Synthesis and Characterization of Polymers with Phosphorus Side Chains

The development of novel (co)polymers with phosphorylated side chains via two different controlled/living polymerization approaches (RAFT, ROP) and their evaluation in terms of their flame retardant potential are reported. In this context, various alkyne phosphoric esters and phosphorylated epoxy monomers are developed via a novel synthetic route. To evaluate the flame retardant potential the polymeric flame retardant is integrated into various polymer systems and tested on the laboratory scale

Synthesis and Characterization of Polymers with Phosphorus Side Chains

The development of novel (co)polymers with phosphorylated side chains via two different controlled/living polymerization approaches (RAFT, ROP) and their evaluation in terms of their flame retardant potential are reported. In this context, various alkyne phosphoric esters and phosphorylated epoxy monomers are developed via a novel synthetic route. To evaluate the flame retardant potential the polymeric flame retardant is integrated into various polymer systems and tested on the laboratory scale

Established Companies meet Start-ups : Case: A service to research developing business models in start-up hot spots around the globe

This thesis presents a business model with the aim to improve conversation between traditional companies and newly established start-ups. The assumption that such conversation can be facilitated by scouting for innovation in start-up hot spots around the world, will be discussed throughout the paper. The purpose of this work is to lay out a plan which can be presented to a first range of possible customers, with the goal of negotiating a trial cooperation. Before introducing the business model, the foundations of lean start-ups and disruptive innovation are illustrated. To make the business idea comprehensible I am making use of the “Zip-per Structure”. Each part of the business model therefore starts with an introduction of theoretical backgrounds and practical insights from branch experts. This part is then followed with the implementation of my own business idea. For constructing the business plan I make use of both, the “Business Model Canvas” and “Value Proposition Canvas” To conclude, the challenges of establishing such business model are discussed. Finally, a range of first possible customers is introduced. Furthermore, developments and adjustments to the business idea are suggested. The thesis argues for the need of an external service, which established companies can use to identify innovative start-ups, in order to equip themselves for structural changes driven by the digital revolution

Synthetic double-stranded RNAs are adjuvants for the induction of t helper 1 and humoral immune responses to human papillomavirus in rhesus macaques

Toll-like receptor (TLR) ligands are being considered as adjuvants for the induction of antigen-specific immune responses, as in the design of vaccines. Polyriboinosinic-polyribocytoidylic acid (poly I:C), a synthetic double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), is recognized by TLR3 and other intracellular receptors. Poly ICLC is a poly I:C analogue, which has been stabilized against the serum nucleases that are present in the plasma of primates. Poly I:C12U, another analogue, is less toxic but also less stable in vivo than poly I:C, and TLR3 is essential for its recognition. To study the effects of these compounds on the induction of protein-specific immune responses in an animal model relevant to humans, rhesus macaques were immunized subcutaneously (s.c.) with keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) or human papillomavirus (HPV)16 capsomeres with or ithout dsRNA or a control adjuvant, the TLR9 ligand CpG-C. All dsRNA compounds served as adjuvants for KLH-specific cellular immune responses, with the highest proliferative responses being observed with 2 mg/animal poly ICLC (p = 0.002) or 6 mg/animal poly I:C12U (p = 0.001) when compared with immunization with KLH alone. Notably, poly ICLC-but not CpG-C given at the same dose-also helped to induce HPV16-specific Th1 immune responses while both adjuvants supported the induction of strong anti-HPV16 L1 antibody responses as determined by ELISA and neutralization assay. In contrast, control animals injected with HPV16 capsomeres alone did not develop substantial HPV16-specific immune responses. Injection of dsRNA led to increased numbers of cells producing the T cell-activating chemokines CXCL9 and CXCL10 as detected by in situ hybridization in draining lymph nodes 18 hours after injections, and to increased serum levels of CXCL10 (p = 0.01). This was paralleled by the reduced production of the homeostatic T cell-attracting chemokine CCL21. Thus, synthetic dsRNAs induce an innate chemokine response and act as adjuvants for virus-specific Th1 and humoral immune responses in nonhuman primates

Car-oriented mean-field theory for traffic flow models

We present a new analytical description of the cellular automaton model for single-lane traffic. In contrast to previous approaches we do not use the occupation number of sites as dynamical variable but rather the distance between consecutive cars. Therefore certain longer-ranged correlations are taken into account and even a mean-field approach yields non-trivial results. In fact for the model with $v_{max}=1$ the exact solution is reproduced. For $v_{max}=2$ the fundamental diagram shows a good agreement with results from simulations.Comment: LaTex, 10 pages, 2 postscript figure

Identification and characterisation of a new multidrug resistance protein at the blood brain barrier

Identifizierung und Charakterisierung eines neuen Multidrug Resistance Proteins an der Blut-Hirn-Schranke (BHS) Die BHS kontrolliert die Passage endogener und xenobiotischer Substanzen zwischen Blut und Interstitialflüssigkeit im Gehirn. In serum-freien und Hydrocortison supplementierten Medium zeigen porcine Hirnkapillarendothelzellen einen ausgeprägten BHS Phänotyp. Nach differentiellem Screening einer subtrahierten cDNA Bank haben wir uns auf ein Gen focussiert, welches durch Hydrocortison fünf-fach hochreguliert ist. Die Sequenzanalyse hat gezeigt, dass das Genprodukt aus einer hydrophilen N-terminalen ABC-Domäne und einer hydrophoben C-terminalen Transmembrandomäne mit sechs a-Helices besteht. Aufgrund hoher Homologie zu dem humanen Breast Cancer Resistance Protein haben wir es Brain Multidrug Resistance Protein benannt. BMDP ist sehr viel stärker an der Blut-Hirn-Schranke exprimiert als P-glycoprotein und Multidrug Resistance associated Protein 1 und spielt daher möglicherweise eine wichtigere Rolle. Im Rahmen dieser Dissertation wurden die Expression und Lokalisation sowie die Transporteigenschaften von BMDP umfangreich charakterisiert