Light-induced magnetization reversal of high-anisotropy TbCo alloy films

Magnetization reversal using circularly polarized light provides a new way to control magnetization without any external magnetic field and has the potential to revolutionize magnetic data storage. However, in order to reach ultra-high density data storage, high anisotropy media providing thermal stability are needed. Here, we evidence all-optical magnetization switching for different TbxCo1-x ferrimagnetic alloy composition and demonstrate all-optical switching for films with anisotropy fields reaching 6 T corresponding to anisotropy constants of 3x106 ergs/cm3. Optical magnetization switching is observed only for alloys which compensation temperature can be reached through sample heating

Meaningful, special or recreational places? Different approaches to mapping sense of place for resilient river management

River landscapes are complex social-ecological systems and provide many benefits for people. A common challenge among river planners and managers is to consider people-place bonds potentially affected by river interventions, as these are often not included in monitoring and assessment frameworks. As such, there is a need for applying integrated methods and indicators for measuring place-based values, that enable the exchange of values, preferences and knowledge between the different actors involved (e.g. citizens and planners). In this presentation, I will compare different approaches to mapping sense of place (i.e. place meanings and place attachment) in river landscapes using case studies from Denmark, Germany, Spain, Switzerland and The Netherlands. The case studies were set in different geographical, institutional and management contexts, but had in common that they were multi-actor, collaborative research projects with the intent to use the collected data for planning or adaptive management. The case study analysis was guided by two main questions: (1) how is sense of place conceptualized and measured? and (2) how can the outcomes support and/or inform participatory processes? Our findings show that sense of place is conceptualized and measured in different ways and can be linked to different evaluative frameworks, i.e. to map places of recreational value, meaningful places, or in relation to different river intervention scenarios. The choice in concepts and methods depends strongly on the purpose of the study and needs to be consciously made in order to yield relevant sense of place outcomes for management, such as river planning or evaluating impacts of river interventions. Finally, we will give examples of how mapping sense of place can facilitate public involvement in monitoring and managing rivers, for example, through stimulating citizen initiatives, providing tangible information for discussion, and identifying specific needs or concerns of particular stakeholder groups

Integrating sense of place in planning and management of multifunctional river landscapes: experiences from five European case studies

River landscapes are complex social-ecological systems with many benefts for people. A common challenge is to integrate social values in river planning and management. In particular, there is a paucity of research on the meaning and signifcance of place in river recreation and how people feel emotionally and spiritually connected to river landscapes. Based on fve European case studies, this study compares diferent methods and approaches for mapping sense of place in river landscapes and subsequently addresses the question of how these studies can inform participatory processes. The case studies are set in diverse geographical, institutional and policy contexts, including the planning and evaluation of river restoration projects in Switzerland, Denmark, Germany and Spain and the monitoring of the efects of newly constructed river dams in the Netherlands. This comparative study is a frst step in understanding the breadth of analytical and spatial approaches that can be used to assess sense of place in river landscapes and their implications for resilient river landscape planning and management

Integrating Biocatalysts into Metal‐Organic Frameworks: Disentangling the Roles of Affinity, Molecular Weight, and Size

The integration of biocatalysts within metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) is attracting growing interest due to its potential to both enhance biocatalyst stability and sustain biocatalyst activity in organic solvents. However, the factors that facilitate the post-synthetic infiltration of such large molecules into MOF pores remain unclear. This systematic study enabled the identification of the influence of biocatalyst molecular size, molecular weight and affinity on the uptake by an archetypal MOF, NU-1000. We analyzed a range of six biocatalysts with molecular weights from 1.9 kDa to 44.4 kDa, respectively. By employing a combination of fluorescence tagging and 3D-STED confocal laser scanning microscopy, we distinguished between biocatalysts that were internalized within the MOF pores and those sterically excluded. The catalytic functions of the biocatalysts hosted within the MOF were investigated and found to show strong variations relative to the solvated case, ranging from a two-fold increase to a strong decrease

The role of open innovation in biomarker discovery

Precision medicine aims to treat diseases with special consideration for the individual biological variability. Novel biomarkers (BM) are needed to predict therapeutic responses and to allow for the selection of suitable patients for treatment with certain drugs. However, the identification and validation of appropriate BMs is challenging. Close col-laboration between different partners seems to be a key success factor. While the importance of partnerships and larger, well-established consortia in BM discovery such as the pharmaceutical industry and academic institutions is well un-derstood and has been investigated in the past, the use of open-innovation models, also known as ‘crowd sourcing for biomarkers’, is still in its infancy. Crowd sourcing comprises of a —usually via internet— request for problem solution to an open group of users in a kind of an ‘open call’. The community (crowd) is asked to provide solutions. Since the application of the crowd sourcing method offers the possibility to collect as many as possible novel ideas from a broad community with different expertise, this approach is particularly promising for BM development. In this article we de-scribe the first examples of open-innovation models, such as the ‘grants for targets’ (G4T) and biomarkers initiative ‘InnoCentive’ (innovation/incentive) platform. They may be a fruitful basis for collaborative BM development in the future

Tracking protein function with sodium multi quantum spectroscopy in a 3D-tissue culture based on microcavity arrays

The aim of this study was to observe the effects of strophanthin induced inhibition of the Na-/KATPase in liver cells using a magnetic resonance (MR) compatible bioreactor. A microcavity array with a high density three-dimensional cell culture served as a functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) phantom for sodium multi quantum (MQ) spectroscopy. Direct contrast enhanced (DCE) MRI revealed the homogenous distribution of biochemical substances inside the bioreactor. NMR experiments using advanced bioreactors have advantages with respect to having full control over a variety of physiological parameters such as temperature, gas composition and fluid flow. Simultaneous detection of single quantum (SQ) and triple quantum (TQ) MR signals improves accuracy and was achieved by application of a pulse sequence with a time proportional phase increment (TQTPPI). The time course of the Na-/KATPase inhibition in the cell culture was demonstrated by the corresponding alterations of sodium TQ/ SQ MR signals

3D Cultivation Techniques for Primary Human Hepatocytes

One of the main challenges in drug development is the prediction of in vivo toxicity based on in vitro data. The standard cultivation system for primary human hepatocytes is based on monolayer cultures, even if it is known that these conditions result in a loss of hepatocyte morphology and of liver-specific functions, such as drug-metabolizing enzymes and transporters. As it has been demonstrated that hepatocytes embedded between two sheets of collagen maintain their function, various hydrogels and scaffolds for the 3D cultivation of hepatocytes have been developed. To further improve or maintain hepatic functions, 3D cultivation has been combined with perfusion. In this manuscript, we discuss the benefits and drawbacks of different 3D microfluidic devices. For most systems that are currently available, the main issues are the requirement of large cell numbers, the low throughput, and expensive equipment, which render these devices unattractive for research and the drug-developing industry. A higher acceptance of these devices could be achieved by their simplification and their compatibility with high-throughput, as both aspects are of major importance for a user-friendly device

3D Cultivation Techniques for Primary Human Hepatocytes

One of the main challenges in drug development is the prediction of in vivo toxicity based on in vitro data. The standard cultivation system for primary human hepatocytes is based on monolayer cultures, even if it is known that these conditions result in a loss of hepatocyte morphology and of liver-specific functions, such as drug-metabolizing enzymes and transporters. As it has been demonstrated that hepatocytes embedded between two sheets of collagen maintain their function, various hydrogels and scaffolds for the 3D cultivation of hepatocytes have been developed. To further improve or maintain hepatic functions, 3D cultivation has been combined with perfusion. In this manuscript, we discuss the benefits and drawbacks of different 3D microfluidic devices. For most systems that are currently available, the main issues are the requirement of large cell numbers, the low throughput, and expensive equipment, which render these devices unattractive for research and the drug-developing industry. A higher acceptance of these devices could be achieved by their simplification and their compatibility with high-throughput, as both aspects are of major importance for a user-friendly devic