.e., a disturbance-promoted gelation method, is developed by introducing an external force field. It overcomes the diffusion limitation in the gelation process, thus producing monolithic gels within 1–10 min at room temperature, 2–4 orders of magnitude faster than for most reported methods. Moreover, versatile NMAs are acquired by using this method, and their superior (photo-)electrocatalytic properties are demonstrated for the first time in light of combined catalytic and optic properties.

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Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-30879
Publ.-Id: 30879


A smart multi-plane detector design for ultrafast electron beam X-ray computed tomography

Bieberle, A.; Windisch, D.; Iskander, K.; Bieberle, M.; Hampel, U.

In this paper, a novel concept for multi-plane ultrafast electron beam X-ray computed tomography (UFXCT) is presented. The concept is based on multi-plane electron beam scanning on a semi-transparent X-ray target and cuboid-shape scintillation detectors for radiation detection over an extended axial range. The optical part of the scintillation detector acts as both a scintillator and a light guide. With that, we achieve a low detector complexity and number of detector elements, overall power consumption and detector costs. We investigated the performance of this new concept with a prototypical detector module made of cerium doped lutetium yttrium orthosilicate (LYSO:Ce) as scintillator and an avalanche photodiode (APD) array. Thereby, we assessed two design variants: a monolithic LYSO bar detector and a sandwich detector made of multiple LYSO crystals and glass light-guides.

Keywords: Ultrafast computed tomography; 3D tomography; scintillation detectors

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Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-30878
Publ.-Id: 30878


Synthesis, Structural, and Electronic Properties of K2PuVIO2(CO3)3(cr): An Environmentally Relevant Plutonium Carbonate Complex

Pidchenko, I.; März, J.; Hunault, M. O. J. Y.; Bauters, S.; Butorin, S. M.; Kvashnina, K.

The chemical properties of actinide materials are often predefined and described based on the data available for isostructural species. This is the case for potassium plutonyl (PuVI) carbonate, K4PuVIO2(CO3)3(cr), a complex relevant for nuclear technology and the environment, of which the crystallographic and thermodynamic properties of which are still lacking. We report here the synthesis and characterization of PuVI achieved by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis and high-energy-resolution fluorescence-detected X-ray absorption near-edge structure at the Pu M4-edge coupled with electronic structure calculations. The crystallographic properties of PuVI are compared with isostructural uranium (U) and neptunium (Np) compounds. Actinyl (AnVI) axial bond lengths, [O-AnVI-O]2+, are correlated between solid, K4AnVIO2(CO3)3(cr), and aqueous, [AnVIO2(CO3)3]4-(aq) species for the UVI-NpVI-PuVI series. The spectroscopic data are compared to KPuVO2CO3(cr) and PuIVO2(cr) to tackle the trend in the electronic structure of PuVI regarding the oxidation state changes and local structural modifications around the Pu atom.

Keywords: Plutonium (Pu); Actinide; Carbonate Complex; X-ray absorption spectroscopy

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Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-30877
Publ.-Id: 30877


data of " A detailed EP and PAS study of porous structure of OSG films with various ratios of methyl terminal and ethylene bridging groups"

Rasadujjaman, M.; Wang, Y.; Zhang, L.; Naumov, S.; Elsherif, A. G. A.; Liedke, M. O.; Koehler, N.; Redzheb, M.; Vishnevskiy, A. S.; Seregin, D. S.; Wu, Y.; Zhang, J. L.; Wagner, A.; Vorotilov, K. A.; Schulz, S. E.; Baklanov, M. R.

Raw data of "A detailed EP and PAS study of porous structure of OSG films with various ratios of methyl terminal and ethylene bridging groups"- The positron part only.

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Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-30876
Publ.-Id: 30876


Lithium Diffusion in Ion-Beam Sputter-Deposited Lithium-Silicon Layers

Strauss, F.; Hüger, E.; Julin, J. A.; Munnik, F.; Schmidt, H.

Lithium-silicon compounds are used as active material in negative electrodes of Li-ion batteries. The knowledge of Li diffusion in these materials is of importance for an optimization of charging/discharging rates and achievable maximum specific capacity as well as for an understanding of the basic lithiation mechanism. We carried out Li tracer self-diffusion experiments on ion-beam sputter-deposited LixSi(O) thin films for x ~ 0.25 and x ~ 4.5 using LixSi/6LixSi hetero-structures in combination with secondary ion mass spectrometry in line scan like mode. Measurements with elastic recoil detection analysis revealed the presence of a considerable amount of oxygen in the films. The diffusivities follow the Arrhenius law in the temperature range between 300 and 500 °C with an activation energy of 0.8 – 0.9 eV. The film containing a higher amount of Li shows faster diffusion by one order of magnitude. The Li diffusivities in the investigated Li-rich materials are several orders of magnitude higher than in Li-poor LixSi films (x = 0.02 to 0.06) as given in literature because of a lower activation energy. This indicates the presence of a direct interstitial-like mechanism. Oxygen present in samples with the same Li concentration of x = 0.06 also enhances diffusion but does not lead to a reduction in the activation energy.

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Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-30875
Publ.-Id: 30875


A detailed ellipsometric porosimetry and positron annihilation spectroscopy study of porous organosilicate-glass films with various ratios of methyl terminal and ethylene bridging groups

Rasadujjaman, M.; Wang, Y.; Zhang, L.; Naumov, S.; Elsherif, A. G. A.; Liedke, M. O.; Koehler, N.; Redzheb, M.; Vishnevskiy, A. S.; Seregin, D. S.; Wu, Y.; Zhang, J. L.; Wagner, A.; Vorotilov, K. A.; Schulz, S. E.; Baklanov, M. R.

Organosilicate-glass films with a varying ratio of terminal methyl and bridging ethylene groups are synthesized using BTMSE/MTMS mixtures and sol-gel technology. The films have been characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy, Ellipsometric Porosimetry and Positron Annihilation Spectroscopy. The hard bake at 400 ºC generates the final pore structure, which depends on the curing environment. It is shown that ethylene bridge is destructed during the hard bake in air via formation of peroxide radicals that form ΞSiOH during the further transformation. Continuous hard bake leads to condensation of silanol groups and form a structure similar to the ordinary silica.
The pore size of highly porous materials (>30%) is larger in air cured films. Destruction of the ethylene bridge makes the films matrix soft and micropores collapse during the template evaporation due to the capillary forces. It leads to the film shrinkage, increases the size of internal voids. The air cured samples showed better mechanical properties than N 2 cured ones although in the last case ethylene bridging groups were preserved. The reason is that the collapse of micropores increases internal density and creates more favorable condition for condensation of silanol groups.

Keywords: Low-k films; Pore structure; Ellipsometric Porosimetry; Positron annihilation spectroscopy; Young's Modulus

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Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-30874
Publ.-Id: 30874


Development of a Fluorine-18-labeled Benzoimidazotriazine-based radioligand for the imaging of Phosphodiesterase 2A in the brain with positron emission tomography

Ritawidya, R.

Cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase 2A (PDE2A) is highly expressed in distinct areas of the brain associated with neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric diseases like Alzheimer's disease, dementia, and schizophrenia. Specific PDE2A radioligands for the imaging of PDE2A via positron emission tomography (PET) would be helpful for the research related to the disease-related changes in the expression of this enzyme in the brain. Therefore, this thesis aims to develop a specific PDE2A radioligand for the imaging of PDE2A in the brain via PET. A series of novel fluorinated PDE2A inhibitors on the basis of a benzoimidazotriazine (BIT) scaffold was prepared by a multistep synthesis route, and their inhibitory potency towards PDE2A and selectivity over other PDEs were evaluated. Based on the in vitro inhibitory activity evaluation, one derivative, 1-(2-chloro-5-methoxy phenyl)-8-(2-fluoropyridin-4-yl)-3-methylbenzo[e]imidazo[5,1-c][1,2,4]triazine turned out to be the prospective compound. Additional in vitro studies of this ligand using mouse liver microsomes (MLM) revealed this ligand has a promising microsomal stability for 18F-labeling.This novel radioligand was prepared by nucleophilic aromatic substitution of the corresponding nitro precursor and evaluated for the potential application for imaging of PDE2A. In vitro autoradiography on pig brain cryosections demonstrated a heterogeneous spatial distribution of this radiotracer corresponding to PDE2A regions. The investigation of the in vivo metabolism of this radiotracer in mice revealed sufficient metabolic stability. PET studies in mice exhibited a moderate brain uptake of the radiotracer. Further, in vivo blocking studies showed a non-target specific binding of the radiotracer. Therefore, further structural modifications are required to improve target selectivity.

  • Doctoral thesis
    Universität Leipzig, 2020
    Mentor: Prof. Dr. Peter Brust (FWPN)
    158 Seiten

Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-30873
Publ.-Id: 30873


Adjuvant drug-assisted bone healing: advances and challenges in drug delivery approaches

Rothe, R.; Hauser, S.; Neuber, C.; Laube, M.; Schulze, S.; Rammelt, S.; Pietzsch, J.

Bone defects of critical size after compound fractures, infections, or tumor resections are a challenge in treatment. Particularly, this applies to bone defects in patients with impaired bone healing due to frequently occurring metabolic diseases (above all diabetes mellitus and osteoporosis), chronic inflammation, and cancer. Adjuvant therapeutic agents such as recombinant growth factors, lipid mediators, antibiotics, antiphlogistics, and proangiogenics as well as other promising anti-resorptive and anabolic molecules contribute to improving bone healing in these disorders, especially when they are released in a targeted and controlled manner during crucial bone healing phases. In this regard, the development of smart biocompatible and biostable polymers such as implant coatings, scaffolds, or particle-based materials for drug release is crucial. Innovative chemical, physico- and biochemical approaches for controlled tailor-made degradation or the stimulus-responsive release of substances from these materials, and more, are advantageous. In this review, we discuss current developments, progress, but also pitfalls and setbacks of such approaches in supporting or controlling bone healing. The focus is on the critical evaluation of recent preclinical studies investigating different carrier systems, dual- or co-delivery systems as well as triggered- or targeted delivery systems for release of a panoply of drugs.

Keywords: Angiogenesis; bioactive scaffolds; bone grafting; critical-size bone defects; drugs; inflammation; tissue regeneration; osteoconduction; osteoinduction; osseointegration

Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-30872
Publ.-Id: 30872


Mechanisms of selenium removal by partially oxidized magnetite nanoparticles for waste water remediation

Börsig, N.; Scheinost, A.; Schild, D.; Neumann, T.

Magnetite nanoparticles are a promising cost-effective material for the remediation of polluted wastewaters. Due to their magnetic properties and their high adsorption and reduction potential, they are particularly suitable for the decontamination of oxyanionforming contaminants, including the highly mobile selenium oxyanions selenite and selenate. However, little is known how in field applications the remediation efficiency of magnetite nanoparticles is affected by partial oxidation and the formation of magnetite/maghemite phases. Here we characterize the retention mechanisms and capacity of partially oxidized nanoparticulate magnetite for selenite and selenate in an oxic system at different pH conditions and ionic strengths. Data from adsorption experiments showed that retention of selenate is extremely limited except for acidic conditions and strongly influenced by competing chloride anions, indicating outersphere adsorption. By contrast, although selenite adsorption capacity of oxidized magnetite is also adversely affected by increasing pH, considerable selenite quantities are retained even at alkaline conditions. Using spectroscopic analyses (XPS, XAFS), both mononuclear edge-sharing ( 2 E) and binuclear corner-sharing ( 2 C) innersphere selenite surface complexes were detected, while reduction to Se(0) or Se(-II) species could be excluded. Under favourable adsorption conditions, up to pH ~8, the affinity of selenite to form 2 C surface complexes is higher, whereas at alkaline pH values and less favourable adsorption conditions 2 E complexes become more dominant. Our results demonstrate that magnetite can be used as a suitable reactant for the immobilization of selenite in remedial applications, even under (sub)oxic conditions and without the involvement of reduction processes.

Keywords: magnetite; maghemite; waste water treatment; selenium; XAFS; ROBL

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Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-30871
Publ.-Id: 30871


Influence of structure and cation distribution on magnetic anisotropy and damping in Zn/Al doped nickel ferrites

Lumetzberger, J.; Buchner, M.; Pile, S.; Ney, V.; Gaderbauer, W.; Daffé, N.; Moro, M. V.; Primetzhofer, D.; Lenz, K.; Ney, A.

An in-depth analysis of Zn/Al doped nickel ferrite thin films grown by reactive magnetron sputtering was conducted to gain insight into the magnetic properties interesting for applications in spintronics. The material is insulating, ferromagnetic at room temperature and has a low magnetic damping with additional strong magnetoelastic coupling. The sample system is analyzed with regard to crystal structure, chemical composition and static as well as dynamic magnetic properties. Thus a correlation between composition, strain, cation distribution, magnetocrystalline anisotropy and damping is evidenced. X-ray magnetic circular dichroism spectra and field dependent curves at the L3;2 edges of Ni and Fe are performed to complement integral magnetometry measurements and identify their magnetic contributions to the hysteresis. In particular, a strong in uence of the lattice site occupation of Ni2+ Td and cation coordination of Fe2+ Oh on the intrinsic damping is found. Furthermore, the vital role of the incorporation of Zn2+ and Al3+ is evidenced by comparison with a sample of altered composition. A strain-independent reduction of the magnetic anisotropy and damping by adapting the cation distribution is demonstrated.

Keywords: ferrites; ferromagnetic resonance; x-rays; XMCD; cation distribution; damping; hysteresis; magnetic properties; thin films

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Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-30870
Publ.-Id: 30870


Formation of PuSiO4 under hydrothermal conditions

Estevenon, P.; Welcomme, E.; Tamain, C.; Jouan, G.; Szenknect, S.; Mesbah, A.; Poinssot, C.; Moisy, P.; Dacheux, N.

Attempts to synthesize plutonium (IV) silicate, PuSiO4, have been performed on the basis of the results recently reported in the literature for CeSiO4, ThSiO4 and USiO4 under hydrothermal conditions. Although it was not possible to prepare PuSiO4 by applying the conditions reported for thorium and uranium, an efficient way of PuSiO4 synthesis was established following those optimized for CeSiO4 system. This method was based on the slow oxidation of plutonium (III) silicate reactants under hydrothermal conditions at 150°C in hydrochloric acid (pH = 3 – 4). This result shed a new light on the potential behavior of plutonium in reductive environment, highlighted the representativeness of cerium surrogates to study plutonium in such conditions and brought some important pieces of information on plutonium chemistry in silicate solutions.

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Publ.-Id: 30869


Measuring the structure and equation of state of polyethylene terephthalate at megabar pressures

Lütgert, B. J.; Vorberger, J.; Hartley, N.; Voigt, K.; Rödel, M.; Schuster, A.; Brown, S.; Cowan, T.; Cunningham, E.; Döppner, T.; Falcone, R. W.; Fletcher, L. B.; Galtier, E.; Glenzer, S. H.; Laso García, A.; Gericke, D. O.; Heimann, P. A.; Lee, H. J.; Mcbride, E. E.; Pelka, A.; Prencipe, I.; Ravasio, A.; Saunders, A. M.; Schölmerich, M.; SchÖrner, M.; Sun, P.; Kraus, D.

We present structure measurements of biaxially orientated polyethylene terephthalate (PET, (C10H8O4)n , also called mylar) shock-compressed to (155+/-20) GPa and (6000+/-1000) K using in situ X-ray diffraction. Comparing to density functional theory molecular dynamics simulations, we find a highly correlated liquid that exhibits a temperature signficantly lower than predicted by some equation-of-state tables, which underlines the influence of complex chemical interactions in this regime. Indeed, at the inferred temperature and pressure, formation of nanodiamonds may be expected as recently observed in polystyrene at similar conditions. While some hints of diamond formation from PET are visible in the diffraction data, the strong liquid correlations prevent a conclusive statement as to whether diamonds are formed inside the sample volume.

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Publ.-Id: 30868


High-sensitivity investigation of low-lying dipole strengths in 120Sn

Müscher, M.; Wilhelmy, J.; Savran, D.; Schwengner, R.; Massarczyk, R.; Grieger, M.; Isaak, J.; Junghans, A. R.; Kögler, T.; Ludwig, F.; Symochko, D.; Takacs, M. P.; Tamkas, M.; Wagner, A.; Zilges, A.

Background: The term Pygmy Dipole Resonance (PDR) denotes electric dipole excitations below and around the neutron separation threshold. It may be important, e.g., for the nucleosynthesis of heavy nuclei or the symmetry energy in the Equation of State (EoS). For a deeper understanding of the PDR systematic studies are essential.
Purpose: The tin isotopic chain is a well-suited candidate to investigate the systematics of the PDR and the (g,g') reactions on 112,116,120,124Sn have already been measured in experiments using bremsstrahlung. It was claimed that the extracted electric dipole transition strengths of these isotopes increase with increasing neutron-to-proton ratio with the exception of 120 Sn. Furthermore, previous results from elastic photon scattering experiments on 120Sn are in disagreement with corresponding (p,p') Coulomb excitation data. To examine this discrepancy an additional high-sensitivity bremsstrahlung experiment on 120Sn was performed.
Method: The Nuclear Resonance Fluorescence (NRF) method is used which bases on real photon scattering. The bremsstrahlung experiment presented in this work was performed with a maximum energy of E = 9.5 MeV at the gELBE facility at the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR). Besides a state-to-state analysis, the quasi-continuum was investigated as well.
Results: Above Ex = 4 MeV 236 dipole transitions were clearly identified and 168 of those were observed for the first time. Assuming that all analyzed transitions have electric dipole character the summed electric dipole strength equals B(E1) = 374(35) e2 fm2 (0.54(5) % of the TRK sum rule) for transitions from 4 MeV to Sn = 9.1 MeV. This is an enhancement of a factor 2.3 compared to the previously published 120Sn(g,g') results.
Especially, the observation of many weaker transitions in the state-to-state analysis lead to this increase. The photo-absorption cross sections deduced from the quasi-continuum analysis are about two times higher than the results of the (p,p') experiment.
Conclusion: The newly extracted summed B(E1) value of the state-to-state analysis is larger than those of 112,116Sn and smaller than that of 124 Sn. The difference between the present (g,g') data and the results of the inelastic proton scattering experiment above 6.3 MeV is still striking. The deviation may be explained by unobserved decay branchings and unresolved strength. Up to now, there is no explanation for the discrepancy between the extracted photo-absorption cross sections of the analysis of the quasi-continuum and the (p,p')
measurement. Additional experiments may shed light on this deviation.

Keywords: Photon scattering; Photoabsorption cross section; Electromagnetic transition strengths

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Publ.-Id: 30867


Unveiling reductant chemistry in fabricating noble metal aerogels for superior oxygen evolution and ethanol oxidation

Du, R.; Wang, J.; Wang, Y.; Hübner, R.; Fan, X.; Senkovska, I.; Hu, Y.; Kaskel, S.; Eychmüller, A.

Amongst various porous materials, noble metal aerogels attract wide attention due to their concurrently featured catalytic properties and large surface areas. However, insufficient understanding and investigation of key factors (e.g. reductants and ligands) in the fabrication process limits on-target design, impeding material diversity and available applications. Herein, unveiling multiple roles of reductants, we develop an efficient method, i.e. the excessive-reductant-directed gelation strategy. It enables to integrate ligand chemistry for creating gold aerogels with a record-high specific surface area (59.8 m2 g−1), and to expand the composition to all common noble metals. Moreover, we demonstrate impressive electrocatalytic performance of these aerogels for the ethanol oxidation and oxygen evolution reaction, and discover an unconventional organic-ligand-enhancing effect. The present work not only enriches the composition and structural diversity of noble metal aerogels, but also opens up new dimensions for devising efficient electrocatalysts for broad material systems.

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Publ.-Id: 30866


Development of a radiofluorinated adenosine A2B receptor antagonist as potential ligand for PET imaging

Lindemann, M.; Moldovan, R.-P.; Hinz, S.; Deuther-Conrad, W.; Gündel, D.; Dukic-Stefanovic, S.; Toussaint, M.; Teodoro, R.; Juhl, C.; Steinbach, J.; Brust, P.; Müller, C. E.; Wenzel, B.

The adenosine A2B receptor has been proposed as a novel therapeutic target in cancer, as for example, its expression is drastically elevated in several tumors and cancer cells. Noninvasive molecular imaging by using positron emission tomography (PET) would allow the in vivo quantification of this receptor in pathological processes and most likely enable the identification and clinical monitoring of respective cancer therapies. On the basis of a bicyclic pyridopyrimidine-2,4-dione core structure, the new adenosine A2B receptor ligand 9 was synthesized containing a 2-fluoropyridine moiety suitable for labeling with the short-lived PET radionuclide fluorine-18. Compound 9 showed a high binding affinity for the human A2B receptor (Ki(A2B) = 2.51 nM) along with high selectivities versus the A1, A2A, and A3 receptor subtypes. Therefore, it was radiofluorinated via nucleophilic aromatic substitution of the corresponding nitro precursor using [18F]F-/K2.2.2./K2CO3 in DMSO at 120 °C. Metabolism studies of [18F]9 in mice revealed about 60 % of intact radiotracer in plasma at 30 minutes p.i. A preliminary PET study in healthy mice showed an overall biodistribution of [18F]9 corresponding to the known ubiquitous but low expression of the A2B receptor. Consequently, [18F]9 represents a novel PET radiotracer with high affinity and selectivity toward the adenosine A2B receptor and a suitable in vivo profile. Subsequent studies are envisaged to investigate the applicability of [18F]9 to detect alterations in the receptor density in certain cancer-related disease models.

Keywords: A2B receptor; adenosine; PET; fluorine-18; metabolism; radiofluorination

Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-30865
Publ.-Id: 30865


Microstructure and Nanoscopic Porosity in Black Pd Films

Melikhova, O.; Čížek, J.; Hruška, P.; Lukáč, F.; Novotný, M.; More-Chevalier, J.; Fitl, P.; Liedke, M. O.; Butterling, M.; Wagner, A.

In the present work the microstructure of a black Pd film prepared by thermal evaporation and a glossy Pd film deposited by magnetron sputtering was compared. While the glossy Pd film exhibits typical polycrystalline structure with column-like grains, the black Pd film has fractal-like porous structure. Positron annihilation spectroscopy revealed that positronium is formed in nanoscopic cavities of the black Pd film. In conventional metals positronium does not form due to screening by conduction electrons. However, in porous metals containing nanoscopic porosity a thermalized positron may pick an electron on inner surface of a pore and escape into a cavity forming positronium. The average size of nanoscopic pores in the black Pd film was determined from the lifetime of long-lived ortho-positronium component.

Keywords: thin film; positron annihilation; porosity; black metal; black gold; magnetron sputtering

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Publ.-Id: 30864


Defects in Thin Layers of High Entropy Alloy HfNbTaTiZr

Lukáč, F.; Hruška, P.; Cichoň, S.; Vlasák, T.; Cížek, J.; Kmječ, T.; Melikhova, O.; Butterling, M.; Liedke, M. O.; Wagner, A.

High entropy alloys represent a new type of materials with unique combination of physical properties originating due to occurrence of single phase solid solution of numerous elements. Preparation of high entropy alloys films with nanosized grains promises increased effective surface and high intergranular diffusion of elements. In the present work HfNbTaTiZr films were deposited by magnetron sputtering from single phase HfNbTaTiZr target prepared by spark plasma sintering. Chemical composition of high entropy alloys thin films prepared this way was enriched in Ti and depleted in Zr and Nb. Very fine microstructure of the film was documented and defect distribution was found to be non-uniform with depth.

Keywords: high entropy alloy; thin film; positron annihilation; nano grain

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Publ.-Id: 30863


Positron Structural Analysis of ScN Films Deposited on MgO Substrate

More-Chevalier, J.; Horák, L.; Cichoň, S.; Hruška, P.; Čížek, J.; Liedke, M. O.; Butterling, M.; Wagner, A.; Bulíř, J.; Hubík, P.; Gedeonová, Z.; Lančok, J.

Scandium nitride (ScN) is a semiconductor with a rocksalt-structure that has attracted attention for its potential applications in thermoelectric energy conversion devices, as a semiconducting component in epitaxial metal/semiconductor superlattices. Two ScN films of 118 nm and 950 nm thicknesses were deposited at the same conditions on MgO (001) substrate by reactive magnetron sputtering. Poly-orientation of films was observed with first an epitaxial growth on MgO and then a change in the orientation growth due to the decrease of the adatom mobility during the film growth. Positron lifetime measurements showed a high concentration of nitrogen vacancies in both films with a slightly higher concentration for the thicker ScN film. Presence of nitrogen vacancies explains the values of direct band gaps of 2:53+-0:01 eV, and 2:56+-0:01 eV which has been measured on ScN films of 118 nm and 950 nm thicknesses, respectively.

Keywords: positron annihilation; semiconductor; ScN; band gap; defects; vacancies

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Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-30862
Publ.-Id: 30862


Cation exchange protocols to radiolabel aqueous stabilized ZnS, ZnSe and CuFeS2 nanocrystals with 64Cu for dual radio- and photo-thermal therapy

Avellini, T.; Soni, N.; Silvestri, N.; Fiorito, S.; de Donato, F.; de Mei, C.; Cassani, M.; Ghosh, S.; Walther, M.; Manna, L.; Stephan, H.; Pellegrino, T.

In metal chalcogenide nanocrystals (NCs), the cations can be partially or fully replaced with other cations through the so-called cation exchange (CE) reactions. Here, we took advantage of these CE reactions to replace the cations on different chalcogenides NCs with 64Cu ions in order to radiolabel them. With respect to other approaches reported in the literature, our CE protocol is easily transferable to the clinic. It requires indeed one single step, in which the water-soluble NCs are mixed with a 64Cu copper(II) chloride solution of high specific activity, in the presence of vitamin C used as a reducing agent for Cu(II) to Cu(I)). Given the quantitative replacement of the cations of the NCs with 64Cu(I), a high radiochemical yield up to 90-95% can be reached. Provided that there is no free 64Cu, no purification step is needed, making the protocol straightforward. At the same time, the amount of NCs required for the exchange is so low (in the range of μg) that the dose of NCs shows no intrinsic cytotoxicity. This protocol works on different types of metal chalcogenide NCs. In ZnSe and ZnS NCs, the Zn(II) ions are exchanged with 64Cu (I) ions, and in CuFeS2 NCs the Fe(III) ions are exchanged with 64Cu(I). To ensure the stability of the NCs during and after the CE reaction, a multi-anchoring coating procedure based on PEG, cysteamine and poly-maleic anhydride was proven to be more efficient than the use of monothiol PEG ligands. With our approach we managed to achieve an unprecedented high specific activity, i.e. the amount of 64Cu radionuclide loaded per NC dose, to dispatch remarkable ionizing effects. Indeed, by exploiting a volumetric cations exchange, our strategy enables to concentrate a large dose of 64Cu (18.5 MBq) in a small NC dose (0.4 μg), reaching a specific activity of about 50 TBq/g. Remarkably, for CuFeS2 NCs even after the CE, the radiolabeled 64Cu:CuFeS2 NCs still show the characteristic dielectric resonance that enables the generation of heat under laser exposure for clinical use (1 W/cm2). The synergic toxicity of photo-ablation and 64Cu radiation exposure is here demonstrated in an in vitro study on glioblastoma and epidermoid carcinoma tumor cells.

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Interplay between MycN and c-Myc regulates radioresistance and cancer stem cell phenotype in neuroblastoma upon glutamine deprivation

Le, G. M.; Mukha, A.; Püschel, J.; Valli, E.; Kamili, A.; Vittorio, O.; Dubrovska, A.; Kavallaris, M.

Targeting glutamine metabolism has emerged as a potential therapeutic strategy for Myc overexpressing cancer cells. Myc proteins contribute to an aggressive neuroblastoma phenotype. Radiotherapy is one of the treatment modalities for high-risk neuroblastoma patients. Herein, we investigated the effect of glutamine deprivation in combination with irradiation in neuroblastoma cells representative of high-risk disease and studied the role of Myc member interplay in regulating neuroblastoma cell radioresistance. Methods: Cell proliferation and viability assays were used to establish the effect of glutamine deprivation in neuroblastoma cells expressing c-Myc or MycN. Gene silencing and overexpression were used to modulate the expression of Myc genes to determine their role in neuroblastoma radioresistance. qPCR and western blot investigated interplay between expression of Myc members. The impact of glutamine deprivation on cell response following irradiation was explored using a radiobiological 3D colony assay. DNA repair gene pathways as well as CSC-related genes were studied by qPCR array. Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) and glutathione (GSH) levels were detected by fluorescence and luminescence probes respectively. Cancer-stem cell (CSC) properties were investigated by sphere-forming assay and flow cytometry to quantify CSC markers. Expression of DNA repair genes and CSC-related genes was analysed by mining publicly available patient datasets. Results: Our results showed that glutamine deprivation decreased neuroblastoma cell proliferation and viability and modulated Myc member expression. We then demonstrated for the first time that combined glutamine deprivation with irradiation led to a selective radioresistance of MYCN-amplified neuroblastoma cells. By exploring the underlying mechanism of neuroblastoma radioresistance properties, our results highlight interplay between c-Myc and MycN expression suggesting compensatory mechanisms in Myc proteins leading to radioresistance in MYCN-amplified cells. This result was associated with the ability of MYCN-amplified cells to dysregulate the DNA repair gene pathway, maintain GSH and ROS levels and to increase the CSC-like population and properties. Conversely, glutamine deprivation led to radiosensitization in non-MYCN amplified cell lines through a disruption of the cell redox balance and a trend to decrease in the CSC-like populations. Mining publicly available gene expression dataset obtained from pediatric neuroblastoma patients, we identified a correlation pattern between Myc members and CSC-related genes as well as a specific group of DNA repair gene pathways. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that MycN and c-Myc tightly cooperate in regulation of the neuroblastoma CSC phenotypes and radioresistance upon glutamine deprivation. Pharmacologically, strategies targeting glutamine metabolism may prove beneficial in Myc-driven tumors. Consideration of MycN/c-Myc status in selecting neuroblastoma patients for glutamine metabolism treatment will be important to avoid potential radioresistance.

Keywords: Myc members; glutamine metabolism; neuroblastoma; radioresistance; Cancer-Stem Cells

Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-30860
Publ.-Id: 30860


Enhanced room temperature ferromagnetism in MoS2 by N plasma treatment

Wang, B.; Zhang, D.; Wang, H.; Zhao, H.; Liu, R.; Li, Q.; Zhou, S.; Du, J.; Xu, Q.

The introduction of ferromagnetism in MoS2 is important for its applications in semiconductor spintronics. MoS2 powders were synthesized by hydrothermal method, followed by the N plasma treatment at room temperature. Weak ferromagnetism with saturated ferromagnetic magnetization of 0.64 memu/g has been observed in the as-synthesized MoS2 at room temperature, which is significant enhanced to 3.67 memu/g after the N plasma treatment for the proper duration. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy demonstrates the adsorption of N, and higher valence state of Mo than +4 due to the bonding with N after the N plasma treatment. First principle calculation has been performed to disclose the possible origin of ferromagnetism. One chemical adsorbed N ion on S ion may form conjugated π bonds with adjacent two Mo ions to have a total magnetic moment of 0.75 μB, contributing to the enhanced ferromagnetism.

Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-30859
Publ.-Id: 30859


3D-Ising critical behavior in antiperovskite-type ferromagneticlike Mn3GaN

Yuan, Y.; Liu, Y.; Xu, C.; Kang, J.; Wang, W.; Wang, Q.; Song, B.; Zhou, S.; Wang, X.

In this work, a systematic investigation on magnetic critical behavior is performed for the first time on an antiperovskite-type Mn3GaN, which is prepared by intentionally modifying stoichiometry. According to the XRD results, the antiperovskite structure is well preserved, even though all lattice parameters shrink upon reducing Ga and N content down to 60%. The sample exhibits a ferromagneticlike feature with a Curie temperature (T_C) of 394 K rather than frustrated behavior in stoichiometric Mn3GaN. Most importantly, the modified Arrott plots, Kouvel–Fisher plots, as well as critical isotherm method self-consistently co-confirm the critical exponents of β = 0.33, γ = 1.23, and δ = 4.7, unambiguously indicating that the critical behavior follows the 3D-Ising model around T_C.

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An Infrared Transmission Study of Ge:Mn Thick Films Prepared by Ion Implantation and Post-Annealing

Obied, L. H.; Roorda, S.; Prucnal, S.; Zhou, S.; Crandles, D. A.

Ge:Mn thick films (t$\approx 3\mu$m) with low average Mn concentration (< 0.3 %) were prepared by ion implantation at 77K followed by either conventional or flash lamp annealing. The films were characterized by Xray diffraction, Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry, magnetometry and infrared transmission (100-6500 cm^{-1}). Post-annealing at high enough temperature recrystallizes the amorphous Ge:Mn films without significant migration of Mn to the surface while solid phase epitaxy does not occur, resulting in polycrystalline films. Annealing causes an estimated 50-80\% of the implanted Mn to migrate to Mn-rich clusters or form Mn_5Ge_3 while the remainder enters the Ge lattice substitutionally creating free holes. Evidence for free holes comes from structure in the mid-infrared absorption coefficient that is similar to previous observations in p-type Ge. The data suggest that the maximum solubility of Mn in the Ge crystalline lattice has an upper limit of <0.08%.

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Size Dependence of Lattice Parameter and Electronic Structure in CeO2 Nanoparticles

Prieur, D.; Bonani, W.; Popa, K.; Walter, O.; Kriegsman, K.; Engelhard, M.; Guo, X.; Eloirdi, R.; Gouder, T.; Beck, A.; Vitova, T.; Scheinost, A.; Kvashnina, K.; Martin, P.

Intrinsic properties of a compound (e.g. electronic structure, crystallographic structure, optical and magnetic properties) define notably its chemical and physical behavior. In the case of nanomaterials, these fundamental properties depend on the occurrence of quantum mechanical size effects and on the considerable increase of the surface to bulk ratio.
Here, we explore the size-dependence of both crystal and electronic properties of CeO2 nanoparticles (NPs) with different sizes by state-of-the art spectroscopic techniques. XRD, XPS and HERFD-XANES demonstrate that the as-synthesized NPs crystallize in the fluorite structure and they are predominantly composed of CeIV ions. The strong dependence of the lattice parameter with the NPs size was attributed to the presence of adsorbed species at the NPs surface thanks to FTIR and TGA measurements. In addition, the size-dependence of the t2g states in the Ce LIII XANES spectra was experimentally observed by HERFD-XANES and confirmed by theoretical calculations.

Keywords: Lanthanide; CeO2; HEFRD-XANES; Electronic Structure

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Publ.-Id: 30856


Quadrupolar response from the crystal electric field level scheme consisting of only Kramers doublets in DyNiAl

Suzuki, D.; Ishii, I.; Kumano, S.; Umeno, T.; Andreev, A. V.; Gorbunov, D.; Suzuki, T.

The rare earth compound DyNiAl shows ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic phase transitions at TC = 30 K and T1 = 15 K, respectively. Elastic properties of DyNiAl have been investigated by means of ultrasonic spectroscopy. The transverse elastic modulus C44 shows an elastic softening below 60 K and exhibits a bend at TC. The softening continues down to T1 and an elastic hardening is observed below T1. The softening above TC is well reproduced by Curie-Weiss-type equation including a quadrupole interaction. A quadrupole-quadrupole coupling constant obtained from C44 is negative, suggesting an antiferroquadrupolar-type interaction between quadrupoles Oyz or Ozx.

  • Contribution to proceedings
    International Conference on Strongly Correlated Electron Systems (SCES2019), 23.-28.09.2019, Okayama, Japan
    JPS Conference Proceedings 30(2020), 011165
    DOI: 10.7566/JPSCP.30.011165

Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-30855
Publ.-Id: 30855


Magnetocaloric Effect in Alloy Fe49Rh51in Pulsed Magnetic Fields up to 50 T

Kamantsev, A. P.; Amirov, A. A.; Koshkid'Ko, Y. S.; Salazar Mejia, C.; Mashirov, A. V.; Aliev, A. M.; Koledov, V. V.; Shavrov, V. G.

Magnetocaloric effect (MCE) in pulsed magnetic fields up to 50 T was directly studied in alloyFe49Rh51. An inverse MCE ΔT ≈ –8 K is observed at different initial temperatures around the metamagneticphase transition upon field rising to 20 T; further growth of the field to 50 T leads to a decrease in the absoluteadiabatic temperature change by nearly 1 K, which is due to the direct MCE and proves that the whole sampleundergoes a transition into the ferromagnetic phase. Upon the field decrease, the maximal absolute value ofthe adiabatic temperature change of |ΔT| = 9.8 K was revealed at 6 T when the initial temperature is 310 K.

Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-30854
Publ.-Id: 30854


Development of novel analogs of the monocarboxylate transporter ligand FACH and biological validation of one potential radiotracer for PET imaging

Sadeghzadeh, M.; Wenzel, B.; Gündel, D.; Deuther-Conrad, W.; Toussaint, M.; Moldovan, R.-P.; Fischer, S.; Teodoro, R.; Jonnalagadda, S.; Jonnalagadda, S. K.; Mereddy, V. R.; Drewes, L. R.; Brust, P.

Monocarboxylate transporters 1-4 (MCT1-4) are involved in several metabolism-related diseases, especially cancer, providing the chance to be considered as relevant targets for diagnosis and therapy. [18F]FACH was recently developed and showed very promising preclinical results as a potential PET radiotracer for imaging of MCTs, which encouraged us to develop the novel analogs 1 and 2 of FACH. They were synthesized via Buchwald-Hartwig amination starting from m-anisidine followed by Vilsmeier-Haack formylation and Knoevenagel condensation in moderate overall yields. MCT1 inhibition was estimated by [14C]lactate uptake assay on rat brain endothelial (RBE4) cells. Although 2 showed 25-times lower MCT1 inhibitory potency than FACH (IC50 = 11 nM), compound 1 could be a suitable PET candidate with an IC50 value of 118 nM. Therefore, 1 was selected for radiosynthesis of [18F]1 and subsequent biological evaluation as a potential PET radiotracer for imaging of the MCT expression in mouse brain. By in vitro autoradiography in cryosections of the mouse kidney, 50% displacement of [18F]1 by 10 µM of the specific MCT1 inhibitor α-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid (α-CHC) was observed. Despite a higher lipophilicity of [18F]1 compared to [18F]FACH, in vivo brain uptake of [18F]1 was in a similar range, likely to be related to similar transport rates by MCTs on RBE4 cells. The high uptake of the new radiotracer in kidney and other peripheral MCT-expressing organs together with significant reduction by α-CHC, suggests the suitability of [18F]1 for imaging of the MCTs expression in vivo.

Keywords: monocarboxylate transporters (MCTs); FACH; 18F-labeled analog of FACH; α-CHC; blood-brain barrier (BBB); positron emission tomography (PET) imaging

Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-30853
Publ.-Id: 30853


Local Structure in U(IV) and U(V) Environments: The Case of U3O7

Leinders, G.; Bes, R.; Kvashnina, K.; Verwerft, M.

A comprehensive analysis of X-ray absorption data obtained at theUL3-edge for a systematic series of single-valence (UO2, KUO3,UO3) and mixed-valence uranium compounds (U4O9,U3O7,U3O8) is reported. High-energyresolutionfluorescence detection (HERFD) X-ray absorption near-edge spectros-copy (XANES) and extended X-ray absorptionfine structure (EXAFS) methodswere applied to evaluate U(IV) and U(V) environments, and in particular, toinvestigate the U3O7local structure. Wefind that the valence state distribution inmixed-valence uranium compounds cannot be confidently quantified from aprincipal component analysis of the UL3-edge XANES data. The spectral linebroadening, even when applying the HERFD-XANES method, is sensibly higher(∼3.9 eV) than the observed chemical shifts (∼2.4 eV). Additionally, the white line shape and position are affected not only by thechemical state, but also by crystalfield effects, which appear well-resolved in KUO3. The EXAFS of a phase-pure U3O7sample wasassessed based on an average representation of the expanded U60O140structure. Interatomic U−O distances are found mainly tooccur at 2.18 (2), 2.33 (1), and 3.33 (5) Å, and can be seen to correspond to the spatial arrangement of cuboctahedral oxygenclusters. The interatomic distances derived from the EXAFS investigation support a mixed U(IV)−U(V) valence character in U3O7

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Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-30852
Publ.-Id: 30852


Topological Hall effect in single thick SrRuO3 layers induced by defect engineering

Wang, C.; Chang, C.-H.; Herklotz, A.; Chen, C.; Ganss, F.; Kentsch, U.; Chen, D.; Gao, X.; Zeng, Y.-J.; Hellwig, O.; Helm, M.; Gemming, S.; Chu, Y.-H.; Zhou, S.

The topological Hall effect (THE) has been discovered in ultrathin SrRuO3 (SRO) films, where the interface between the SRO layer and another oxide layer breaks the inversion symmetry resulting in the appearance of THE. Thus, THE only occurs in ultra-thin SRO films of several unit cells. In addition to employing a heterostructure, the inversion symmetry can be broken intrinsically in bulk by introducing defects. In this study THE is observed in 60 nm thick SRO films, in which defects and lattice distortions are introduced by helium ion irradiation. The irradiated SRO films exhibit a pronounced THE in a wide temperature range from 5 K to 80 K. These observations can be attributed to the emergence of Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction as a result of artificial inversion symmetry breaking associated with the lattice defect engineering. The creation and control of the THE in oxide single layers can be realized by ex situ film processing. Therefore, this work provides new insights into the THE and illustrates a promising strategy to design novel spintronic devices.

Keywords: defect engineering; Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction; lattice distortion; oxide thin film; topological Hall effect

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Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-30851
Publ.-Id: 30851


CFD simulation of aeration and mixing processes in a full-scale oxidation ditch

Höhne, T.; Mamedov, T.

This study aims to build a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model that can be used to predict fluid flow pattern and to analyse the mixing process in a full-scale OD. CFD is a widely used numerical tool for analysing, modelling and simulating fluid flow patterns in wastewater treatment processes. In this study, a three-dimensional (3D) computational geometry was used, and the Eulerian-Eulerian multiphase flow model was built. Pure water was considered as the continuous phase, whereas air was modelled as the dispersed phase. The Shear Stress Transport (SST) turbulence model was specified which predicts turbulence eddies in free stream and wall-bounded region with high accuracy. The momentum source term approach and the transient rotor-stator approach were implemented for the modelling of the submersible agitators. The hydrodynamic analysis was successfully performed for four different scenarios. In order to prevent the incorrect positioning of the submerged agitators, thrust analysis was also done. The results show that the minimum required water velocity was reached to maintain the solid particles suspended in the liquid media and adequate mixing was determined.

Keywords: CFD; Multiphase flow; Hydrodynamics; Oxidation ditch

Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-30850
Publ.-Id: 30850


The Crystal Electric Field Effect in the Distorted Kagome Lattice Ferromagnet Nd3Ru4Al12

Ishii, I.; Mizuno, T.; Kumano, S.; Umeno, T.; Suzuki, D.; Andreev, A. V.; Gorbunov, D.; Henriques, M. S.; Suzuki, T.

The distorted kagome lattice compound Nd3Ru4Al12 shows a ferromagnetic phase transition at TC =39 K. Reduced Nd magnetic moments with two different values of 2.66 and 0.95 µB are aligned along the c-axis below TC. It was previously reported that a crystal electric field (CEF) effect may affect the reduced magnetic moments. To clarify the 4f -electronic state in Nd3Ru4Al12, we performed CEF analyses for the inverse magnetic susceptibility and magnetization. We proposed the CEF level scheme of which the inverse magnetic susceptibilities along both a- and c-axes are reproduced. The ferromagnetic phase transition at TC along the c-axis can be explained by a simple CEF model. In contrast, reduced magnetic moments cannot be understood by the simple CEF model, because calculated magnetization curves are quite larger than the experimental data.

  • Contribution to proceedings
    International Conference on Strongly Correlated Electron Systems (SCES2019), 23.-28.09.2019, Okayama, Japan
    JPS Conference Proceedings 30(2020), 011161
    DOI: 10.7566/JPSCP.30.011161

Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-30849
Publ.-Id: 30849


Phonon-induced near-field resonances in multiferroic BiFeO₃ thin films at infrared and THz wavelengths

Wehmeier, L.; Nörenberg, T.; de Oliveira, T. V. A. G.; Klopf, J. M.; Yang, S.-Y.; Martin, L. W.; Ramesh, R.; Eng, L. M.; Kehr, S. C.

Multiferroic BiFeO3 (BFO) shows several phonon modes at infrared (IR) to THz energies, which are expected to carry information on any sample property coupled to crystal lattice vibrations. While macroscopic IR studies of BFO are often limited by single-crystal size, scattering-type scanning near-field optical microscopy (s-SNOM) allows for IR thin film spectroscopy of nanoscopic probing volumes with negligible direct substrate contribution to the optical signal. In fact, polaritons such as phonon polaritons of BFO introduce a resonant tip–sample coupling in s-SNOM, leading to both stronger signals and enhanced sensitivity to local material properties. Here, we explore the near-field response of BFO thin films at three consecutive resonances (centered around 5 THz, 13 THz, and 16 THz), by combining s-SNOM with a free-electron laser. We study the dependence of these near-field resonances on both the wavelength and tip–sample distance. Enabled by the broad spectral range of the measurement, we probe phonon modes connected to the predominant motion of either the bismuth or oxygen ions. Therefore, we propose s-SNOM at multiple near-field resonances as a versatile and very sensitive tool for the simultaneous investigation of various sample properties.

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Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-30848
Publ.-Id: 30848


Low frequency dependent elastic modulus in UCo1-xOsxAl

Kumano, S.; Ishii, I.; Horio, R.; Mizuno, T.; Umeno, T.; Suzuki, D.; Andreev, A. V.; Gorbunov, D.; Yamamura, T.; Suzuki, T.

UCoAl with the hexagonal ZrNiAl-type structure shows an itinerant metamagnetic phase transition at 0.7 T in the magnetic field along the c-axis. Whereas, this compound becomes to undergo a ferromagnetic phase transition in zero field by substituting Os for Co. UCo0.995Os0.005Al exhibits the ferromagnetic phase transition at TC = 8 K. At high temperatures, the temperature dependence of the transverse elastic modulus C44 in UCo0.995Os0.005 Al shows a slight softening below 50 K. The softening turns to an abrupt hardening below 30 K. With further decreasing temperature, a bending is observed at TC. Although TC changes sensitively by applying the magnetic fields, the temperature of the elastic hardening is robust in the magnetic fields. This elastic hardening is not caused by a magnetic origin. We measured ultrasonic frequency dependences of C44 and found that the temperature of the elastic hardening increases with increasing ultrasonic frequency. We propose that this ultrasonic frequency dependence is due to a large amplitude atomic motion of constituent atoms.

  • Contribution to proceedings
    International Conference on Strongly Correlated Electron Systems (SCES2019), 23.-28.09.2019, Okayama, Japan
    JPS Conference Proceedings 30(2020), 011173
    DOI: 10.7566/JPSCP.30.011173

Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-30847
Publ.-Id: 30847


Preclinical incorporation dosimetry of [18F]FACH - a novel 18F-labeled MCT1/MCT4 lactate transporter inhibitor for imaging cancer metabolism with PET

Sattler, B.; Kranz, M.; Wenzel, B.; Thachaantara Jain, N.; Moldovan, R.-P.; Toussaint, M.; Deuther-Conrad, W.; Ludwig, F.-A.; Teodoro, R.; Sattler, T.; Sadeghzadeh, M.; Sabri, O.; Brust, P.

Overexpression of monocarboxylate transporters (MCTs) has been shown for a variety of human cancers (e.g. colon, brain, breast, and kidney) and inhibition resulted in intracellular lactate accumulation, acidosis and cell death. Thus, MCTs are promising targets to investigate tumor cancer metabolism with positron emission tomography (PET). Here, the organ doses (OD) and the effective dose (ED) of the first 18F-labeled MCT1/MCT4 inhibitor were estimated in juvenile pigs. Whole-body dosimetry was performed in three piglets (age: ~6 weeks, weight: ~13-15 kg). The animals were anaesthetized and subjected to sequential PET/CT up to 5h after i.v. injection of 156 ± 54 MBq [18F]FACH. All relevant organs were defined by volumes of interest. Exponential curves were fitted to the time-activity data. Time and mass scales were adapted to the human order of magnitude and the ODs calculated using the ICRP 89 adult male phantom with OLINDA 2.1. The ED was calculated using tissue weighting factors as published in the ICRP103. The highest organ dose was received by the urinary bladder (62.6 ± 28.9 µSv/MBq), followed by the gall bladder(50.4 ± 37.5 µSv/MBq) and the pancreas (30.5 ± 27.3 µSv/MBq). The highest contribution to the ED was by the urinary bladder (2.5 ± 1.1 µSv/MBq) followed by the red marrow (1.7 ± 0.3 µSv/MBq) and the stomach (1.3 ± 0.4 µSv/MBq). According to this preclinical analysis,the ED to humans is 12.4 µSv/MBq when applying the ICRP103 tissue weighing factors. Taking into account that preclinical dosimetry underestimates the dose to humans by up to 40%, the conversion factor applied for estimation of the ED to humans would raise to 20.6 µSv/MBq. Resultantly, the ED to humans upon an i.v. application of ~300 MBq [18F]FACH would be about 6.2mSv. This risk assessment encourages to translate [18F]FACH to clinical study phases and to further investigate its potential as a clinical tool for cancer imaging with PET.

Keywords: preclinical radiopharmaceutical dosimetry; [18F]FACH; radiation safety; image based internal dosimetry; OLINDA; MCT1/MCT4 lactate transporter inhibitor

Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-30846
Publ.-Id: 30846


Crystal-field effects in Er3RuAl12with a distorted kagome lattice

Gorbunov, D.; Ishii, I.; Kurata, Y.; Andreev, A. V.; Suzuki, T.; Zherlitsyn, S.; Wosnitza, J.

We report on the magnetic and elastic properties of Er3Ru4Al12 in static and pulsed magnetic fields up to 58 T. From the ultrasound results, we obtain evidence for a phase transition at 2 K related to magnetic ordering. Furthermore, in the paramagnetic state, Er3Ru4Al12 shows pronounced anomalies in the magnetization and elastic moduli as a function of temperature and magnetic field. We explain our findings using a crystal-electricfield (CEF) model that includes quadrupolar interactions and propose a CEF level scheme for this material. However, the CEF effects cannot explain all field-induced anomalies, which indicates that refined models are needed for explaining these.

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Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-30845
Publ.-Id: 30845


Ultrasonic Dispersion in the Hexagonal Ferromagnet Nd3Ru4Al12

Suzuki, T.; Mizuno, T.; Kumano, S.; Umeno, T.; Suzuki, D.; Andreev, A. V.; Gorbunov, D.; Henriques, M. S.; Ishii, I.

The rare-earth ferromagnet Nd3Ru4Al12 has Curie temperature TC= 39 K and crystallizes in the hexagonal Gd3Ru4Al12-type structure (space group P63/mmc), which is a non-caged structure. A previous measurement of the elastic moduli has shown an upturn around 10 K in the temperature dependence of the longitudinal modulus C33. The upturn is not caused by any phase transition. To investigate the origin of the upturn in Nd3Ru4Al12, we have measured the temperature dependence of C33 at various ultrasonic frequencies. The temperature of the upturn increases with increasing ultrasonic frequency indicating the ultrasonic dispersion, and it does not change under applied magnetic fields. These results suggest that the upturn originates from the rattling effect at one of the aluminium sites in the crystal structure. Assuming a Debye-type relaxation for the elastic modulus and an Arrhenius-type relaxation time for the rattling, the activation energy was estimated as E = 115 K and the relaxation time as Ƭ0 = 1.5 x 10-13s.

  • Contribution to proceedings
    International Conference on Strongly Correlated Electron Systems (SCES2019), 23.-28.09.2019, Okayama, Japan
    JPS Conference Proceedings 30(2020), 011091
    DOI: 10.7566/JPSCP.30.011091

Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-30843
Publ.-Id: 30843


Air-side thermal and flow performance study of additively manufactured tube bundle heat exchangers with novel fin design

Unger, S.; Beyer, M.; Pietruske, H.; Szalinski, L.; Hampel, U.

Finned tube bundle heat exchangers are used in a variety of applications with the plain circular fin being the most common design. In the present investigation we proposed two novel heat exchanger designs integrated pins, which improve the heat conduction from the fin base to the fin tip as well as the convective heat transfer along the fin surface. Tubes with conventional circular plain fins (CPF) as well as novel circular integrated pin fins (CIPF) and serrated integrated pin fins (SIPF) were additively generated by a Selective Laser Melting (SLM) process. They were tested in a flow channel in a 2-row and a 3-row configuration under forced convection with Reynolds numbers between 1600 and 6600. For the new SIPF and CIPF designed we found an improved Nusselt number compare to the CPF and higher Nusselt number for the 2-row compared to the 3-row configuration. From the analysis of the single tube rows it was found that the Nusselt number is highest for the first row and reduces downstream. The friction factor was lowest for the SIPF at all Reynolds number and the CIPF gave lower friction factor compared to CPF for Reynolds numbers up to approximately Re=4000. Furthermore, the performance of the heat transfer surface was evaluated by the performance evaluation criterion. Hence, an enhancement of 72.6 % and 33.6 % for the 2-row configuration as well as 63.4 % and 29.1 % for the 3-row configuration for the SIPF and CIPF compared to the CPF was found. The compactness of the heat exchanger was evaluated by the volumetric heat flux density, which was greatest for the CIPF followed by the SIPF and lowest for the conventional CPF design. In general the 2-row heat exchanger configuration reached greater performance and volumetric heat flux density than the 3-row configuration. The global performance criterion strongly depends on the flow conditions. Thus, the SIPF heat exchanger performs best at lower and intermediate Reynolds numbers up to Re=5000 and the CPF design is best at higher Reynolds numbers. Eventually, the surface area and the volume of the heat exchanger with SIPF are 30.7 % and 6.9 % lower compared to the conventional heat exchanger. Based on the experimental results an empirical heat transfer correlation was derived, which includes Nusselt number, Reynolds number, Prandtl number, fin design and tube row number.

Keywords: Novel heat exchanger designs; Heat transfer; Friction factor; Thermal-flow performance; Additive Manufacturing; Integrated pin fin

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Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-30842
Publ.-Id: 30842


Thermal and flow performance of tilted oval tubes with novel fin designs

Unger, S.; Beyer, M.; Szalinski, L.; Hampel, U.

We studied the thermal and flow performance of tube heat exchangers with novel fin designs for tube tilt angles of "0°,20°,30°" and "40°" to the horizontal. The novel fin designs target to enhance the conduction heat transfer within the fin and the convective heat transfer along the fin surface simultaneously. Tubes with three different fin designs, the circular plain fin (CPF), the circular integrated pin fin (CIPF) and the serrated integrated pin fin (SIPF), were additively manufactured by selective laser melting and experimentally investigated in an air flow channel for Reynolds number between "1800" and "7800" . We analysed the performance evaluation criterion, the volumetric heat flux density and the global performance criterion. It was found, that the SIPF achieves highest performance evaluation criterion and the CPF performs worst. Thus, the SIPF is recommended, when the required surface area, the material cost and the weight of the finned tube heat exchanger are relevant. Highest heat transfer per volume heat exchanger and temperature difference was achieved for the CIPF at highest tube tilt angle. The value of the global performance criterion strongly depends on the fin design and the tube tilt angle. For the horizontal orientation the CPF reaches highest global performance and for the 40° tube tilt angle the CIPF gives best performance. From the experimental data we derived appropriate heat transfer correlations for Reynolds number, Prandtl number, tube tilt angle and fin designs.

Keywords: Finned tube heat exchanger; Novel fin designs; Heat transfer; Friction factor; Tube tilt angle; Thermal-flow performance; Additive Manufacturing

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Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-30841
Publ.-Id: 30841


Air-side thermal and flow performance study of additively manufactred tube bundle heat exchagers with novel fin designs

Unger, S.; Beyer, M.; Pietruske, H.; Szalinski, L.; Hampel, U.

These are the raw data and the processed data of the journal paper "Air-side thermal and flow performance study of additively manufactred tube bundle heat exchagers with novel fin designs".

The raw data contains the measured values on the experimental setup and the processed data contains the data of the data used in the corresponding journal publication.

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Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-30840
Publ.-Id: 30840


Rhenium and technetium-complexed silicon rhodamines as near-infrared imaging probes for bimodal SPECT- and optical imaging

Kanagasundaram, T.; Kramer, C. S.; Boros, E.; Kopka, K.

Radiolabelled fluorescent dyes are decisive for bimodal imaging and currently in demand for scintigraphic and optical imaging. This powerful method allows the combination of nuclear imaging (e.g. SPECT-imaging) and optical imaging which leads to synergistic effects, resulting in high spatial resolution and high tissue penetration from the whole body to the subcellular level. The new approaches in tumor imaging and its resection enables the accurate differentiation of healthy and diseased (e.g. tumor) tissues. Organic dyes belonging to the rhodamine family show unique optical properties such as high quantum yields, large extinction coefficients, absorption and emission properties in the optical window. The goal of this work was the development of small molecule near-infrared (NIR) light-emitting silicon-rhodamines (SiR) for scintigraphic and optical imaging. We utilized the dyes for copper(I)-catalyzed alkyne-azide [3+2]-cycloaddition to receive respective 1,2,3-triazoles for complexing the prominent SPECT-radiometal 99mTc(I)- and rheniumtricarbonyl core using the click-to-chelate concept from Mindt et al. The dyes were fully characterized using NMR-, UV/VIS/NIR-spectroscopy, IR and mass spectrometry. The presented silicon rhodamines with optical properties in the near-infrared region with emission wavelengths of ca. 650 nm and quantum yields in aqueous solution of up to 0.10 were received in seven reaction steps. The determined extinction coefficients of ca. 150.000 M-1cm-1 show promising results, making them potentially useful for bimodal imaging. Furthermore the dyes were prepared as precursors for radiolabelling with the SPECT-compatible radiometal technetium-99m. Corresponding rhenium-Si-rhodamines [used as a non-radioactive technetium-surrogate] were chemically characterized as well. Subsequently perfomed radiolabelling experiments have shown radiochemical yields of up to 59% and a radiochemical purity greater than 98%. The complexes show high stability both in aqueous solution and even in challenging experiments with histidine under physiological conditions. The first-in-class dyes have been synthesized to elucidate their potential for fluorescence- and radio-guided surgery. The non-targeted radiolabelled rhodamine dyes are subject of ongoing biological evaluations and the incorporation of biovectors into the dye for selective (tumor) targeting are topics of current research.

Keywords: Radiochemistry; Organic Synthesis; Click Chemistry; Technetium-99m Chemistry; Fluorescent Dyes; Silicon Rhodamines; Bimodal Imaging; Multimodal Imaging; SPECT Imaging; Optical Imaging

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Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-30839
Publ.-Id: 30839


The application of HEXS and HERFD XANES for accurate structural characterization of actinide nanomaterials: application to ThO₂.

Amidani, L.; Vaughan, G. B. M.; Plakhova, T. V.; Romanchuk, A. Y.; Gerber, E.; Svetogorov, R.; Weiß, S.; Joly, Y.; Kalmykov, S. N.; Kvashnina, K.

Structural characterization of actinide nanoparticles (NPs) is of primary importance and hard to achieve, especially for non‐homogeneous samples with NPs below 3 nm. By combining High Energy X‐ray Scattering (HEXS) and High‐Energy‐Resolution Fluorescence Detected X‐ray Near‐Edge Structure (HERFD XANES), we characterized for the first time both short‐ and medium‐range order of ThO₂ NPs obtained by chemical precipitation. With this methodology, a novel insight into the structure of NPs at different steps of their formation process is achieved. The Pair Distribution Function (PDF) reveals a high concentration of ThO₂ small units similar to Th hexamer clusters mixed with 1 nm ThO₂ NPs in the initial steps of formation. Drying the precipitates at ⁓150 °C promotes recrystallization of the smallest units into more thermodynamically stable ThO₂ NPs. HERFD XANES at Th M₄ edge, a direct probe of the f states, shows variations that we correlate to the break of the local symmetry around Th atoms, which most likely concerns surface atoms. Together, HEXS and HERFD are a powerful methodology to investigate actinide NPs and their formation mechanism.

Keywords: actinides; HERFD; HEXS; nanoparticles; ThO₂

Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-30838
Publ.-Id: 30838


Photoexcited organic molecules en route to highly efficient autoionization

Vempati, S.; Bogner, L.; Richter, C.; Deinert, J.-C.; Foglia, L.; Gierster, L.; Stähler, J.

The conversion of optical and electrical energies in novel materials is key to modern optoelectronic and light-harvesting applications. Here, we investigate the equilibration dynamics of photoexcited 2,7-bis(biphenyl-4-yl)-2′,7′-ditertbutyl-9,9′-spirobifluorene (SP6) molecules adsorbed on ZnO(10-10) using femtosecond time-resolved two-photon photoelectron and optical spectroscopies. We find that, after initial ultrafast relaxation on femtosecond and picosecond time scales, an optically dark state is populated, likely the SP6 triplet (T) state, that undergoes Dexter-type energy transfer (rDex = 1.3 nm) and exhibits a long decay time of 0.1 s. Because of this long lifetime, a photostationary state with average T–T distances below 2 nm is established at excitation densities in the 1020 cm−2 s−1 range. This large density enables decay by T–T annihilation (TTA) mediating autoionization despite an extremely low TTA rate of kTTA = 4.5 ⋅ 10−26 m3 s−1. The large external quantum efficiency of the autoionization process (up to 15%) and photocurrent densities in the mA cm−2 range offer great potential for light-harvesting applications.

Keywords: Autoionization; Photoelectron spectroscopy; organic electronics

Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-30837
Publ.-Id: 30837


Drone-based surveys of mineral deposits

Jackisch, R.

Drones are becoming important tools for mineral exploration by contributing to the safe, efficient and sustainable provision of the high-tech metals that are required by modern society.

Keywords: economic geology; mineralogy; UAV; hyperspectral; magnetics

Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-30836
Publ.-Id: 30836


UniCAR T cell immunotherapy enables efficient elimination of radioresistant cancer cells

Arndt, C.; Loureiro, L. R.; Feldmann, A.; Jureczek, J.; Bergmann, R.; Máthé, D.; Hegedüs, N.; Berndt, N.; Koristka, S.; Metwasi, N.; Fasslrinner, F.; Lamprecht, C.; Kegler, A.; Hoffmann, A.; Bartsch, T.; Köseer, A. S.; Egan, G.; Schmitz, M.; Hořejší, V.; Krause, M.; Dubrovska, A.; Bachmann, M.

Induction or selection of radioresistant cancer (stem) cells following standard radiotherapy is presumably one of the major causes for recurrence of metastatic disease. One possibility to prevent tumor relapse is application of targeted immunotherapies including e.g. chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells. In light of long-term remissions it is highly relevant to clarify whether radioresistant cancer cells are susceptible to CAR T cell-mediated killing. To answer this question, we evaluated the anti-tumor activity of the switchable universal chimeric antigen receptor (UniCAR) system against highly radioresistant head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cells both in vitro and in vivo. Following specific UniCAR T cell engagement via EGFR or CD98 target modules, T cell effector mechanisms were induced including secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines, up-regulation of granzyme B and perforin as well as T cell proliferation. CD98- or EGFR-redirected UniCAR T cells further possess the capability to efficiently lyse radioresistant tumor cells. Observed anti-tumor effects were comparable to those against the radiosensitive parental cell lines. Finally, redirected UniCAR T cells significantly inhibited growth of radioresistant cancer cells in immunodeficient mice. Taken together, our obtained data underline that the UniCAR system is able to overcome radio-resistance. Thus, it represents an attractive technology for the development of combined radioimmunotherapeutic approaches that might improve the outcome of patients with metastatic radioresistant tumor diseases.

Keywords: radio-resistance; CD98; EGFR; adaptor CAR; T cell immunotherapy

Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-30835
Publ.-Id: 30835


SiPM readout for NeuLAND

Hensel, T.; Weinberger, D.; Bemmerer, D.; R3B Collaboration

Statusreport SiPM readout for NeuLAND

Keywords: NeuLAND; SiPM; R3B

  • Lecture (Conference)
    R3B Collaboration Meeting, 29.10.2019, Darmstadt, Deutschalnd

Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-30834
Publ.-Id: 30834


General Colloidal Synthesis of Transition-Metal Disulfide Nanomaterials as Electrocatalysts for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction

Meerbach, C.; Klemmed, B.; Spittel, D.; Bauer, C.; Park, Y. J.; Hübner, R.; Jeong, H. Y.; Erb, D.; Shin, H. S.; Lesnyak, V.; Eychmüller, A.

The material-efficient monolayers of transition-metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) are a promising class of ultrathin nanomaterials with properties ranging from insulating through semiconducting to metallic, opening a wide variety of their potential applications from catalysis and energy storage to optoelectronics, spintronics, and valleytronics. In particular, TMDs have a great potential as emerging inexpensive alternatives to noble metal-based catalysts in electrochemical hydrogen evolution. Herein, we report a straightforward, low-cost, and general colloidal synthesis of various 2D transition-metal disulfide nanomaterials, such as MoS2, WS2, NiSx, FeSx, and VS2, in the absence of organic ligands. This new preparation route provides many benefits including relatively mild reaction conditions, high reproducibility, high yields, easy upscaling, no post-thermal annealing/treatment steps to enhance the catalytic activity, and, finally, especially for molybdenum disulfide nanosheets, high activity in the hydrogen evolution reaction. To underline the universal application of the synthesis, we prepared mixed CoxMo1-xS2 nanosheets in one step to optimize the catalytic activity of pure undoped MoS2, which resulted in an enhanced hydrogen evolution reaction performance characterized by onset potentials as low as 134 mV and small Tafel slopes of 55 mV/dec.

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Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-30833
Publ.-Id: 30833


Promoting the Electrocatalytic Performance of Noble Metal Aerogels by Ligand-Directed Modulation

Fan, X.; Zerebecki, S.; Du, R.; Hübner, R.; Marzum, G.; Jiang, G.; Hu, Y.; Barcikowki, S.; Reichenberger, S.; Eychmüller, A.

Noble metal aerogels (NMAs) are an emerging class of porous materials. Embracing nano-sized highly-active noble metals and porous structures, they display unprecedented performance in diverse electrocatalytic processes. However, various impurities, particularly organic ligands, are often involved in the synthesis and remain in the corresponding products, hindering the investigation of the intrinsic electrocatalytic properties of NMAs. Here, starting from laser-generated inorganic-salt-stabilized metal nanoparticles, various impurity-free NMAs (Au, Pd, and Au-Pd aerogels) were fabricated. In this light, we demonstrate not only the intrinsic electrocatalytic properties of NMAs, but also the prominent roles played by ligands in tuning electrocatalysis through modulating the electron density of catalysts. These findings may offer a new dimension to engineer and optimize the electrocatalytic performance for various NMAs and beyond.

Keywords: aerogels; electrocatalysis; laser; ligand; noble metals

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Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-30832
Publ.-Id: 30832


Engineering Multimetallic Aerogels for pH-Universal HER and ORR Electrocatalysis

Du, R.; Jin, W.; Hübner, R.; Zhou, L.; Hu, Y.; Eychmüller, A.

The advent of noble metal aerogels (NMAs), that feature the high catalytic activity of noble metals and unique structural attributes of aerogels, has stimulated research on a new class of outstanding electrocatalysts. However, limited by the available compositions, the explored electrocatalytic reactions on NMAs are highly restricted and certain important electrochemical processes have not been investigated. Here, an effective gelation approach is demonstrated by using a strong salting-out agent (i.e., NH4F), thereby expanding the composition of NMAs to various multimetallic systems and providing a platform to investigate composition-dependent electrocatalytic performance of NMAs. Combining structural features of aerogels and optimized chemical compositions, the Au-Pt and Au-Rh aerogel catalysts manifest remarkable pH-universal (pH = 0-14) performance surpassing commercial Pt/C and many other nanoparticle (NP)-based catalysts in the electrocatalytic oxygen reduction reaction, hydrogen evolution reaction, and water splitting, displaying enormous potential for the electrochemical hydrogen production, fuel cells, etc.

Keywords: electrocatalysis; hydrogen evolution reaction; metal aerogels; oxygen reduction reaction; pH

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Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-30831
Publ.-Id: 30831


Tomographic imaging of two-phase flow

Hampel, U.; Barthel, F.; Bieberle, A.; Bieberle, M.; Boden, S.; Franz, R.; Neumann-Kipping, M.; Tas-Köhler, S.

Two-phase flow is to be found in many situations of nuclear reactor operation and accident sequences. Examples are loss of coolant accidents and boiling in fuel assemblies. Hence, mod-elling of two-phase flow is a primary concern in nuclear safety research. Model development and code validation frequently require experimental data, preferably taken under plant ther-mal-hydraulic conditions. Tomographic imaging techniques provide a way to analyze two-phase flow with high spatial resolution. In this paper we introduce recent developments in X-ray tomography and its application to three different problems related to nuclear safety.

Keywords: two-phase flow; core thermal hydraulics; tomography; steam condensation; boiling

Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-30830
Publ.-Id: 30830


Bipolar spin Hall nano-oscillators

Hache, T.; Li, Y.; Weinhold, T.; Scheumann, B.; Trindade Goncalves, F. J.; Hellwig, O.; Faßbender, J.; Schultheiß, H.

We demonstrate a novel type of spin Hall nano-oscillators (SHNOs) that allow for efficient tuning of magnetic auto-oscillations over an extended range of gigahertz frequencies, using bipolar direct currents at constant magnetic elds. This is achieved by stacking two distinct magnetic materials with a platinum layer in between. In this device, the orientation of the spin polarised electrons accumulated at the top and bottom interfaces of platinum is switched upon changing the polarity of the direct current. As a result, the effective anti-damping required to drive large amplitude auto-oscillations can appear either at the top or bottom magnetic layer. Tuning of the auto-oscillation frequencies by several gigahertz can be obtained by combining two materials with sufficiently different saturation magnetization. Here we show that the combination of NiFe and CoFeB can result in 3 GHz shifts in the auto-oscillation frequencies. Bipolar SHNOs as such may bring enhanced synchronisation capabilities to neuromorphic applications.

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Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-30829
Publ.-Id: 30829


Round robin into best practices for the determination of indentation size effects

Ruiz-Moreno, A.; Hähner, P.; Kurpaska, L.; Jagielski, J.; Spätig, P.; Trebala, M.; Hannula, S.-P.; Merino, S.; de Diego, G. . .; Namburi, H.; Libera, O.; Terentyev, D.; Khvan, T.; Heintze, C.; Jennett, C.

The paper presents a statistical study of nanoindentation results obtained in seven European laboratories which have joined a round robin exercise to assess methods for the evaluation of indentation size effects. The study focuses on the characterization of ferritic/martensitic steels T91 and Eurofer97, envisaged as structural materials for nuclear fission and fusion applications, respectively. Depth-controlled single cycle measurements at various final indentation depths, force-controlled single cycle and force-controlled progressive multi-cycle measurements using Berkovich indenters at room temperature have been combined to calculate the indentation hardness and the elastic modulus as a function of depth applying the Oliver and Pharr method. Intra- and inter-laboratory variabilities have been evaluated. Elastic modulus corrections have been applied to the hardness data to compensate for materials related systematic errors, like pile-up behaviour, which is not accounted for by the Oliver and Pharr theory, and other sources of instrumental or methodological bias. The correction modifies the statistical hardness profiles and allows determining more reliable indentation size effects.

Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-30828
Publ.-Id: 30828


Rethinking ore sorting - The search for the optimal sensor

Kern, M.; Tusa, L.; Khodadadzadeh, M.; Leißner, T.; Gloaguen, R.; van den Boogaart, K. G.; Gutzmer, J.

Zusammenfassung: Sensorgestützte Sortierung ist eine Technologie, die in zunehmendem Maße zur Aufbereitung von Primärrohstoffen verwendet wird. Mit dem hier vorgestellten simulations-basierten Ansatz ist es möglich, den optimalen Sensor durch quantitative Analysen der Mineralogie und Datenverwertung in Kombination mit Maschinellem Lernen (ML) gezielt zu bestimmen. Dieses Vorgehen ist generisch und kann auf viele Rohstofftypen angepasst werden. Darüber hinaus birgt das Vorgehen das Potenzial, eine Schlüsseltechnologie zur Optimierung von Aufbereitungsprozessen zu werden.

Summary: Sensor-based sorting is a technology which is increasingly used for processing primary raw materials. With the simulation-based approach presented in this paper, it is possible to specifically determine the optimal sensor based on quantitative analyses of the mineralogy and data utilization in combination with machine learning (ML). This approach is generic and can be adapted to many types of raw material. Moreover, the approach has the potential to become a key technology for the optimization of processing operations.

  • AT Minerals Processing 61(2020)3, 54-64

Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-30826
Publ.-Id: 30826


Pilot-scale investigation of two Electric Pulse Fragmentation (EPF) approaches for the mineral processing of a low-grade cassiterite schist ore

Bru, K.; Sousa, R.; Machado Leite, M.; Broadbent, C.; Stuart, G.; Pashkevich, D.; Kern, M.; Parvaz, D. B.

Two approaches for the use of the Electric Pulse Fragmentation (EPF) in the beneficiation of a low-grade cassiterite schist ore were investigated through pilot-scale tests performed on samples of about 270 kg. The first approach used EPF treatment for pre-concentration while in the second approach the EPF technology was mostly used for crushing. Comparison with the use of conventional crushers was performed.
Results showed that the EPF pre-treatment led to a decrease of the Bond rod mill work index while the Bond ball mill work index remained unchanged. This means that the decrease in the energy consumption requested to grind the material down to 1.18 mm (closing screen of the Bond rod mill work index) is no longer noticeable with additional grinding stage to reach a size down to 106 μm (closing screen of the Bond ball mill work index).
This may be due to the fracture network generated during EPF being consumed immediately in the subsequent comminution step. Alternatively, it may be that the Bond ball mill work index is not appropriate for exhibiting the weakening effect of the EPF technology when the mineral liberation size is coarser than the closing screen size used for the test. Concentration tests performed on the sample treated with the first approach for EPF showed no marked change in separation performance. However, a higher concentrate grade was obtained when using this EPF pre-treatment, indicating a probable potential for improvement.

Keywords: Cassiterite; Electric Pulse Fragmentation; Selective comminution; Pre-concentration

Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-30825
Publ.-Id: 30825


The effect of noise on the synchronization dynamics of the Kuramoto model on a large human connectome graph

Ódor, G.; Kelling, J.; Deco, G.

We have extended the study of the Kuramoto model with additive Gaussian noise running on the KKI-18 large human connectome graph. We determined the dynamical behavior of this model by solving it numerically in an assumed homeostatic state, below the synchronization crossover point we determined previously. The desynchronization duration distributions exhibit power-law tails, characterized by the exponent in the range 1.1 < τt < 2, overlapping the in vivo human brain activity experiments by Palva et al. We show that these scaling results remain valid, by a transformation of the ultra-slow eigen-frequencies to Gaussian with unit variance.
We also compare the connectome results with those, obtained on a regular cube with N = 106 nodes, related to the embedding space, and show that the quenched internal frequencies themselves can cause frustrated synchronization scaling in an extended coupling space.

Keywords: Frustrated Synchronization; Human Connectome; Chimera states; Noisy Kuramoto; Criticality in resting state

Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-30824
Publ.-Id: 30824


Contemporary Synthesis of Ultrasmall (sub-10 nm) Upconverting Nanomaterials

Joshi, T.; Mamat, C.; Stephan, H.

Due to their unique photophysical properties, upconverting nanoparticles (UCNPs), i.e. particles capable of converting near-infrared (NIR) photons into tunable emissions in the range of ultraviolet (UV) to NIR, have great potential for use in various biomedical fields such as bioimaging, photodynamic therapy and bioanalytical applications. As far as biomedical applications concerned, these materials have a number of advantageous properties such as brilliant luminescence and exceptional photo-stability. Very small “stealth” particles (sub-10 nm), which can circulate in the body largely undetected by the immune system, are particularly important for in vivo use. The fabrication of such particles, which simultaneously have a defined (ultrasmall) size and the required optical properties, is a great challenge and an area that is in its infancy. This minireview provides a concise overview of recent developments on appropriate synthetic methodologies to produce such UCNPs. Particular attention was given to the influence of both surfactants and dopants used to precisely adjust size, crystalline phase and optical properties of UCNPs.

Keywords: Lanthanides; Nanomaterials; Synthesis; Ultrasmall; Upconversion

Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-30823
Publ.-Id: 30823


Bipolar spin Hall nano-oscillators

Hache, T.; Li, Y.; Weinhold, T.; Scheumann, B.; Trindade Goncalves, F. J.; Hellwig, O.; Faßbender, J.; Schultheiß, H.

We demonstrate a novel type of spin Hall nano-oscillators (SHNOs) that allow for efficient tuning of magnetic auto-oscillations over an extended range of gigahertz frequencies, using bipolar direct currents at constant magnetic fields. This is achieved by stacking two distinct magnetic materials with a platinum layer in between. In this device, the orientation of the spin polarised electrons accumulated at the top and bottom interfaces of platinum is switched upon changing the polarity of the direct current. As a result, the effective anti-damping required to drive large amplitude auto-oscillations can appear either at the top or bottom magnetic layer. Tuning of the auto-oscillation frequencies by several gigahertz can be obtained by combining two materials with suffciently different saturation magnetization. Here we show that the combination of NiFe and CoFeB can result in 3 GHz shifts in the auto-oscillation frequencies. Bipolar SHNOs as such may bring enhanced synchronisation capabilities to neuromorphic applications.

Keywords: magnetism; spin Hall; nano-oscillator; auto-oscillations; bipolar; oscillator; nanofabrication; microwave; high-frequency

Related publications

  • Open Access Logo Applied Physics Letters 116(2020), 192405
    DOI: 10.1063/5.0008988
    Cited 12 times in Scopus
  • Open Access Logo Lecture (Conference) (Online presentation)
    65th Annual Conference on Magnetism and Magnetic Materials (MMM 2020), 02.-06.11.2020, virtual conference, virtual conference
  • Open Access Logo Contribution to WWW
    arXiv:2003.11776 [physics.app-ph]: https://arxiv.org/abs/2003.11776
  • Open Access Logo Poster (Online presentation)
    The 2021 Around-the-Clock Around-the-Globe Magnetics Conference, 24.08.2021, global, global
  • Open Access Logo Poster (Online presentation)
    84. Annual Meeting of DPG and DPG-Tagung (DPG Meeting) of the Condensed Matter Section (SKM), 27.09.-01.10.2021, Deutschland, Deutschland

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Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-30822
Publ.-Id: 30822


Structure variations within RSi2 and R2TSi3 silicides. Part I. Structure overview

Nentwich, M.; Zschornak, M.; Sonntag, M.; Gumeniuk, R.; Gemming, S.; Leisegang, T.; Meyer, D. C.

Here, structural parameters of various structure reports on RSi2 and R2TSi3 compounds [where R is an alkaline earth metal, a rare earth metal (i.e. an element of the Sc group or a lathanide), or an actinide and T is a transition metal] are summarized. The parameters comprising composition, lattice parameters a and c, ratio c/a, formula unit per unit cell and structure type are tabulated. The relationships between the underlying structure types are presented within a group–subgroup scheme (Bärnighausen diagram). Additionally, unexpectedly missing compounds within the R2TSi3 compounds were examined with density functional theory and compounds that are promising candidates for synthesis are listed. Furthermore, a correlation was detected between the orthorhombic AlB2-like lattices of, for example, Ca2AgSi3 and the divalence of R and the monovalence of T. Finally, a potential tetragonal structure with ordered Si/T sites is proposed.

Keywords: silicide; lanthanide; ordering phenomena; structure prediction; DFT

Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-30821
Publ.-Id: 30821


Horizontal annular flow through orifice studied by X-ray microtomography

Porombka, P.; Boden, S.; Lucas, D.; Hampel, U.

A mobile X-ray microtomography (µCT) system was developed which enables 3D scanning of horizontal and vertical test sections. The µCT system has been applied to measure the local, time-averaged volume fraction distribution of developing annular air-water flow in a horizontal pipe with µm spatial resolution. Based on the volume fraction data the liquid film thickness profile is computed and the accumulation, stripping and renewal of the annular liquid film at a circular orifice is studied. The development length of the annular flow downstream of the orifice is evaluated based on the integral volume fraction and the change of the film thickness profile along the pipe axis. Both parameters give a consistent result, indicating that liquid film renewal can be judged based on integral measurement techniques in this case. The detailed 3D data is intended for validation of computational fluid dynamics codes based on phase-averaged variables such as the Euler-Euler approach.

Keywords: X-ray microtomography; film thickness; circular orifice; annular flow

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Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-30820
Publ.-Id: 30820


Novel cosmogenic datings in landslide deposits, San Juan, Argentina

Jeanneret, P.; Moreiras, S. M.; Merchel, S.; Gärtner, A.; Binnie, S.; Orgeira, M. J.; Aumaître, G.; Bourlès, D.; Keddadouche, K.

High-mountain environments in an active tectonic setting are prone to landsliding. The triggering mechanisms are still a challenge as these areas are influenced by several pre-conditioning factors coupled with active seismicity and climatic forcings. Understanding the intrinsic and external mechanisms in which these events are influenced would help to establish better constraints onto their timing and periodicity and, eventually, hazard assessment and prediction. Glacially eroded valleys are especially prone as they deeply incise mountain ranges leaving unstable slopes once they retreat. Establishing the timing of such events enables to link the causality and comprehend in a deeper level the triggering and pre-conditioning factors of landslides. To this aim, ¹⁰Be and ²⁶Al cosmogenic age determinations were performed in three landslide deposits in a poorly studied area of San Juan province, all of which are novel to the area. Coupled with remote sensing techniques, field observations and detailed stratigraphic and sedimentological studies, these new large landslides represent a first approach to understand this dynamic environment. The three landslides were categorized as rock avalanches found in the middle and lower reaches of the Blanco River, sourced from the Choiyoi Group with evidence of hydrothermal alteration and including/deforming moraine deposits during their fall. Ages range from 20.9±1.4, 10.8±0.7 and 12.8±0.9 ka from the lowermost deposit to the highest, respectively. Even though one sample per deposit is not enough to have statistically significant exposure ages, these values, along with the established chronostratigraphy, allow first order assumptions on the link between deglaciation processes and readjustment of the slopes via large landslide events.

Keywords: Landslide; chronostratigraphy; Arid Central Andes; Argentina

  • Book chapter
    in: Understanding and Reducing Landslide Disaster Risk. WLF 2020. ICL Contribution to Landslide Disaster Risk Reduction, Cham: Springer, 2020, 361-370
    DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-60319-9_40

Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-30819
Publ.-Id: 30819


Grundlegende F&E-Arbeiten zu Methoden der Zustandsüberwachung von Transport- und Lagerbehältern für abgebrannte Brennelemente und wärmeentwickelnde hochradioaktive Abfälle bei verlängerter Zwischenlagerung

Wagner, M.; Rachamin, R.; Fiß, D.; Schmidt, S.; Reinicke, S.; Kratzsch, A.; Hampel, U.

Mit der verlängerten Zwischenlagerung von abgebrannten Brennelementen ergeben sich verschie-dene regulatorische und sicherheitstechnische Fragestellungen. Eine davon ist die nach der Lang-zeitintegrität der Brennelemente in den Trockenlagerbehältern. Ihre Beantwortung hat direkte Relevanz für den späteren Transport zum Endlager und die Umladung des abgebrannten Kernbrennstoffs in andere Behälter. In dem Verbundvorhaben untersuchten die TU Dresden und die Hochschule Zittau/Görlitz Potenziale und Grenzen von nichtinvasiven Verfahren zur Überwachung des Zustands des radioaktiven Inventars von Trockenlagerbehältern. Als solche wurden Thermographie, strahlungsbasierte Messverfahren sowie akustische Messverfahren betrachtet. Für diese erfolgte eine Bewertung der Empfindlichkeit und Nachweisgrenzen mittels numerischer Simulationen und Durchführung von Experimenten an skalierten Behältermodellen. Es stellte sich heraus, dass insbesondere die Myonenbildgebung und die Analyse der Gamma- und Neutronenstrahlungsfelder am Behälter für ein Überwachungskonzept geeignet sind. Mit diesen Verfahren können Brennstoffverlagerungen ortsaufgelöst detektiert werden.

Keywords: Zwischenlagerung; nicht-invasive Überwachung

  • Other report
    -: Eigenverlag, 2020
    154 Seiten

Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-30818
Publ.-Id: 30818


The influence of negatively charged silica nanoparticles on the surface properties of anionic surfactants: electrostatic repulsion or the effect of ionic strength?

Eftekhari, M.; Schwarzenberger, K.; Javadi, A.; Eckert, K.

The presence of negatively charged nanoparticles affects the surface activity of anionic surfactants in an aqueous phase. Recent studies suggest that electrostatic repulsive forces play an important role in increasing the surface activity of surfactants. However, the addition of nanoparticles also increases the ionic strength of the system, which has a significant impact on the surfactant's properties, e.g. its critical micelle concentration (CMC). To investigate how and to what extent electrostatic forces and ionic strength influence the behavior of ionic surfactants, the surface tension and elasticity of different solutions were measured using drop profile tensiometry as a function of the surfactant (SDBS), nanoparticle (silica) and salt (KNO3) concentration. It is observed that the surface activity of the surfactants is mainly influenced by the change in the system's ionic strength due to the presence of nanoparticles. Several characteristic parameters including the equivalent concentration of the surfactant, the CMC and the apparent partial molar area of the adsorbed surfactant are theoretically calculated and further employed to validate experimental observations. Both the nanoparticles and electrolyte decrease the CMC, while the equivalent concentration of the surfactant remains nearly constant. This paper presents a criterion to estimate the possible influence of such forces for nanoparticles of different sizes and mass fractions.

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Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-30817
Publ.-Id: 30817


Influence of finite temperature Exchange-Correlation effects in Hydrogen

Ramakrishna, K.; Dornheim, T.; Vorberger, J.

We use density functional molecular dynamics (DFT-MD) to study the effect of finite temperature exchange-correlation (xc) in Hydrogen. Using the Kohn-Sham approach, the xc energy of the system, $E_{xc}(r_{s})$ is replaced by the xc free energy $f_{xc}(r_{s},\theta)$ within the local density approximation (LDA) based on parametrized path integral Monte Carlo (PIMC) data for the uniform electron gas (UEG) at warm dense matter (WDM) conditions. We observe insignificant changes in the equation of state (EOS) at the region of metal-insulator transition compared to the regular LDA form, whereas significant changes are observed for T>10000 K, i.e., in the important WDM regime. Thus, our results further corroborate the need for temperature-dependent xc functionals for DFT simulations of WDM systems. Moreover, we present the first finite-temperature DFT results for the EOS of Hydrogen in the electron liquid regime up to $r_{s}=14$ and find a drastic impact (the EOS changes by more than 20%) of thermal xc effects, which manifests at lower temperatures compared to WDM. We expect our results to be important for many applications beyond DFT, like quantum hydrodynamics and astrophysical models.

Keywords: Computational Physics; Plasma Physics; Warm dense matter

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Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-30815
Publ.-Id: 30815


Evidence for an Fulde-Ferrell-Larkin-Ovchinnikov State with Segmented Vortices in the BCS-BEC-Crossover Superconductor FeSe

Kasahara, S.; Sato, Y.; Licciardello, S.; Culo, M.; Arsenijevic, S.; Ottenbros, T.; Tominaga, T.; Böker, J.; Eremin, I.; Shibauchi, T.; Wosnitza, J.; Hussey, N. E.; Matsuda, Y.

We present resistivity and thermal-conductivity measurements of superconducting FeSe in intense magnetic fields up to 35 Tapplied parallel to the ab plane. At low temperatures, the upper critical field μ0Hab c2 shows an anomalous upturn, while thermal conductivity exhibits a discontinuous jump at μ0H* ≈ 24 T well below μ0Hab c2, indicating a first-order phase transition in the superconducting state. This demonstrates the emergence of a distinct field-induced superconducting phase. Moreover, the broad resistive transition at high temperatures abruptly becomes sharp upon entering the high-field phase, indicating a dramatic change of the magnetic-flux properties.We attribute the high-field phase to the Fulde-Ferrell-Larkin-Ovchinnikov (FFLO) state, where the formation of planar nodes gives rise to a segmentation of the flux-line lattice. We point out that strongly orbital-dependent pairing as well as spin-orbit interactions, the multiband nature, and the extremely small Fermi energy are important for the formation of the FFLO state in FeSe.

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Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-30814
Publ.-Id: 30814


Spin-dimer ground state driven by consecutive charge and orbital ordering transitions in the anionic mixed-valence compound Rb4O6

Knaflic, T.; Jeglic, P.; Komelj, M.; Zorko, A.; Biswas, P. K.; Ponomaryov, O.; Zvyagin, S.; Reehuis, M.; Hoser, A.; Geiß, M.; Janek, J.; Adler, P.; Felser, C.; Jansen, M.; Arcon, D.

Recently, a Verwey-type transition in the mixed-valence alkali sesquioxide Cs4O6 was deduced from the charge ordering of molecular peroxide O2− 2 and superoxide O 2 anions accompanied by the structural transformation and a dramatic change in electronic conductivity [Adler et al., Sci. Adv. 4, eaap7581 (2018)]. Here, we report that in the sister compound Rb4O6, a similar Verwey-type charge ordering transition is strongly linked to O 2 orbital and spin dynamics. On cooling, a powder neutron diffraction experiment reveals a charge ordering and a cubic-to-tetragonal transition at TCO = 290 K, which is followed by a further structural instability at Ts = 92 K that involves an additional reorientation of magnetic O 2 anions. Magnetic resonance techniques supported by density functional theory computations suggest the emergence of a peculiar type of π*-orbital ordering of the magnetically active O 2 units, which promotes the formation of a quantum spin state composed of weakly coupled spin dimers. These results reveal that as in 3d transition-metal compounds, also in the π* open-shell alkali sesquioxides the interplay between Jahn-Teller-like electron-lattice coupling and Kugel-Khomskii-type superexchange determines the nature of orbital ordering and the magnetic ground state.

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Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-30813
Publ.-Id: 30813


Strongly coupled electron liquid: Ab initio path integral Monte Carlo simulations and dielectric theories

Dornheim, T.; Sjostrom, T.; Tanaka, S.; Vorberger, J.

The strongly coupled electron liquid provides a unique opportunity to study the complex interplay of strong coupling with quantum degeneracy effects and thermal excitations. To this end, we carry out extensive ab initio path integral Monte Carlo (PIMC) simulations to compute the static structure factor, interaction energy, density response function, and the corresponding static local field correction in the range of 20≤rs≤100 and 0.5≤θ≤4. We subsequently compare these data to several dielectric approximations and find that different schemes are capable to reproduce different features of the PIMC results at certain parameters. Moreover, we provide a comprehensive data table of interaction energies and compare those to two recent parametrizations of the exchange-correlation free energy, where they are available. Finally, we briefly touch upon the possibility of a charge-density wave. The present study is complementary to previous investigations of the uniform electron gas in the warm dense matter regime and, thus, further completes our current picture of this fundamental model system at finite temperature. All PIMC data are available online.

Keywords: warm dense matter; electron liquid; dielectric theory; quantum monte carlo; local field correction; ab initio

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Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-30812
Publ.-Id: 30812


Radiopharmaceutical Sciences

Ermert, J.; Benešová, M.; Hugenberg, V.; Gupta, V.; Spahn, I.; Pietzsch, H.-J.; Liolios, C.; Kopka, K.

Clinical Nuclear Medicine, 2nd ed., Chapter 2 Radiopharmaceutical Sciences
Abstract: Chapter 2 Radiopharmaceutical Sciences
Chapter 2 elucidates the field Radiopharmaceutical Sciences from the perspective of its clinical relevance. Radiopharmaceutical Sciences summarize all scientific aspects comprising chemistry, physics and biology/pharmacology that deal with incorporating a suitable radionuclide into a pharmaceutical or other biologically active molecule or molecular entity. The resulting radiopharmaceuticals are used in Nuclear Medicine applications both for diagnosis [meaning non-invasive scintigraphic imaging] and for internal radiotherapy. Internal radiotherapy is nowadays called radioligand therapy (RLT) or endoradiotherapy and altogether is summarized under the term radiothera(g)nostics.
To transfer Radiopharmaceutical Sciences into Clinical Nuclear Medicine first of all radionuclides with corresponding decay characteristics are demanded making these suitable for diagnostic or therapeutic applications. Depending on the short physical half-lives of the radionuclides fast and efficient radiolabeling strategies are required that can be also transferred into the GMP-compliant production of radiopharmaceuticals.
The major challenges in the development of a new radiopharmaceuticals include i.a. the identification of an adequate ligand that specifically binds to the biological target of interest, the chemical modification of the ligand to enable radiolabeling while preserving the binding affinity to the biological target, and the translation of the preclinical evaluations into first in-human studies.
In summary this chapter summarises in a concise manner the current status of clinically relevant radionuclides, SPECT and PET tracers as well as the introduced thera(g)nostic classes of radiopharmaceuticals through the eyes of eight representative radiopharmaceutical scientists.

  • Book chapter
    Ahmadzadehfar H, Biersack HJ, Freeman LM, Zuckier LS: Clinical Nuclear Medicine – 2nd edition, Springer Nature Switzerland AG: Springer International Publishing, 2020, 978-3-030-39455-4, 49-191
    DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-39457-8

Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-30811
Publ.-Id: 30811


Transmission helium ion imaging and time-of-flight spectroscopy

Mousley, M.; Bouton, O.; Klingner, N.; Serralta Hurtado De Menezes, E.; Hlawacek, G.; Eswara, S.; Wirtz, T.

Helium ions are alternative imaging probes to electrons, offering lower de Broglie wavelengths at the same energies and the possibility for different contrast mechanisms [1] [2][3]. A prototype Transmission Helium Ion Microscope (THIM) has been constructed at the Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST) [4]. The use of post sample deflection allows the detection of the transmitted ions and neutrals or neutrals only (Figure 1 A). The source is a duo plasmatron with a spot size on the sample of approximately 100 µm and a beam current between 0.1-2nA. There are 2 Einzel lenses and 3 XY deflectors along the column to guide the beam. A MCP detector behind the sample can be used in one of 4 different output mechanisms. Firstly a phosphor screen can be used to produce a transmission helium ion image (THIM) directly which can be captured by an external CCD. Secondly, an anode plate can be used to collect the current directly whilst the beam is scanned, the current recorded at each pixel can then form a scanning image (STHIM). Thirdly, fast electronics are used to blank the beam and provide the start signal for time of flight (TOF) measurements, whilst the anode signal can be used as the stop signal [5]. This allows the generation of TOF-STHIM data. Finally, a delay line detector (DLD) can be placed behind the MCP, from which location and time of flight, of individual particles, can be recorded simultaneously, producing energy spectra and images at the same time. The prototype can image in different modes, THIM , STHIM (scanning THIM), THIM TOF and STHIM TOF. When scanning the beam a secondary electron image can be recorded at the same time (Figure 1 B). In THIM mode the formation of spot patterns due to sample charging was seen when imaging insulating inorganic crystal samples with a stationary broad beam. This was found to be due to unexpectedly large sample charging. We will present preliminary TOF spectra for the transmitted helium ion signal recorded with an anode plate detector and a position sensitive delay line detector. Images formed from different time windows from the TOF spectra show different contrast (Figure 2B) and the spectra for a single layer graphene sample showed increased counts after the main peak (Figure 3), indicative of processes causing energy loss.

[1] Scipioni,L.;, Sanford,C. A.;, Notte,J.;, Thompson,B.;, McVey,S.;, J. Vac. Sci. Technol. B Microelectron. Nanom. Struct., 2009, vol. 27, no. 6, p. 3250, 10.1116/1.3258634.
[2] Kavanagh,K. L.;, Herrmann,C.;, Notte,J. A.;, J. Vac. Sci. Technol. B, Nanotechnol. Microelectron. Mater. Process. Meas. Phenom., 2017, vol. 35, no. 6, p. 06G902, 10.1116/1.4991898.
[3] Wirtz,T.;, De Castro,O.;, Audinot,J.-N.;, Philipp,P.;, Annu. Rev. Anal. Chem., 2019, vol. 12, no. 1, 10.1146/annurev-anchem-061318-115457.
[4] Mousley,M.;, Eswara,S.;, De Castro,O.;, Bouton,O.;, Klinger,N.;, Koch,C. T.;, Hlawacek,G.;, Wirtz,T.;, Submitt. to MRS Commun., vol. 1, pp. 1–10.
[5] Klingner,N.;, Heller,R.;, Hlawacek,G.;, Borany,J. von;, Notte,J.;, Huang,J.;, Facsko,S.;, Ultramicroscopy, 2016, vol. 162, pp. 91–97, 10.1016/j.ultramic.2015.12.005.

Figure 1: A) transmission images formed with ions and neutrals of a copper grid with a single layer graphene membrane pitch 85µm (31µm bar 54µm hole). B) Secondary electron and transmission ion images recorded concurrently in scanning mode.

Figure 2: A) The effect of offsetting the beam aperture on zero loss peak width B) STHIM images, of a 200 mesh copper grid, formed from two different peaks in the TOF spectrum.

Figure 3: The TOF spectrum for a single layer graphene sample on a 300 mesh copper grid, shows extra peaks compared to a background spectrum without a sample.

Related publications

  • Lecture (Conference) (Online presentation)
    European Microscopy Congress 2020, 23.-28.08.2020, Copenhagen, Denmark

Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-30810
Publ.-Id: 30810


Correlative high resolution microscopy and mass spectrometry for morphological and chemical analysis of nanoparticles in biological systems

Biesemeier, A.; de Castro, O.; Serralta Hurtado De Menezes, E.; Klingner, N.; Hlawacek, G.; Gnauck, P.; Duarte Pinto, S.; Lucas, F.; Bebeacua, C.; Cambier, S.; Wirtz, T.

Combined morphological and chemical analysis of ultrastructures is gaining more and more attention in both material and life sciences. Especially the detection of nanoparticles within biological tissue has become a hot topic in environmental research, ecology, nanotoxicology, but also medicine and life science using nanoparticles as carriers for therapeutic drugs. Usually, several highly specialised instruments have to be used to investigate the respective key features of the sample.
Here, a new prototype instrument is presented that combines sub20nm SIMS on a helium ion microscope [HIM; 1] with dark and bright field imaging in one tool – the npSCOPE [2]: the multi-modal instrument couples a Gas Field Ion Source (GFIS) as primary ion beam source with a secondary ion mass spectrometer (SIMS) system featuring a continuous focal plane detector (FPD) and a STHIM detector for imaging the transmitted helium beam. The latter allows investigation of thin samples like biological tissue sections. For morphological/topographical analysis of charging and non-charging bulk samples with sub-nm resolution, the instrument is also equipped with a secondary electron detector and a flood gun. This setup allows (a) higher sensitivity than analytical electron microscopy combined with (b) better spatial resolution than available with other SIMS methodologies typically used for life science questions. The FPD yields a full mass spectrum per scanned pixel featuring the possibility of post hoc analysis of all elements/ion species detected.
Several examples will be presented to show how thin tissue sections can first be investigated with transmitted ions for proper contrast of biological membranes followed by chemical characterization of associated or ingested nanoparticles without the need to transfer samples between different instruments. Specific localisation of the nanoparticles outside the cell membrane or within the cytoplasm or subcellular compartments can be obtained.

In summary, a unique tool for all-in-one physico-chemical characterisation of nanoparticles both before contact to a living organism and after incorporation is presented. Pixel by pixel correlation of the different datasets are directly obtained by image fusion or co-registration methods. For future analysis of frozen-hydrated samples, a cryo-stage is currently being integrated into the npSCOPE. It will yield close to native chemical analysis of diagnostic, environmental and nanotoxicology samples with decreased experiment times and without artefacts due to sample transfer.
References:
[1] T. Wirtz, O. De Castro, J.-N. Audinot, P. Philipp. Imaging and analytics on the Helium Ion Microscope. Annual Review of Analytical Chemistry 12 (2019) 523-543

[2] This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme under grant agreement No. 720964.

Keywords: helium ion microscope; secondary ion mass spectrometer; scanning transmission ion microscopy

Related publications

  • Lecture (Conference) (Online presentation)
    European Microscopy Congress 2020, 23.-28.08.2020, København, Danmark

Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-30809
Publ.-Id: 30809


npSCOPE: A new instrument combining SIMS imaging, SE imaging and transmission ion microscopy for high resolution in-situ correlative investigations

de Casto, O.; Biesemeier, A.; Serralta Hurtado De Menezes, E.; Klingner, N.; Hlawacek, G.; Gnauck, P.; Duarte Pinto, S.; Lucas, F.; Bebeacua, C.; Witrz, T.

In various research areas ranging from materials science to life sciences it becomes more and more important to be able to analyze the structure as well as the chemical composition at the nano-scale. For example, the size of electronic components becomes smaller and smaller increasing the need of having techniques to precisely follow dopant distributions with high spatial resolution. In the field of renewable energy devices, e.g. solar cells and batteries, the performance typically depends on the chosen material composition and distribution. Linking the underlying structure and composition at the nano-scale to the device’s performance is therefore of utmost importance [1,2]. Similar needs for having high spatial resolution and high-sensitivity chemical information can be found in life sciences [3]. In nano-toxicology for instance, it is important to be able to reveal sub-cellular structures and simultaneously determine their chemical, elemental or isotopic composition in order to better understand relevant processes [4]. In most of the afore mentioned studies a number of different instruments is nowadays used to perform these investigations using correlative approaches. Being able to do such correlative studies in one single instrument is definitely beneficial for reducing the analysis time, speeding up the throughput as well as for facilitating the precise localization of the region of interests on the investigated samples.
Therefore, we developed a multimodal nano-analytical platform allowing in-situ analysis of a same sample using different information channels. The instrument is equipped with the ultra-high resolution Gas Field Ion Source (GFIS) technology [5] allowing the sample to be irradiated with very finely focused He+ and Ne+ primary ion
beams. This allows sub-nanometer spatial resolution when working with the secondary electron (SE) detection mode as imaging mode. Furthermore, the instrument incorporates a compact secondary ion mass spectrometer (SIMS) for chemical analysis of samples with excellent sensitivity and high dynamic range. The mass spectrometer is based on a double focusing magnetic sector design and allows sub-20 nm chemical imaging resolution [6-8]. Moreover, the SIMS system incorporates a new kind of detector for parallel mass detection providing a full mass spectrum for each analyzed pixel. The third newly developed detection mode available within the instrument is a position sensitive transmission detector located at the backside of the sample in order to detect the transmitted He beam. This scanning transmission helium ion microscopy (STHIM) mode provides further in-situ structural/compositional data with tomographic capabilities.
In order to optimize the analysis of biological samples, one further key feature of the instrument is a 5-axis cryo-stage along with cryo-capabilities for sample transfers. This cryo-capability allows biological samples to be analyzed in a frozen-hydrated state, thus avoiding artefacts caused by classical sample preparation (e.g. chemical fixation) used for HV or UHV imaging of biological specimens at room temperature. Moreover, the cryo-mode can be beneficial for analyzing beam sensitive samples in materials science such as OLEDs and polymers.
In this work we will present the npSCOPE concept and the instrument’s overall setup, report on the performance of the different detection modes and discuss the correlative microscopy capabilities. We will present results from case studies in different fields, with a particular focus on nanoparticles (see Figure 1) [9].

Keywords: Helium Ion Microscopy; Scanning transmission ion microscopy; SIMS

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  • Lecture (Conference)
    Microscopy & Microanalysis 2020, 02.-06.08.2020, Milwaukee, USA

Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-30808
Publ.-Id: 30808


Pages: [1.] [2.] [3.] [4.] [5.] [6.] [7.] [8.] [9.] [10.] [11.] [12.] [13.] [14.] [15.] [16.] [17.] [18.] [19.] [20.] [21.] [22.] [23.] [24.] [25.] [26.] [27.] [28.] [29.] [30.] [31.] [32.] [33.] [34.] [35.] [36.] [37.] [38.] [39.] [40.] [41.] [42.] [43.] [44.] [45.] [46.] [47.] [48.] [49.] [50.] [51.] [52.] [53.] [54.] [55.] [56.] [57.] [58.] [59.] [60.] [61.] [62.] [63.] [64.] [65.] [66.] [67.] [68.] [69.] [70.] [71.] [72.] [73.] [74.] [75.] [76.] [77.] [78.] [79.] [80.] [81.] [82.] [83.] [84.] [85.] [86.] [87.] [88.] [89.] [90.] [91.] [92.] [93.] [94.] [95.] [96.] [97.] [98.] [99.] [100.] [101.] [102.] [103.] [104.] [105.] [106.] [107.] [108.] [109.] [110.] [111.] [112.] [113.] [114.] [115.] [116.] [117.] [118.] [119.] [120.] [121.] [122.] [123.] [124.] [125.] [126.] [127.] [128.] [129.] [130.] [131.] [132.] [133.] [134.] [135.] [136.] [137.] [138.] [139.] [140.] [141.] [142.] [143.] [144.] [145.] [146.] [147.] [148.] [149.] [150.] [151.] [152.] [153.] [154.] [155.] [156.] [157.] [158.] [159.] [160.] [161.] [162.] [163.] [164.] [165.] [166.] [167.] [168.] [169.] [170.] [171.] [172.] [173.] [174.] [175.] [176.] [177.] [178.] [179.] [180.] [181.] [182.] [183.] [184.] [185.] [186.] [187.] [188.] [189.] [190.] [191.] [192.] [193.] [194.] [195.] [196.] [197.] [198.] [199.] [200.] [201.] [202.] [203.] [204.] [205.] [206.] [207.] [208.] [209.] [210.] [211.] [212.] [213.] [214.] [215.] [216.] [217.] [218.] [219.] [220.] [221.] [222.] [223.] [224.] [225.] [226.] [227.] [228.] [229.] [230.] [231.] [232.] [233.] [234.] [235.] [236.] [237.] [238.] [239.] [240.] [241.] [242.] [243.] [244.] [245.] [246.] [247.] [248.] [249.] [250.] [251.] [252.] [253.] [254.] [255.] [256.] [257.] [258.] [259.] [260.] [261.] [262.] [263.] [264.] [265.] [266.] [267.] [268.] [269.] [270.] [271.] [272.] [273.] [274.] [275.] [276.] [277.] [278.] [279.] [280.] [281.] [282.] [283.] [284.] [285.] [286.] [287.] [288.] [289.] [290.] [291.] [292.] [293.] [294.] [295.] [296.] [297.] [298.] [299.] [300.] [301.] [302.] [303.] [304.] [305.] [306.] [307.] [308.] [309.] [310.] [311.] [312.] [313.] [314.] [315.] [316.] [317.] [318.] [319.] [320.] [321.] [322.] [323.] [324.] [325.] [326.] [327.] [328.] [329.] [330.] [331.] [332.] [333.] [334.] [335.] [336.] [337.] [338.] [339.] [340.] [341.] [342.] [343.] [344.] [345.] [346.] [347.] [348.] [349.]