A systematic study is presented in which multilayers of different composition (W/Si, Mo/Si, Pd/B(4)C), periodicity (from 2.5 to 5.5 nm) and number of layers have been characterized. In particular, the intrinsic quality (roughness and reflectivity) as well as the performance (homogeneity and coherence of the outgoing beam) as a monochromator for synchrotron radiation hard X-ray micro-imaging are investigated. The results indicate that the material composition is the dominating factor for the performance. By helping scientists and engineers specify the design parameters of multilayer monochromators, these results can contribute to a better exploitation of the advantages of multilayer monochromators over crystal-based devices; i.e. larger spectral bandwidth and high photon flux density, which are particularly useful for synchrotron-based micro-radiography and -tomography.

We investigated associations of markers of inflammation such as albumin, fibrinogen, C‐reactive protein (CRP), and white blood cell count (WBCC) with future weight gain and weight loss in middle‐aged adults in order to further elucidate the relationship between subclinical inflammation and weight change. Data were derived from the third population‐based MONICA (Monitoring of Trends and Determinants in Cardiovascular Diseases) Augsburg survey (S3) conducted as part of the multinational World Health Organization MONICA project in 1994–1995 and a follow‐up examination, to which all eligible subjects from S3 were invited in 2004–2005 (F3). In total, 2,792 persons (1,391 men, 1,401 women) aged 25–74 years at baseline were analyzed. Subjects with elevated concentrations of inflammatory markers were more prone to gain weight during follow‐up. The odds ratios (OR) for a large mean annual weight gain (i.e., on average 1.02 kg/year) was 1.73 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.27, 2.35) in fully adjusted analyses for subjects in the highest compared to the lowest quartile of fibrinogen. The respective ORs were 1.45 (95% CI, 1.08, 1.94) and 1.37 (95% CI, 1.03, 1.82) for CRP and WBCC. Stratified analyses revealed that associations were strongest among subjects who quitted smoking during the follow‐up period (new quitters). Associations of inflammatory markers with large mean annual weight loss were weaker and became nonsignificant after multivariable adjustment. In conclusion, elevated levels of inflammatory markers are independently associated with weight gain in middle‐aged adults, particularly among new quitters. This suggests that inflammation plays a key role in the process of weight gain, especially after smoking cessation.

The receptor-binding protein pb5(T5) of bacteriophage T5, when expressed from the oad gene cloned in pVK88 under the control of the phage T7 promoter/polymerase system, has been shown to bind to its FhuA receptor on the surface of E. coli, where it blocks FhuA for subsequent adsorption of T5 (Mondigler et al., FEMS Microbiol. Lett., 130, 293-300, 1995). In the present study the blocking assay has been applied to analyze the effects of several mutations within oad on the FhuA-binding properties of corresponding pb5 derivatives. Three classes of mutations were tested: (i) oad deletion derivatives, (ii) the oad mutation known to interfere with FhuA-binding of T5 (Heller and Bryniok, J. Virol., 49, 20-25, 1984), and (iii) linker-insertion mutations at a site very close to the oad mutation. Of the corresponding pb5 derivatives only one, a deletion derivative lacking the 153 C-terminal amino acids, was as active in the blocking assay as wild-type pb5(T5). All other derivatives were inactive or almost inactive. Isolation and molecular characterization of phenotypic revertants of T5oad showed that all revertants were true genotypic revertants of the oad mutation. The oad mutation has been identified as a G to T exchange resulting in a substitution of Gly for Trp at position 166 of pb5(T5). DNA sequencing of the hrs gene of bacteriophage BF23 and comparing the deduced amino acid sequence of pb5(BF23) with that of pb5(T5) revealed distinct regions of similarity and nonsimilarity. We propose that the receptor-binding region of pb5(T5) (pb5(BF23)) is formed by the region of nonsimilarity extending from amino acid position 89 (88) to position 305 (283).

Grazing incidence and grazing emission X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (GI/GE-XRF) are techniques that enable nondestructive, quantitative analysis of elemental depth profiles with a resolution in the nanometer regime. A laboratory setup for soft X-ray GEXRF measurements is presented. Reasonable measurement times could be achieved by combining a highly brilliant laser produced plasma (LPP) source with a scanning-free GEXRF setup, providing a large solid angle of detection. The detector, a pnCCD, was operated in a single photon counting mode in order to utilize its energy dispersive properties. GEXRF profiles of the Ni-L line of a nickel-carbon multilayer sample, which displays a lateral (bi)layer thickness gradient, were recorded at several positions. Simulations of theoretical profiles predicted a prominent intensity minimum at grazing emission angles between 5° and 12°, depending strongly on the bilayer thickness of the sample. This information was used to retrieve the bilayer thickness gradient. The results are in good agreement with values obtained by X-ray reflectometry, conventional X-ray fluorescence and transmission electron microscopy measurements and serve as proof-of-principle for the realized GEXRF setup. The presented work demonstrates the potential of nanometer resolved elemental depth profiling in the soft X-ray range with a laboratory source, opening, for example, the possibility of in-line or even in situ process control in semiconductor industry.

Results of quantitative analysis of fluorescence x-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) experiments at the FeK absorption edge are presented for a 6*(4.3 nm Fe/10.4 nm Al) multilayer prepared by pulsed laser deposition. Fluorescence XAFS experiments have been combined with excitation of prepared by pulsed laser deposition. Fluorescence XAFS experiments have been combined with excitation of x-ray standing waves. This combination in one experiment allowed for a depth-controlled excitation of Fe fluorescence and hence for a depth-resolved analysis of short-range order. Depth-resolved analysis showed that instead of sharp Fe/Al or Al/Fe interfaces extended interlayer regions exist. The structure retained that of bulk a-Fe. In the upper half of the Fe layer 37 at. % Al as nearest and next nearest neighbors of Fe were found, whereas in the lower half 80 at. % Al atoms occur. Thus the Fe/Al interface (deposition of Fe on Al)should be characterized by an intermixing zone significantly larger in comparison to that of the Al/Fe interface (deposition of Al on Fe).By conventional XAFS measurement carried out at a fixed angle of incidence of the exciting beam an average Fe neighborhood for the entire Fe layer of 58 at. % Al atoms was found. This value agrees with the average obtained when the analysis of the layer was performed separately for two sublayers by shifting the wave field through the layer