Spray congealing for immobilization of biocatalysts

Spray congealing was investigated as new innovative immobilization technique for biocatalysts. The immobilization is realized by an atomization of a suspension or emulsion of a melted carrier and the enzyme, which is re-solidifyed due to temperature decrease. This method needs neither organic solvents nor a difficult downstream processing after preparation. For the encapsulation different matrices, like long chain alcohols and glyceryl derivatives, with melting points below 86 °C and environmentally friendly properties were chosen and tested for their suitability for enzyme encapsulation. Spray congealing is widely used for pharmaceutically active ingredients, but has not been described for enzymes so far [1]. The immobilization of a laccase, (Novozym 51003, from Myceliophthora thermophila), was investigated and the produced microparticles were characterized. The obtained particles showed a mean particle size around 40 µm and a spherical surface with different structures depending on the used matrix. Spray congealing with the laccase reached yields of 80 % and residual activities up to 56%. Furthermore 4 consecutive reactions with 20% retained activity of in cetyl alcohol immobilized enzyme were realized. Cetyl alcohol was found to be the most appropriate carrier for the immobilization of the investigated laccase, due to an easy handling and high yields. In addition, the best retained activities were obtained and a recycling of the biocatalyst could be realized [2]. Please click Additional Files below to see the full abstract

LT3 Drive: substitution of differentials in the drivetrain

The basic principle of the LT3 drive system is a planetary gearing with a rotatable ring gear. Rolling piston cylinders enable this rotation by acting on the cam disk shaped outside of the ring gear which fix or loosen the ring gear accordingly. By fixing the ring gear via the cylinders the gear ratio corresponds to the normal mechanical ratio of the gearing which is given by the combination of the planet gears and the ring gear. By loosening the ring gear completely there is no more power transmission to the carrier; hence, the carrier doesn’t rotate anymore. In between, the rotational speed can be adjusted continuously between 0 and the maximum speed within only a few milliseconds, “online”, as it were, depending on the compensatory need. The technology was verified by the chair of Mobile Machines (Mobima) at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology. During the current second development process, the controlling of the system via high pressure components was elaborated. Furthermore, LT3 was designed for high torques up to 8,000 Nm. A feasibility study for heavy-duty vehicles was completed successfully in 2016. The LT3 technology thereupon was ‘downsized’ for smaller systems. Possible applications for LT3 are all systems where synchronisation functions or to allow a superposition of the rotation speeds are necessary, especially with the objective to substitute the differential gear in electric vehicles with central motor. In today’s differential gears advanced driver-assistance systems normally intervene by brake action on the critical wheel. However, LT3 enables a planned control of each driven wheel. With that, active Torque Vectoring is possible which can operate foresightedly in every driving situation. Saving potential mainly in production is the result of using the LT3 system. Viscous coupling unit or Haldex unit as well as Torsen differential are dropped. Also, the ASR assistant is no longer needed. In E-mobility application, mainly in small vehicles, space could be used in a better way or rather the packaging could be designed more favourable because the LT3 drive takes two functions at once: speed reduction of the motor and differential compensation of the driven wheels

Moon Shadow by Cosmic Rays under the Influence of Geomagnetic Field and Search for Antiprotons at Multi-TeV Energies

We have observed the shadowing of galactic cosmic ray flux in the direction of the moon, the so-called moon shadow, using the Tibet-III air shower array operating at Yangbajing (4300 m a.s.l.) in Tibet since 1999. Almost all cosmic rays are positively charged; for that reason, they are bent by the geomagnetic field, thereby shifting the moon shadow westward. The cosmic rays will also produce an additional shadow in the eastward direction of the moon if cosmic rays contain negatively charged particles, such as antiprotons, with some fraction. We selected 1.5 x10^{10} air shower events with energy beyond about 3 TeV from the dataset observed by the Tibet-III air shower array and detected the moon shadow at $\sim 40 \sigma$ level. The center of the moon was detected in the direction away from the apparent center of the moon by 0.23$^\circ$ to the west. Based on these data and a full Monte Carlo simulation, we searched for the existence of the shadow produced by antiprotons at the multi-TeV energy region. No evidence of the existence of antiprotons was found in this energy region. We obtained the 90% confidence level upper limit of the flux ratio of antiprotons to protons as 7% at multi-TeV energies.Comment: 13pages,4figures; Accepted for publication in Astroparticle Physic

Characterisation of S. aureus/MRSA CC1153 and review of mobile genetic elements carrying the fusidic acid resistance gene fusC

While many data on molecular epidemiology of MRSA are available for North America, Western Europe and Australia, much less is known on the distribution of MRSA clones elsewhere. Here, we describe a poorly known lineage from the Middle East, CC1153, to which several strains from humans and livestock belong. Isolates were characterised using DNA microarrays and one isolate from the United Arab Emirates was sequenced using Nanopore technology. CC1153 carries agr II and capsule type 5 genes. Enterotoxin genes are rarely present, but PVL is common. Associated spa types include t504, t903 and t13507. PVL-positive CC1153-MSSA were found in Egyptian cattle suffering from mastitis. It was also identified among humans with skin and soft tissue infections in Saudi Arabia, France and Germany. CC1153-MRSA were mainly observed in Arabian Gulf countries. Some isolates presented with a previously unknown SCCmec/SCCfus chimeric element in which a mec B complex was found together with the fusidic acid resistance gene fusC and accompanying genes including ccrA/B-1 recombinase genes. Other isolates carried SCCmec V elements that usually also included fusC. Distribution and emergence of CC1153-MRSA show the necessity of molecular characterization of MRSA that are resistant to fusidic acid. These strains pose a public health threat as they combine resistance to beta-lactams used in hospitals as well as to fusidic acid used in the community. Because of the high prevalence of fusC-positive MRSA in the Middle East, sequences and descriptions of SCC elements harbouring fusC and/or mecA are reviewed. When comparing fusC and its surrounding regions from the CC1153 strain to available published sequences, it became obvious that there are four fusC alleles and five distinct types of fusC gene complexes reminiscent to the mec complexes in SCCmec elements. Likewise, they are associated with different sets of ccrA/B recombinase genes and additional payload that might include entire mec complexes or SCCmec elements

In-situ-Prozesse für hybride Strukturbauteile in Leichtbauweise

Ziel der vorliegenden Arbeit ist die Entwicklung eines neuartigen Ferti-gungsprozesses für hochfunktionalisierte Strukturbauteile in PFH-Technologie. Eigens für die Verarbeitung von FKV-Profilen wird das IHU/Spritzgießverfahren grundlegend analysiert und die einzelnen Pro-zessstufen durch den Einsatz geeigneter Prozessmedien und -parametrierungen modifiziert. Mit Hilfe umfangreicher analytischer und numerischer Berechnungen sowie erfolgreicher Umsetzung eines neuar-tigen Temperierungskonzeptes lassen sich erstmals FKV-Profile ohne den Einsatz von Barriereschichten, endkonturnah und reproduzierbar in seriellen Taktzeiten umformen. Zudem ist somit eine Funktionalisierung mittels Spritzgießen und ein gesamtheitliches Beherrschen des Hybrid-prozesses gegeben. Ein Vergleich der Verbindungsfestigkeiten mit hyb-riden Referenzbauteilen beweist, dass sich durch die stoffschlüssige Anbindung zeit- und kostenintensive Vorbehandlungen einsparen und gleichzeitig höhere Verbundqualitäten erzielen lassen. Um das PFH-Strukturbauteil mit montagegerechten Verbindungsschnittstellen zu werkstofflich andersgearteten Multimaterialstrukturen zu versehen, dient ein eigens entwickeltes prozesskomplementäres In-situ-Integrationsverfahren. Abschließend ist ein allgemeiner methodischer Ansatz für den technologischen Transfer und Adaption systematisch aufgeschlüsselt, sodass sich die einzelnen Entwicklungspfade nachvoll-ziehen lassen.:1 Einleitung 2 Zielsetzung 3 Stand der Wissenschaft und Technik 4 Anforderungen an einen faserverbund-gerechten IHU/Spritzgießprozess 5 Prozessentwicklung und Validierung 6 In-situ-Integrationsprozess für metallische Inserts 7 Konfiguration einer seriellen Fertigungstechnologie 8 Zusammenfassung und Ausblick AnhängeThe goal of this thesis is the development of a new production technol-ogy for highly functional lightweight structural parts. Therefor the hy-droforming supported overmolding process was chosen as a suiting manufacturing process. By usage of analytical and numerical calcula-tions as well as adapting a new kind of temperature distribution con-cept, the new Polymer-FRP-Hbyrid-Technology is enabled to manufac-ture frp-profile based structural components without the need for a barrier layer. The final product possesses its’s final shape already and has no need for further machining processes. A comparison with state-of-the-art metal-plastic-hybrid bonding systems shows a way higher value for the new technology due to the adhesive bond between the tape and injection molding polymer. Furthermore, the technology was enhanced with a process implemented insert joining process. Finally, a methodical approach for the technology transfer is presented.:1 Einleitung 2 Zielsetzung 3 Stand der Wissenschaft und Technik 4 Anforderungen an einen faserverbund-gerechten IHU/Spritzgießprozess 5 Prozessentwicklung und Validierung 6 In-situ-Integrationsprozess für metallische Inserts 7 Konfiguration einer seriellen Fertigungstechnologie 8 Zusammenfassung und Ausblick Anhäng

In-situ-Prozesse für hybride Strukturbauteile in Leichtbauweise

Ziel der vorliegenden Arbeit ist die Entwicklung eines neuartigen Ferti-gungsprozesses für hochfunktionalisierte Strukturbauteile in PFH-Technologie. Eigens für die Verarbeitung von FKV-Profilen wird das IHU/Spritzgießverfahren grundlegend analysiert und die einzelnen Pro-zessstufen durch den Einsatz geeigneter Prozessmedien und -parametrierungen modifiziert. Mit Hilfe umfangreicher analytischer und numerischer Berechnungen sowie erfolgreicher Umsetzung eines neuar-tigen Temperierungskonzeptes lassen sich erstmals FKV-Profile ohne den Einsatz von Barriereschichten, endkonturnah und reproduzierbar in seriellen Taktzeiten umformen. Zudem ist somit eine Funktionalisierung mittels Spritzgießen und ein gesamtheitliches Beherrschen des Hybrid-prozesses gegeben. Ein Vergleich der Verbindungsfestigkeiten mit hyb-riden Referenzbauteilen beweist, dass sich durch die stoffschlüssige Anbindung zeit- und kostenintensive Vorbehandlungen einsparen und gleichzeitig höhere Verbundqualitäten erzielen lassen. Um das PFH-Strukturbauteil mit montagegerechten Verbindungsschnittstellen zu werkstofflich andersgearteten Multimaterialstrukturen zu versehen, dient ein eigens entwickeltes prozesskomplementäres In-situ-Integrationsverfahren. Abschließend ist ein allgemeiner methodischer Ansatz für den technologischen Transfer und Adaption systematisch aufgeschlüsselt, sodass sich die einzelnen Entwicklungspfade nachvoll-ziehen lassen.:1 Einleitung 2 Zielsetzung 3 Stand der Wissenschaft und Technik 4 Anforderungen an einen faserverbund-gerechten IHU/Spritzgießprozess 5 Prozessentwicklung und Validierung 6 In-situ-Integrationsprozess für metallische Inserts 7 Konfiguration einer seriellen Fertigungstechnologie 8 Zusammenfassung und Ausblick AnhängeThe goal of this thesis is the development of a new production technol-ogy for highly functional lightweight structural parts. Therefor the hy-droforming supported overmolding process was chosen as a suiting manufacturing process. By usage of analytical and numerical calcula-tions as well as adapting a new kind of temperature distribution con-cept, the new Polymer-FRP-Hbyrid-Technology is enabled to manufac-ture frp-profile based structural components without the need for a barrier layer. The final product possesses its’s final shape already and has no need for further machining processes. A comparison with state-of-the-art metal-plastic-hybrid bonding systems shows a way higher value for the new technology due to the adhesive bond between the tape and injection molding polymer. Furthermore, the technology was enhanced with a process implemented insert joining process. Finally, a methodical approach for the technology transfer is presented.:1 Einleitung 2 Zielsetzung 3 Stand der Wissenschaft und Technik 4 Anforderungen an einen faserverbund-gerechten IHU/Spritzgießprozess 5 Prozessentwicklung und Validierung 6 In-situ-Integrationsprozess für metallische Inserts 7 Konfiguration einer seriellen Fertigungstechnologie 8 Zusammenfassung und Ausblick Anhäng

In-situ-Prozesse für hybride Strukturbauteile in Leichtbauweise

Ziel der vorliegenden Arbeit ist die Entwicklung eines neuartigen Ferti-gungsprozesses für hochfunktionalisierte Strukturbauteile in PFH-Technologie. Eigens für die Verarbeitung von FKV-Profilen wird das IHU/Spritzgießverfahren grundlegend analysiert und die einzelnen Pro-zessstufen durch den Einsatz geeigneter Prozessmedien und -parametrierungen modifiziert. Mit Hilfe umfangreicher analytischer und numerischer Berechnungen sowie erfolgreicher Umsetzung eines neuar-tigen Temperierungskonzeptes lassen sich erstmals FKV-Profile ohne den Einsatz von Barriereschichten, endkonturnah und reproduzierbar in seriellen Taktzeiten umformen. Zudem ist somit eine Funktionalisierung mittels Spritzgießen und ein gesamtheitliches Beherrschen des Hybrid-prozesses gegeben. Ein Vergleich der Verbindungsfestigkeiten mit hyb-riden Referenzbauteilen beweist, dass sich durch die stoffschlüssige Anbindung zeit- und kostenintensive Vorbehandlungen einsparen und gleichzeitig höhere Verbundqualitäten erzielen lassen. Um das PFH-Strukturbauteil mit montagegerechten Verbindungsschnittstellen zu werkstofflich andersgearteten Multimaterialstrukturen zu versehen, dient ein eigens entwickeltes prozesskomplementäres In-situ-Integrationsverfahren. Abschließend ist ein allgemeiner methodischer Ansatz für den technologischen Transfer und Adaption systematisch aufgeschlüsselt, sodass sich die einzelnen Entwicklungspfade nachvoll-ziehen lassen.:1 Einleitung 2 Zielsetzung 3 Stand der Wissenschaft und Technik 4 Anforderungen an einen faserverbund-gerechten IHU/Spritzgießprozess 5 Prozessentwicklung und Validierung 6 In-situ-Integrationsprozess für metallische Inserts 7 Konfiguration einer seriellen Fertigungstechnologie 8 Zusammenfassung und Ausblick AnhängeThe goal of this thesis is the development of a new production technol-ogy for highly functional lightweight structural parts. Therefor the hy-droforming supported overmolding process was chosen as a suiting manufacturing process. By usage of analytical and numerical calcula-tions as well as adapting a new kind of temperature distribution con-cept, the new Polymer-FRP-Hbyrid-Technology is enabled to manufac-ture frp-profile based structural components without the need for a barrier layer. The final product possesses its’s final shape already and has no need for further machining processes. A comparison with state-of-the-art metal-plastic-hybrid bonding systems shows a way higher value for the new technology due to the adhesive bond between the tape and injection molding polymer. Furthermore, the technology was enhanced with a process implemented insert joining process. Finally, a methodical approach for the technology transfer is presented.:1 Einleitung 2 Zielsetzung 3 Stand der Wissenschaft und Technik 4 Anforderungen an einen faserverbund-gerechten IHU/Spritzgießprozess 5 Prozessentwicklung und Validierung 6 In-situ-Integrationsprozess für metallische Inserts 7 Konfiguration einer seriellen Fertigungstechnologie 8 Zusammenfassung und Ausblick Anhäng

Does postoperative radiation therapy impact survival in non-metastatic sarcomatoid renal cell carcinoma? A SEER-based study

The effect of adjuvant radiation therapy on survival in sarcomatoid renal cell carcinoma (sRCC) with no evidence of distant metastasis remains unclear. Subjects diagnosed with non-metastatic sRCC were identified using the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) (2004-2012) database and divided into groups based on their surgical treatment (ST): no surgery or radiation therapy (NSR); partial nephrectomy (PNE); radical nephrectomy with ureterectomy and bladder cuff resection (RNE + UE + BLAD); and radical nephrectomy (RNE). Certain radical nephrectomy cases also received adjuvant external-beam radiation therapy (RNE + RAD). The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate overall survival (OS). A multivariable competing risks regression analysis was used to calculate disease-specific survival (DSS) probability and to determine factors associated with cause-specific mortality (CSM). A total of 408 patients were included in this study. The 5-year OS and predicted DSS were significantly higher in the patients who underwent STs (i.e., PNE, RNE + UE + BLAD, RNE, and RNE + RAD) (20.1-54.0 and 20.1-59.9 %, respectively) than in the NSR group (9.0 and 11.6 %, respectively) (P < 0.001). ST was independently associated with a decreased CSM (P < 0.0001). No significant differences in OS or the 1-, 3-, or 5-year DSS probabilities between the RNE and RNE + RAD groups were observed. RNE + RAD was not significantly associated with a decrease in 1-year CSM [subhazard ratio (SHR) 0.95; 95 % CI 0.23-3.96; P = 0.947]. Adjuvant external-beam radiation therapy did not increase OS in non-metastatic sRCC patients