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    Optical, electrical and chemical properties of PEO:I2 complex composite films
    (Heidelberg [u.a.] : Springer, 2022) Telfah, Ahmad; Al-Bataineh, Qais M.; Tolstik, Elen; Ahmad, Ahmad A.; Alsaad, Ahmad M.; Ababneh, Riad; Tavares, Carlos J.; Hergenröder, Roland
    Synthesized PEO:I2 complex composite films with different I2 concentrations were deposited onto fused silica substrates using a dip-coating method. Incorporation of PEO films with I2 increases the electrical conductivity of the composite, reaching a maximum of 46 mS/cm for 7 wt% I2. The optical and optoelectronic properties of the complex composite films were studied using the transmittance and reflectance spectra in the UV-Vis region. The transmittance of PEO decreases with increasing I2 content. From this study, the optical bandgap energy decreases from 4.42 to 3.28 eV as I2 content increases from 0 to 7 wt%. In addition, the refractive index for PEO films are in the range of 1.66 and 2.00.1H NMR spectra of pure PEO film shows two major peaks at 3.224 ppm and 1.038 ppm, with different widths assigned to the mobile polymer chains in the amorphous phase, whereas the broad component is assigned to the more rigid molecules in the crystalline phase, respectively. By adding I2 to the PEO, both peaks (amorphous and crystal) are shifted to lower NMR frequencies indicating that I2 is acting as a Lewis acid, and PEO is acting as Lewis base. Hence, molecular iodine reacts favorably with PEO molecules through a charge transfer mechanism, and the formation of triiodide (I3-), the iodite (IO2-) anion, I 2· · · PEO and I2+···PEO complexes. PEO:I2 complex composite films are expected to be suitable for optical, electrical, and optoelectronic applications.
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    Geophysical investigation of a freshwater lens on the island of Langeoog, Germany – Insights from combined HEM, TEM and MRS data
    (Amsterdam [u.a.] : Elsevier Science, 2017) Costabel, Stephan; Siemon, Bernhard; Houben, Georg; Günther, Thomas
    A multi-method geophysical survey, including helicopter-borne electromagnetics (HEM), transient electromagnetics (TEM), and magnetic resonance sounding (MRS), was conducted to investigate a freshwater lens on the North Sea island of Langeoog, Germany. The HEM survey covers the entire island and gives an overview of the extent of three freshwater lenses that reach depths of up to 45 m. Ground-based TEM and MRS were conducted particularly on the managed western lens to verify the HEM results and to complement the lithological information from existing boreholes. The results of HEM and TEM are in good agreement. Salt- and freshwater-bearing sediments can, as expected, clearly be distinguished due to their individual resistivity ranges. In the resistivity data, a large transition zone between fresh- and saltwater with a thickness of up to 20 m is identified, the existence of which is verified by borehole logging and sampling. Regarding lithological characterisation of the subsurface, the MRS method provides more accurate and reliable results than HEM and TEM. Using a lithological index derived from MRS water content and relaxation time, thin aquitard structures as well as fine and coarse sand aquifers can be distinguished. Complementing the existing borehole data with the lithology information estimated from MRS, we generate a map showing the occurrence of aquitard structures, which significantly improves the hydrogeological model of the island. Moreover, we demonstrate that the estimates of groundwater conductivity in the sand aquifers from geophysical data are in agreement with the fluid conductivity measured in the boreholes.
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    A discussion of the cell voltage during discharge of an intercalation electrode for various C-rates based on non-equilibrium thermodynamics and numerical simulations
    (Bristol : IOP Publishing, 2020) Landstorfer, Manuel
    In this work we discuss the modeling procedure and validation of a non-porous intercalation half-cell during galvanostatic discharge. The modeling is based on continuum thermodynamics with non-equilibrium processes in the active intercalation particle, the electrolyte, and the common interface where the intercalation reaction Li+ + e- ↔ Li occurs. The model is in detail investigated and discussed in terms of scalings of the non-equilibrium parameters, i.e. the diffusion coefficients DA and DE of the active phase and the electrolyte, conductivity sA and sE of both phases, and the exchange current density e0L, with numerical solutions of the underlying PDE system. The current density i as well as all non-equilibrium parameters are scaled s with respect to the 1-C current density iC A of the intercalation electrode. We compute then numerically the cell voltage E as function of the capacity Q and the C-rate Ch. Within a hierarchy of approximations we provide computations of E(Q) for various scalings of the diffusion coefficients, the conductivities and the exchange current density. For the later we provide finally a discussion for possible concentration dependencies. © The Author(s) 2019. Published by ECS.
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    Methane prediction based on individual or groups of milk fatty acids for dairy cows fed rations with or without linseed
    (New York, NY [u.a.] : Elsevier, 2019) Engelke, Stefanie W.; Daş, Gürbüz; Derno, Michael; Tuchscherer, Armin; Wimmers, Klaus; Rychlik, Michael; Kienberger, Hermine; Berg, Werner; Kuhla, Björn; Metges, Cornelia C.
    Milk fatty acids (MFA) are a proxy for the prediction of CH4 emission from cows, and prediction differs with diet. Our objectives were (1) to compare the effect of diets on the relation between MFA profile and measured CH4 production, (2) to predict CH4 production based on 6 data sets differing in the number and type of MFA, and (3) to test whether additional inclusion of energy-corrected milk (ECM) yield or dry matter intake (DMI) as explanatory variables improves predictions. Twenty dairy cows were used. Four diets were used based on corn silage (CS) or grass silage (GS) without (L0) or with linseed (LS) supplementation. Ten cows were fed CS-L0 and CS-LS and the other 10 cows were fed GS-L0 and GS-LS in random order. In feeding wk 5 of each diet, CH4 production (L/d) was measured in respiration chambers for 48 h and milk was analyzed for MFA concentrations by gas chromatography. Specific CH4 prediction equations were obtained for L0-, LS-, GS-, and CS-based diets and for all 4 diets collectively and validated by an internal cross-validation. Models were developed containing either 43 identified MFA or a reduced set of 7 groups of biochemically related MFA plus C16:0 and C18:0. The CS and LS diets reduced CH4 production compared with GS and L0 diets, respectively. Methane yield (L/kg of DMI) reduction by LS was higher with CS than GS diets. The concentrations of C18:1 trans and n-3 MFA differed among GS and CS diets. The LS diets resulted in a higher proportion of unsaturated MFA at the expense of saturated MFA. When using the data set of 43 individual MFA to predict CH4 production (L/d), the cross-validation coefficient of determination (R2 CV) ranged from 0.47 to 0.92. When using groups of MFA variables, the R2 CV ranged from 0.31 to 0.84. The fit parameters of the latter models were improved by inclusion of ECM or DMI, but not when added to the data set of 43 MFA for all diets pooled. Models based on GS diets always had a lower prediction potential (R2 CV = 0.31 to 0.71) compared with data from CS diets (R2 CV = 0.56 to 0.92). Models based on LS diets produced lower prediction with data sets with reduced MFA variables (R2 CV = 0.62 to 0.68) compared with L0 diets (R2 CV = 0.67 to 0.80). The MFA C18:1 cis-9 and C24:0 and the monounsaturated FA occurred most often in models. In conclusion, models with a reduced number of MFA variables and ECM or DMI are suitable for CH4 prediction, and CH4 prediction equations based on diets containing linseed resulted in lower prediction accuracy. © 2019 American Dairy Science Association
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    Theoretical Prediction of a Giant Anisotropic Magnetoresistance in Carbon Nanoscrolls
    (Washington, DC : ACS Publ., 2017-4-12) Chang, Ching-Hao; Ortix, Carmine
    Snake orbits are trajectories of charge carriers curving back and forth that form at an interface where either the magnetic field direction or the charge carrier type are inverted. In ballistic samples, their presence is manifested in the appearance of magnetoconductance oscillations at small magnetic fields. Here we show that signatures of snake orbits can also be found in the opposite diffusive transport regime. We illustrate this by studying the classical magnetotransport properties of carbon tubular structures subject to relatively weak transversal magnetic fields where snake trajectories appear in close proximity to the zero radial field projections. In carbon nanoscrolls, the formation of snake orbits leads to a strongly directional dependent positive magnetoresistance with an anisotropy up to 80%.
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    The influence of partial replacement of Cu with Ga on the corrosion behavior of Ti40Zr10Cu36PD14 metallic glasses
    (Bristol : IOP Publishing, 2019) Wei, Qi; Gostin, Petre Flaviu; Addison, Owen; Reed, Daniel; Calin, Mariana; Bera, Supriya; Ramasamy, Parthiban; Davenport, Alison
    TiZrCuPdGa metallic glasses are under consideration for small dental biomedical implants. There is interest in replacing some of the Cu with Ga to improve the glass-forming ability and biocompatibility. Ti40Zr10Cu36-xPd14Gax (x = 0, 1, 2, 4, 8 and 10 at.%) metallic glasses in rod and ribbon forms were fabricated by mould casting and melt spinning, respectively, and electrochemically tested in a 0.9wt.% NaCl (0.154 M) solution. It has been shown that for both rod and ribbon samples Ga levels up to 8% have no significant effect on passive current density, pitting potential or cathodic reactivity in 0.9% NaCl at 37°C. Different pitting potential and corrosion potential values were found when ribbon and rod samples of the same composition were compared for all compositions apart from the one containing the highest Ga level (10%). This was attributed to structural relaxation occurring as a result of the slower cooling rates during casting rods compared with melt-spinning ribbons. Substitution of Ga for Cu in these metallic glasses therefore expected to have no significant effect on corrosion susceptibility. © The Author(s) 2019.
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    Electrical and melt rheological characterization of PC and co-continuous PC/SAN blends filled with CNTs: Relationship between melt-mixing parameters, filler dispersion, and filler aspect ratio
    (Hoboken, NJ [u.a.] : Wiley, 2018) Liebscher, Marco; Domurath, Jan; Krause, Beate; Saphiannikova, Marina; Heinrich, Gert; Pötschke, Petra
    Electrical and melt rheological properties of melt-mixed polycarbonate (PC) and co-continuous PC/poly(styrene–acrylonitrile) (SAN) blends with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are investigated. Using two sets of mixing parameters, different states of filler dispersion are obtained. With increasing CNT dispersion, an increase in electrical resistivity near the percolation threshold of PC–CNT composites and (PC + CNT)/SAN blends is observed. This suggests that the higher mixing energies required for better dispersion also result in a more severe reduction of the CNT aspect ratio; this effect was proven by CNT length measurements. Melt rheological studies show higher reinforcing effects for composites with worse dispersion. The Eilers equation, describing the melt viscosity as function of filler content, was used to fit the data and to obtain information about an apparent aspect ratio change, which was in accordance with measured CNT length reduction. Such fitting could be also transferred to the blends and serves for a qualitatively based discussion. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals
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    Primarily tests of a optoelectronic in-canopy sensor for evaluation of vertical disease infection in cereals
    (New York, NY : Wiley, 2022) Dammer, Karl-Heinz; Schirrmann, Michael
    BACKGROUND: Health scouting of crops by satellite, airplanes, unmanned aerial (UAV) and ground vehicles can only evaluate the crop from above. The visible leaves may show no disease symptoms, but lower, older leaves not visible from above can do. A mobile in-canopy sensor was developed, carried by a tractor to detect diseases in cereal crops. Photodiodes measure the reflected light in the red and infrared wavelength range at 10 different vertical heights in lateral directions. RESULTS: Significant differences occurred in the vegetation index NDVI of sensor levels operated inside and near the winter wheat canopy between infected (stripe rust: 2018, 2019 / leaf rust: 2020) and control plots. The differences were not significant at those sensor levels operated far above the canopy. CONCLUSIONS: Lateral reflectance measurements inside the crop canopy are able to distinguish between disease-infected and healthy crops. In future mobile in-canopy scouting could be an extension to the common above-canopy scouting praxis for making spraying decisions by the farmer or decision support systems. © 2021 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
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    Subsequent treatment of leafy vegetables with low doses of UVB-radiation does not provoke cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, or oxidative stress in a human liver cell model
    (Amsterdam [u.a.] : Elsevier, 2021) Wiesner-Reinhold, Melanie; Dutra Gomes, João Victor; Herz, Corinna; Tran, Hoai Thi Thu; Baldermann, Susanne; Neugart, Susanne; Filler, Thomas; Glaab, Johannes; Einfeldt, Sven; Schreiner, Monika; Lamy, Evelyn
    Ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation in low but ecological-relevant doses acts as a regulator in the plant's secondary metabolism. This study investigates the effect of UVB radiation from light-emitting diodes (LEDs) [peak wavelength of (290 ± 2) nm] on the biosynthesis of health-promoting secondary plant metabolites (carotenoids, phenolic compounds, and glucosinolates) of green and red leafy vegetables of Lactuca sativa, Brassica campestris, and Brassica juncea followed by evaluation of potential adverse effects in a human liver cell model. UVB radiation led to a significant increase in individual secondary plant metabolites, especially of phenolic compounds and glucosinolates, e.g. alkenyl glucosinolate content. Kaempferol und quercetin glycoside concentrations were also significantly increased compared to untreated plants. The plant extracts from Lactuca sativa, Brassica campestris, and Brassica juncea were used to assess cytotoxicity (WST-1 assay and trypan blue staining), genotoxicity (Comet assay), and production of reactive oxygen species (EPR) using metabolically competent human-derived HepG2 liver cells. No adverse effects in terms of cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, or oxidative stress were detected in an extract concentration ranging from 3.125 to 100 μg ml−1. Notably, only at very high concentrations were marginal cytostatic effects observed in extracts from UVB-treated as well as untreated plants. In conclusion, the application of UVB radiation from LEDs changes structure-specific health-promoting secondary plant metabolites without damaging the plants. The treatment did not result in adverse effects at the human cell level. Based on these findings, UVB LEDs are a future alternative, promising light source to replace currently commonly used high-pressure sodium lamps in greenhouses.
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    Phonon-Assisted Two-Photon Interference from Remote Quantum Emitters
    (Washington, DC : ACS Publ., 2017-6-7) Reindl, Marcus; Jöns, Klaus D.; Huber, Daniel; Schimpf, Christian; Huo, Yongheng; Zwiller, Val; Rastelli, Armando; Trotta, Rinaldo
    Photonic quantum technologies are on the verge of finding applications in everyday life with quantum cryptography and quantum simulators on the horizon. Extensive research has been carried out to identify suitable quantum emitters and single epitaxial quantum dots have emerged as near-optimal sources of bright, on-demand, highly indistinguishable single photons and entangled photon-pairs. In order to build up quantum networks, it is essential to interface remote quantum emitters. However, this is still an outstanding challenge, as the quantum states of dissimilar “artificial atoms” have to be prepared on-demand with high fidelity and the generated photons have to be made indistinguishable in all possible degrees of freedom. Here, we overcome this major obstacle and show an unprecedented two-photon interference (visibility of 51 ± 5%) from remote strain-tunable GaAs quantum dots emitting on-demand photon-pairs. We achieve this result by exploiting for the first time the full potential of a novel phonon-assisted two-photon excitation scheme, which allows for the generation of highly indistinguishable (visibility of 71 ± 9%) entangled photon-pairs (fidelity of 90 ± 2%), enables push-button biexciton state preparation (fidelity of 80 ± 2%) and outperforms conventional resonant two-photon excitation schemes in terms of robustness against environmental decoherence. Our results mark an important milestone for the practical realization of quantum repeaters and complex multiphoton entanglement experiments involving dissimilar artificial atoms.