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Mixed-species forests can provide higher levels of ecosystem functions and services and can be more resistant and resilient in the face of global change. While many studies focus on the growth and yield of mixed forests, fewer have examined the underlying processes. Inter- or intra-specific differences and interactions influence tree- and stand-level light absorption by determining the vertical structure of stratified canopies, stand density, leaf area index, and the size or allometry of trees. While canopy light absorption is a very important process, it is difficult to quantify it for individual species within a mixture and is rarely examined. A detailed tree-level model (MAESTRA) was used in combination with measurements of tree sizes and stand structures to examine effects of mixing on absorbed photosynthetically active radiation (APAR) in 41–63-year-old stands of Pseudotsuga menziesii and Fagus sylvatica at three sites in Bavaria, Germany. The effects of initial stand density on APAR were analysed in 46-year-old P. menziesii stands of a spacing experiment at two sites. At the tree level, mixing increased mean height and leaf area, growth (185% higher) and APAR (85% higher) of P. menziesii at all sites. Mean tree heights and crown sizes of F. sylvatica were larger in mixtures, while recent growth rates and APAR were not significantly different to monocultures. Planting density did not influence mean tree variables (e.g. height, leaf area, crown volume), because any initial spacing effects had been gradually removed by thinning across all treatments. At the stand level, there were no differences in growth, basal area or in the annual growth per annual APAR (light use efficiency, LUE) between monocultures and mixtures. The highest APAR values were observed in P. menziesii monocultures, while the lowest APAR values were observed in F. sylvatica monocultures. While mixing these species may not increase stand-level growth during later phases of development, mixing accelerated initial growth of individual trees and reduced the time to reach target diameters, which are both important aspects in adapting forests to global change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a new aerosol extinction profile retrieval algorithm for multi-axis differential optical absorption spectrometer (MAX-DOAS) measurements at high-altitude sites. The algorithm is based on the lookup table method. It is applied to retrieve aerosol extinction profiles from the long-term MAX-DOAS measurements (February 2012 to February 2016) at the Environmental Research Station Schneefernerhaus (UFS), Germany (47.417 ∘ N, 10.980 ∘ E), which is located near the summit of Zugspitze at an altitude of 2650 m. The lookup table consists of simulated O4 differential slant column densities (DSCDs) corresponding to numerous possible aerosol extinction profiles. The sensitivities of O4 absorption to several parameters were investigated for the design and parameterization of the lookup table. In the retrieval, simulated O4 DSCDs for each possible profile are derived by interpolating the lookup table to the observation geometries. The cost functions are calculated for each aerosol profile in the lookup table based on the simulated O4 DSCDs, the O4 DSCD observations, and the measurement uncertainties. Valid profiles are selected from all the possible profiles according to the cost function, and the optimal solution is defined as the weighted mean of all the valid profiles. A comprehensive error analysis is performed to better estimate the total uncertainty. Based on the assumption that the lookup table covers all possible profiles under clear-sky conditions, we determined a set of O4 DSCD scaling factors for different elevation angles and wavelengths. The profiles retrieved from synthetic measurement data can reproduce the synthetic profile. The results also show that the retrieval is insensitive to measurement noise, indicating the retrieval is robust and stable. The aerosol optical depths (AODs) retrieved from the long-term measurements were compared to coinciding and co-located sun photometer observations. High correlation coefficients (R) of 0.733 and 0.798 are found for measurements at 360 and 477 nm, respectively. However, especially in summer, the sun photometer AODs are systematically higher than the MAX-DOAS retrievals by a factor of ∼2. The discrepancy might be related to the limited measurement range of the MAX-DOAS and is probably also related to the decreased sensitivity of the MAX-DOAS measurements at higher altitudes. The MAX-DOAS measurements indicate the aerosol extinction decreases with increasing altitude during all seasons, which agrees with the co-located ceilometer measurements. Our results also show maximum AOD and maximum Ångström exponent in summer, which is consistent with observations at an AERONET station located ∼43 km from the UFS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this work is to develop a novel simultaneous in vitro dissolution - in situ perfusion system (SDPS) as a potential tool to evaluate the in vivo performance of solid oral formulation in rat. The innovative nitrendipine (NTD) tablet of Bayotensin mite® made in Germany was used as reference listed drug (RLD), and five generic products from Chinese market were compared with RLD using the in vitro dissolution test method specified by the orange book and the SDPS method developed in this study. Four self-prepared NTD tablets with different proportions of microcrystalline cellulose/starch were employed to investigate the discriminatory ability of the SDPS for formulation. In addition, the predictivity of the SDPS in relation to data from in vivo pharmaceutics studies was evaluated. The 45-min dissolution test and multiple-pH dissolution profiles of generic product 1 and 2 have no difference compared with the RLD, but their dissolution profiles from the SDPS showed statistically significant differences. A biexponential formula successfully described the concentration profiles of self-prepared formulations in SDPS experiments. The k dis (0.08 ± 0.01 ∼ 0.2 ± 0.03 min−1) and k a (about 2.30 × 10−3 min−1) values calculated by the formulas of F1-F3 suggested that the used excipients had no effect on the intestinal absorption of NTD, and it might be the property of active pharmaceutical ingredient that led to the difference among the generics. Furthermore, the in vivo rat pharmacokinetics study results of F1-F3 showed a good correlation (R2 = 0.99) with the SDPS data. In summary, the SDPS is a promising tool to detect the unexpected quality changes of pharmaceutical products in weakly regulated markets, facilitate formulation screening, and potentially reduce animal testing for estimating the in vivo absorption behavior of solid oral formulations. The absorption performance of generic drugs in vivo should be further investigated. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Important topics in land–atmosphere (L–A) feedback research are water and energy balances and heterogeneities of fluxes at the land surface and in the atmospheric boundary layer (ABL). To target these questions, the Land–Atmosphere Feedback Observatory (LAFO) has been installed in southwestern Germany. The instrumentation allows comprehensive and high-resolution measurements from the bedrock to the lower free troposphere. Grouped into three components, atmosphere, soil and land surface, and vegetation, the LAFO observation strategy aims for simultaneous measurements in all three compartments. For this purpose the LAFO sensor synergy contains lidar systems to measure the atmospheric key variables of humidity, temperature and wind. At the land surface, eddy covariance stations are operated to record the energy distribution of radiation, sensible, latent and ground heat fluxes. Together with a water and temperature sensor network, the soil water content and temperature are monitored in the agricultural investigation area. As for vegetation, crop height, leaf area index and phenological growth stage values are registered. The observations in LAFO are organized into operational measurements and intensive observation periods (IOPs). Operational measurements aim for long time series datasets to investigate statistics, and we present as an example the correlation between mixing layer height and surface fluxes. The potential of IOPs is demonstrated with a 24 h case study using dynamic and thermodynamic profiles with lidar and a surface layer observation that uses the scanning differential absorption lidar to relate atmospheric humidity patterns to soil water structures. Both IOPs and long-term observations will provide new insight into exchange processes and their statistics for improving the representation of L–A feedbacks in climate and numerical weather prediction models. The lidar component in particular will support the investigation of coupling to the atmosphere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Impact of the equivalent sound absorption area on the sound insulation The sound insulation, expressed with the characteristic measure R'w, is used in Germany to describe the sound insulation. The metrological determination is carried out according to DIN EN ISO 16283 Part 1, whereby the separating surface is standardised with the equivalent sound absorption area. The equivalent sound absorption area is determined by measuring the reverberation time in the receiving room. DIN EN ISO 16283‐1 requires the use of Sabine's reverberation formula to calculate the equivalent sound absorption area. For rooms with larger equivalent sound absorption areas, the use of Eyring's reverberation formula has generally proven its worth. The influence of the determination of the equivalent sound absorption area by means of the reverberation formula according to Eyring is shown by theoretical consideration as well as by measurement results. It has been shown that the application of Eyring's reverberation formula results in a higher sound insulation value by up to 1 dB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SME's are integral pillars in ladder of innovation. Due to their proximity to end users and their flexibility, they are credited with the creation of ground level product and process innovations in their local and world markets. SMEs absorption of innovations is significantly assisted by the entrepreneurial environment, globalization tendencies, rapidly changing technological issues of the environment as well as other determinants. However, depending on the industry, determinants of innovation affects each firm differently depending on the type of innovation considered. The goal of this research is therefore, to analyse what determinants influence the innovation activities of small and medium enterprises across three different German industries, namely, in the Electrical, Chemical and Pharmaceutical and the Metal Industry. Results from the SMEs were compared against themselves as well as SMEs from the three considered industries. This paper used data from the Community Innovation Survey (2010-2012) which employed stratified sampling technique with surveys. Logistic regression tool was used to analyse the impact of certain activities and expenditures, information and competitive strategies on product on process innovation. The research eventually discovered that the determinants influencing product and process innovations in selected enterprises varied according to the size of enterprise analysed. It was proposed that small enterprises should primarily focus on In-house R&D and acquisition of capital assets whilst medium size enterprises would be best served in concentrating on training for innovative activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Chronic beryllium disease (CBD), a granulomatous disease with similarities to sarcoidosis, arises only in individuals exposed to beryllium. Inhaled beryllium can elicit a T-cell-dominated alveolitis leading nonnecrotizing granulomata. CBD can be distinguished from sarcoidosis by demonstrating beryllium sensitization in a lymphocyte proliferation test.Research Question: Beryllium exposure usually occurs in an occupational setting. Because of the diagnosis of CBD in a patient without evident beryllium exposure, we performed a beryllium-lymphocyte proliferation test (BeLPT) among his work colleagues.Study Design and Methods: This field study investigated a cohort of work colleagues without obvious beryllium exposure. Twenty-one of 30 individuals were assessed in our outpatient clinic for beryllium sensitization. Therefore, BeLPT was performed with freshly collected peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Data were extracted from clinical charts, including geographical data. Beryllium content in dust samples collected at the workplace was measured by graphite-furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy and was compared with samples from different areas of Germany.Results: For the initial patient, the diagnosis of sarcoidosis was reclassified as CBD based on two positive BeLPT results. Assessment of his workplace did not identify a source of beryllium. However, BeLPTs performed on his workmates demonstrated beryllium sensitization in 5 of 21 individuals, suggesting a local beryllium source. Concrete dust obtained from the building yard, the workplace of the index patient, contained high amounts of beryllium (1138 ± 162 μg/kg), whereas dust from other localities (control samples) showed much lower beryllium content (range, 147 ± 18-452 ± 206 μg/kg). Notably, the control dust collected from different places all over Germany exhibit different beryllium concentrations.Interpretation: We describe a cluster of beryllium-sensitized workers from an industry not related to beryllium caused by environmental exposure to beryllium-containing concrete dust, which exhibited markedly elevated beryllium content. Importantly, analyses of dust samples collected from different localities showed that they contain markedly different amounts of beryllium. Thus, besides workplace-related exposure, environmental factors also are capable of eliciting a beryllium sensitization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, frequency-dependent seismic scattering and intrinsic attenuation parameters for the crustal structure beneath the W-Bohemia/Vogtland swarm earthquake region close to the border of Czech Republic and Germany are estimated. Synthetic seismogram envelopes are modelled using elastic and acoustic radiative transfer theory. Scattering and absorption parameters are determined by fitting these synthetic envelopes to observed seismogram envelopes from 14 shallow local events from the October 2008W-Bohemia/Vogtland earthquake swarm. The two different simulation approaches yield similar results for the estimated crustal parameters and show a comparable frequency dependence of both transport mean free path and intrinsic absorption path length. Both methods suggest that intrinsic attenuation is dominant over scattering attenuation in the W-Bohemia/Vogtland region for the investigated epicentral distance range and frequency bands from 3 to 24 Hz. Elastic simulations of seismogram envelopes suggest that forward scattering is required to explain the data, however, the degree of forward scattering is not resolvable. Errors in the parameter estimation are smaller in the elastic case compared to results from the acoustic simulations. The frequency decay of the transport mean free path suggests a random medium described by a nearly exponential autocorrelation function. The fluctuation strength and correlation length of the random medium cannot be estimated independently, but only a combination of the parameters related to the transport mean free path of the medium can be computed. Furthermore, our elastic simulations show, that using our numerical method, it is not possible to resolve the value of the mean free path of the random medium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clear-cuts of forests severely affect soil structure and thus soil organic matter (SOM) and nutrient cycling dynamics therein, though with yet unknown consequences for SOM composition as well as phosphorus (P) and sulfur (S) chemical form within the soil microaggregate size fraction. To determine the effects of conventional clear-cutting on soil chemistry in a Cambisol of the Wüstebach Forest (northwestern Germany), we sampled the mineral A- and B-horizons prior to clear-cut as well as 10 and 24 month thereafter. We measured the SOM composition of soil microaggregates using pyrolysis field ionization mass spectrometry (Py-FIMS), as well as P and S chemical form and speciation using wet-chemical extractions and X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy. We found that clear-cut led to an increase of the microaggregate size fraction up to 6% due to break-down of macroaggregates and initially significantly increased total elemental concentrations (C, N, P, S) due to the introduction of slash-residues. The SOM of slash-residues consisted to a substantial amount of sterols and was generally found to be of low thermal stability and probably did not contribute to aggregate stability. Deterioration of the aggregate structure probably led to an exposure of originally inaccessible sites within aggregates to the attack by soil microorganisms and thus to an increased P and S turnover as reflected in a significantly reduction of available P proportions (4 to 7%) and a reduction of the most reduced S forms (5%). A probable increased microbial activity and contribution to SOM after clear-cut is also reflected in the significantly increasing hexose:pentose ratio by 0.25 between 10 and 24 month after clear-cut, significantly increasing the general thermal stability of SOM in the microaggregate size fraction and believed to contribute to aggregate stability. This indicated that a first deterioration of the aggregate structure after clear-cut might in the long-term be remediated with time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evidence suggests a correlation between the gut microbiota composition and weight loss caused by caloric restriction. Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG), a surgical intervention for obesity, is classified as predominantly restrictive procedure. In this study we investigated functional weight loss mechanisms with regard to gut microbial changes and energy harvest induced by LSG and a very low calorie diet in ten obese subjects (n=5 per group) demonstrating identical weight loss during a follow-up period of six months. For gut microbiome analysis next generation sequencing was performed and faeces were analyzed for targeted metabolomics. The energy-reabsorbing potential of the gut microbiota decreased following LSG, indicated by the Bacteroidetes/Firmicutes ratio, but increased during diet. Changes in butyrate-producing bacterial species were responsible for the Firmicutes changes in both groups. No alteration of faecal butyrate was observed, but the microbial capacity for butyrate fermentation decreased following LSG and increased following dietetic intervention. LSG resulted in enhanced faecal excretion of nonesterified fatty acids and bile acids. LSG, but not dietetic restriction, improved the obesity-associated gut microbiota composition towards a lean microbiome phenotype. Moreover, LSG increased malabsorption due to loss in energy-rich faecal substrates and impairment of bile acid circulation. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01344525. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urbanization, industrialization, and intensification of agriculture have led to considerable heavy metal pollution across the globe, harming our ecosystems. Concentrations of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), and lead (Pb) have been analysed in 249 eggshells collected between 2006 and 2021 from 83 female Common Cranes (Grus grus) nesting within north-eastern Germany. Information on the presence of trace elements in cranes from Europe and their potential adverse effects on the reproduction are largely missing. Only Cu and Pb were found to be present in eggshell samples. Levels of both metals did not exceed concentrations considered potentially toxic in birds and unhatched eggs did not contain higher metal concentrations compared to eggshell residues from hatched eggs. Statistical analysis revealed that trace element concentrations decreased significantly over the course of the study period. The ban of leaded gasoline in the early twenty-first century and strict limitations of heavy metal-based biocontrol products are likely responsible for this decrease over the years. However, as Cu levels gradually increase with increasing proportions of agricultural areas within the cranes' home ranges, we suggest that considerable amounts of Cu originating from agricultural practises are still being released into the environment. We found no increase in metal concentrations in eggshells with increasing female age, suggesting that heavy metals do not accumulate in the circulatory systems of the adults over time. This study is the first to assess heavy metal contamination in Common Cranes and indicates the suitability of crane's eggshells as bioindicator for monitoring environmental pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lead exposure remains of continuing concern due to its known and suspected impacts on human health and has been designated as a priority substance for investigation in human biomonitoring studies by the EU. The aims of this study were to measure blood lead levels (BLL) in a population based cohort of middle-aged individuals without major current exposures to lead, and to compare these to historical blood lead levels obtained thirty years earlier. The population-based KORA study from 1984 to 2001 included inhabitants of the Augsburg Region, Germany. During 2018 to 2019, a subsample of these participants (KORA-Fit) was invited for interview regarding demographic and lifestyle factors, physical examination and blood withdrawal. Blood samples were stored at −80C prior to measurement of BLL via graphite furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy (GF-AAS). Descriptive and multivariable analyses were performed. BLLs were measured in 3033 eligible persons aged 54 to 73, establishing a geometric mean (GM) BLL of 24.8 μg/l in 2018/19. Of these, 555 (18%) had BLL above proposed 95th percentile reference values of the German Environment Agency. Only small differences were found in BLL stratified by sociodemographic categories, however regular smokers had higher GM BLL (26.1 μg/l) compared to never smokers (23.7 μg/l), and an increasing BLL with increased wine consumption was noted. For 556 individuals, BLLs (GM: 54.0 μg/l) reduced by 35% in men and 50% in women compared to levels in 1987/88 with only 1.4% of individuals having an unchanged or increased BLL. KORA-Fit provided contemporary normative data for BLL in a Western European population without major current sources of lead exposure. Mean BLLs have fallen since the 1980s using historical BLL data which is likely linked to the ban of leaded gasoline. Nevertheless, BLLs in this population remain elevated at levels associated with morbidity and mortality. • The KORA-Fit study measured blood lead levels (BLLs) in 3033 adults from the Bavarian city of Augsburg, Germany in 2018/2019. • Geometric mean BLLs were 24.36 μg/l in women and 25.42 μg/l in men amongst the 2018/2019 cohort. • BLLs were independent of sociodemographic variables, but were associated with being a regular smoker and alcohol consumption. • In 556 (18.3%) participants with historical data, geometric mean BLL fell from 54 μg/l in 1987/1988 to 24.8 μg/l in 2018/2019. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Restoring drained peatlands has been practiced to mitigate climate change, regulate water quality, and restore biodiversity. However, no information is available on the long-term impact of drainage and restoration of peatlands on total sulfur (S t), fractions, and S species. We investigated the long-term drained and restored forested and coastal peatlands and percolation mires using the sequential S fractionation and S K –edge X-ray near-edge absorption structure (XANES) spectroscopy analysis to address this knowledge gap. The S t concentrations in the drained forested peatland and percolation mire were low by 4 and 1.5 folds compared to their respective restored peatlands at the topsoil horizons. Similarly, the H 2 O–S and NaH 2 PO 4 –S fractions in the drained forested peatland (28 and 18 mg kg−1) were lower than in the restored forested peatland (165 and 166 mg kg−1). However, the S fractions were higher in the drained percolation mire (449 and 247 mg kg−1) than in the restored percolation mire (150 and 41 mg kg−1). The relative proportion of the residual-S fraction (70–97% of S t) was equivalent to the relative proportion of organic S species (76–97% of S t) derived from the XANES analysis. The XANES analysis revealed the reduced organic S (44–62%), organic S with intermediate oxidation states (16–47%), strongly reduced (0–21%) and oxidized inorganic S species (4–12%) of the S t. The results indicate that long-term restoration conserved S t , decreased labile S fractions and enriched the strongly reduced inorganic and organic S species. [Display omitted] • Drainage increased H 2 O and NaH 2 PO 4 extracted S fractions. • Strongly reduced inorganic and organic S species enriched in restored peatlands. • Changes in S fractions and species depended on drainage period and rewetting intensity. • Results of sequential S fractionation and S K XANES analysis were comparable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous macroecological studies have suggested that larger and darker insects are favored in cold environments and that the importance of body size and color for the absorption of solar radiation is not limited to diurnal insects. However, whether these effects hold true for local communities and are consistent across taxonomic groups and sampling years remains unexplored. This study examined the variations in body size and color lightness of the two major families of nocturnal moths, Geometridae and Noctuidae, along an elevational gradient of 700 m in Southern Germany. An assemblage‐based analysis was performed using community‐weighted means and a fourth‐corner analysis to test for variations in color and body size among communities as a function of elevation. This was followed by a species‐level analysis to test whether species occurrence and abundance along an elevation gradient were related to these traits, after controlling for host plant availability. In both 2007 and 2016, noctuid moth assemblages became larger and darker with increasing elevation, whereas geometrids showed an opposite trend in terms of color lightness and no clear trend in body size. In single species models, the abundance of geometrids, but not of noctuids, was driven by habitat availability. In turn, the abundance of dark‐colored noctuids, but not geometrids increased with elevation. While body size and color lightness affect insect physiology and the ability to cope with harsh conditions, divergent trait–environment relationships between both families underline that findings of coarse‐scale studies are not necessarily transferable to finer scales. Local abundance and occurrence of noctuids are shaped by morphological traits, whereas that of geometrids are rather shaped by local habitat availability, which can modify their trait–environment‐relationship. We discuss potential explanations such as taxon‐specific flight characteristics and the effect of microclimatic conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the last years a significant number of eye-safe single-wavelength backscatter lidars, oftenreferred to as ceilometers, was installed for unattended operation. Though the primaryreason for such ceilometer networks is the automation of synoptic observations, inparticular the determination of the cloud base height, the potential of quantitativeremote sensing of aerosols has been investigated for approximately 10 years. Oneof the main benefits is the very good spatial coverage that allows to track aerosollayers in real time. The optical characterization of aerosols is however limited tothe particle backscatter coefficient βp. In this context it was ignored for a longtime that most of the ceilometers work in a spectral range where water vapor isabsorbing, so that a correction is required if one aims at the quantitative retrieval ofβp. As a consequence we have investigated the relevance of water vapor absorption forceilometer signals and developed a numerical procedure to correct for it (Wiegner andGasteiger, 2015). Recently the validation of this correction scheme was attempted (Wiegneret al., 2018), based on data from the CeiLinEx2015 campaign in Lindenberg, Germany, whenseveral types of ceilometers and a reference lidar system were deployed. In this context itmust be considered that a strict validation is hardly possible as the optical properties ofparticles (backscatter and extinction) at the wavelength of the reference system (withoutwater vapor absorption, in our case at 1064 nm) and at the wavelength of the ceilometer(with absorption, around 910 nm) are different. They can only be estimated from sunphotometer data and the inversion of the reference lidar signal. Moreover, the emittedwavelength of the ceilometers is typically not exactly known due to missing technicalspecifications and possible drifts with temperature. Taking these uncertainties intoaccount it was demonstrated that the correction of CL51 (Vaisala) measurements istrustworthy. We want to emphasize that water vapor absorption does not play a significant role for theassessment of the mixing layer height (mlh) and the detection of (elevated) aerosol layers. Forthese applications the low signal-to-noise ratio and (possible) signal artefacts, but also theambiguity of most mlh-retrievals are more relevant. Nevertheless, we recommend monitoringthe emitted wavelength of the instrument to obtain new options of aerosol remotesensing. Wiegner, M. and Gasteiger, J.: Correction of water vapor absorption foraerosol remote sensing with ceilometers, Atmos. Meas. Tech., 8, 3971-3984,https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-8-3971-2015, 2015. Wiegner, M. et al.: Aerosol backscatter profiles from ceilometers: validation of watervapor correction in the framework of CeiLinEx2015, Atmos. Meas. Tech. Discuss.,https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-2018-307, in review, 2018. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since 1988 two ozone lidar systems have been developed at IMK-IFU (Garmisch- Partenkirchen, Germany). A stationary system, operated at the institute, has yielded about 5000 vertical profiles of ozone from next to the ground to typically 3 km above the tropopause and has contributed data for a large number of scientific investigations. A mobile system was successfully operated in a number of field campaigns after its completion in 1996, before it was destroyed in major flooding in May 1999. Both systems combine a high data quality with high vertical resolution dynamically varied between 50 m in the lower troposphere and 250-500 m below the tropopause (stationary system). The stationary system has been gradually upgraded over the years. The noise level of the raw data has reached a level of about ±1 x 10-6 of the input range of the transient digitizers after minor smoothing. As a consequence, uncertainties of the ozone mixing ratios of 1.5 to 4 ppb have been achieved up to about 5 km. The performance in the upper troposphere, based on the wavelength pair 292 - 313-nm varies between 5 and 15 ppb, depending on the absorption of the 292-nm radiation in ozone and the solar background. In summer it is, therefore, planned to extend the measurement time for 41 s to a few minutes in order to improve the performance. For longer time series automatic data acquisition has been used. The number of measurements per year has been confined to less than 600 since fully automatic data evaluation has, still, had its limitations and some manual actions are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cosmetics industry is undergoing a transformation driven by the demand for natural and sustainable ingredients. A study has examined various plant extracts derived from by-products of the agricultural and food industries. The results show that bark and tea residues have the highest reduction capacities and antioxidant activities. The extracts can block UV-A and a portion of visible light, with the exception of fruit peel and nut shell extracts. These findings provide insights into the properties and potential applications of these natural extracts. It is emphasized that the sustainable use of by-products in the food and agricultural industries is important for reducing waste and environmentally friendly resource utilization. Another study examines the extraction and characterization of tannins from various by-products. The results show different properties of the extracts and confirm the UV absorption properties of certain plant ingredients. Tannin extracts can be used as multifunctional ingredients in the cosmetics industry to enhance the antioxidant and UV-absorbing effects of products. Potential applications of tannins in the cosmetics industry and as natural UV protection are also discussed. The authors of the article are Sandra Kiese, Arielle Springer, and Daniela Leistl from the Fraunhofer Institute for Process Engineering and Packaging IVV in Germany. [Extracted from the article]

Objectives: Primary objective: Evaluation of the effect of the proton pump inhibitor (PPI) pantoprazole on the absorption of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ). Secondary objectives: • Evaluation of the relationship between HCQ concentrations in whole blood, plasma and intracellular concentrations in target cells - peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). • Evaluation of HCQ as a potential perpetrator in drug-drug interactions at the level of cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A4 and CYP2D6 (major drug metabolizing enzymes).Trial Design: Single centre, open-label, parallel group, two-arm, phase I drug-drug interaction trial.Participants: Healthy volunteers (18-60 years old) are treated in the Clinical Pharmacological Trial Center of Heidelberg University Hospital, Germany.Intervention and Comparator: • Participants are randomized in a group to either receive a nine-day course of pantoprazole, or to a control group without pantoprazole. All participants receive a single dose of HCQ 400 mg. • Additionally, CYP3A4 and CYP2D6 phenotyping with microdosed probe drugs is performed using midazolam and yohimbine as enzyme activity markers, respectively.Main Outcomes: Primary endpoint: Area under the curve (AUC)0-72 h and maximum concentration (Cmax) of a single oral dose of 400 mg HCQ with and without pantoprazole (changes in these two values describe relevant aspects of exposure to HCQ with and without administration of pantoprazole). Secondary endpoints: • AUC2-4 h, AUC0-6 h and Cmax of midazolam and yohimbine. • Correlation of HCQ concentrations in whole blood with concentrations in plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC).Randomisation: Participants are assigned to treatment groups by using a randomisation list (1:1, block size = 4) and consecutive enrolment.Blinding (masking): The trial is an open-label trial, participants and investigators are not blinded.Numbers To Be Randomised (sample Size): A total number of 24 participants (12 per group) are planned to be randomised.Trial Status: Protocol version 2.1 dated 24/04/2020, first patient first visit. April 30th, 2020, recruitment ongoing, anticipated end of study June 30th, 2020.Trial Registration: EudraCT Number: 2020-001470-30 , registered on 31 March 2020 German Clinical trials register number / International Clinical Trials Registry Platform: DRKS00021573, registered on 27 April 2020 FULL PROTOCOL: The full trial protocol is attached as an additional file, accessible from the Trials website (Additional file 1). In the interest in expediting dissemination of this material, the familiar formatting has been eliminated; this Letter serves as a summary of the key elements of the full trial protocol. The trial protocol has been reported in accordance with the Standard Protocol Items: Recommendations for Clinical Interventional Trials (SPIRIT) guidelines (Additional file 2). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Currently, body weight-based dosing of rifampicin is recommended. But lately, fat-free mass (FFM) was reported to be superior to body weight (BW). The present evaluation aimed to assess the influence of body mass-related covariates on rifampicin's pharmacokinetics (PK) parameters in more detail using non-linear mixed effects modeling (NLMEM). Methods: Twenty-four healthy Caucasian volunteers were enrolled in a bioequivalence study, each receiving a test and a reference tablet of 600 mg of rifampicin separated by a wash-out period of at least 9 days. Monolix version 2023R1 was used for NLMEM. Monte Carlo simulations (MCS) were performed to visualize the relationship of body size descriptors to the exposure to rifampicin. Results: A one-compartment model with nonlinear (Michaelis–Menten) elimination and zero-order absorption kinetics with a lag time best described the data. The covariate model including fat-free mass (FFM) on volume of distribution (V/F) and on maximum elimination rate (Vmax/F) lowered the objective function value (OFV) by 56.4. The second-best covariate model of sex on V/F and Vmax/F and BW on V/F reduced the OFV by 51.2. The decrease in unexplained inter-individual variability on Vmax/F in both covariate models was similar. For a given dose, MCS showed lower exposure to rifampicin with higher FFM and accordingly in males compared to females with the same BW and body height. Conclusion: Our results indicate that beyond BW, body composition as reflected by FFM could also be relevant for optimized dosing of rifampicin. This assumption needs to be studied further in patients treated with rifampicin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: In craniofacial surgery, the stable fixation of transposed bone segments is crucial in order to ensure good long-term results. The use of absorbable material in fixation avoids the need for a second surgery, which would otherwise be required to remove osteosynthesis material. The authors of the present manuscript have already demonstrated that absorbable sutures ensure the stable fixation of bone segments in patients up to 24 months of age. However, it has thus far remained unclear whether stable fixation is possible in older patients by using only absorbable sutures due to the slower bone remodelling and prolonged healing time in this cohort. Method: For the present study, osteosynthesis was performed in 50 patients ranging from 25.7 to 192.1 months of age (mean, 61.4 ± 21.7 months) using solely absorbable sutures (PDS II®, Ethicon, Germany). Post-operative stability and possible restrictions—such as foreign body reactions—were evaluated within clinical and radiological routine follow-ups. Results: All children demonstrated clinically and radiologically stable osteosynthesis both directly post-operatively and in follow-ups. No significant foreign body reaction could be seen. Conclusion: The present study demonstrates—for the first time—that absorbable sutures with a longer absorption period are also very well suited for the fixation of bone segments in patients over 24 months of age. The sole use of absorbable sutures in children over 24 months of age is a safe procedure with nearly no foreign body reactions. The procedure enables stable and highly cost-effective osteosynthesis without altering the osteotomy design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sixteenth international conference on X-ray Absorption Fine Structure, XAFS16, was held August 23–28, 2015, at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) in Germany. Since the first such meeting in 1981, the XAFS conference series has become the foremost international meeting covering developments and applications in X-ray absorption spectroscopy. Jointly organized by KIT, DESY (Hamburg), HZB (Berlin), and the European XFEL (Hamburg), under the auspices of the International X-ray Absorption Society (IXAS), the XAFS16 conference hosted over 550 participants (including more than 160 young scientists) from 37 different countries, establishing a new record for the number of participants. The local organization was provided by the KIT institutes INE, IKFT, and ITCP and the ANKA synchrotron facility, with Jan-Dierk Grunwaldt leading the local organizing committee. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Surface solar irradiance varies on scales as small as seconds or metres. This variability is driven mostly by wavelength‐dependent scattering by clouds, and to a lesser extent by aerosols and water vapour. The highly variable nature of solar irradiance is not resolved by most atmospheric models, yet it affects, most notably, the land–atmosphere coupling and the quality of solar energy forecasting. Characterising variability, understanding the mechanisms, and developing models capable of resolving it accurately requires spatially and spectrally resolved observational datasets of solar irradiance at high resolution, which are rare. In 2021, we deployed a network of low‐cost radiometers in the Field Experiment on submesoscale spatio‐temporal variability in Lindenberg (FESSTVaL, Germany) and Land surface Interactions with the Atmosphere over the Iberian Semi‐arid Environment (LIAISE, Spain) field campaigns to gather data on cloud‐driven surface patterns of irradiance, including spectral effects, with the aim of addressing this gap in observations and understanding. We find in case studies of cumulus, altocumulus, and cirrus clouds that these clouds generate large spatiotemporal variability in irradiance, but through different mechanisms and at different spatial scales, ranging from 50 m to 30 km. Spectral irradiance in the visible range varies at similar scales, with significant blue enrichment in cloud shadows, most strongly for cumulus, and red enrichment in irradiance peaks, particularly in the case of semitransparent clouds or near cumulus cloud edges. Under clear‐sky conditions, solar irradiance varies significantly in water‐vapour absorption bands at the minute scale, due to variability in atmospheric moisture in the boundary layer. With this study, we show that observing detailed spatiotemporal irradiance patterns is possible using a relatively small, low‐cost sensor network, and that such network observations can provide insight and validation for the development of models capable of resolving irradiance variability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 1848, Habsburg Trieste became the target of German nationalists gathered in Frankfurt. The Frankfurt parliament, born out of the revolutions of 1848, has been widely depicted as a liberal experience. Yet its nationalist stances, which included the creation of a unitary German state through the absorption of vast multiethnic regions of the Habsburg monarchy, whose Austrian crownlands were part of the German Confederation, bear witness to the illiberal nature of the Frankfurt parenthesis of 1848–1849. Notwithstanding the assimilatory tendencies of the Frankfurt parliament, Italian activists in Trieste supported the inclusion of the Habsburg port in an enlarged Germany, hoping to break away from Habsburg rule, which they portrayed as oppressive. This article argues that the contradictory Italian support for the German Confederation highlights the paradoxes at the basis of nationalist movements at their onset, while also pointing to the difficulty that nation-states would soon witness in dealing with other ethnic groups within their borders. On the contrary, it was the Habsburg monarchy that, in its centuries-long tradition of accommodating different ethnicities into its fold, represented what to present-day observers comes closer to political liberalism than the so-called liberal national parties that opposed Habsburg rule. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For the first time, the natural formation of silver-based nanoparticles (Ag-b-NPs) was studied in field investigations of two pre-alpine lakes in Germany that contain geogenic silver traces in the sub-ng L −1 range. Light-sensitive microorganisms most likely accumulate and transport these silver traces from deeper water layers to the surface. At the surface of the eutrophic lake, approximately 40% of total silver (5.7 ng L −1 ) consisted of Ag-b-NPs, whereas in the oligotrophic lake with similar enrichment of silver species, no Ag-b-NPs were detected. Additional lab experiments with nature-related Ag(I) concentrations in the lower-ng L −1 range and natural organic matter with total organic carbon values of ≤5 mg L −1 revealed that, contrary to common interpretation in the literature, Ag-b-NPs are also or even preferably formed in the dark. Particle size increases gradually with increasing reaction time, showing that Ostwald ripening occurs even at such low particle concentrations. When sulfide ions are present, smaller Ag-b-NPs with a narrower size distribution are formed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Panama, like most Latin American countries, has insufficient regulatory safeguards to ensure the safety and efficacy of all pharmaceutical products in the market, a situation that results in a two-tier system, where affluent citizens can afford innovator products while poor citizens must consume 'generics' of uncertain quality. Given that one lot of each drug product is analyzed every five years during registration while commercial lots are not, and since most products are not bioequivalent but simply copies or similars, there is a concern that commercial and registration lots of these 'generics' may not be of the same quality. The objective of this study was to assess the ability of various in vitro quality control tests to detect difference among five amlodipine products available in the Panamanian market: four 'generics', made in various countries, and the innovator, made in Germany and used as reference listed drug in Panama (Pan-RLD). The innovator manufactured in the United States (US-RLD) was used to compare the two RLDs. The Content Uniformity test, 30-min Dissolution test and multiple-pH Dissolution Profiles did not show any difference among the products. However, the in vitro dissolution absorption system 1 (IDAS1) showed a statistically significant difference in the amount dissolved between Pan-RLD and three out of the four 'generics', and significantly lower permeated amount for all the 'generics' compared with Pan-RLD; only US-RLD was similar to Pan-RLD. Thus, IDAS1 showed promise as a potential tool that authorities in weakly regulated markets can use to monitor for possible lot-to-lot product changes, which can help improve the quality of pharmaceutical products available to their entire populations. The significance of the similarity between the innovators made in Germany and the United States and their difference from the 'generics' (manufactured in other countries) is not known but deserves investigation. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solar photovoltaic panels (PV) provide great potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions as a renewable energy technology. The number of solar PV has increased significantly in recent years and is expected to increase even further. Therefore, accurate and global mapping and monitoring of PV modules with remote sensing methods is important for predicting energy production potentials, revealing socio-economic drivers, supporting urban planning, and estimating ecological impacts. Hyperspectral imagery provides crucial information to identify PV modules based on their physical absorption and reflection properties. This study investigated spectral signatures of spaceborne PRISMA data of 30 m low resolution for the first time, as well as airborne AVIRIS-NG data of 5.3 m medium resolution for the detection of solar PV. The study region is located around Irlbach in southern Germany. A physics-based approach using the spectral indices nHI, NSPI, aVNIR, PEP, and VPEP was used for the classification of the hyperspectral images. By validation with a solar PV ground truth dataset of the study area, a user's accuracy of 70.53% and a producer's accuracy of 88.06% for the PRISMA hyperspectral data, and a user's accuracy of 65.94% and a producer's accuracy of 82.77% for AVIRIS-NG were achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The analysis of hydrothermal alteration in exploration drill cores allows for fluid–rock interaction processes to be traced, for fluid flow paths to be identified, and thus for vectors in mineral systems to be determined. Hyperspectral imaging techniques are increasingly being employed to fill the scale gap between lab-based petrographic or geochemical analyses and the typical size of exploration targets. Hyperspectral imaging permits the rapid, cost-efficient, and continuous characterisation of alteration mineralogy and texture along entire drill cores, with a spatial sampling of a few millimetres. In this contribution, we present the results of an exploratory study on three mineralised drill cores from the Spremberg–Graustein Kupferschiefer-type Cu–Ag deposit in the Lusatia region of Germany. We demonstrate that hyperspectral imaging is well-suited to recognising and tracking the effects of hydrothermal alteration associated with strata-bound hydrothermal mineralisation. Micro X-ray fluorescence spectrometry was used to corroborate the alteration mineral assemblages identified in hyperspectral data acquired in the visible, near- (400 to 970 nm), shortwave (970 to 2500 nm), mid-wave (2700 to 5300 nm), and longwave infrared (7700 to 12 300 nm). We identified two main shortcomings of the technique, namely the overlapping of some mineral features (e.g. carbonate and illite absorption in the shortwave infrared) and the darkness of the organic-matter-rich dolostones and shales that results in low reflectance. Nevertheless, spectral features associated with iron oxide, kaolinite, sulfate, and carbonates were successfully identified and mapped. We identified different markers of hydrothermal alteration spatially associated with or stratigraphically adjacent to Cu–Ag mineralisation. Importantly, we can clearly distinguish two mineralogically distinct styles of alteration (hematite and ferroan carbonate) that bracket high-grade Cu–Ag mineralisation. Intensive hydrothermal alteration is characterised by the occurrence of well-crystallised kaolinite in the sandstone units immediately below the Kupferschiefer horizon sensu stricto. Proximal Fe-carbonate and kaolinite alteration have not previously been documented for the high-grade Cu–Ag deposits of the central European Kupferschiefer, whereas hematite alteration is well-known in Kupferschiefer-type ore deposits. The latter marks the flow path of oxidising, metal-bearing hydrothermal fluids towards the site of hydrothermal sulfide mineralisation. In contrast, ferroan carbonate alteration in carbonate rocks located above the main mineralised zone is interpreted as a mark of hydrothermal fluid discharge from the mineralising system. Although this study is limited to a small number of drill cores, our results suggest that hyperspectral imaging techniques may be used to identify vectors towards high-grade Cu–Ag mineralisation in Kupferschiefer-type mineral systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of dental ceramics as restorative materials requires corresponding luting materials (cements) that, in turn, influence the visual appearance of the restoration. Due to the high light transmission through the ceramics, the cements can affect the color perception of the dental restoration. This study aims to investigate the optical effects of various cements on the visual appearance of full-ceramic restorations. Three fixing polymer resins (Bifix SE (VOCO GmbH, Cuxhafen, Germany), BreezeTM (Pentron Clinical, West Collins Orange, CA, USA), and PanaviaTM F. 2.0 (Kuraray, Noritake, Osaka, Japan)), with layer thicknesses of 50, 100, 200, and 250 µm, were applied onto a ceramic base model (0.4 mm thick), and irradiated with laser light of wavelengths 532, 632.8, and 1064 nm. Light intensities and scattering effects of light of various wavelengths were angle-dependent, analyzed using a goniophotometer with perpendicular light incidence on the sample specimen (base model plus luting material). In addition, the transmitted power of the light through the sample specimen was determined as a function of the layer thickness. With increasing layer thickness, power losses of respectively 30% for Bifix SE and BreezeTM in the visible spectral range were comparable, whereas PanaviaTM F. 2.0 showed a power loss of ca. 44% here. For the near-infrared range, the power losses for all cements were 25%. This could be confirmed by the interpretation of the line widths. Moreover, the line widths for thin cement layer thicknesses (50 and 100 µm) in the visible spectral range displayed only a redistribution of light by scattering, which does not affect color perception at all. In addition, at 200 and 250 µm, absorption occurred which causes a change in color perception. Within the scope of this study, it could be shown that for thin-layer thicknesses of the cement applied here, there is no adverse optical effect on the aesthetic visual appearance of the restoration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Observatoire Pérenne de l'Environnement (OPE) station is a rural background site located in North-Eastern France. Besides emissions from agricultural activities, the site is located far from local emissions but at an even distance from the intense emission zones of Western Germany to the north-east and the Paris area to the south-west. In the paper, we report and analyze almost six years of measurements (1 May 2012 to 31 December 2018) of the optical and physical properties of aerosol particles. Based on aerosol optical and physical measurements combined with air mass back-trajectories, we investigate the dependence of these properties on air mass type. Two distinct equivalent black carbon (EBC) sources—origins-fossil fuel (FF) and biomass burning (BB)— were identified. FF was the dominant source of EBC (>70%) but showed a very marked seasonal variation. BB fraction is found higher during the cold seasons in the order of 35% (0.1 µg m−3) against 17% (0.05 µg m−3) during the warm seasons. The highest EBC and N0.54–1.15 (particles whose diameter ranged from 0.54 to 1.15 µm) median concentrations were observed during the night time and during the cold seasons compared to the warmer seasons, indicating primary sources trapped within a thin boundary layer (BL). A different behavior is found for N10–550 (particles whose diameter ranged from 10 to 550 nm) and coarse mode particles (N1.15–4.5, i.e., particles whose diameter ranged from 1.15 to 4.5 µm) median concentrations, which were observed during the warm seasons compared to the cold seasons, indicating rather biogenic secondary sources for the smaller particles, and potentially primary biogenic sources for the coarse mode particles. The scattering and absorption coefficients and single scattering albedo (SSA) show the same seasonal variations like the ones of N0.54–1.15 concentrations, indicating that particles larger than 500 nm seemed to contribute the most to the optical properties of the aerosol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A stepwise change in atmospheric oxygen (O 2) levels during the Ordovician has been attributed to the emergence of land plants. This phenomenon is tied to a major baseline shift in the stable carbon isotope (δ13C) curve and inferred increase in nutrient delivery and enhanced primary productivity in nearshore settings, which led to high organic carbon burial. The timing and magnitude of this baseline shift, however, is still elusive in part because of the lack of high-resolution δ13C data that span this period. Much of the existing Ordovician δ13C literature is focused on isotopic excursions with less emphasis on identifying long-term shifts in baseline (pre- and post-excursion) values. This study presents new high resolution δ13C data from stratigraphic sections at Germany Valley (West Virginia) and Union Furnace (Pennsylvania) in the Central Appalachian Basin. These sections span the entire Sandbian Stage and continue into the lower Katian Stage. The δ13C data from both sections are characterized by relative stability carbon isotope values (mean = −0.61‰) in the lower Sandbian, followed by a + 1.2‰ shift in the upper Sandbian (mean = +0.62‰). Herein, we propose that the positive shift represents a long-term global shift in baseline δ13C values of dissolved inorganic carbon. The timing of this positive shift coinciding with the diversification of early land plants (i.e., bryophytes) supports earlier models that suggested enhanced organic carbon burial rates served as a mechanism for the stepwise oxygenation of the atmosphere during the Late Ordovician. • New high-resolution δ13C dataset of marine carbonate rocks from the Appalachian Basin • The δ13C dataset shows a 1.2‰ positive shift of baseline values • The shift reflects a fundamental change of global carbon cycles in the Sandbian. • The change is related to an O 2 rise, driven by diversifications of land plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, we used a Zeppelin NT equipped with six sensor setups, each composed of four different low-cost electrochemical sensors (ECSs) to measure nitrogen oxides (NO and NO 2), carbon monoxide, and O x (NO2+O3) in Germany. Additionally, a MIRO MGA laser absorption spectrometer was installed as a reference device for in-flight evaluation of the ECSs. We report not only the influence of temperature on the NO and NO 2 sensor outputs but also find a shorter timescale (1 s) dependence of the sensors on the relative humidity gradient. To account for these dependencies, we developed a correction method that is independent of the reference instrument. After applying this correction to all individual sensors, we compare the sensor setups with each other and to the reference device. For the intercomparison of all six setups, we find good agreements with R2≥0.8 but different precisions for each sensor in the range from 1.45 to 6.32 ppb (parts per billion). The comparison to the reference device results in an R2 of 0.88 and a slope of 0.92 for NO x (NO+NO2). Furthermore, the average noise (1 σ) of the NO and NO 2 sensors reduces significantly from 6.25 and 7.1 to 1.95 and 3.32 ppb, respectively. Finally, we highlight the potential use of ECSs in airborne applications by identifying different pollution sources related to industrial and traffic emissions during multiple commercial and targeted Zeppelin flights in spring 2020. These results are a first milestone towards the quality-assured use of low-cost sensors in airborne settings without a reference device, e.g., on unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Airborne observations of vertical aerosol particle distributions are crucial for detailed process studies and model improvements. Tethered balloon systems represent a less expensive alternative to aircraft to probe shallow atmospheric boundary layers (ABLs). This study presents the newly developed cubic aerosol measurement platform (CAMP) for balloon-borne observations of aerosol particle microphysical properties. With an edge length of 35 cm and a weight of 9 kg, the cube is an environmentally robust instrument platform intended for measurements at low temperatures, with a particular focus on applications in cloudy Arctic ABLs. The aerosol instrumentation on board CAMP comprises two condensation particle counters with different lower detection limits, one optical particle size spectrometer, and a miniaturized absorption photometer. Comprehensive calibrations and characterizations of the instruments were performed in laboratory experiments. The first field study with a tethered balloon system took place at the Leibniz Institute for Tropospheric Research (TROPOS) station in Melpitz, Germany, in the winter of 2019. At ambient temperatures between - 8 and 15 ∘ C, the platform was operated up to a 1.5 km height on 14 flights under both clear-sky and cloudy conditions. The continuous aerosol observations at the ground station served as a reference for evaluating the CAMP measurements. Exemplary profiles are discussed to elucidate the performance of the system and possible process studies. Based on the laboratory instrument characterizations and the observations during the field campaign, CAMP demonstrated the capability to provide comprehensive aerosol particle measurements in cold and cloudy ABLs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present the first measurement of the sensible heat flux (H) profile in the convective boundary layer (CBL) derived from the covariance of collocated vertical-pointing temperature rotational Raman lidar and Doppler wind lidar measurements. The uncertainties of the H measurements due to instrumental noise and limited sampling are also derived and discussed. Simultaneous measurements of the latent heat flux profile (L) and other turbulent variables were obtained with the combination of water-vapor differential absorption lidar (WVDIAL) and Doppler lidar. The case study uses a measurement example from the HOPE (HD(CP) 2 Observational Prototype Experiment) campaign, which took place in western Germany in 2013 and presents a cloud-free well-developed quasi-stationary CBL. The mean boundary layer height zi was at 1230 m above ground level. The results show – as expected – positive values of H in the middle of the CBL. A maximum of (182±32) W m -2 , with the second number for the noise uncertainty, is found at 0.5 zi. At about 0.7 zi , H changes sign to negative values above. The entrainment flux was (-62±27) W m -2. The mean sensible heat flux divergence in the observed part of the CBL above 0.3 zi was -0.28 W m -3 , which corresponds to a warming of 0.83 K h -1. The L profile shows a slight positive mean flux divergence of 0.12 W m -3 and an entrainment flux of (214±36) W m -2. The combination of H and L profiles in combination with variance and other turbulent parameters is very valuable for the evaluation of large-eddy simulation (LES) results and the further improvement and validation of turbulence parameterization schemes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is generally accepted and well documented that mastery goal orientation positively affects students' learning behavior. However, less is known about this association in self-directed learning during adolescence, which additionally promotes student's positive emotions. This study tested whether positive emotions mediate the association between mastery goal orientation and effort investment, absorption, elaboration, and self-control in self-directed vs. teacher-directed learning in a sample of 824 (Mage = 13.36; SD =.79) 7th and 8th grade students in Germany. Multigroup structural equation modeling and latent mean comparison were used to assess potential group differences. Positive emotions mediate all relationships between mastery goal orientation and learning behavior in students from self-directed learning, whereas positive emotions only mediate the relations between mastery goal orientation and absorption in students from teacher-directed learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work we used a Zeppelin NT equipped with six sensor setups, each composed of four different low-cost electrochemical sensors (ECS) to measure nitrogen oxides (NO and NO2), carbon monoxide, and Ox (NO2 + O3) in Germany. Additionally, a MIRO MGA laser absorption spectrometer was installed as a reference device for in-flight evaluation of the ECS. We report the influence of temperature on the NO and NO2 sensor outputs, but also find a shorter time scale (1 s) dependence of the sensors on the relative humidity gradient. To account for these dependencies, we developed a correction method that is independent of the reference instrument. After applying this correction to all individual sensors, we compare the sensor setups with each other and to the reference device. For the intercomparison of all six setups we find good agreements with R² ≥ 0.8, but different precisions for each sensor in the range of 1.45 to 6.32 ppb. The comparison to the reference device results in an R² of 0.88 and a slope of 0.92 for NOx (NO + NO2). Furthermore, the average noise (1 σ) of the NO and NO2 sensors reduces significantly from 6.25 ppb and 7.1 ppb to 1.95 ppb and 3.32 ppb, respectively. Finally, we highlight the potential use of ECS in airborne applications, by identifying different pollution sources related to industrial and traffic emissions during multiple commercial and targeted Zeppelin flights in spring 2020. These results are a first milestone towards the quality-assured use of low-cost sensors in airborne settings without a reference device, e.g., on unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Airborne observations of vertical aerosol particle distributions are crucial for detailed process studies and model improvements. Tethered balloon systems represent a less expensive alternative to aircraft to capture shallow atmospheric boundary layers (ABL). This study presents the newly developed cubic aerosol measurement platform (CAMP) for balloon-borne observations of aerosol particle microphysical properties. With an edge length of 30 cm and a weight of 9 kg, the cube is an environmentally robust instrument platform intended for measurements at low temperatures, with a particular focus on applications in cloudy Arctic ABLs. The aerosol instrumentation onboard CAMP comprises two condensation particle counters with different lower detection limits, one optical particle size spectrometer, and a miniaturized absorption photometer. Comprehensive calibrations and characterizations of the instruments were performed in laboratory experiments. The first field study with a tethered balloon system took place at the TROPOS research station in Melpitz, Germany, in the winter of 2019. At ambient temperatures between -10 and 15°C, the platform was operated up to 1.5 km height on 14 flights under a clear sky and cloudy conditions. The continuous aerosol observations at the ground station served as a reference for evaluating the CAMP measurements. During two subsequent balloon flights on the late morning of 15 February, descending layers with increased concentrations of nucleation mode particles were observed above a shallow well-mixed surface layer separated by a weakening temperature inversion. A subsequent increase in nucleation mode particles on the ground after the balloon flights suggests a downward mixing of the particles. Based on the laboratory instrument characterizations and the observations during the field campaign, CAMP demonstrated the capability to provide comprehensive aerosol particle measurements in cold and cloudy ABL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study a relaxed eddy accumulation (REA) system for the quantification of vertical fluxes of nitrous acid (HONO) was developed and tested. The system is based on a three-channel long-path absorption photometer (LOPAP) instrument, for which two channels are used for the updrafts and downdrafts, respectively, and a third one for the correction of chemical interferences. The instrument is coupled to a REA gas inlet, for which an ultrasonic anemometer controls two fast magnetic valves to probe the two channels of the LOPAP instrument depending on the vertical wind direction. A software (PyREA) was developed, which controls the valves and measurement cycles, which regularly alternates between REA, zero and parallel ambient measurements. In addition, the assignment of the updrafts and downdrafts to the physical LOPAP channels is periodically alternated, to correct for differences in the interferences of the different air masses. During the study, only small differences of the interferences were identified for the updrafts and downdrafts excluding significant errors when using only one interference channel. In laboratory experiments, high precision of the two channels and the independence of the dilution-corrected HONO concentrations on the length of the valve switching periods were demonstrated. A field campaign was performed in order to test the new REA-LOPAP system at the TROPOS monitoring station in Melpitz, Germany. HONO fluxes in the range of -4×1013 molecules m -2 s -1 (deposition) to +1.0×1014 molecules m -2 s -1 (emission) were obtained. A typical diurnal variation of the HONO fluxes was observed with low, partly negative fluxes during night-time and higher positive fluxes around noon. After an intensive rain period the positive HONO emissions during daytime were continuously increasing, which was explained by the drying of the uppermost ground surfaces. Similar to other campaigns, the highest correlation of the HONO flux was observed with the product of the NO 2 photolysis frequency and the NO 2 concentration (J(NO2)⋅[NO2]) , which implies a HONO formation by photosensitized conversion of NO 2 on organic surfaces, such as humic acids. Other postulated HONO formation mechanisms are also discussed but are tentatively ranked being of minor importance for the present field campaign. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a new aerosol profile retrieval algorithm for Multi-AXis Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy (MAX-DOAS) measurements at high altitude sites. The study is based on the long-term measurement (February 2012 to February 2016) at the Environmental Research Station Schneefernerhaus (UFS), Germany, which is located near the summit of Zugspitze, at an altitude of 2,650 m. Due to the low signal to noise ratio, commonly used MAX-DOAS retrieval algorithms based on the optimal estimation method are not suitable for the retrieval of high altitude measurements. We developed a new retrieval algorithm using an O4 differential slant column density (DSCD) look-up table. The look-up table consists of simulated O4 DSCDs corresponding to numerous possible aerosol profiles. The sensitivities of O4 absorption to several parameters were investigated for the design and parameterization of the look-up table. In the retrieval, the simulated O4 DSCDs for each possible profile are derived by interpolating the look-up table to the observation geometries. The cost functions are calculated for each aerosol profile in the look-up table based on the simulated O4 DSCDs, the O4 DSCD observations as well as the measurement uncertainties. Valid profiles are selected from all the possible profiles according to the cost function, and the optimal solution is defined as the weighted mean of all valid profiles. A comprehensive error analysis is performed to better estimate the total uncertainty. Based on the assumption that the look-up table covers all the possible profiles under clear sky conditions, we determined a set of O4 DSCD scaling factors for different elevation angles and wavelengths. The dependence of the scaling factors on elevation angle might be partly related to the specific properties of the high altitude station, e.g. the highly structured topography, horizontal gradients of the aerosol extinction and the systematic dependence of the surface albedo on altitude. The retrieved aerosol optical depths (AODs) are compared to coincident and co-located sun photometer observations. High correlation coefficients of 0.733 and 0.798 are found for measurements at 360 and 477 nm, respectively. However, especially in summer the sun photometer AODs are systematically higher than the MAX-DOAS retrievals by a factor of 2. The discrepancy might be related to the limited measurement range of the MAX-DOAS, and is probably also related to the decreased sensitivity of the MAX-DOAS measurements at higher altitudes. Our results also show maximum AOD and maximum Ångström exponent in summer which is consistent with observations from an AERONET station located ~ 43 km of the MAX-DOAS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract High pressure processing (HPP) allows to extend the shelf life of meat and meat products by pressurization of microorganisms. At the same time, HPP can induce changes of the protein structure. Vacuum-packed pork chops were HPP-treated at 300, 600 MPa for 1 or 15 min. Samples of raw, cooked and HPP-treated meat muscles and juice were analysed to evaluate the structure of macromolecules. HPP caused visible discolouration of pork chops; hence, the colour of pork meat surface was tested. The lightness (colour component L*) was directly proportional to the applied pressure, probably due to the increased protein denaturation by high pressure. Pork meat muscle and juice samples were analysed with FTIR high-throughput screening (FTIR HTS-XT, Bruker, Germany). FTIR spectra of meat muscle showed pressure and time dependent decrease of numbers of α-structures and β-sheet conformations of proteins. In spectra of cooked meat muscle, the number of α-helix structures and β-sheets, identified at 1682 cm−1, was the lowest. The decrease of intensities of absorption bands at 1655 cm−1 and 1454 cm−1, assigned to the collagen type I, was directly proportional to the pressure and treatment time, thus, suggesting the release of denatured collagen into meat juice. In spectra of meat released juice, changes of Amide band shapes, frequencies and the minimum between the Amide I and II bands, compared to those of control, indicated changes in the protein secondary structure and the ratio of α-helix to β-sheet. In spectra of all juice samples an absorption band at 1394 cm−1 assigned to CH 3 groups in proteins Amide I and lipids was detected. The intensities of bands at 1394 and 1124 cm−1 increased proportionally to the increase of pressure and treatment time. It was shown that the absorption band at 1394 cm−1 can be used as a marker for assessment of the HPP induced changes in proteins. This study showed that HPP-induced changes in protein structure can be evaluated by FTIR high-throughput screening of pork meat muscles as well as released juice. FTIR analyses of the meat released juice is significantly faster and simpler method than analyses of muscle. This approach is especially effective for quick assessment of large sample sets and search of the most effective meat HPP treatment mode. Highlights • FTIR high-throughput screening can be used to evaluate the high pressure processing (HPP)-induced structural changes in pork. • Discolouration of pork by HPP is due to the protein denaturation. • HPP-induced protein structure changes can be assessed not only in the pork meat muscle but also in the released juice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A novel methodology to produce methanol via CO 2 utilization and methane dry reforming. • An extensive set of data regarding CO 2 emissions from flue gases in German regions. • Absorption is the preferred capture solution at high flue gas flow rate. • Hydrogen via water electrolysis for dry reforming reaction is the best solution. A mathematical model for the optimal design of a supply chain for carbon capture, utilization and storage is developed. Carbon dioxide may be stored and/or utilized to produce methanol via methane dry reforming. The Mixed Integer Linear Program model is developed for ten major carbon dioxide emission sources in Germany. Three different cases are considered, according to hydrogen production route required to correct the syngas composition: hydrogen by external reforming, hydrogen by external water electrolysis, hydrogen by internal steam reforming. Results show that absorption is the preferred capture solutions at high flue gas flow rate. Results also show that the best option is providing hydrogen by water electrolysis, because a higher amount of carbon dioxide is used to produce the same amount of methanol with lower environmental impact. The proposed network produces 203 Mton/year of methanol, then Germany would be able to satisfy the world methanol demand in the next years. Carbon tax and economic incentives are required to reduce the methanol production cost to 340 €/ton: only in this case the process is economically feasible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study the consistency between MAX-DOAS measurements and radiative transfer simulations of the atmospheric O4 absorption is investigated on 2 mainly cloud-free days during the MAD-CAT campaign in Mainz, Germany, in summer 2013. In recent years several studies indicated that measurements and radiative transfer simulations of the atmospheric O4 absorption can only be brought into agreement if a so-called scaling factor (<1) is applied to the measured O4 absorption. However, many studies, including those based on direct sunlight measurements, came to the opposite conclusion, that there is no need for a scaling factor. Up to now, there is no broad consensus for an explanation of the observed discrepancies between measurements and simulations. Previous studies inferred the need for a scaling factor from the comparison of the aerosol optical depths derived from MAX-DOAS O4 measurements with that derived from coincident sun photometer measurements. In this study a different approach is chosen: the measured O4 absorption at 360 nm is directly compared to the O4 absorption obtained from radiative transfer simulations. The atmospheric conditions used as input for the radiative transfer simulations were taken from independent data sets, in particular from sun photometer and ceilometer measurements at the measurement site. This study has three main goals: first all relevant error sources of the spectral analysis, the radiative transfer simulations and the extraction of the input parameters used for the radiative transfer simulations are quantified. One important result obtained from the analysis of synthetic spectra is that the O4 absorptions derived from the spectral analysis agree within 1 % with the corresponding radiative transfer simulations at 360 nm. Based on the results from sensitivity studies, recommendations for optimised settings for the spectral analysis and radiative transfer simulations are given. Second, the measured and simulated results are compared for 2 selected cloud-free days with similar aerosol optical depths but very different aerosol properties. On 18 June, measurements and simulations agree within their (rather large) uncertainties (the ratio of simulated and measured O4 absorptions is found to be 1.01±0.16). In contrast, on 8 July measurements and simulations significantly disagree: for the middle period of that day the ratio of simulated and measured O4 absorptions is found to be 0.82±0.10 , which differs significantly from unity. Thus, for that day a scaling factor is needed to bring measurements and simulations into agreement. Third, recommendations for further intercomparison exercises are derived. One important recommendation for future studies is that aerosol profile data should be measured at the same wavelengths as the MAX-DOAS measurements. Also, the altitude range without profile information close to the ground should be minimised and detailed information on the aerosol optical and/or microphysical properties should be collected and used. The results for both days are inconsistent, and no explanation for a O4 scaling factor could be derived in this study. Thus, similar but more extended future studies should be performed, including more measurement days and more instruments. Also, additional wavelengths should be included. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present high spatial resolution (up to 2.2×2.2 km2) simulations focussed over south-west Germany using the online coupled regional atmospheric chemistry model system MECO(n) (MESSy-fied ECHAM and COSMO models nested n times). Numerical simulation of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) surface volume mixing ratios (VMRs) are compared to in situ measurements from a network with 193 locations including background, traffic-adjacent and industrial stations to investigate the model's performance in simulating the spatial and temporal variability of short-lived chemical species. We show that the use of a high-resolution and up-to-date emission inventory is crucial for reproducing the spatial variability and resulted in good agreement with the measured VMRs at the background and industrial locations with an overall bias of less than 10 %. We introduce a computationally efficient approach that simulates diurnal and daily variability in monthly-resolved anthropogenic emissions to resolve the temporal variability of NO2. MAX-DOAS (Multiple AXis Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy) measurements performed at Mainz (49.99 ∘ N, 8.23 ∘ E) were used to evaluate the simulated tropospheric vertical column densities (VCDs) of NO2. We propose a consistent and robust approach to evaluate the vertical distribution of NO2 in the boundary layer by comparing the individual differential slant column densities (dSCDs) at various elevation angles. This approach considers details of the spatial heterogeneity and sensitivity volume of the MAX-DOAS measurements while comparing the measured and simulated dSCDs. The effects of clouds on the agreement between MAX-DOAS measurements and simulations have also been investigated. For low elevation angles (≤8 ∘), small biases in the range of -14 % to +7 % and Pearson correlation coefficients in the range of 0.5 to 0.8 were achieved for different azimuth directions in the cloud-free cases, indicating good model performance in the layers close to the surface. Accounting for diurnal and daily variability in the monthly-resolved anthropogenic emissions was found to be crucial for the accurate representation of time series of measured NO2 VMR and dSCDs and is particularly critical when vertical mixing is suppressed, and the atmospheric lifetime of NO2 is relatively long. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Particulate nitrogen has far-reaching negative effects on human health and the environment, and effective strategies for reducing it require understanding its sources and formation processes. To learn about these factors, we recorded size-resolved nitrogen isotope ratios (δ15N) of total particulate N at an urban site in northwest Germany during a four-week measuring campaign. We observed a steady decrease in δ15N when going from fine to coarse particles, with values between +18 ‰ and −2 ‰. This difference based on particle size is caused by different isotope fractionation processes during particle formation: The fine particles contain ammonium nitrate, which is formed in an equilibrium process, leading to an enrichment of 15N. Moreover, fine particles are more reactive due to their larger surface areas and relatively long residence times in the atmosphere, which leads to an additional enrichment of 15N; a key step of this process likely occurs when the ammonium particles interact with ammonia from agricultural sources. In contrast to fine particles, coarse particles are formed by direct absorption of HNO3 on preexisting particles; the HNO3 stems from traffic emissions of NOx and subsequent oxidation in the atmospheric gas phase. Because only a small amount of isotope fractionation is associated with non-equilibrium processes during phase transitions, there is less 15N enrichment in the coarse particles. Overall, nitrogen isotopes clearly reflect the different formation processes of fine and coarse aerosol particles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Complexation chromatography for speciation of organotin compounds. • Ternary eluent and flow-rate gradient method. • Ligand addition to mobile phase for on-column complex formation. • Robust ICP-MS conditions for liquid chromatography gradient method. Organotin compounds (OTCs) are widely regulated but rank among the most used organometallic compounds in various industrial sectors. They are significantly more toxic than inorganic tin compounds. At workplaces, OTCs can be released as vapors or dust particles and can be absorbed by inhalation or skin contact. Occupational exposure thus represents a great risk for the absorption of OTCs for employees. Methods for OTCs speciation in workplace air monitoring currently do not exist. This study describes the development of a separation method for eleven in Germany regulated OTCs via HPLC-ICP-MS. The method allows a near baseline separation of MMT, MBT, MOT, MPhT, DMT, DBT, DPhT, TMT, TBT, TPhT and TTMT within 22 min on a C18 column and a ternary solvent and flow rate gradient using methanol, acetonitrile, and ultrapure water + 6% (v/v) acetic acid + 0.17% (m/v) α-tropolone. Ten analytes show linearity in the working range of 10 - 100 µg OTCs/L with R² > 0.999. Due to its high volatility the analyte TTMT showed a quadratic relationship between concentration and signal intensity with R² = 0.9998. The determination of the instrumental limits resulted in detection limits between 0.14 and 0.57 µg Sn/L and limits of quantification between 0.49 and 1.97 µg Sn/L. Over the course of this study thermal instability and cross reactivity of OTC in solution became apparent. Formation of two reaction products in mixed OTCs solutions have been observed. These effects will further be examined within development of appropriate sampling and sample preparation for workplace air to provide a suitable method for the determination of OTCs at workplaces according to normative references. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The number of constitutional courts and supreme courts with constitutional review rights has strongly increased with the third wave of democratisation across the world as an important element of the new constitutionalism. These courts play an important role in day-to-day politics as they can nullify acts of parliament and thus prevent or reverse a change in the status quo. In macro-concepts of comparative politics, their role is unclear. Either they are integrated as counter-majoritarian institutional features of a political system or they are entirely ignored: some authors do not discuss their potential impact at all, while others dismiss them because they believe their preferences as veto players are entirely absorbed by other actors in the political system. However, we know little about the conditions and variables that determine them as being counter-majoritarian or veto players. This article employs the concept of Tsebelis' veto player theory to analyse the question. It focuses on the spatial configuration of veto players in the legislative process and then adds the court as an additional player to find out if it is absorbed in the pareto-efficient set of the existing players or not. A court which is absorbed by other veto players should not in theory veto new legislation. It is argued in this article that courts are conditional veto players. Their veto is dependent on three variables: the ideological composition of the court; the pattern of government control; and the legislative procedures. To empirically support the analysis, data from the United States, France and Germany from 1974 to 2009 is used. This case selection increases variance with regard to system types and court types. The main finding is that courts are not always absorbed as veto players: during the period of analysis, absorption varies between 11 and 71 per cent in the three systems. Furthermore, the pattern of absorption is specific in each country due to government control, court majority and legislative procedure. Therefore, it can be concluded that they are conditional veto players. The findings have at least two implications. First, constitutional courts and supreme courts with judicial review rights should be systematically included in veto player analysis of political systems and not left aside. Any concept ignoring such courts may lead to invalid results, and any concept that counts such courts merely as an institutional feature may lead to distorted results that over- or under-estimate their impact. Second, the findings also have implications for the study of judicial politics. The main bulk of literature in this area is concerned with auto-limitation, the so-called 'self-restraint' of the government to avoid defeat at the court. This auto-limitation, however, should only occur if a court is not absorbed. However, vetoes observed when the court is absorbed might be explained by strategic behaviour among judges engaging in selective defection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We explore the possibility to precipitate and to extract DNA, or RNA using an active water/ethanol Janus droplet. The active Janus droplet is initially formed by a single droplet made of a water/ethanol mixture in an oil/surfactant solution. This active droplet self-propels and absorbs surfactant molecules, by advection, while moving in the oily phase. The surfactant absorption leads to a phase separation of the water/ethanol mixture and the formation of an active Janus droplet. This active Janus droplet is made of a water-rich leading droplet and an ethanol-rich trailing droplet. We employ this phase separation method to precipitate and to extract DNA, RNA, or DNA/RNA mixtures independently, in an automatic manner. This automatic precipitation and extraction of DNA, or RNA, is achieved by tuning their water solubility with the addition of salt and then it is demonstrated by fluorescence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this prospective multicentre observational study was to assess the clinical performance and safety of Cutimed® Siltec® Sorbact® absorbent bacteria-binding foam dressing in wound healing and its impact on patients’ quality of life (QoL). The study was conducted under routine clinical conditions in 5 study sites in Germany and Poland. Each patient with a venous leg ulcer (VLU) or a diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) was observed for 28 days (initial visit and close-out visit, as well as 3 control visits). An assessment of QoL of the patient was undertaken before and after the study. Sixty-two patients were included in the statistical analysis. Clinicians rated the following assessment parameters in relation to Cutimed Siltec Sorbact dressings as ‘very good’ to ‘good’: wearing comfort (rated by the patient), application and removal, exudate absorption with or without compression and fluid retention capacity with or without compression and infection management. The use of Cutimed Siltec Sorbact dressing was beneficial in absorbing wound exudate (chi-square=28.45, P value<0.001), reduction of the viscosity of wound exudate (chi-square=25.63, P value<0.001), and there were more intact, less macerated, red and oedematous wound surroundings. There was also a 9% decrease in the number of infected wounds at the close-out visit. Analysis of the Wound-QoL measures demonstrated a reduction in the perception of performance parameters associated with wound infection. It can therefore be deduced that the use of Cutimed Siltec Sorbact was effective in wound management and had positive implications for patients’ QoL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ag2O/GO/TiO2 composite nanoparticles were synthesized via a two-stage route including wet chemical and sol-gel techniques. The phase regarding the composition and morphology of composite nanoparticles was characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transfer infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). The structural studies revealed the successful formation of 300-nm Ag2O/GO/TiO2 composite spheres self-assembled to 35-nm particle aggregates. UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) was utilized to investigate optical properties. The results indicated an absorption edge in the UV region with a band-gap equivalent to 3.2 eV for Ag2O/GO/TiO2 composite nanoparticles. The morphological features of the sample were investigated with a Zeiss (EM10C, Germany) transmission electron microscope (TEM) operating at 100 kV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]