Arduino-based slider setup for gas–liquid mass transfer investigations

The implementation of traditional sensors is a drawback when investigating mass transfer phenomena within microstructured devices, since they disturb the flow and reactor characteristics. An Arduino based slider setup is developed, which is equipped with a computer-vision system to track gas–liquid slug flow. This setup is combined with an optical analytical method allowing to compare experimental results against CFD simulations and investigate the entire lifetime of a single liquid slug with high spatial and temporal resolution. Volumetric mass transfer coefficients are measured and compared with data from literature and the mass transfer contribution of the liquid film is discussed

Synergistic Role of Water and Oxygen Leads to Degradation in Formamidinium-Based Halide Perovskites

Mixed-cation metal halide perovskites have shown remarkable progress in photovoltaic applications with high power conversion efficiencies. However, to achieve large-scale deployment of this technology, efficiencies must be complemented by long-term durability. The latter is limited by external factors, such as exposure to humidity and air, which lead to the rapid degradation of the perovskite materials and devices. In this work, we study the mechanisms causing Cs and formamidinium (FA)-based halide perovskite phase transformations and stabilization during moisture and air exposure. We use in situ X-ray scattering, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and first-principles calculations to study these chemical interactions and their effects on structure. We unravel a surface reaction pathway involving the dissolution of FAI by water and iodide oxidation by oxygen, driving the Cs/FA ratio into thermodynamically unstable regions, leading to undesirable phase transformations. This work demonstrates the interplay of bulk phase transformations with surface chemical reactions, providing a detailed understanding of the degradation mechanism and strategies for designing durable and efficient perovskite materials

5,6,7,8-Tetra­hydro­quinoline 1-oxide hemihydrate

In the title compound, C9H11NO·0.5H2O, the asymmetric unit contains two similar mol­ecules of 5,6,7,8-tetra­hydro­quinoline 1-oxide and one water mol­ecule. The water mol­ecule links the two O atoms of both independent N-oxides into dimers via O—H⋯O hydrogen bonds, forming a three-dimensional network along [101], which is additionally stabilized by weak C—H⋯O inter­molecular inter­actions. In each mol­ecule, the saturated six-membered rings exist in a conformation inter­mediate between a half-chair and sofa

Clinical improvement of Long-COVID is associated with reduction in autoantibodies, lipids, and inflammation following therapeutic apheresis

In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are witnessing an unprecedented wave of post-infectious complications. Most prominently, millions of patients with Long-Covid complain about chronic fatigue and severe post-exertional malaise. Therapeutic apheresis has been suggested as an efficient treatment option for alleviating and mitigating symptoms in this desperate group of patients. However, little is known about the mechanisms and biomarkers correlating with treatment outcomes. Here, we have analyzed in different cohorts of Long-Covid patients specific biomarkers before and after therapeutic apheresis. In patients that reported a significant improvement following two cycles of therapeutic apheresis, there was a significant reduction in neurotransmitter autoantibodies, lipids, and inflammatory markers. Furthermore, we observed a 70% reduction in fibrinogen, and following apheresis, erythrocyte rouleaux formation and fibrin fibers largely disappeared as demonstrated by dark field microscopy. This is the first study demonstrating a pattern of specific biomarkers with clinical symptoms in this patient group. It may therefore form the basis for a more objective monitoring and a clinical score for the treatment of Long-Covid and other postinfectious syndromes

Multiple Peptidoglycan Modification Networks Modulate Helicobacter pylori's Cell Shape, Motility, and Colonization Potential

Helical cell shape of the gastric pathogen Helicobacter pylori has been suggested to promote virulence through viscosity-dependent enhancement of swimming velocity. However, H. pylori csd1 mutants, which are curved but lack helical twist, show normal velocity in viscous polymer solutions and the reason for their deficiency in stomach colonization has remained unclear. Characterization of new rod shaped mutants identified Csd4, a DL-carboxypeptidase of peptidoglycan (PG) tripeptide monomers and Csd5, a putative scaffolding protein. Morphological and biochemical studies indicated Csd4 tripeptide cleavage and Csd1 crosslinking relaxation modify the PG sacculus through independent networks that coordinately generate helical shape. csd4 mutants show attenuation of stomach colonization, but no change in proinflammatory cytokine induction, despite four-fold higher levels of Nod1-agonist tripeptides in the PG sacculus. Motility analysis of similarly shaped mutants bearing distinct alterations in PG modifications revealed deficits associated with shape, but only in gel-like media and not viscous solutions. As gastric mucus displays viscoelastic gel-like properties, our results suggest enhanced penetration of the mucus barrier underlies the fitness advantage conferred by H. pylori's characteristic shape

Apophis planetary defense campaign

We describe results of a planetary defense exercise conducted during the close approach to Earth by the near-Earth asteroid (99942) Apophis during 2020 December–2021 March. The planetary defense community has been conducting observational campaigns since 2017 to test the operational readiness of the global planetary defense capabilities. These community-led global exercises were carried out with the support of NASA's Planetary Defense Coordination Office and the International Asteroid Warning Network. The Apophis campaign is the third in our series of planetary defense exercises. The goal of this campaign was to recover, track, and characterize Apophis as a potential impactor to exercise the planetary defense system including observations, hypothetical risk assessment and risk prediction, and hazard communication. Based on the campaign results, we present lessons learned about our ability to observe and model a potential impactor. Data products derived from astrometric observations were available for inclusion in our risk assessment model almost immediately, allowing real-time updates to the impact probability calculation and possible impact locations. An early NEOWISE diameter measurement provided a significant improvement in the uncertainty on the range of hypothetical impact outcomes. The availability of different characterization methods such as photometry, spectroscopy, and radar provided robustness to our ability to assess the potential impact risk

Gelingendes Leben - Krise als Chance für Person & Gesellschaft. Band II

• Peter Antes, Rel.wiss. • Petra Bahr, Theol. / Journ. • Matthias Beck Med./JS, AT • Gottfried Biewer, Bildungswiss., AT • Aladin El-Mafaalani, Pol.wiss.• Johannes Eurich, Diak.wiss. • Mario Feigel, Med. CH • Heike Gramkow, Manag.Dir. • Heinrich Greving, Heilpäd. • Udo Hahn, Theol.• Maria-C. Hallwachs, Stud., Beratg. schon betroffen • Walter Hirche, Min. a.D./Präs. Dt. UNESCO • Wolfgang Jantzen †, Soz. • Jochen-C. Kaiser, Hist. • Karl-J. Kemmelmeyer, Präs. Musikrat • Hermes Kick, Med.-Ethik • Waldemar Kippes Redemptorist JN • Ferdinand Klein, SoPäd., SK • Berthold Krüger, bpb • Christian Larsen, Arzt, CH • Ulrich Lilie Präs. Diak.W • Christian Lindmeier, SoPäd., DGfE • Ralf Meister, Bischof • Bertolt Meyer, Org.- u. Wirtschaftspsych, schon betroffen, CH • Peter Neher, Präs. Caritas • Ekkehard Nuissl, Dir. Dt. Inst. EB, DIE • Ulrich Pohl, Vorst. Bethel • Hartmann Römer, Physiker • David Roth, Lt. Hospiz • Hartmut Schlegel SoPäd. • Joachim Schoss, Unternehmer, schon betroffen, CH • Walter Surböck Med., AT• Karl-H. Steinmetz, Trad. Europ. Med., AT • Rudolf Tippelt, Bildg. Forschg. • Inge Wasserberg, Inklu.Beratg. • Walter Thirring †, Phys. CERN, C