Moving on from nascent entrepreneurship:measuring cross-national differences in the transition to new business ownership

Nascent entrepreneurship and new business ownership are subsequent stages in the entrepreneurial process. We illustrate how information from the largest internationally harmonized database on entrepreneurship, the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor project, can be used to approximate the entrepreneurial process. We make a methodological contribution by computing the ratio of new business ownership to nascent entrepreneurship in a way that reflects the transition from nascent to new business ownership and provides cross-nationally comparable information on the efficiency of the entrepreneurial process for 48 countries. We report evidence for the validity of the transition ratio by benchmarking it against transition rates obtained from longitudinal studies and by correlating it with commonly used entrepreneurship indicators and macro-level economic indices. The transition ratio enables future cross-national research on the entrepreneurial process by providing a reliable and valid indicator for one key transition in this process

Biologization, Nanotechnology, Simulation: Proceedings of the 1st Joint PhD Conference on Material Science:: from 27.6.-1.7.2022 in Dresden/ Germany and Usti/Česká republika

Materials scientists from Ústí nad Labem and Dresden met in June of 2022 for the first joint PhD Conference on Material Science, with the special focus on biologization, nanotechnology and simulation. The conference aimed to encourage interdisciplinary exchange between Čzech and German research institutes and promote transnational cooperation on an international level along the Saxon- Čzech border. Due to the restrictions caused by the corona pandemic, several attempts were necessary before the conference, which was first planned in 2020, could finally take place for the first time in 2022. The conference could take place in presence, which was seen as a big plus by all participants, especially as it was the first meeting in this German - Čzech context for most of the participants. The attending scientists (about 60) met at the Institute of Material Science of TU Dresden in Germany for the first half of the week before the conference moved to the faculties of Science and Environment of the Jan Evangelista Purkyně University UJEP in Ústí nad Labem in Čzechia. The organized activities ranged from scientific presentations of current PhD projects and research topics, lab tours in the participating institutions, come-together events such as a guided tour at the dye collection of the TU Dresden and a hiking trip to Bohemian Switzerland. The conference was funded by INTERREG VA Saxony - Čzech Republic - a cooperation programme of the Elbe/Labe region. All participants - PhD students, scientists and staff members of the participating institutions - enjoyed this opportunity to build individual and new contacts, exchange information on current research topics and methods, find starting points for future collaborations between the different research areas and institutions and also discuss the similarities and differences between the German and Čzech research landscape. The purpose of this brochure is to present the institutions with their special topics and laboratories and to present current research topics - on the base of the presented PhD projects.:1 Introduction 2 1.1 Committees 5 2 Presentation of the participating institutes and chairs 5 2.1 Jan Evangelista Purkyně University in Ústí nad Labem 6 2.1.1 Faculty of Science 6 2.1.2 Faculty of Environment 12 2.2 Technische Universität Dresden 17 2.2.1 Institute of Material Science 17 2.3 Fraunhofer Institute for Ceramic Technologies and Systems IKTS 19 2.3.1 Department Bio- and Nanotechnology at IKTS 19 2.4 Institute for Complex Materials, Leibniz-IFW Dresden 21 2.5 TRANS³Net 22 3 Presentation of the PhD topics 23 3.1 Topic: BIOLOGIZATION 23 3.1.1 Ludovico Andrea Alberta: Exploring the effect of Cu additions on the mechanical behaviour of β-TiNb biomaterials 23 3.1.2 Franziska Alt: Formation of a microenvironment for directed differentiation of stem cells in a perfusion bioreactor 25 3.1.3 Dmitry Belyaev: Circular microfluidic systems for electro-chemical continuous monitoring of bio-chemicals in emulsion droplets 27 3.1.4 Constantin Ißleib: Dynamic osteoimmunological crosstalk in a bone replacement context 28 3.1.5 Adela Jagerová: Surface Modification by High-Energy Heavy-Ion Irradiation in Various Crystalline ZnO Facets 29 3.1.6 Nils Kaube: Bioinspired development of artificial enamel via in-situ nano-mineralization 30 3.1.7 Michaela Kocholata: Isolation and characterization of plant derived nanovesicles 30 3.1.8 Zuzana Nejedlá: Dendrimers as Drug Delivery System 31 3.1.9 Jacub Perner: Effect of cold plasma treatment of Poppy and Proso Millet seeds in plasma downer 32 3.1.10 Marina Roshchina: Development of new bacteria-killing coatings on beta-Ti-Nb alloy based on functional oxide nanotubular (ONT) layers 33 3.1.11 Muhammad Saqib: Algorithms and fluid-dynamic experimental platform for in vitro degradation studies of implant materials 34 3.1.12 Jacub Tolasz: Interaction of pollutants on nanoceria 35 3.1.13 Zuzana Žmudová: 3D spheroid culture for in vitro testing of nanoparticles 35 3.2 Topic: METROLOGY 37 3.2.1 Katrien Boonen: The potential of dendrochemistry and dendroecology in pollution research 37 3.2.2 Ivan Lopez Carasco: Development of immobilization protocols for Tro6 and Tro4 aptamers to be used in electrochemical biosensor 38 3.2.3 Jacub Hoskovec: Functionalized electrospun materials for selectvie capture of selected gases 39 3.2.4 Dominic Pilnaj: Applications of gas sensors for air-quality monitoring and identification of volatile organic compounds by GC-HRMS 39 3.2.5 Michaela Průšová: Prostat, Glioblastoma and Mammary carcinoma cells derived exosomes: Their isolation, characterization and loading with doxorubicin 40 3.2.6 Kateřina Přibylová: Preparation of nanostructured surfaces for CO2 Detection, Capture and Utilization 41 3.2.7 Michal Syrový: Chemical modification of PAN – based nanofibrous membranes prepared by electrospinning and their properties for CO2 capture potential 42 3.3 Topic: GEOLOGICAL/MATERIALS 43 3.3.1 Sabine Apelt: Using biomimicry to design anti-ice surfaces for air-water heat pumps 43 3.3.2 Jan Dočkal: Molecular dynamics of interfacial solution structure of alkali-halide electrolytes at graphens electrodes 47 3.3.3 Tereza Dušková: Metal complexes with polyfluorinated NHCs 48 3.3.4 Kristína Fiantoková: Obtaining of the active mass from the spent Li-Ion batteries 48 3.3.5 Stephanie Ihmann: Engineering of bio-based Building and Construction Materials 49 3.3.6 Sara Jalali: Degradable bone substitute materials with load-bearing properties - Fiber-strengthened silica 50 3.3.7 Pavel Kaule: Preparation of heteroborane derivatives for thin film deposition by the covalent bond formation 53 3.3.8 M. Kozakovic: The effect of primary and secondary flows on the homogenization process in a vertical bladed mixer 53 3.3.9 Pavlína Matysová: Molecular Simulation of Salt Hydrates 54 3.3.10 Viktorie Neubertová: Surface functionalization of Ti3C2T MXene for MRI contrast agent 55 3.3.11 Robert Ato Newton: Fuel characteristics of Miscanthus x giganteus biomass produced at the marginal and slightly contaminated by trace elements soils 55 3.3.12 Martin Otto: Bioresorbable Fe-based alloys processed via laser powder bed fusion 56 3.3.13 Petr Panuška: A millifluidic chip for cultivation of fish embryos and toxicity testing fabricated by 3D printing technology 59 3.3.14 David Poustka: Unlocking mass production of photocrosslinked chitosan nanofibers 60 3.3.15 Eliška Rezlerová: Adsorption and Diffusion of Short Hydrocarbons and Carbon Dioxide in Shale Organic Matter: Insights from Molecular Simulations 60 3.3.16 Stefan Weitz: Investigating the material hardness of mollusks shells in dry and wet states by microindentation 6

Ultraschallverfahren zur Rissfortschrittsmessung für die Ermittlung von Risswiderstandskurven

In der vorliegenden Arbeit wird die methodische Entwicklung eines Ultraschall-Einprobenverfahrens zur Erfassung duktilen Rissfortschritts im quasistatischen Dreipunktbiegeversuch auf der Grundlage eines Ultraschallverfahrens vorgestellt. Das Verfahren wird an Werkstoffen unterschiedlichen Zähigkeits-Festigkeitsverhältnisses erprobt. Das Messverfahren beruht auf der wiederholten Messung der Laufzeit des von einem Sendewandler auf die Rissspitze gerichteten und dort in Richtung Empfangswandler gebeugten Ultraschallimpulses. Als Voraussetzung für die In-situ-Rissfortschrittsmessung auf der Grundlage der Signallaufzeitmessung wurde die Schallwellenausbreitung und Signalbildung mittels Schallfeldsimulationen anhand der Elastodynamischen Finiten Integrationstechnik modelliert und zusätzlich durch stroboskopische Messungen der Schallfeldausbreitung experimentell bestätigt. Zur Kalibrierung des Messverfahrens wurde ein analytischer Zusammenhang entwickelt, der die eindeutige Zuordnung der Signallaufzeit zum gesuchten Rissfortschritt gestattet und den Einfluss der während des Dreipunktbiegeversuches stattfindenden plastischen Verformungen berücksichtigt. Das Ultraschall-Laufzeit-Beugungsverfahren wurde für den Einsatz an bruchmechanischen Kleinproben (ISO-V-Geometrie) spezifiziert. Die in den Prüfvorschriften formulierte Genauigkeitsanforderung an ein Einprobenverfahren kann mit dem ULB-Verfahren erfüllt werden. Die erreichbare Messpunktdichte des Rissfortschritts ermöglicht eine nahezu kontinuierliche Darstellung resultierender J-Risswiderstandskurven

Heterogeneous freezing on pyroelectric poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-trifluoroethylene) thin films

Active deicing of technical surfaces, such as for wind turbines and heat exchangers, currently requires the usage of heat or chemicals. Passive coating strategies that postpone the freezing of covering water would be beneficial in order to save costs and energy. One hypothesis is that pyroelectric active materials can achieve this because of the surface charges generated on these materials when they are subject to a temperature change. High-quality poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-trifluoroethylene) (P(VDF-TrFE)) thin films with a high crystallinity, prefererd edge-on orientation, low surface roughness, and comprised of the β-analogous ferroelectric phase were deposited by spin-coating. Freezing experiments with a cooling rate of 1 K min−1 were made on P(VDF-TrFE) coatings in order to separate the effect of different parameters such as the poling direction, film thickness, used solvent, deposition process, underlying substrate, and annealing temperature on the achievable supercooling. The topography and the underlying substrate significantly changed the distribution of freezing temperatures of water droplets in contact with these thin films. In contrast, no significant effect of the thickness, morphology, or pyroelectric effect of the as-prepared domain-state on the freezing temperatures was found

Mathematisch-numerische Modellierung der Ultraschallstreuung an oberflächenverbundenen Rissen mit dem EFIT-Code

An ultrasonic time-of-flight diffraction method for measuring stable crack growth in a three point bending specimen was analyzed by simulations of the wave field evolution in the test specimen. To calculate the actual crack length from the experimental measured time of flight of a crack tip diffracted ultrasound pulse the echo trains were successively measured during the whole bending test. The simulations deal with the generation and evolution of the ultrasound field in the specimen and with the design of the received signal. The simulations took into account the actual test geometry, the crack growth process, the blunted crack tip and the process of bending. With these simulations all individual received echoes are reproduced and interpreted. The echo, qualified for measuring the time of flight is undoubtedly the transverse wave diffracted on the crack tip. In order to optimize the test method and to increase the accuracy of measurements during the simulations Parameters like probe position, wave mode, measuring frequency and length of aperture of the probes wem separately varied. From the comparison between the simulations and the experimental measurements it can be concluded, that the developed method is weil suited for measuring stable crack growth in small specimens made from ductile material

Pulse contour analysis: a valid assessment of central arterial stiffness in children?

In adults the contour analysis of peripheral pressure waves in the upper limb reflects central aortic stiffness. Here, we wanted to demonstrate the appropriateness of pulse contour analysis to assess large artery stiffness in children. Digital volume pulse analysis, with the computation of the stiffness index and pulse wave velocity between carotid and femoral artery, were simultaneously determined in 79 healthy children between 8years and 15years (mean age 11.4years, 32 girls). The stiffness index of 42 healthy adults (mean age 45.6years, 26 women) served as control. Pulse wave velocity between carotid and femoral artery was directly correlated with systolic pressure and mean blood pressure, as well as with pulse pressure. The results from the stiffness index of children revealed the expected values extrapolated from the linear regression of adulthood stiffness index vs. age. Childhood stiffness index positively correlated with pulse wave velocity (r2 = 0.07, P = 0.02) but not with blood pressure parameters. The exclusion of individuals with an increased vascular tone, as indicated by a reflexion index >90%, improved the correlation between stiffness index and pulse wave velocity (r2 = 0.13, P = 0.001). Our data indicate that digital volume pulse-based analysis has limitations if compared with pulse wave velocity to measure arterial stiffness, mostly in patients with a high vascular ton

Seroepidemiological Survey of West Nile Virus Infections in Horses from Berlin/Brandenburg and North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany

Following the introduction of the West Nile virus (WNV) into eastern Germany in 2018, increasing infections have been diagnosed in birds, equines, and humans over time, while the spread of WNV into western Germany remained unclear. We screened 437 equine sera from 2018 to 2020, excluding vaccinated horses, collected from convenience sampled patients in the eastern and western parts of Germany, for WNV-specific antibodies (ELISAs followed by virus/specific neutralization tests) and genomes (RT-qPCRs). Clinical presentations, final diagnoses, and demographic data were also recorded. In the eastern part, a total of eight horses were found WNV seropositive in 2019 (seroprevalence of 8.16%) and 27 in 2020 (13.77%). There were also two clinically unsuspected horses with WNV-specific antibodies in the western part from 2020 (2.63%), albeit travel history-related infections could not be excluded. None of the horse sera contained WNV-specific genomes. Eight horses in eastern Germany carried WNV-IgM antibodies, but only four of these showed typical clinical signs. These results underline the difficulty of detecting a WNV infection in a horse solely based on clinical signs. Thus, WNV circulation is established in the horse population in eastern Germany, but not yet in the western part

Dietary patterns are associated with serum metabolite patterns and their association Is influenced by gut bacteria among older German adults

Background: Although dietary intakes and dietary intake patterns (DPs) have been associated with single metabolites, it is unclear whether DPs are also reflected in specific metabolite patterns (MPs). Moreover, the influence of groups of gut bacteria on the relationship between DPs and MPs is underexplored. Objectives: We aimed to investigate the association of DPs and serum MPs and also the modifying effect of the gut bacteria compositional patterns (BCPs). Methods: This is a cross-sectional investigation among 225 individuals (median age: 63 y; 53% women) from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition study. Dietary intakes were assessed by three 24-h dietary recalls, gut bacteria composition was quantified by 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and the serum metabolome was profiled by an untargeted approach. We identified DPs and BCPs by the treelet transform analysis. We modeled associations between DPs and 8 previously published MPs and the modifying effect of BCPs by fitting generalized linear models using DataSHIELD R. Results: We identified 5 DPs and 7 BCPs. The “bread, margarine, and processed meat” and “fruiting vegetables and vegetable oils” DPs were positively associated with the “amino acids” (β = 0.35; 95% CI: 0.02, 0.69; P = 0.03) and “fatty acids” MPs (β = 0.45; 95% CI: 0.16, 0.74; P = 0.01), respectively. The “tea and miscellaneous” was inversely associated with the “amino acids” (β = −0.28; 95% CI: −0.52, −0.05; P = 0.02) and “amino acid derivatives” MPs (β = −0.21; 95% CI: −0.39, −0.02; P = 0.03). One BCP negatively modified the association between the “bread, margarine, and processed meat” DP and the “amino acids” MP (P-interaction = 0.01). Conclusions: In older German adults, DPs are reflected in MPs, and the gut bacteria attenuate 1 DP–MP association. These MPs should be explored as biomarkers of these jointly consumed foods while taking into account a potentially modifying role of the gut bacteria