TOWARDS ASSESSING SANDSTONE SURFACE MOISTURE AND DEGRADATION LEVEL FROM RADIOMETRICALLY CORRECTED TLS INTENSITY DATA

Water is a prevalent deterioration agent for historic masonry works, especially those made of clay-bearing sandstones. To preserve cultural heritage made of sandstone, it is important to monitor, and then detect the regions with water retention or stone deterioration. To that aim, we investigate the prospects of terrestrial laser scanner (TLS) intensities for quantifying moisture in sandstone. Through a series of experiments following the drying processes of sandstone samples, we verify that TLS intensities can serve as moisture proxies for remote-sensing water retention. We identify the theoretically most suitable wavelengths, systematic effects requiring mitigation, and promising mitigation strategies. However, we also observe that the intensities are significantly affected by the type of sandstone and its level of degradation. Our results indicate that it is possible to distinguish different sandstones and levels of artificial degradation by observing and analyzing TLS-intensity time series during the drying process

Reply To "comment On 'photoionization Of Helium Atoms Irradiated With Intense Vacuum Ultraviolet Free-electron Laser Light. Part I. Experimental Study Of Multiphoton And Single-photon Processes'"

We do not agree with the conclusion of the Comment by Charalambidis questioning our observation of two-photon ionization of helium by intense radiation with 13 eV photons from a vuv free-electron laser. Two-photon ionization is clearly established by the detection of low-energy photoelectrons at ∼1.7 eV, which agrees very well with the expected energy for a two-photon ionization process. © 2006 The American Physical Society.743Laarmann, T., De Castro, A.R.B., Schulz, J., Wabnitz, H., Möller, T., (2005) Phys. Rev. A, 72, p. 023409. , PLRAAN. 1050-2947. 10.1103/PhysRevA.72.023409Ayvazyan, V., Baboi, N., Bohnet, I., Brinkmann, R., Castellano, M., Castro, P., Catani, L., Zapfe, K., (2002) Phys. Rev. Lett., 88, p. 104802. , PRLTAO. 0031-9007. 10.1103/PhysRevLett.88.104802Ayvazyan, V., Baboi, N., Bähr, J., Balandin, V., Beutner, B., Brandt, A., Bohnet, I., Schreiber H, -J., (2006) Eur. Phys. J. D, 37, p. 297. , EPJDF6. 1434-6060. 10.1140/epjd/e2005-00308-1Wabnitz, H., Bittner, L., De Castro, A.R.B., Döhrmann, R., Gürtler, P., Laarmann, T., Laasch, W., Yurkov, M., (2002) Nature (London), 420, p. 482. , NATUAS. 0028-0836. 10.1038/nature01197Laarmann, T., De Castro, A.R.B., Gürtler, P., Laasch, W., Schulz, J., Wabnitz, H., Möller, T., (2004) Phys. Rev. Lett., 92, p. 143401. , PRLTAO. 0031-9007. 10.1103/PhysRevLett.92.143401Laarmann, T., Rusek, M., Wabnitz, H., Schulz, J., De Castro, A.R.B., Gürtler, P., Laasch, W., Möller, T., (2005) Phys. Rev. Lett., 95, p. 063402. , PRLTAO. 0031-9007. 10.1103/PhysRevLett.95.063402Wabnitz, H., De Castro, A.R.B., Gürtler, P., Laarmann, T., Laasch, W., Schulz, J., Möller, T., (2005) Phys. Rev. Lett., 94, p. 023001. , PRLTAO. 0031-9007. 10.1103/PhysRevLett.94.023001Santra, R., Greene, C.H., (2004) Phys. Rev. A, 70, p. 053401. , PLRAAN 1050-2947 10.1103/PhysRevA.70.053401Tzallas, P., Charalambidis, D., Papadogiannis, N.A., Witte, K., Tsakiris, G.D., (2003) Nature (London), 426, p. 267. , NATUAS 0028-0836 10.1038/nature02091Papadogiannis, N.A., Nikolopoulos, L.A.A., Charalambidis, D., Tsakiris, G.D., Tzallas, P., Witte, K., (2003) Appl. Phys. B, 76, p. 721. , APDOEM 0946-2171Papadogiannis, N.A., Nikolopoulos, L.A.A., Charalambidis, D., Tsakiris, G.D., Tzallas, P., Witte, K., (2003) Phys. Rev. Lett., 90, p. 133902. , PRLTAO 0031-9007 10.1103/PhysRevLett.90.133902De Castro, A.R.B., Laarmann, T., Schulz, J., Wabnitz, H., Möller, T., (2005) Phys. Rev. A, 72, p. 023410. , PLRAAN. 1050-2947. 10.1103/PhysRevA.72.02341

Interaction of argon clusters with intense VUV-laser radiation: the role of electronic structure in the energy-deposition process

Sem informaçãoThe response of Ar clusters to intense vacuum-ultraviolet pulses is investigated with photoion spectroscopy By varying the laser wavelength, the initial excitation was either tuned to absorption bands of surface or bulk atoms of clusters. Multiple ionization is observed, which leads to Coulomb explosion. The efficiency of resonant 2-photon ionization for initial bulk and surface excitation is compared with that of the norresonant process at different laser intensities. The specific electronic structure of clusters plays almost no role in the explosion dynamics at a peak intensity larger than 1.8 X 10(12) W/cm(2). The inner ionization of atoms for resonant and nonresonant excitation is then saturated and the energy deposition is mainly controlled by the plasma heating rate. Molecular dynamics simulations indicate that standard collisional heating cannot fully account for the strong energy absorption.The response of Ar clusters to intense vacuum-ultraviolet pulses is investigated with photoion spectroscopy By varying the laser wavelength, the initial excitation was either tuned to absorption bands of surface or bulk atoms of clusters. Multiple ionization is observed, which leads to Coulomb explosion. The efficiency of resonant 2-photon ionization for initial bulk and surface excitation is compared with that of the norresonant process at different laser intensities. The specific electronic structure of clusters plays almost no role in the explosion dynamics at a peak intensity larger than 1.8 X 10(12) W/cm(2). The inner ionization of atoms for resonant and nonresonant excitation is then saturated and the energy deposition is mainly controlled by the plasma heating rate. Molecular dynamics simulations indicate that standard collisional heating cannot fully account for the strong energy absorption.921414Sem informaçãoSem informaçãoSem informaçãoWe thank A. Swiderski for technical support and the TTF team at DESY for providing the FEL beam and the photon diagnostics. This work was supported by DFG

Multiple ionization of rare gas atoms irradiated with intense VUV radiation

Sem informaçãoThe interaction of intense vacuum-ultraviolet radiation from a free-electron laser with rare gas atoms is investigated. The ionization products of xenon and argon atomic beams are analyzed with time-of-flight mass spectroscopy. At 98 nm wavelength and similar to10(13) W/cm(2) multiple charged ions up to Xe6+ (Ar4+) are detected. From the intensity dependence of multiple charged ion yields the mechanisms of multiphoton processes were derived. In the range of similar to10(12)-10(13) W/cm(2) the ionization is attributed to sequential multiphoton processes. The production of multiple charged ions saturates at 5-30 times lower power densities than at 193 and 564 nm wavelength, respectively.The interaction of intense vacuum-ultraviolet radiation from a free-electron laser with rare gas atoms is investigated. The ionization products of xenon and argon atomic beams are analyzed with time-of-flight mass spectroscopy. At 98 nm wavelength and similar to10(13) W/cm(2) multiple charged ions up to Xe6+ (Ar4+) are detected. From the intensity dependence of multiple charged ion yields the mechanisms of multiphoton processes were derived. In the range of similar to10(12)-10(13) W/cm(2) the ionization is attributed to sequential multiphoton processes. The production of multiple charged ions saturates at 5-30 times lower power densities than at 193 and 564 nm wavelength, respectively.94214Sem informaçãoSem informaçãoSem informaçãoWe thank A. Swiderski for technical support in the design and construction of the cluster experiment and the TTF team at DESY for providing the FEL beam and the photon diagnostics. One of the authors (H.W.) is grateful to Peter Lambropoulos for helpful comments. In addition, we thank R. Santra for making calculations available prior to publication

Photoionization of helium atoms irradiated with intense vacuum ultraviolet free-electron laser light. Part I. Experimental study of multiphoton and single-photon processes

Sem informaçãoThe interaction of He atoms with intense vacuum-ultraviolet light of a free-electron laser is investigated using time-of-flight mass spectroscopy and photoelectron spectroscopy. The atoms were irradiated with 100 fs pulses at 95 nm wavelength, which corresponds to similar to 13 eV photon energy. The ionization of He atoms is observed at a peak intensity of 10(10)-10(13) W/cm(2), which is due both to nonlinear multiphoton ionization with the fundamental wavelength and single-photon ionization with third harmonic radiation of the free-electron laser. The observation of two sharp photoelectron peaks in the kinetic energy spectra, that are separated by the photon energy, is in agreement with the numerical solution of the time-dependent Schrodinger equation. The calculation was done using the fully quantized field and a limited but representative set of basis states. The ionization rate dependence on the laser peak intensity indicates that: (a) The low-energy peak in the photoelectron spectra is mainly due to two-photon absorption of the fundamental, but (b) the high-energy peak at 15.4 eV is probably due to third harmonic FEL radiation. The theoretically predicted contribution from three-photon absorption of the fundamental is of about the same order of magnitude and could not be separated from the third harmonic background signal. Particularly, the photoelectron spectra and He+ time-of-flight data give evidence that the intensity of third harmonic light is high enough to perform single-shot spectroscopy on gas phase samples.The interaction of He atoms with intense vacuum-ultraviolet light of a free-electron laser is investigated using time-of-flight mass spectroscopy and photoelectron spectroscopy. The atoms were irradiated with 100 fs pulses at 95 nm wavelength, which corresponds to similar to 13 eV photon energy. The ionization of He atoms is observed at a peak intensity of 10(10)-10(13) W/cm(2), which is due both to nonlinear multiphoton ionization with the fundamental wavelength and single-photon ionization with third harmonic radiation of the free-electron laser. The observation of two sharp photoelectron peaks in the kinetic energy spectra, that are separated by the photon energy, is in agreement with the numerical solution of the time-dependent Schrodinger equation. The calculation was done using the fully quantized field and a limited but representative set of basis states. The ionization rate dependence on the laser peak intensity indicates that: (a) The low-energy peak in the photoelectron spectra is mainly due to two-photon absorption of the fundamental, but (b) the high-energy peak at 15.4 eV is probably due to third harmonic FEL radiation. The theoretically predicted contribution from three-photon absorption of the fundamental is of about the same order of magnitude and could not be separated from the third harmonic background signal. Particularly, the photoelectron spectra and He+ time-of-flight data give evidence that the intensity of third harmonic light is high enough to perform single-shot spectroscopy on gas phase samples.72218Sem informaçãoSem informaçãoSem informaçãoWe thank A. Swiderski for technical support in the design and construction of the experiment and the TTF team at DESY for running the accelerator, working on the FEL and the photon diagnostics. This work was supported by the DFG

A viewpoint on material and design considerations for oesophageal stents with extended lifetime

Oesophageal stents are meshed tubular implants designed to maintain patency of the oesophageal lumen and attenuate the symptoms of oesophageal cancer. Oesophageal cancers account for one in twenty cancer diagnoses and can lead to dysphasia, malnutrition and the diminishment of patient quality of life (QOL). Self-expanding oesophageal stents are the most common approach to attenuate these symptoms. Recent advances in oncological therapy have enabled patient survival beyond the lifetime of current devices. This introduces new complications for palliation, driving the need for innovation in stent design. This review identifies the factors responsible for stent failure. It explores the challenges of enhancing the longevity of stent therapies and outlines solutions to improving clinical outcomes. Discussions focus on the role of stent materials, construction methods, and coatings upon device performance. We found three key stent enhancement strategies currently used; material surface treatments, anti-migratory modifications, and biodegradable skeletons. Furthermore, radioactive and drug eluting stent designs were identified as emerging novel treatments. In conclusion, the review offers an overview of remaining key challenges in oesophageal stent design and potential solutions. It is clear that further research is needed to improve the clinical outcome of stents and patient QOL

UK guidelines on oesophageal dilatation in clinical practice

These are updated guidelines which supersede the original version published in 2004. This work has been endorsed by the Clinical Services and Standards Committee of the British Society of Gastroenterology (BSG) under the auspices of the oesophageal section of the BSG. The original guidelines have undergone extensive revision by the 16 members of the Guideline Development Group with representation from individuals across all relevant disciplines, including the Heartburn Cancer UK charity, a nursing representative and a patient representative. The methodological rigour and transparency of the guideline development processes were appraised using the revised Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (AGREE II) tool. Dilatation of the oesophagus is a relatively high-risk intervention, and is required by an increasing range of disease states. Moreover, there is scarcity of evidence in the literature to guide clinicians on how to safely perform this procedure. These guidelines deal specifically with the dilatation procedure using balloon or bougie devices as a primary treatment strategy for non-malignant narrowing of the oesophagus. The use of stents is outside the remit of this paper; however, for cases of dilatation failure, alternative techniques—including stents—will be listed. The guideline is divided into the following subheadings: (1) patient preparation; (2) the dilatation procedure; (3) aftercare and (4) disease-specific considerations. A systematic literature search was performed. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Develop­ment and Evaluation (GRADE) tool was used to evaluate the quality of evidence and decide on the strength of recommendations made

An exploration of student learning for sustainability through the WikiRate student engagement project

The launch of the UN Global Compact\u27s Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME1) in 2007 can be seen as a widespread acknowledgement that students of business and management need a form of education that enables them to make a positive contribution to both business and society. PRME\u27s aim of realising the United Nations\u27 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through responsible management education is built on six guiding Principles, designed to encourage business schools and universities to recognise their role as change agents and champions of sustainable development. Consequently over 700 signatories to PRME have committed to adapt their institutional strategies, curricula, research agendas, and external engagement activities to develop the capabilities of students to be future generators of sustainable value for business and society at large and to work for an inclusive and sustainable global economy (PRME, Principle 12)

A Typology of Digital Sharing Business Models: A Design Science Research Approach

The digitally enabled sharing economy, also called the “digital sharing economy” (DSE), has changed patterns of consumption by introducing new choices and channels for provision and receipt of services. The DSE encompasses sharing systems whose business models may vary distinctly from platform to platform. Although business models in the context of the sharing economy have been studied so far, we have observed that the current literature does not provide an approach that covers all the possible business models (in the broadest sense of the term) that (potentially) exist within the scope of the DSE. The present paper, therefore, aims to propose a typology of business models in the DSE that covers a wide space of models – even those which may not involve “business” in the commercial sense. This is achieved through an iterative inductive process based on a design science research approach. The typology can assist in positioning the current and future sharing systems in the DSE by systematically classifying their business models. It is intended to serve as a guiding tool for the sustainability assessment of platforms from both resource and socio-economic perspectives. The present study can also enable researchers and practitioners to capture and systematically analyse digital sharing business models based on a structured, actionable approach