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This article is based on intra- and interdisciplinary explorative research on contemplating art with a religious theme in the context of clinical pastoral care. The study, done in a rehabilitation hospital in Bavaria, Germany, explores the emotions, feelings, and thoughts aroused by contemplating on Rembrandt's painting, The return of the prodigal son. It includes guided observations of the painting, voluntary feedback on forms, and eight interviews on what could be observed under the aspects of self-reflection, identification, and reorientation. Aspects of aesthetics, biography, religion, and emotion are also observed. The evaluation of the aesthetic reception shows two types of reactions, namely identification with a person or a theme of the painting. It is observed that self-reflection, an important factor for reorientation during the process of clinical pastoral care, is present in all interviewees. Each interviewee presents an individual characteristic related to their life situation. Core themes corresponding to the painting's content are guilt, forgiveness, mercy, and reorientation. The practice of contemplation on paintings with a religious theme, using methods common in the social sciences and empirical theology, represents one possibility among many in the field of clinical pastoral care. The study provides new information on the therapeutic possibilities of creative experiences, by contemplating on paintings that can be explored further. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article addresses the challenge of teaching theory to people who view theorising sceptically. This is often the case in the context of leadership trainings. In this article, I critically analyse the trivialisation of leadership, often based on success stories, and offer seven methods to include theory in leadership classes, namely electing students; reversing the order: practice-theory instead of theorypractice; creating aha experiences with theory; selecting "good" theory; pointing out the benefit of a special theory; viewing theories as eye-glasses, and suggesting eyeglasses from different disciplines. I then argue, first, that leadership theory is needed, because real leadership is nontrivial and, secondly, that we need to teach more than one leadership theory, in order to encourage critical thinking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phosphorus-doped silicon nanopowder from a gas phase process was compacted by DC-current sintering in order to obtain thermoelectrically active, nanocrystalline bulk silicon. A density between 95% and 96% compared to the density of single crystalline silicon was achieved, while preserving the nanocrystalline character with an average crystallite size of best 25 nm. As a native surface oxidation of the nanopowder usually occurs during nanopowder handling, a focus of this work is on the role of oxygen on microstructure and transport properties of the nanocomposite. A characterization with transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed that the original core/shell structure of the nanoparticles was not found within the sintered nanocomposites. Two different types of oxide precipitates could be identified by energy filtered imaging technique. For a detailed analysis, 3-dimensional tomography with reconstruction was done using a needle-shaped sample prepared by focused ion beam (FIB). The 3-dimensional distribution of silicon dioxide precipitates confirmed that the initial core/shell structure breaks down and precipitates are formed. It is further found that residual pores are exclusively located within oxide precipitates. Thermoelectric characterization was done on silicon nanocomposites sintered between 960 °C and 1060 °C with varying oxygen content between room temperature and 950 °C. The higher sintering temperature led to a better electrical activation of the phosphorus dopant. The oxidic precipitates support densification and seem to be able to reduce the thermal conductivity therefore enhancing thermoelectric properties. A peak figure of merit, zT, of 0.5 at 950 °C was measured for a sample sintered at 1060 °C with a mean crystallite size of 46 nm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Silica (SiO2)-derived nanoadsorbents are a powerful and attractive tool for the extraction and separation of rare earth elements (REE) from many perspectives such as reusability, efficiency and minimum impact on the environment. In the present work, we investigated two different methods of adsorption down to the molecular level: (1) the mechanism of the coordination of different groups of REE (light, medium, heavy) with iminodiacetic acid (IDA) was revealed by exploiting models obtained from X-ray crystallography, explaining the selectivity of this type of ligand, and (2) the mechanism of the seeding of RE(OH)3 initiated by SiO2-based nanoadsorbents was investigated by EXAFS, both individually and in combination with mechanism (1), showing the coexistence of both mechanisms. The REE loaded nanoadsorbents possess a high magnetic susceptibility. This property was studied by magnetometry to quantify the REE adsorption efficiency and compared with the values obtained from complexometry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An overview of the conference of CIS countries 'Sol-Gel Synthesis and Investigation of Inorganic Compounds, Functional Hybrid Materials, and Disperse Systems' (Sol-Gel 2014) held in the town Suzdal in September 2014, is presented. Graphical Abstract: [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanocomposite dermal drug delivery systems based on cellulose nanofibers with grafted titania nanoparticles loaded by two antibiotic medicines from different classes, i.e. tetracycline (TC) and phosphomycin (Phos), were successfully produced by a “green chemistry” approach in aqueous media. The influence of a different surface binding mechanism between the drug molecule and modified cellulose nanofibers on the release of the drug and, as a result, on antimicrobial properties against common pathogens Gram-positive, Staphylococcus aureus and Gram-negative Escherichia coli was investigated. The disk diffusion method and broth culture tests using varying concentrations of drugs loaded to nanocomposites were carried out to investigate the antibacterial effects. The influence of UV irradiation on the stability of the obtained nanocomposites and their antibacterial properties after irradiation were also investigated, showing enhanced stability especially for the TC loaded materials. These findings suggest that the obtained nanocomposites are promising materials for the development of potentially useful antimicrobial patches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, new efficient drug delivery systems based on cellulose nanofiber–titania nanocomposites grafted with three different types of model drugs such as diclofenac sodium, penicillamine-D and phosphomycin were successfully synthesized and displayed distinctly different controlled long-term release profiles. Three different methods of medicine introduction were used to show that various interactions between TiO2 and drug molecules could be used to control the kinetics of long-term drug release. All synthesis reactions were carried out in aqueous media. The morphology, chemical structure and properties of the obtained materials were characterized by SEM, TEM and AFM microscopy, nanoparticle tracking analysis, X-ray diffraction, and TGA analysis. According to FT-IR and UV-Vis spectroscopy data, the titania binds to cellulose nanofibers via formation of ester bonds and to drug molecules via formation of surface complexes. The drug release kinetics was studied in vitro for diclofenac sodium and penicillamine-D spectrophotometrically and for phosphomycin using a radio-labeling analysis with 33P-marked ATP as a model phosphate-anchored biomolecule. The results demonstrated that the obtained nanocomposites could potentially be applied in transdermal drug delivery for anesthetics, analgesics and antibiotics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A single-step hydrothermal synthesis of a TiO2--Mil-125 composite was applied for the first time to produce a depleted perovskite/TiO2--MOF heterojunction solar cell with 6.4% power conversion efficiency (PCE), characterized by durable stability in air. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Magnetically retrievable formulations of urease potentially promising for biomedical and environmental applications were constructed by immobilization of the enzyme on the surface of magnetite nanoparticles functionalized by siloxane layers with active thiol or thiol-and-alkyl moieties. The latter were deposited using a hydrolytic polycondensation reaction of tetraethoxysilane with either 3-mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane, or with 3-mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane and methyltriethoxysilane, or alternatively n-propyltriethoxysilane. Immobilization of urease was carried out in different ways for comparison: by adsorption, by entrapment during the hydrolytic polycondensation reaction, or by covalent bonding. For entrapment the enzyme was introduced into solution before functionalization of the magnetite. Entrapment bound high amounts of enzyme (more than 700 mg per g of carrier), but its activity was decreased compared to the native form to between 18 and 10%. In the case of covalent binding of urease using Ellman's Reagent, binding of the enzyme was almost as efficient as in the case of entrapment but its residual activity was 75%. The residual activity of urease immobilized by adsorption on the surface of thiol-functionalized particles was truly high as compared to that of the native enzyme (97%), but binding was significantly less efficient (46%). Introduction of alkyl functions permitted increase of the amounts of the adsorbed enzyme but its activity was somewhat decreased. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new high temperature thermoelectric device concept using large area nanostructured silicon p-type and n-type ( PN) junctions is presented. In contrast to conventional thermoelectric generators, where the n-type and p-type semiconductors are connected electrically in series and thermally in parallel, we experimentally demonstrate a device concept in which a large area PN junction made from highly doped densified silicon nanoparticles is subject to a temperature gradient parallel to the PN interface. In the proposed device concept, the electrical contacts are made at the cold side eliminating the hot side substrate and difficulties that go along with high temperature electrical contacts. This concept allows temperature gradients greater than 300 K to be experimentally applied with hot side temperatures larger than 800 K. Electronic properties of the PN junctions and power output characterizations are presented. A fundamental working principle is discussed using a particle network model with temperature and electric fields as variables, and which considers electrical conductivity and thermal conductivity according to Fourier's law, as well as Peltier and Seebeck effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Magnetically retrievable formulations of urease potentially promising for biomedical and environmental applications were constructed by immobilization of the enzyme on the surface of magnetite nanoparticles functionalized by siloxane layers with active thiol or thiol-and-alkyl moieties. The latter were deposited using a hydrolytic polycondensation reaction of tetraethoxysilane with either 3-mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane, or with 3-mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane and methyltriethoxysilane, or alternatively n-propyltriethoxysilane. Immobilization of urease was carried out in different ways for comparison: by adsorption, by entrapment during the hydrolytic polycondensation reaction, or by covalent bonding. For entrapment the enzyme was introduced into solution before functionalization of the magnetite. Entrapment bound high amounts of enzyme (more than 700 mg per g of carrier), but its activity was decreased compared to the native form to between 18 and 10%. In the case of covalent binding of urease using Ellman's Reagent, binding of the enzyme was almost as efficient as in the case of entrapment but its residual activity was 75%. The residual activity of urease immobilized by adsorption on the surface of thiol-functionalized particles was truly high as compared to that of the native enzyme (97%), but binding was significantly less efficient (46%). Introduction of alkyl functions permitted increase of the amounts of the adsorbed enzyme but its activity was somewhat decreased. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-temperature-stable thermoelectric generator modules (TGMs) based on nanocrystalline silicon have been fabricated, characterized by the Harman technique, and measured in a generator test facility at the German Aerospace Center. Starting with highly doped p- and n-type silicon nanoparticles from a scalable gas-phase process, nanocrystalline bulk silicon was obtained using a current-activated sintering technique. Electrochemical plating methods were employed to metalize the nanocrystalline silicon. The specific electrical contact resistance ρ of the semiconductor-metal interface was characterized by a transfer length method. Values as low as ρ < 1 × 10 Ω cm were measured. The device figure of merit of a TGM with 64 legs was approximately ZT = 0.13 at 600°C as measured by the Harman technique. Using a generator test facility, the maximum electrical power output of a TGM with 100 legs was measured to be roughly 1 W at hot-side temperature of 600°C and cold-side temperature of 300°C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The anodic dissolution of tin metal in absolute alcohols yields oxoalkoxides with the general formula Sn6O4(OR)4 (R = Me ( 1), Et ( 2), i-Pr ( 3)) and orthoalkoxides with the general formula Sn(OR)2 (R = n-Bu ( 4), C2H4OMe ( 5)). According to X-ray crystallographic data, the molecule of Sn6O4(OEt)4 ( 2) is an octahedral [Sn6] cluster with alternating oxo and OEt groups on its faces. The mass spectra of 1 and 2 indicate the presence of fragments of the hexanuclear oxoalkoxides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bimetal alkoxo complexes of rhenium, niobium, and tantalum with the general formula M4O2(OR)14(ReO4)2, where M = Nb or Ta and R = Me or Et, were prepared in ∼80% yield by reacting niobium or tantalum alkoxide M(OR)5 (R = Me or Et) with rhenium heptoxide Re2O7 in toluene. Comparative analysis of the molecular structures of the complexes was carried out by means of single-crystal X-ray diffraction and IR spectroscopy. The effect of the organic ligand and crystallization temperature on the geometry of the perrhenate group was studied. The solubility of the aforementioned alkoxo complexes in organic solvents increases with increasing hydrocarbon chain length of the ligand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Adaptation of ventilator settings to the individual's respiratory system mechanics requires information about the pressure-volume relationship and the change of compliance which is dependent on inflated volume. Unfortunately, established methods of obtaining this information are invasive and time-consuming, and, therefore, not well suited for clinical routine. We propose a new standardized diagnostic concept based on the recently developed slice method. This multiple linear regression method (MLR) determines volume-dependent respiratory system compliance (CSLICE) within the tidal volume (VT) during ongoing mechanical ventilation. The impact of a ventilator strategy, recommended by a consensus conference, on the course of compliance within VT was investigated in patients with the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) or acute lung injury (ALI).¶ Design: Prospective observational study.¶ Setting: Intensive care unit of a university hospital.¶ Patients: 14 ARDS patients, 2 patients with ALI.¶ Interventions: None.¶ Measurements and results: After measurement of flow and airway pressure and calculation of tracheal pressure, CSLICE was determined. The resulting course of CSLICE within VT was estimated using a mathematical algorithm. CSLICE data were compared to those obtained by standard MLR. We found decreasing CSLICE mainly in the upper part of VT in all patients. In 7 patients, we found an additional increasing CSLICE mainly in the lower part of VT.¶ Conclusions: CSLICE was not constant in patients with ARDS/ALI whose lungs were ventilated according to consensus conference recommendations. The proposed diagnostic concept may serve as a new tool to obtain a standardized estimation of respiratory system compliance within VT non-invasively without interfering with ongoing mechanical ventilation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The direct electrochemical synthesis of zirconium ( 1a) and hafnium ( 1b) alkoxides, M(OPr)·PrOH, Zr(OBu)·BuOH ( 4a) and M(OR), where R=Et ( 2a,b), Bu ( 3a), Bu ( 5a), CHOMe ( 6a,b) has been carried out by anodic oxidation of metals in anhydrous alcohols in the presence of LiCl as a conductive additive to give quantitative yields. The solubility polytherms and dissociation pressure of 1a,b have been investigated. It has been proved by means of chemical analysis, X-ray powder, and IR spectral studies that the desolvation of 1a,b and Sn(OPr)·PrOH ( 1c) is accompanied by the formation of amorphous oxocompounds MO(OPr). On the basis ofH NMR data it has been proved that the structure of the latter is analogous to that of known triangular cluster molecules M(μ-O)(μ-OR)(μ-OR)(OR), where M=Mo, W, U. Mass-spectral data and the determined physicochemical characteristics of 1-5 permit to conclude that the samples of composition M(OR), where M=Zr, Hf, and 2, 3, 5 contain tri- and tetranuclear oxocomplexes MO(OR) and MO(OR) respectively, along with Zr(OR) oligomers of different molecular complexity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Acute obstruction of endotracheal tubes (ETT) increases airway pressure, decreases tidal volume, increases the risk of dynamic hyperinflation by prolonging the duration of passive expiration, and prevents reliable calculation of tracheal pressure. We propose a computer-assisted method for detecting ETT obstruction during controlled mechanical ventilation. The method only requires measurement of the expiratory flow. Design: Computer simulation; prospective study in two cases; retrospective study in one case and in seven patients with the adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Setting: Laboratory of the Section of Experimental Anaesthesiology (University of Freiburg); surgical adult intensive care units in a university hospital (University of Basel) and in a university affiliated hospital (Zentralklinikum Augsburg). Patients: 3 patients with partial ETT or bronchial obstructions and 7 ARDS patients. Measurements and results: Expiratory flow was measured using a pneumotachograph and integrated to obtain expiratory volume. The time-constant of passive expiration ( τ E) as a function of expired volume [ τ E(VE) function] was calculated from the expiratory volume/flow curve. We investigated the τ E(VE) function of data obtained from: (1) computer simulation of mechanically ventilated homogeneous and inhomogeneous lungs intubated with ETTs of different sizes; (2) one patient with an artificial ETT obstruction of 7.5 and 25 % of the cross-sectional area of the ETT (case 1); (3) one patient with ETT obstruction due to secretions (case 2); (4) one patient with acute bronchial constriction (case 3); (5) seven ARDS patients who showed an increase in airway resistance of more than 2 cm H2O · s/l. It was found that an ETT obstruction caused an increase in τ E in early expiration (at high flow), whereas τ E in late expiration was virtually unchanged. The reason for this is the flow dependency of the increase in ETT resistance produced by ETT obstruction. Unlike ETT obstruction, an increase in pure airway resistance produced an increase in τ E throughout expiration. Conclusions: An ETT obstruction can be reliably distinguished from an increase in pure airway resistance by a characteristic pattern change in the τ E(VE) function, which can be detected easily even by an automated pattern recognition system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This note describes the construction and engineering of a high precision Harman set-up for metrology of the thermoelectric figure of merit (ZT) of modules and materials based on steady state AC and DC measurements. The Harman technique presented in this article has a resolution of milli-ZT and it does not employ lock-in amplifiers or AC bridges; rather, the technique is developed to avoid typical complications experienced in AC Harman systems. By one-time reference measurements the best operation point for the system is chosen, minimizing the effects of capacitive loads due to AC signals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The hydrolysis of solutions, containing either LiMo2O4(OPr i )5( i PrOH) and “La(OPr i )3” or LiOPr i and La2Mo4O8(OPr i )14 in 1∶1 ratio, in toluene or i PrOH, by water solutions in isopropanol, leads to formation of monolythic gels. The latter can be converted by drying and heat treatment at 600°C into a fine powder of pure α-LiLaMo2O8 phase, which is transformed into β-LiLaMo2O8 powder by annealing at 800°C. The sintering of the pellets pressed under 4 bar pressure of α-LiLaMo2O8 powder at 800°C for 2 h converts them into pieces of β-LiLaMo2O8 transparent ceramics, thus providing a route to LiLnMo2O8 laser waveguide materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel use of Titania nanoparticles as agents in the nano interface interaction between a beneficial plant growth promoting bacterium (Bacillus amyloliquefaciens UCMB5113) and oilseed rape plants (Brassica napus) for protection against the fungal pathogen Alternaria brassicae is presented. Two different TiO2 nanoparticle material were produced by the Sol-Gel approach, one using the patented Captigel method and the other one applying TiBALDH precursor. The particles were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray diffraction, dynamic light scattering and nano particle tracking analysis. Scanning electron microscopy showed that the bacterium was living in clusters on the roots and the combined energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis revealed that titanium was present in these cluster formations. Confocal laser scanning microscopy further demonstrated an increased bacterial colonization of Arabidopsis thaliana roots and a semi-quantitative microscopic assay confirmed an increased bacterial adhesion to the roots. An increased amount of adhered bacteria was further confirmed by quantitative fluorescence measurements. The degree of infection by the fungus was measured and quantified by real-time-qPCR. Results showed that Titania nanoparticles increased adhesion of beneficial bacteria on to the roots of oilseed rape and protected the plants against infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]