Music, masculinity, and tradition: a musical ethnography of Dagbamba warriors in Tamale, Ghana

Chronic unemployment and decreased agricultural production over the last two decades have left an increasing number of men throughout Ghana’s historically under-developed North unable to meet the financial and moral expectations traditionally associated with masculinity. Paralleling the liberalization of Ghana’s political economy over this period, this “crisis of masculinity” has resulted in unprecedented transformations in traditional kinship structures, patriarchy, and channels for the transmission of traditional practices in Dagbamba communities. Driven by anxieties over these changes, Dagbamba “tradition” is being promoted as a prescription for problems stemming from poverty, environmental degradation, and political conflict, placing music and dance at the center of this discourse. Music, Masculinity, and Tradition, investigates the mobilization of traditional music as a site for the restoration of masculinity within the Dagbamba community of northern Ghana. Drawing on eleven months of participant-observation conducted with Dagbamba warriors in Ghana’s Northern Region, archival research, and ethnographic interviews, this dissertation explores the relationship between performances of traditional music, preservationist discourses, and the construction of masculinity in the first decades of the 21st century. Through analyses of the warriors’ ritual performances, including sounds, movements, and dramatized violence, I ask how traditional ideals and contemporary realities of Dagbamba masculinity are constructed, negotiated, and reinforced through performances of traditional music, suggesting links between the “iterative performativity” of the ritual and evolving constructions of gender. This dissertation offers insight into the musical construction of masculinity and the place of “tradition” in the 21st century. It also challenges over-determined notions of power/resistance through a critical evaluation of traditional musical performances as sites for the negotiation of ideas about gender, power, and history in contemporary Africa

Parameter-induced uncertainty quantification of soil N 2 O, NO and CO 2 emission from Höglwald spruce forest (Germany) using the LandscapeDNDC model

Assessing the uncertainties of simulation results of ecological models is becoming increasingly important, specifically if these models are used to estimate greenhouse gas emissions on site to regional/national levels. Four general sources of uncertainty effect the outcome of process-based models: (i) uncertainty of information used to initialise and drive the model, (ii) uncertainty of model parameters describing specific ecosystem processes, (iii) uncertainty of the model structure, and (iv) accurateness of measurements (e.g., soil-atmosphere greenhouse gas exchange) which are used for model testing and development. The aim of our study was to assess the simulation uncertainty of the process-based biogeochemical model LandscapeDNDC. For this we set up a Bayesian framework using a Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) method, to estimate the joint model parameter distribution. Data for model testing, parameter estimation and uncertainty assessment were taken from observations of soil fluxes of nitrous oxide (N2O), nitric oxide (NO) and carbon dioxide (CO2) as observed over a 10 yr period at the spruce site of the Höglwald Forest, Germany. By running four independent Markov Chains in parallel with identical properties (except for the parameter start values), an objective criteria for chain convergence developed by Gelman et al. (2003) could be used. Our approach shows that by means of the joint parameter distribution, we were able not only to limit the parameter space and specify the probability of parameter values, but also to assess the complex dependencies among model parameters used for simulating soil C and N trace gas emissions. This helped to improve the understanding of the behaviour of the complex LandscapeDNDC model while simulating soil C and N turnover processes and associated C and N soil-atmosphere exchange. In a final step the parameter distribution of the most sensitive parameters determining soil-atmosphere C and N exchange were used to obtain the parameter-induced uncertainty of simulated N2O, NO and CO2 emissions. These were compared to observational data of an calibration set (6 yr) and an independent validation set of 4 yr. The comparison showed that most of the annual observed trace gas emissions were in the range of simulated values and were predicted with a high certainty (Root-mean-squared error (RMSE) NO: 2.4 to 18.95 g N ha−1 d−1, N2O: 0.14 to 21.12 g N ha−1 d−1, CO2: 5.4 to 11.9 kg C ha−1 d−1). However, LandscapeDNDC simulations were sometimes still limited to accurately predict observed seasonal variations in fluxes

Tracing the sites of obscured star formation in the Antennae galaxies with Herschel-PACS

FIR imaging of interacting galaxies allows locating even hidden sites of star formation and measuring of the relative strength of nuclear and extra-nuclear star formation. We want to resolve the star-forming sites in the nearby system of the Antennae. Thanks to the unprecedented sharpness and depth of the PACS camera onboard ESA's Herschel Space Observatory, it is possible for the first time to achieve a complete assessment of individual star-forming knots in the FIR with scan maps at 70, 100, and 160 um. We used clump extraction photometry and SED diagnostics to derive the properties related to star-forming activity. The PACS 70, 100, and 160 um maps trace the knotty structure of the most recent star formation along an arc between the two nuclei in the overlap area. The resolution of the starburst knots and additional multi-wavelength data allow their individual star formation history and state to be analysed. In particular, the brightest knot in the mid-infrared (K1), east of the southern nucleus, exhibits the highest activity by far in terms of dust heating and star formation rate, efficiency, and density. With only 2 kpc in diameter, this area has a 10-1000 um luminosity, which is as high as that of our Milky Way. It shows the highest deficiency in radio emission in the radio-to-FIR luminosity ratio and a lack of X-ray emission, classifying it as a very young complex. The brightest 100 and 160 um emission region (K2), which is close to the collision front and consists of 3 knots, also shows a high star formation density and efficiency and lack of X-ray emission in its most obscured part, but an excess in the radio-to-FIR luminosity ratio. This suggests a young stage, too, but different conditions in its interstellar medium. Our results provide important checkpoints for numerical simulations of interacting galaxies when modelling the star formation and stellar feedback.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figures, 2 tables (A&A Herschel special issue

Onsala Space Observatory - IVS Technology Development Center

We report 2012 activities and plans for 2013

Der Wettbewerb um die lingua academica: Gegenüberstellung einer linguistischen und einer geopolitischen Perspektive zur Entwicklung internationaler Wissenschaftssprachen

The fact that today’s scientists are linguistically confined to a monoglot world when publishing on an international level has given rise to concern in the academic community around the globe. The disadvantages of one vehicular language dominating scientific research worldwide have been discussed extensively by German-speaking linguists who advocate scientific plurilingualism for international publications. Against this background, the present study seeks to shed light on the dominant position of English as the global lingua academica by juxtaposing a linguistic and a geopolitical perspective. The linguistic perspective is based on an analysis, which compares the syntax, word formation possibilities, and etymological background of terms used in the abstracts of English and German academic papers that were submitted at the University of Vienna. The findings reveal that based on these criteria, English might be considered more advantageous in fulfilling the role of the global scientific language. H   The fact that today’s scientists are linguistically confined to a monoglot world when publishing on an international level has given rise to concern in the academic community around the globe. The disadvantages of one vehicular language dominating scientific research worldwide have been discussed extensively by German-speaking linguists who advocate scientific plurilingualism for international publications. Against this background, the present study seeks to shed light on the dominant position of English as the global lingua academica by juxtaposing a linguistic and a geopolitical perspective. The linguistic perspective is based on an analysis, which compares the syntax, word formation possibilities, and etymological background of terms used in the abstracts of English and German academic papers that were submitted at the University of Vienna. The findings reveal that based on these criteria, English might be considered more advantageous in fulfilling the role of the global scientific language. H                   &nbsp

New Observing Modes for the DBBC3

The DBBC3 was further enhanced by introducing\ua0new modes. Three different firmwares have\ua0recently been implemented for observing: Direct Sampling\ua0Conversion (DSC), arbitrary selection of bands\ua0(OCT), and Digital Down Conversion (DDC). These\ua0modes cover all the requirements of astronomical,\ua0VGOS, and legacy geodetic VLBI for the time being\ua0and the immediate future. In addition, the DBBC3\ua0offers unsurpassed compatibility to the relatively large\ua0number of other existing VLBI backends. A number\ua0of test observations were performed in the last months\ua0to achieve the best performance of the VGOS modes,\ua0and similar tests are planned for the EVN network. At\ua0the same time the DBBC3 is an important platform\ua0for additional new modes to be implemented for\ua0the BRAND receiver. Several DBBC3 systems are\ua0deployed in the field and more are under construction,\ua0with the number of 4-GHz bands ranging from two up\ua0to eight with resulting output data rates from 32 Gbps\ua0to 128 Gbps

To prevent or promote grid expansion? : analyzing the future role of power transmission in the European energy system

Future energy supply systems must become more flexible than they are today to accommodate the significant contributions expected from intermittent renewable power sources. Although numerous studies on planning flexibility options have emerged over the last few years, the uncertainties related to model-based studies have left the literature lacking a proper understanding of the investment strategy needed to ensure robust power grid expansion. To address this issue, we focus herein on two important aspects of these uncertainties: the first is the relevance of various social preferences for the use of certain technologies, and the second is how the available approaches affect the flexibility options for power transmission in energy system models. To address these uncertainties, we analyze a host of scenarios. We use an energy system optimization model to plan the transition of Europe’s energy system. In addition to interacting with the heating and transport sectors, the model integrates power flows in three different ways: as a transport model, as a direct current power flow model, and as a linearized alternating current power flow model based on profiles of power transfer distribution factors. The results show that deploying transmission systems contribute significantly to system adequacy. If investments in new power transmission infrastructure are restricted - for example, because of social opposition - additional power generation and storage technologies are an alternative option to reach the necessary level of adequacy at 2% greater system costs. The share of power transmission in total system costs remains widely stable around 1.5%, even if cost assumptions or the approaches for modeling power flows are varied. Thus, the results indicate the importance of promoting investments in infrastructure projects that support pan-European power transmission. However, a wide range of possibilities exists to put this strategy into practice.German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energ

High phytoplankton growth and production rates in oligotrophic Hawaiian coastal waters

Plankton biomass, material fluxes, e.g. 14C uptake, and specific growth rates are related quantities. In the course of comparing various methods of measuring these properties in September 1982 off Oahu, Hawaii, we found specific growth rates of 1–2·d−1. Such rates approach the maximum expected values observed in laboratory cultures

Muscular involvement assessed by MRI correlates to motor function measurement values in oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy

Oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy (OPMD) is a progressive skeletal muscle dystrophy characterized by ptosis, dysphagia, and upper and lower extremity weakness. We examined eight genetically confirmed OPMD patients to detect a MRI pattern and correlate muscle involvement, with validated clinical evaluation methods. Physical assessment was performed using the Motor Function Measurement (MFM) scale. We imaged the lower extremities on a 1.5T scanner. Fatty replacement was graded on a 4-point visual scale. We found prominent affection of the adductor and hamstring muscles in the thigh, and soleus and gastrocnemius muscles in the lower leg. The MFM assessment showed relative mild clinical impairment, mostly affecting standing and transfers, while distal motor capacity was hardly affected. We observed a high (negative) correlation between the validated clinical scores and our visual imaging scores suggesting that quantitative and more objective muscle MRI might serve as outcome measure for clinical trials in muscular dystrophie

ZO-1 Guides Tight Junction Assembly and Epithelial Morphogenesis via Cytoskeletal Tension-Dependent and -Independent Functions

Formation and maintenance of tissue barriers require the coordination of cell mechanics and cell–cell junction assembly. Here, we combined methods to modulate ECM stiffness and to measure mechanical forces on adhesion complexes to investigate how tight junctions regulate cell mechanics and epithelial morphogenesis. We found that depletion of the tight junction adaptor ZO-1 disrupted junction assembly and morphogenesis in an ECM stiffness-dependent manner and led to a stiffness-dependant reorganisation of active myosin. Both junction formation and morphogenesis were rescued by inhibition of actomyosin contractility. ZO-1 depletion also impacted mechanical tension at cell-matrix and E-cadherin-based cell–cell adhesions. The effect on E-cadherin also depended on ECM stiffness and correlated with effects of ECM stiffness on actin cytoskeleton organisation. However, ZO-1 knockout also revealed tension-independent functions of ZO-1. ZO-1-deficient cells could assemble functional barriers at low tension, but their tight junctions remained corrupted with strongly reduced and discontinuous recruitment of junctional components. Our results thus reveal that reciprocal regulation between ZO-1 and cell mechanics controls tight junction assembly and epithelial morphogenesis, and that, in a second, tension-independent step, ZO-1 is required to assemble morphologically and structurally fully assembled and functionally normal tight junctions