University of Duisburg-Essen

Time-differential perturbed angular correlation (TDPAC) spectroscopy is a nuclear solid-state technique that requires high energy and coincidence-time resolutions from scintillation crystals and photodetectors. Traditionally, photomultiplier tubes (PMTs) have been coupled to LaBr 3 :Ce crystals; however, they have been replaced by Multi Pixel Photon Counters (MPPCs) for TDPAC experiments conducted under external magnetic fields. In this report, we show that, for TDPAC spectroscopy, the performance of the LaBr 3 :Ce-MPPC detector remains stable under magnetic fields up to 8.5 T (in 1 T steps), as evidenced by the unchanged energy and coincidence-time resolutions of the 511 keV peaks from positron–electron (e + -e - ) annihilation in a sealed 22 Na calibration source.

Pornography use is common in the United States, and a subset of individuals develop problematic pornography use (PPU). Previous research often excluded abstainers, leading to potentially biased conclusions on the overall role of religion and moral beliefs in pornography research. This study tested whether religious identification and moral disapproval of pornography function as risk factors for PPU or resources for well-being when the full population is considered. We analyzed data from a census-matched sample of U.S. adults (n=2,806), using correlations, group comparisons, and hierarchical regressions to examine associations of religious identification and moral disapproval of pornography with sexual, romantic, and general life satisfaction, and suicidality. When including pornography-abstainers in analyses, moral disapproval and Judeo-Christian religious identification were unassociated with PPU, but linked to higher sexual, romantic, and general life satisfaction, and less suicidality. In contrast, PPU and pornography frequency were linked to lower satisfaction and more suicidality. Expanding analyses on the general population reframes the role of religion and morality in pornography research. Findings suggest that religion and moral disapproval may serve as protective resources for well-being and mental health. Further studies are needed to clarify the underlying mechanisms.

• Three novel custom-built in-situ setups for mechanistic studies of flame retardants • Detailed decomposition mechanisms of phosphoramidate flame retardant and transformation products • Transformation of phosphoramidates reduces their flame-retardant efficacy • Gaseous P(V) species do not form PO radicals • Substrate alters decomposition mechanism—PO radicals form exclusively on it Phosphorus-centered radicals such as PO • are often proposed as key species in gas-phase flame inhibition, yet their formation under realistic thermal decomposition conditions remains unclear. This uncertainty arises from the coupling of transport, pyrolysis, and mixing processes, as well as from fragmentation of radical ions in conventional mass spectrometry. Here, steady-state in situ 18 eV electron-ionization molecular-beam mass spectrometry is combined with TG–IR, thermogravimetric analysis, microcombustion calorimetry, standardized flame tests, and quantum-chemical/statistical-rate modeling to elucidate the mode of action of a tris-phosphoramidate flame retardant (TD). TD is studied neat and when applied to cotton, between 200 and 500°C. Control pyrolysis of triethyl phosphate (TEP) and diethyl phosphoramidate (DEPAm) is performed. Neat TD decomposes to TEP and ethene without forming PO radicals. In contrast, TD-coated cotton yields DEPAm, ethanol, and PO radicals above ∼400°C. Neither isolated TEP nor DEPAm forms PO • , and calculations show unimolecular PO • formation to be unfavorable. Removing TEP by brief curing worsens flame performance, and TG–IR/TGA/MCC indicate that formation of a cross-linked phosphorodiamidate network lowers condensed-phase acidity and FR-effectiveness. Thus, suggesting that PO • formation is substrate-mediated, most likely following bimolecular pathways involving substrate released radicals, without being the principal driver of FR-efficacy.

Permanent magnets containing rare earth elements are essential components for the electrification of society. Ce(Co 1-x Cu x ) 5 permanent magnets are a model system known for their substantial coercivity, yet the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Here, we investigate Ce(Co 0.8 Cu 0.2 ) 5.4 magnets with a coercivity of ∼1 T. Using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and atom probe tomography (APT), we identify a nanoscale cellular structure formed by spinodal decomposition. Cu-poor cylindrical cells (∼5-10 nm in diameter, ∼20 nm long) have a disordered CeCo 5 -type structure and a composition Ce(Co 0.9 Cu 0.1 ) 5.3 . Cu-rich cell boundaries are ∼ 5 nm thick and exhibit a modified CeCo 5 structure, with Cu ordered on the Co sites and a composition Ce(Co 0.7 Cu 0.3 ) 5.0 . Micromagnetic simulations demonstrate that the intrinsic Cu concentration gradients up to 12 at.% Cu/nm lead to a spatial variation in magnetocrystalline anisotropy and domain wall energy, resulting in effective pinning and high coercivity. Compared to Sm 2 Co 17 -type magnets, Ce(Co 0.8 Cu 0.2 ) 5.4 displays a finer-scale variation of conventional pinning with lower structural and chemical contrast in its underlying nanostructure. The identification of nanoscale chemical segregation in nearly single-phase Ce(Co 0.8 Cu 0.2 ) 5.4 magnets provides a microstructural basis for the long-standing phenomenon of "giant intrinsic magnetic hardness" in systems such as SmCo 5-x M x , highlighting avenues for designing rare-earth-lean permanent magnets via controlled nanoscale segregation.

High-throughput analysis is becoming increasingly important in liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry coupling to minimize downtime for efficient and cost-effective operations in the analytical laboratory. In response to this need, a dual ion source has been designed to provide two ionization modes under atmospheric conditions: electrospray ionization (ESI) and dielectric-barrier discharge (DBD)-based plasma. This dual ion source allows for the rapid switching of the ionization mode during a chromatographic run. Therefore, substances with different ionization behaviors can be detected within one measurement if their retention times differ. The performance of the dual ion source was evaluated using single- and multidimensional liquid chromatography coupled to a quadrupole-time-of-flight (Q-TOF) mass spectrometer and a structures for lossless ion manipulations ion mobility mass spectrometer to analyze mixed standards and real samples. Most notably, the dual ion source maintained strong ion signals and a stable performance while switching ionization modes during a run. Instrumental limits of detection reached down to the sub 1 nM range for both ESI and DBD. This work describes the design and construction of the dual ion source, which provides electrospray- and plasma-based ionization that can be switched within a chromatographic run.

Different coating processes have been used to improve the wear and erosion resistance of titanium alloys. Among other techniques, thermal oxidation, as a simple and environmentally friendly method, increases the surface and near-surface hardness and improves the tribological behavior of titanium alloys. Atmospheric heat treatment of titanium results in the formation of a hard oxygen diffusion layer (ODL) covered by a brittle titanium oxide. In this paper, the ultrasonic cavitation erosion behavior of ODL on the surface of commercially pure titanium is investigated. Following heat treatment at 900°C in an atmospheric furnace, the ODL surfaces were subjected to varying degrees of mechanical grinding to achieve target surface hardness levels of approximately 1000, 800, 600, 400, and 200 HV. Mass loss measurements revealed that the enhanced surface hardness of 1000 HV leads to higher mass loss during the initial stages of cavitation erosion. Conversely, reducing the surface hardness from 1000 HV to 800 HV resulted in a 90% decrease in mass loss compared to the untreated sample. SEM observations revealed limited spallation on the eroded surface, suggesting that ODL with a surface hardness of 800 HV achieved a favorable balance between high hardness and adequate ductility, thereby providing high resistance against cavitation erosion damage. Although the samples with a surface hardness of 600 HV and 400 HV showed improved cavitation resistance compared to untreated samples, these hardness levels exhibit significantly greater damage than samples with a surface hardness of 800 HV. • Excessive hardening (∼1000 HV) through ODL reduces cavitation erosion resistance of CP-Ti. • An ∼800 HV ODL improved erosion resistance by 90% compared with untreated Ti. • Lamellar structures exhibited lower hardness and erosion resistance than equiaxed grains.

Transactive response DNA binding protein 43 kDa (TDP-43) pathology, is a central molecular hallmark of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). However, the underlying triggers are incompletely understood. Here, we show that infection with herpes simplex virus (HSV) induces molecular hallmarks of ALS in various in vitro and in vivo models and is associated with an increased risk of ALS in human population data. German healthcare provider data (n = 238,440) and herpesvirus serology of an ALS patient and control cohort (n = 1,100) showed that HSV infection elevated the ALS risk by 210% and odds by ~65%, respectively. On a molecular level, HSV infection promoted TDP-43 pathology in neuronal cell models, human iPSC-derived motoneurons and cerebral organoids, mice, and human tissue sections. This effect was triggered by HSV-1 or 2, but not by several other related herpesviruses. Mechanistically, the infected cell protein 0 (ICP0) of HSV-1/2 drives TDP-43 pathology by disturbance of promyelocytic leukemia nuclear bodies (PML-NBs), thereby abrogating TDP-43 SUMO2/3ylation. Taken together, we reveal a previously unrecognized association between HSV infection and ALS and clarify the underlying molecular mechanism that drives TDP-43 pathology. Our data may guide future studies into therapeutic and prophylactic interventions against ALS.

Smartphone-based first responder alert systems are akey component of the chain of survival in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. In Germany, there are considerable regional differences in terms of qualification requirements and registration and approval processes. The impact of these barriers to access on the number of registered first responders has not yet been systematically investigated. Aretrospective secondary data analysis was performed based on freely available data. Ninety-nine regions with complete information on registration procedures, qualification requirements, and the number of registered first responders were included. In addition, the effect of voluntary 2 h short training courses on chest compressions on the subjective confidence of participants was examined in the Rheinisch-Bergisch district using asurvey. At the time of data collection, asmartphone-based first responder alert system had been implemented in 45% of emergency medical service areas. The average registration rate was 0.246% of the population. Regions with self-registration procedures had significantly higher registration rates than regions with formal registration (0.267% vs. 0.152%; p < 0.001). In two regions with self-declaration only and no verification of proof, rates of up to 0.489% were achieved. In the local case study, 2217 first responders were registered, 40% of whom had first aid qualifications only. The short training course was associated with asignificant increase in subjective safety. Low-threshold registration procedures are associated with higher registration rates in smartphone-based first responder alert systems. Accompanying short training courses can apparently increase the subjective confidence of first responders. Reducing formal barriers to access could help improve the availability of volunteer first responders. However, the effects of lower barriers to access on the psychological stress of first responders and on patient outcomes are unclear.

Adrenocortical neoplasm, oncocytic type (ACNO), known as adrenal oncocytoma, is a rare histologic subtype of adrenocortical neoplasms. Approximately one third of ACNOs are benign, 40% are borderline, and one fourth are malignant ([1][1]). Although benign and borderline ACNOs have a favorable