Prediction of thermodynamic properties of gas mixtures using the Peng-Robinson equation of state

Tato bakalářská práce shrnuje základní termodynamické poznatky potřebné pro výpočet rychlosti zvuku ve směsích reálných plynů užitím Pengovy a Robinsonovy stavové rovnice. Dále jsou užity dvě příspěvkové metody pro určení termodynamických vlastností chladiv C2F6 and C3F8. Analyticky výpočtená rychlost zvuku ve směsích plynů N2 a C3F8 je porovnána s měřeními provedenými na sonarové trubici. Nakonec je zhodnocena přesnost měření, zdroje chyb a celkový potenciál těchto metod.This bachelor thesis summarizes basic thermodynamic concepts necessary for calculation of speed of sound in mixtures of real gases using the Peng Robinson equation of state. Moreover, two different group contribution methods are used to estimate thermodynamic properties of refrigerants C2F6 and C3F8. The analytical prediction of speed of sound in mixtures of N2 and C3F8 is then confronted with experimental data measured on sunar tube gas analyzer. Finally, the accuracy, sources of error and overall potential of this approach is discussed

Stabilization of carbon nanotubes by filling with inner tubes: An optical spectroscopy study on double-walled carbon nanotubes under hydrostatic pressure

The stabilization of carbon nanotubes via the filling with inner tubes is demonstrated by probing the optical transitions in double-walled carbon nanotube bundles under hydrostatic pressure with optical spectroscopy. Double-walled carbon nanotube films were prepared from fullerene peapods and characterized by HRTEM and optical spectroscopy. In comparison to single-walled carbon nanotubes, the pressure-induced redshifts of the optical transitions in the outer tubes are significantly smaller below $\sim$10 GPa, demonstrating the enhanced mechanical stability due to the inner tube already at low pressures. Anomalies at the critical pressure P$_d$$\approx$12 GPa signal the onset of the pressure-induced deformation of the tubular cross-sections. The value of P$_d$ is in very good agreement with theoretical predictions of the pressure-induced structural transitions in double-walled carbon nanotube bundles with similar average diameters.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figures; to appear in Phys. Rev.

Recolonization of Raoul Island by Kermadec red-crowned parakeets Cyanoramphus novaezelandiae cyanurus after eradication of invasive predators, Kermadec Islands archipelago, New Zealand

The Kermadec red-crowned parakeet Cyanoramphus novaezelandiae was driven to extinction on Raoul Island over 150 years ago by introduced cats Felis catus and rats (Rattus norvegicus and R. exulans). These predators were eradicated from the island (2,938 ha) between 2002-04 during the world’s largest multispecies eradication project. In 2008 we documented a unique recolonisation event when parakeets were observed to have returned to Raoul, presumably from a nearby island group, The Herald Islets (51 ha). We captured and aged 100 parakeets, of which 44% were born in 2008, and breeding was observed on Raoul Island. This represents the first evidence of nesting of this species on Raoul Island since 1836. Our findings highlight the global conservation potential for island avifaunas by prioritising eradication areas through consideration of proximity of remnant populations to target management locations, instead of the classical translocation approach alone. The natural recolonization of parakeets on Raoul Island from a satellite source population is to our knowledge, a first for parrot conservation and the first documented population expansion and island recolonization of a parrot species after removal of invasive predators

Structure prediction based on ab initio simulated annealing for boron nitride

Possible crystalline modifications of chemical compounds at low temperatures correspond to local minima of the energy landscape. Determining these minima via simulated annealing is one method for the prediction of crystal structures, where the number of atoms per unit cell is the only information used. It is demonstrated that this method can be applied to covalent systems, at the example of boron nitride, using ab initio energies in all stages of the optimization, i.e. both during the global search and the subsequent local optimization. Ten low lying structure candidates are presented, including both layered structures and 3d-network structures such as the wurtzite and zinc blende types, as well as a structure corresponding to the beta-BeO type

Relevanz suszeptibilitätsinduzierter geometrischer Fehlkodierungen für die Validität MR-basierter Knorpelvolumen- und -dickenmessungen im Kniegelenk - Relevance of susceptibility-induced geometrical distortion for the accuracy of MR-based cartilage volume and thickness measurement

The aim of the present study was to analyze the relevance of susceptibility-induced geometrical distortion to the accuracy of MR-based cartilage volume and thickness measurement in the human knee joint. Nine cadaveric knee joints were imaged in the sagittal plane with MRI at a resolution of a x 0.31 x 0.81 mm³, using a fat-suppressed gradient echo sequence, with a normal gradient orientation and also with the frequency- and phase-encoding directions changed. CT arthrographic data sets were then obtained. On the basis of 3-D constructions, we determined the cartilage volume and, with a 3-D minimal distance algorithm, the thickness distribution, of the patella, femur and tibia. Irrespective of the gradient orientation, good agreement was observed between MRI and CT arthrography in terms of cartilage volumes and maximum cartilage thickness. With a normal gradient orientation the volume was overestimated by 2.5 % in MRI, and 2.3 % when the gradients were changed. The maximum cartilage thickness was underestimated by 0.24 intervals (interval = 0.5 mm) with a normal gradient orientation, and by 0.22 intervals when the gradient orientation was changed. In none of the joint surfaces was a relevant difference between the two methods observed. It can be shown that, using high-resolution, fat-suppressed gradient-echo sequences - suseeptibility-induced geometrical distortion has no significant effect on the accuracy of KR-based cartilage volume and thickness measurements. MRI would therefore appear suitable for the design of patient-specific finite element models with the aim of analysing load transmission in diarthrodial joints and planning surgical interventions

Non-conventional trans-platinum complexes functionalized with RDG peptides: chemical and cytototoxicity studies

In order to target platinum complexes to cancer cells, trans-Pt(II) or trans-Pt(IV) complexes were bioconjugated to the cyclic peptide cRGDfK (cRGD), with affinity for αvβ3 integrin receptors, through their 4-picolinic acid spectator ligands. To tackle this goal, the Pt(II) and Pt(IV) precursors were activated at their carboxylic acid function and futher reacted with the cRGDfK peptide, to afford the bioconjugates Pt(II)-cRGD and Pt(IV)-cRGD, respectively. Pt(II)-cRGD was studied by 195Pt-NMR that confirmed the presence of the Pt(II) center. In contrast, the characterization of Pt(IV)-cRGD was not possible due to the tendency of this complex to undergo reduction to Pt(II) in solution. Thus, only the Pt(II)-cRGD complex was used for further biological studies, and it exhibited some cytotoxic activity against the HUVEC cell line, with the highest levels of αvβ3 expression. However, no improved effects were observed with respect to the Pt(II)-pic precursor. Studies by ICP-MS showed enhanced intracellular accumulation for Pt(II)-cRGD with respect to Pt(II)-pic in cancer cells. Overall, these results show that while Pt(II) bioconjugation enhances compound's uptake, it did not translate into an increase in cytotoxicity

Solid-phase-assisted synthesis of targeting peptide-PEG-oligo(ethane amino)amides for receptor-mediated gene delivery.

In the forthcoming era of cancer gene therapy, efforts will be devoted to the development of new efficient and non-toxic gene delivery vectors. In this regard, the use of Fmoc/Boc-protected oligo(ethane amino)acids as building blocks for solid-phase-supported assembly represents a novel promising approach towards fully controlled syntheses of effective gene vectors. Here we report on the synthesis of defined polymers containing the following: (i) a plasmid DNA (pDNA) binding domain of eight succinoyl-tetraethylenpentamine (Stp) units and two terminal cysteine residues; (ii) a central polyethylene glycol (PEG) chain (with twenty-four oxyethylene units) for shielding; and (iii) specific peptides for targeting towards cancer cells. Peptides B6 and c(RGDfK), which bind transferrin receptor and αvβ3 integrin, respectively, were chosen because of the high expression of these receptors in many tumoral cells. This study shows the feasibility of designing these kinds of fully controlled vectors and their success for targeted pDNA-based gene transfer

Sr. Jean : God Just Put Me Here

I interviewed Sr. Jean in January of 2019. One thing that she was particularly proud of was how God put her in positions to comfort others. This paper will describe the events of her life where she felt this most

The Exploitation of Caring Communities: The Elder Care Crisis in Germany

Against the background of a crisis of elder care in Germany, this article examines the expansion of informal elder care work in terms of exploitation. A concept of indirect exploitation is used that takes into account the special characteristics of highly feminised elder care work and Germany’s elder care market. The article shows, through an empirical qualitative case study, that Germany’s elder care regime is maintained through the politically supported exploitation of socially vulnerable population groups in favour of lowering the costs of social reproduction in an ageing capitalist society