MALDI imaging data uploaded to Metaspace and ProteomeExchange platforms (2016)

MALDI-imaging datasets from different animals (Bathymodiolus spp., Kentrophoros sp., Lumbricus terrestris, Olavius algarvensis, Paracatenula sp.) that were uploaded to Metaspace (http://52.19.27.255/) and ProteomeXchange (http://Proteomexchange.org/) platforms until October 2016

Liver Phenotypes of European Adults Heterozygous or Homozygous for Pi∗Z Variant of AAT (Pi∗MZ vs Pi∗ZZ genotype) and Noncarriers

Homozygosity for the Pi∗Z variant of the gene that encodes the alpha-1 antitrypsin peptide (AAT), called the Pi∗ZZ genotype, causes a liver and lung disease called alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency. Heterozygosity (the Pi∗MZ genotype) is a risk factor for cirrhosis in individuals with liver disease. Up to 4% of Europeans have the Pi∗MZ genotype; we compared features of adults with and without Pi∗MZ genotype among persons without preexisting liver disease.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Correlative mass spectrometry imaging of animal–microbe symbioses

Mass spectrometry imaging provides a new frontier in imaging the spatial distribution of molecular species. However, the chemical images generated with this state-of-the-art technique are difficult to analyze and interpret. Especially when investigating the chemical interactions between animals and bacteria the spatial assignment between chemical signatures and individual cells in mixed communities presents a substantial technical challenge. Therefore, I developed correlative mass spectrometry imaging approaches that combine MSI with other visualization strategies such as fluorescence microscopy, to visualize individual bacterial cells and micro computed tomography, to visualize the detailed 3D histology of the host animal. Using the combined visualization techniques, we could reveal new chemical interactions in marine and terrestrial animal-microbe symbioses

Micro CT of Bathymodiolus azoricus

Micro computed tomography recorded image stack of <i>Bathymodiolus azoricus </i><br

Micro CT of Bathymodiolus childressi

Micro computed tomography recorded image stack of <i>Bathymodiolus childressi</i><br

Geier_Max-Planck-Institut-Bremen

Multimodal 3D earthworm<br

Development of Solid Electrolytes for Structural Supercapacitors

Structural supercapacitors are multifunctional energy storage devices that can store electrical energy and bear the mechanical loading simultaneously. The utilization of composite materials in supercapacitor offers the opportunity to improve the electrochemical properties and stability of electricity supply system. In the present work, NASCION-type lithium conducting solid electrolyte Li1.4Al0.4Ti1.6(PO4)3 which was prepared by the sol-gel method was used to provide high ionic conductivity at room temperature and physical support. The influence of milling process of LATP electrolyte and the influence of the sintering temperature in the atmosphere of air/nitrogen on electrochemical properties of 1-layer pellets were investigated. Results show that BM4h (planetary ball milling with ethanol for 4h) is considered as the optimal milling process for LATP materials; The highest ionic conductivity of 1-layer pellet was obtained by sintering in air at 950°C (4.23 × 10−4 S/cm) and in nitrogen at 700°C (4.07×10−5 S/cm) respectively. Additionally, LATP/CNT composite electrode materials are combined with pure LATP electrolyte to be pressed into 2-layers pellets and 3-layer pellets respectively to form a functioning structural electrochemical double layer capacitor composite. Sintering at 700°C in nitrogen was chosen to be the optimal condition for 2-layers pellets and 3-layers pellets. As a results, dramatic improvements in capacitance has been achieved after introducing CNT into devices. For 2-layers pellets, by varying the parameters of CNT-loading, mixing method and weight ratio of layers in LATP/CNT composite, the highest CNT normalized capacitance with 0.72 F/gCNT and also high ionic conductivity with 9.88 × 10−5 S/cm were obtained (by devices with 1 wt% CNT-loading; mixed by planetary ball mill; m(LATP/CNT composite layer) : m(pure LATP layer) = 0.080 g/0.1810 g (y1)). Based on the optimized parameters of 2-layers pellets, a maximum CNT normalized capacitance of 5.12 F/gCNT is achieved in 3-layers pellet. The importance of microstructures for both electrolyte and electrode materials was highlighted. CV and EIS tests, laser diffraction spectrometer, XRD, SEM were used to characterize the products

Direct assessment of metabolite utilization by Pseudomonas aeruginosa during growth on artificial sputum medium

We grew Pseudomonas aeruginosa in LB and artificial sputum medium (ASM) (filtered and unfiltered) and quantified metabolite utilization and excretion by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy (metabolic footprinting or extracellular metabolomics). Utilization rates were similar between media, but there were differences in excretion—e.g., acetate was produced only in unfiltered ASM

Coming together—symbiont acquisition and early development in deep-sea bathymodioline mussels

How and when symbionts are acquired by their animal hosts has a profound impact on the ecology and evolution of the symbiosis. Understanding symbiont acquisition is particularly challenging in deep-sea organisms because early life stages are so rarely found. Here, we collected early developmental stages of three deep-sea bathymodioline species from different habitats to identify when these acquire their symbionts and how their body plan adapts to a symbiotic lifestyle. These mussels gain their nutrition from chemosynthetic bacteria, allowing them to thrive at deep-sea vents and seeps worldwide. Correlative imaging analyses using synchrotron-radiation based microtomography together with light, fluorescence and electron microscopy revealed that the pediveliger larvae were aposymbiotic. Symbiont colonization began during metamorphosis from a planktonic to a benthic lifestyle, with the symbionts rapidly colonizing first the gills, the symbiotic organ of adults, followed by all other epithelia of their hosts. Once symbiont densities in plantigrades reached those of adults, the host's intestine changed from the looped anatomy typical for bivalves to a straightened form. Within the Mytilidae, this morphological change appears to be specific to Bathymodiolus and Gigantidas, and is probably linked to the decrease in the importance of filter feeding when these mussels switch to gaining their nutrition largely from their symbionts

Multifunctional Composites for Future Energy Storage in Aerospace Structures

Multifunctionalization of fiber-reinforced composites, especially by adding energy storage capabilities, is a promising approach to realize lightweight structural energy storages for future transport vehicles. Compared to conventional energy storage systems, energy density can be increased by reducing parasitic masses of non-energy-storing components and by benefitting from the composite meso- and microarchitectures. In this paper, the most relevant existing approaches towards multifunctional energy storages are reviewed and subdivided into five groups by distinguishing their degree of integration and their scale of multifunctionalization. By introducing a modified range equation for battery-powered electric aircrafts, possible range extensions enabled by multifunctionalization are estimated. Furthermore, general and aerospace specific potentials of multifunctional energy storages are discussed. Representing an intermediate degree of structural integration, experimental results for a multifunctional energy-storing glass fiber-reinforced composite based on the ceramic electrolyte LATP are presented. Cyclic voltammetry tests are used to characterize the double-layer behavior combined with galvanostatic charge–discharge measurements for capacitance calculation. The capacitance is observed to be unchanged after 1500 charge–discharge cycles revealing a promising potential for future applications. Furthermore, the mechanical properties are assessed by means of four-point bending and tensile tests. Additionally, the influence of mechanical loads on the electrical properties is also investigated, demonstrating the storage stability of the composites