Sensing applications of biofunctionalised plasmonic gold nanoparticles

Plasmonische Metallnanopartikel bündeln, verstärken und beeinflussen Licht auf nanoskopischer Ebene. Diese grundlegende Eigenschaft kommt von koheränten, kollektiven Schwingungen der Leitungsbandelektronen, die von einfallendem Licht resonant angeregt und lokalisierte Oberflächenplasmonenresonanz (LSPR) oder ‚Partikelplasmonen‘ genannt werden. Plasmonen in Metallnanopartikeln wurden bisher z.B. zur Erkennen von pathogenen Biomolekülen, bei der photothermischen Therapie und zur Verbesserung der Effizienz von Solarzellen verwendet. In dieser Arbeit werde ich meinen Fokus auf die Synthese und Funktionalisierung von Goldnanopartikeln zur Anwendung als Sensoren legen.rnrnKürzliche Verbesserungen in der nasschemischen Synthese haben zur Herstellung von Goldnanopartikel mit unterschiedlichen Formen und Größen geführt, die sich in ihren Sensoreigenschaften unterscheiden. Unter den unterschiedlichen Sensorgeometrien sind Goldnanostäbchen die bevorzugte Form zur Biomolekül-Sensorik durch LSPR. Nanostäbchen werden durch eine positiv geladene CTAB-Schicht stabilisiert, die Proteine bei neutralem pH-Wert anziehen kann. Die Adsorption und Desorption von Proteinen an der Nanopartikeloberfläche und damit die Bindungskinetiken von Proteinen kann auf Einzelmolekülebene erforscht werden. Ich zeige hier eine Studie mit hoher örtlicher und zeitlicher Auflösung um einzelne Bindungsereignisse von Fibronectin auf Goldnanostäbchen darzustellen.rnrnGoldnanostäbchen müssen mit spezifischen biologischen Erkennungselementen funktionalisiert werden um eine Analyterkennung oder Proteinwechselwirkung zu erreichen. Ich funktionalisiere Goldnanostäbchen mit kurzen DNA-Sequenzen (Aptamer-Sequenzen und NTA konjugierten Polihymidinen) und habe anhand diese unterschiedlich sensitiven Partikel eine Studie mit verschiedenen Analyten (oder Protein-Protein Wechselwirkungen) erfolgreich durchgeführt.rn rnPlasmonen von Nanopartikel-Clustern koppeln miteinander, was ihre Resonanzenergie ändert. Der kontrollierte Zusammenbau von Nanopartikeln zu Dimeren oder höher geordneten Strukturen wie ‚Core-Satellites‘ können dazu dienen ihre Sensitivität zu erhöhen. Diese Cluster bieten eine hohe Sensitivität auf Grund der Anwesenheit von plasmonischen Hotspots in der Lücke zwischen zwei Partikeln. Die Plasmonkopplung ist ein Phänomen, das abhängig vom Abstand zweier Partikel zueinander ist und bildet somit die Basis von sogenannten Plasmon-Linealen. Ich habe eine Strategie entwickelt um Dimere aus Hsp90 funktionalisierten Goldnanosphären zu bilden. Diese Technik wird nicht durch Ausbleichen oder das Blinken von Farbstoffen limitiert und ich zeige zum ersten Mal wie man dadurch dynamische Proteinkonformationen untersuchen kann.rn

Rebranding feminism: An analysis of present-day feminism

The purpose of this dissertation is to reflect on the meaning of feminism in order to decide whether the movement needs a rebranding. The first part will focus on the history of feminism to clarify its beliefs and goals. The following part will highlight how feminism gained a bad reputation over time and will show Elle’s attempt in November 2013 to launch a project to rebrand the movement. The last part will explain what present-day feminism consists of by listing some of the latest projects and the most important issues the movement has to tackle. My analysis will finally show that the F-movement needs a rebranding and, in order to be effective, men should join women’s fight for equality. “We should all be feminists”.

Development of Dynamic Constraint Models for a Model Based Transient Calibration Process

Model based calibration has gained popularity in recent years as a method to optimize increasingly complex engine systems. However virtually all model based techniques are applied to steady state calibration. Transient calibration is by and large an emerging technology. An important piece of any transient calibration process is the ability to constrain the optimizer to treat the problem as a dynamic one and not as a quasi-static process. The optimized air-handling parameters corresponding to any instant of time must be achievable in a transient sense; this in turn depends on the trajectory of the same parameters over previous time instances. In this work dynamic constraint models have been proposed to translate commanded to actually achieved air-handling parameters. These models enable the optimization to be realistic in a transient sense. The air handling system has been treated as a linear second order system with PD control. Parameters for this second order system have been extracted from real transient data. The model has been shown to be the best choice relative to a list of appropriate candidates such as neural networks and first order models. The selected second order model was used in conjunction with transient emission models to predict emissions over the FTP cycle. It has been shown that emission predictions based on air-handing parameters predicted by the dynamic constraint model do not differ significantly from corresponding emissions based on measured air-handling parameters.

Dual-energy CT-cholangiography in potential donors for living-related liver transplantation: Improved biliary visualization by intravenous morphine co-medication

PURPOSE: To prospectively evaluate whether intravenous morphine co-medication improves bile duct visualization of dual-energy CT-cholangiography. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty potential donors for living-related liver transplantation underwent CT-cholangiography with infusion of a hepatobiliary contrast agent over 40min. Twenty minutes after the beginning of the contrast agent infusion, either normal saline (n=20 patients; control group [CG]) or morphine sulfate (n=20 patients; morphine group [MG]) was injected. Forty-five minutes after initiation of the contrast agent, a dual-energy CT acquisition of the liver was performed. Applying dual-energy post-processing, pure iodine images were generated. Primary study goals were determination of bile duct diameters and visualization scores (on a scale of 0 to 3: 0-not visualized; 3-excellent visualization). RESULTS: Bile duct visualization scores for second-order and third-order branch ducts were significantly higher in the MG compared to the CG (2.9±0.1 versus 2.6±0.2 [P<0.001] and 2.7±0.3 versus 2.1±0.6 [P<0.01], respectively). Bile duct diameters for the common duct and main ducts were significantly higher in the MG compared to the CG (5.9±1.3mm versus 4.9±1.3mm [P<0.05] and 3.7±1.3mm versus 2.6±0.5mm [P<0.01], respectively). CONCLUSION: Intravenous morphine co-medication significantly improved biliary visualization on dual-energy CT-cholangiography in potential donors for living-related liver transplantation.

P-Technique Factor Analyses of the Multiple Affect Adjective Checklist (MAACL)

The Multiple Affect Adjective Check List (MAACL) has been found to have five first-order factors representing Anxiety, Depression, Hostility, Positive Affect, and Sensation Seeking and two second-order factors representing Positive Affect and Sensation Seeking (PASS) and Dysphoria. The present study examines whether these first- and second-order conceptions of affect (based on R-technique factor analysis) can also account for patterns of intraindividual variability in affect (based on P-technique factor analysis) in eight elderly women. Although the hypothesized five-factor model of affect was not testable in all of the present P-technique datasets, the results were consistent with this interindividual model of affect. Moreover, evidence of second-order (PASS and Dysphoria) and third-order (generalized distress) factors was found in one data set. Sufficient convergence in findings between the present P-technique research and prior R-technique research suggests that the MAACL is robust in describing both inter- and intraindividual components of affect in elderly women.

Sequence analysis of a 212 kb defensin gene cluster on ECA 27q17

Defensins are a family of evolutionary ancient antimicrobial peptides consisting of three sub-families: alpha-, beta- and theta-defensins. This investigation was focused on the genomic characterization of equine beta-defensins and the investigation of the potential clustering of beta-defensin genes in the equine genome. Six genomic BAC clones were isolated from the CHORI-241 library and one of these was mapped by FISH to ECA 27q17. This location was confirmed by RH-mapping. The contiguous 212 kb sequence of this clone was determined. Sequence analysis revealed the identification of ten pseudogenes and nine genes, six of which were highly homologous to human beta-defensin DEFB4. Clustering of the beta-defensin genes was confirmed and the order of the genes on the analyzed BAC was related to the corresponding defensin cluster on HSA 8. The knowledge about the sequence and the genomic structure of the equine beta-defensin genes will improve the classification of different paralogous defensin genes and is a prerequisite for subsequent functional studies. Additionally, the first alpha-defensin-like sequence outside the groups of primates, lagomorphs and rodents (glires) was identified.

ESPEN Guidelines on Enteral Nutrition: Geriatrics

Nutritional intake is often compromised in elderly, multimorbid patients. Enteral nutrition (EN) by means of oral nutritional supplements (ONS) and tube feeding (TF) offers the possibility to increase or to insure nutrient intake in case of insufficient oral food intake. The present guideline is intended to give evidence-based recommendations for the use of ONS and TF in geriatric patients. It was developed by an interdisciplinary expert group in accordance with officially accepted standards and is based on all relevant publications since 1985. The guideline was discussed and accepted in a consensus conference. EN by means of ONS is recommended for geriatric patients at nutritional risk, in case of multimorbidity and frailty, and following orthopaedic-surgical procedures. In elderly people at risk of undernutrition ONS improve nutritional status and reduce mortality. After orthopaedic-surgery ONS reduce unfavourable outcome. TF is clearly indicated in patients with neurologic dysphagia. In contrast, TF is not indicated in final disease states, including final dementia, and in order to facilitate patient care. Altogether, it is strongly recommended not to wait until severe undernutrition has developed, but to start EN therapy early, as soon as a nutritional risk becomes apparent.

Real-time multiplex PCR assays for reliable detection of Clostridium perfringens toxin genes in animal isolates

Typing of Clostridium perfringens strains by PCR-based determination of toxin genes proved to be a reliable method for diagnosis of enterotoxaemia in various animal species. We report the establishment and validation of three real-time fluorogenic (TaqMan) multiplex PCRs for the detection of C. perfringens alpha-, beta-, beta2-, epsilon-, entero- and iota-toxin genes. The composition of the PCRs was chosen with regard to robustness of the assays and in order to increase sensitivity compared to the conventional simplex PCRs. The combination of probe dyes selected for the real-time assays (FAM/TAMRA, Cy-5/BHQ-2 and VIC/TAMRA) as well as the designation of the chromosome-borne alpha-toxin as internal positive control allowed the creation of highly specific and sensitive, as well as time and cost effective PCRs. One hundred and three strains of C. perfringens isolated in Switzerland derived from clinical or suspected cases of enterotoxaemia in 10 different animal species were tested. The toxin genotypes were in agreement in both the conventional PCRs and the newly designed multiplex PCRs. Furthermore, the real-time PCR carried out as simplex allows to quantitate the copy numbers of plasmid-borne toxin genes in relation to the chromosomally located alpha-toxin gene.

Hamilton decompositions of 6-regular abelian Cayley graphs

In 1969, Lovasz asked whether every connected, vertex-transitive graph has a Hamilton path. This question has generated a considerable amount of interest, yet remains vastly open. To date, there exist no known connected, vertex-transitive graph that does not possess a Hamilton path. For the Cayley graphs, a subclass of vertex-transitive graphs, the following conjecture was made: Weak Lovász Conjecture: Every nontrivial, finite, connected Cayley graph is hamiltonian. The Chen-Quimpo Theorem proves that Cayley graphs on abelian groups flourish with Hamilton cycles, thus prompting Alspach to make the following conjecture: Alspach Conjecture: Every 2k-regular, connected Cayley graph on a finite abelian group has a Hamilton decomposition. Alspach’s conjecture is true for k = 1 and 2, but even the case k = 3 is still open. It is this case that this thesis addresses. Chapters 1–3 give introductory material and past work on the conjecture. Chapter 3 investigates the relationship between 6-regular Cayley graphs and associated quotient graphs. A proof of Alspach’s conjecture is given for the odd order case when k = 3. Chapter 4 provides a proof of the conjecture for even order graphs with 3-element connection sets that have an element generating a subgroup of index 2, and having a linear dependency among the other generators. Chapter 5 shows that if Γ = Cay(A, {s1, s2, s3}) is a connected, 6-regular, abelian Cayley graph of even order, and for some1 ≤ i ≤ 3, Δi = Cay(A/(si), {sj1 , sj2}) is 4-regular, and Δi ≄ Cay(ℤ3, {1, 1}), then Γ has a Hamilton decomposition. Alternatively stated, if Γ = Cay(A, S) is a connected, 6-regular, abelian Cayley graph of even order, then Γ has a Hamilton decomposition if S has no involutions, and for some s ∈ S, Cay(A/(s), S) is 4-regular, and of order at least 4. Finally, the Appendices give computational data resulting from C and MAGMA programs used to generate Hamilton decompositions of certain non-isomorphic Cayley graphs on low order abelian groups.

Hermitian curve interpolation for CT-data re-sampling

Purpose: Development of an interpolation algorithm for re‐sampling spatially distributed CT‐data with the following features: global and local integral conservation, avoidance of negative interpolation values for positively defined datasets and the ability to control re‐sampling artifacts. Method and Materials: The interpolation can be separated into two steps: first, the discrete CT‐data has to be continuously distributed by an analytic function considering the boundary conditions. Generally, this function is determined by piecewise interpolation. Instead of using linear or high order polynomialinterpolations, which do not fulfill all the above mentioned features, a special form of Hermitian curve interpolation is used to solve the interpolation problem with respect to the required boundary conditions. A single parameter is determined, by which the behavior of the interpolation function is controlled. Second, the interpolated data have to be re‐distributed with respect to the requested grid. Results: The new algorithm was compared with commonly used interpolation functions based on linear and second order polynomial. It is demonstrated that these interpolation functions may over‐ or underestimate the source data by about 10%–20% while the parameter of the new algorithm can be adjusted in order to significantly reduce these interpolation errors. Finally, the performance and accuracy of the algorithm was tested by re‐gridding a series of X‐ray CT‐images. Conclusion: Inaccurate sampling values may occur due to the lack of integral conservation. Re‐sampling algorithms using high order polynomialinterpolation functions may result in significant artifacts of the re‐sampled data. Such artifacts can be avoided by using the new algorithm based on Hermitian curve interpolation

Optimal beam forming for laser beam propagation through random media

Focusing optical beams on a target through random propagation media is very important in many applications such as free space optical communica- tions and laser weapons. Random media effects such as beam spread and scintillation can degrade the optical system's performance severely. Compensation schemes are needed in these applications to overcome these random media effcts. In this research, we investigated the optimal beams for two different optimization criteria: one is to maximize the concentrated received intensity and the other is to minimize the scintillation index at the target plane. In the study of the optimal beam to maximize the weighted integrated intensity, we derive a similarity relationship between pupil-plane phase screen and extended Huygens-Fresnel model, and demonstrate the limited utility of maximizing the average integrated intensity. In the study ofthe optimal beam to minimize the scintillation index, we derive the first- and second-order moments for the integrated intensity of multiple coherent modes. Hermite-Gaussian and Laguerre-Gaussian modes are used as the coherent modes to synthesize an optimal partially coherent beam. The optimal beams demonstrate evident reduction of scintillation index, and prove to be insensitive to the aperture averaging effect.

Light Transport in PT-invariant Photonic Structures with Hidden Symmetries

We introduce a recursive bosonic quantization technique for generating classical PT photonic structures that possess hidden symmetries and higher order exceptional points. We study light transport in these geometries and we demonstrate that perfect state transfer is possible only for certain initial conditions. Moreover, we show that for the same propagation direction, left and right coherent transports are not symmetric with field amplitudes following two different trajectories. A general scheme for identifying the conservation laws in such PT-symmetric photonic networks is also presented.

Toxic effects of brake wear particles on epithelial lung cells in vitro

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Fine particulate matter originating from traffic correlates with increased morbidity and mortality. An important source of traffic particles is brake wear of cars which contributes up to 20% of the total traffic emissions. The aim of this study was to evaluate potential toxicological effects of human epithelial lung cells exposed to freshly generated brake wear particles. RESULTS: An exposure box was mounted around a car's braking system. Lung cells cultured at the air-liquid interface were then exposed to particles emitted from two typical braking behaviours ("full stop" and "normal deceleration"). The particle size distribution as well as the brake emission components like metals and carbons was measured on-line, and the particles deposited on grids for transmission electron microscopy were counted. The tight junction arrangement was observed by laser scanning microscopy. Cellular responses were assessed by measurement of lactate dehydrogenase (cytotoxicity), by investigating the production of reactive oxidative species and the release of the pro-inflammatory mediator interleukin-8. The tight junction protein occludin density decreased significantly (p < 0.05) with increasing concentrations of metals on the particles (iron, copper and manganese, which were all strongly correlated with each other). Occludin was also negatively correlated with the intensity of reactive oxidative species. The concentrations of interleukin-8 were significantly correlated with increasing organic carbon concentrations. No correlation was observed between occludin and interleukin-8, nor between reactive oxidative species and interleukin-8. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that the metals on brake wear particles damage tight junctions with a mechanism involving oxidative stress. Brake wear particles also increase pro-inflammatory responses. However, this might be due to another mechanism than via oxidative stress.

Leistungsbewertung und -optimierung in der manuellen Kommissionierung

In der Auftragszusammenstellung spielt der Mensch u. a. aufgrund seiner hohen Flexibilität bezüglich der Aufgabeneinteilung und der Fähigkeit, unterschiedlich dimensionierte Objekte leicht handzuhaben eine wesentliche Rolle. Um die Leistungen der Mitarbeiter individuell beurteilen zu können, ist die Berücksichtigung heterogener Arbeitsinhalte notwendig. Beispielsweise ist anzunehmen, dass Kommissionieraufträge mit relativ schweren Artikeln mehr Zeit in Anspruch nehmen als Aufträge mit leichteren Artikeln. Ebenso nimmt der Kommissionieraufwand zu, wenn mehr Auftragspositionen anzufahren sind und wenn größere Distanzen zurückgelegt werden müssen. Durch die Quantifizierung solcher Leistungseinflussfaktoren auf Mitarbeiterebene können individuelle Leistungsprofile erstellt werden, aus denen ganzheitliche Leistungsbeurteilungen sowie Optimierungen in der Personaleinsatzplanung und Kommissionierauftragssteuerung hervorgehen.

Bounds for the probability generating functional of a Gibbs point process

We derive explicit lower and upper bounds for the probability generating functional of a stationary locally stable Gibbs point process, which can be applied to summary statistics such as the F function. For pairwise interaction processes we obtain further estimates for the G and K functions, the intensity, and higher-order correlation functions. The proof of the main result is based on Stein's method for Poisson point process approximation.