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Now showing 1 - 6 of 6
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    Arrays of regenerated fiber bragg gratings in non-hydrogen-loaded photosensitive fibers for high-temperature sensor networks
    (Basel : MDPI, 2009) Lindner, E.; Chojetztki, C.; Brueckner, S.; Becker, M.; Rothhardt, M.; Vlekken, J.; Bartelt, H.
    We report about the possibility of using regenerated fiber Bragg gratings generated in photosensitive fibers without applying hydrogen loading for high temperature sensor networks. We use a thermally induced regenerative process which leads to a secondary increase in grating reflectivity. This refractive index modification has shown to become more stable after the regeneration up to temperatures of 600 °C. With the use of an interferometric writing technique, it is possible also to generate arrays of regenerated fiber Bragg gratings for sensor networks. © 2009 by the authors.
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    Increased biocompatibility and bioactivity after energetic PVD surface treatments
    (Basel : MDPI, 2009) Mändl, S.
    Ion implantation, a common technology in semiconductor processing, has been applied to biomaterials since the 1960s. Using energetic ion bombardment, a general term which includes conventional ion implantation plasma immersion ion implantation (PIII) and ion beam assisted thin film deposition, functionalization of surfaces is possible. By varying and adjusting the process parameters, several surface properties can be attuned simultaneously. Extensive research details improvements in the biocompatibility, mainly by reducing corrosion rates and increasing wear resistance after surface modification. Recently, enhanced bioactivity strongly correlated with the surface topography and less with the surface chemistry has been reported, with an increased roughness on the nanometer scale induced by self-organisation processes during ion bombardment leading to faster cellular adhesion processes. © 2009 by the authors;.
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    Pyrimidine acyclo-C-nucleosides by ring transformations of 2-formyl-L-arabinal
    (Basel : MDPI, 2005) Bari, A.; Feist, H.; Michalik, M.; Peseke, K.
    The protected 2-formyl-L-arabinal 2 reacted with thiourea and cyanamide in the presence of sodium hydride to afford via ring transformations the 5-[1R,2S-1,2-bis(benzyloxy)-3-hydroxypropyl]-1,2-dihydropyrimidines 3 and 4, respectively. Similarly, treatment of 2 with 3-amino-2H-1,2,4-triazole yielded 6-[1R,25-1,2-bis(benzyloxy)-3-hydroxypropyl][1,2,4]-triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine(5) .
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    Recent developments in peptide-based nucleic acid delivery
    (Basel : MDPI, 2008) Veldhoen, Sandra; Laufer, Sandra D.; Restle, Tobias
    Despite the fact that non-viral nucleic acid delivery systems are generally considered to be less efficient than viral vectors, they have gained much interest in recent years due to their superior safety profile compared to their viral counterpart. Among these synthetic vectors are cationic polymers, branched dendrimers, cationic liposomes and cellpenetrating peptides (CPPs). The latter represent an assortment of fairly unrelated sequences essentially characterised by a high content of basic amino acids and a length of 10-30 residues. CPPs are capable of mediating the cellular uptake of hydrophilic macromolecules like peptides and nucleic acids (e.g. siRNAs, aptamers and antisenseoligonucleotides), which are internalised by cells at a very low rate when applied alone. Up to now, numerous sequences have been reported to show cell-penetrating properties and many of them have been used to successfully transport a variety of different cargos into mammalian cells. In recent years, it has become apparent that endocytosis is a major route of internalisation even though the mechanisms underlying the cellular translocation of CPPs are poorly understood and still subject to controversial discussions. In this review, we will summarise the latest developments in peptide-based cellular delivery of nucleic acid cargos. We will discuss different mechanisms of entry, the intracellular fate of the cargo, correlation studies of uptake versus biological activity of the cargo as well as technical problems and pitfalls.
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    Advances for the topographic characterisation of SMC materials
    (Basel : MDPI, 2009) Calvimontes, A.; Grundke, K.; Müller, A.; Stamm, M.
    For a comprehensive study of Sheet Moulding Compound (SMC) surfaces, topographical data obtained by a contact-free optical method (chromatic aberration confocal imaging) were systematically acquired to characterise these surfaces with regard to their statistical, functional and volumetrical properties. Optimal sampling conditions (cut-off length and resolution) were obtained by a topographical-statistical procedure proposed in the present work. By using different length scales specific morphologies due to the influence of moulding conditions, metallic mould topography, glass fibre content and glass fibre orientation can be characterized. The aim of this study is to suggest a systematic topographical characterization procedure for composite materials in order to study and recognize the influence of production conditions on their surface quality. © 2009 by the authors.
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    Vehicle based laser range finding in crops
    (Basel : MDPI, 2009) Ehlert, Detlef; Adamek, Rolf; Horn, Hans-Juergen
    Laser rangefinders and laser scanners are widely used for industrial purposes and for remote sensing. In agriculture information about crop parameters like volume, height, and density can support the optimisation of production processes. In scientific papers the measurement of these parameters by low cost laser rangefinders with one echo has been presented for short ranges. Because the cross section area of the beam increases with the measuring range, it can be expected that laser rangefinders will have a reduced measuring accuracy in small sized crops and when measuring far distances. These problems are caused by target areas smaller than the beam and by the beam striking the edges of crop objects. Lab tests under defined conditions and a real field test were performed to assess the measuring properties under such difficult conditions of a chosen low cost sensor. Based on lab tests it was shown that the accuracy was reduced, but the successful use of the sensor under field conditions demonstrated the potential to meet the demands for agricultural applications. Insights resulting from investigations made in the paper contribute to facilitating the choice or the development of laser rangefinder sensors for vehicle based measurement of crop parameters for optimisation of production processes.