Propagation of gravitational waves in multimetric gravity

We discuss the propagation of gravitational waves in a recently discussed class of theories containing N >= 2 metric tensors and a corresponding number of standard model copies. Using the formalism of gauge-invariant linear perturbation theory we show that all gravitational waves propagate at the speed of light. We then employ the Newman-Penrose formalism to show that two to six polarizations of gravitational waves may exist, depending on the parameters entering the equations of motion. This corresponds to E(2) representations N_2, N_3, III_5 and II_6. We finally apply our general discussion to a recently presented concrete multimetric gravity model and show that it is of class N_2, i.e., it allows only two tensor polarizations, as it is the case for general relativity. Our results provide the theoretical background for tests of multimetric gravity theories using the upcoming gravitational wave experiments.Comment: 21 pages, no figures, journal versio

MODELLING AND PROGNOSIS OF COMPETITIVE PERFORMANCES IN ELITE SWIMMING

The study demonstrates that the performance of an elite female swimmer in the finals of the 200 m backstroke at the Olympic Games 2000 in Sydney can be predicted by means of the nonlinear mathematical method of a neural back-propagation network. The analysis included the performance output data of 19 competitions prior to the Olympics within a time period of 95 successive weeks and the training input data of the last four weeks prior to each competition. The training data were divided into two phases: (1) a two-week taper cycle, and (2) an earlier two-week high load cycle. The trained neural network was not only able to model the 19 competitive performances, but also to predict the performance in the semi final of the Olympic Games in Sydney on the basis of the two sets of training data during the preparation before that specific competition

Non-invasive genetic approaches for estimation of ungulate population size: a study on roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) based on faeces

Estudios genéticos no invasivos, para la estimación del tamaño de una población de ungulados: estudio sobre el corzo (Capreolus capreolus) basado en sus heces La estimación de los tamaños de población es particularmente difícil en las especies de animales que viven en hábitats de vegetación densa, en la que se pueden mimetizar. Este es el caso del corzo, al igual que el de muchos otros ungulados. Nuestro objetivo fue desarrollar una aproximación genética no invasiva de captura–marcado–recaptura basada en las heces de corzo recogidas a lo largo de transectos. En un estudio piloto, recogimos 1.790 heces de corzo durante cinco días de muestreo en un área de estudio boscosa en el sudoeste de Alemania. Extrajimos el ADN de 410 de dichas muestras y llevamos a cabo un análisis de microsatélites utilizando siete marcadores de dinucleótidos. Los análisis tuvieron como resultado 328 genotipos consenso, que se asignaron a 174 individuos. La población estimada usando el enfoque bayesiano fue de 94 (82–111) machos y 136 (121–156) hembras. Nuestro estudio demuestra que los métodos genéticos no invasivos constituyen una herramienta de gestión muy valiosa para el corzo.Estudios genéticos no invasivos, para la estimación del tamaño de una población de ungulados: estudio sobre el corzo (Capreolus capreolus) basado en sus heces La estimación de los tamaños de población es particularmente difícil en las especies de animales que viven en hábitats de vegetación densa, en la que se pueden mimetizar. Este es el caso del corzo, al igual que el de muchos otros ungulados. Nuestro objetivo fue desarrollar una aproximación genética no invasiva de captura–marcado–recaptura basada en las heces de corzo recogidas a lo largo de transectos. En un estudio piloto, recogimos 1.790 heces de corzo durante cinco días de muestreo en un área de estudio boscosa en el sudoeste de Alemania. Extrajimos el ADN de 410 de dichas muestras y llevamos a cabo un análisis de microsatélites utilizando siete marcadores de dinucleótidos. Los análisis tuvieron como resultado 328 genotipos consenso, que se asignaron a 174 individuos. La población estimada usando el enfoque bayesiano fue de 94 (82–111) machos y 136 (121–156) hembras. Nuestro estudio demuestra que los métodos genéticos no invasivos constituyen una herramienta de gestión muy valiosa para el corzo.Estimating population size is particularly difficult for animal species living in concealing habitats with dense vegetation. This is the case for roe deer as for many other ungulates. Our objective was to develop a non–invasive genetic capture–mark–recapture approach based on roe deer faeces collected along transects. In a pilot study, we collected 1,790 roe deer faeces during five sampling days in a forested study area in south western Germany. We extracted DNA from 410 of these samples and carried out microsatellite analysis using seven dinucleotide markers. The analyses resulted in 328 useable consensus genotypes which were assigned to 174 individuals. The population size estimated using a Bayesian approach was 94 (82–111) male and 136 (121–156) female roe deer. Our study shows that non–invasive genetic methods are a valuable management tool for roe deer

Dominance or tolerance? Causes and consequences of a period of increased intercommunity encounters among bonobos (Pan paniscus) at LuiKotale

Group-living primates exhibit variable reactions to intergroup encounters (or IGEs), reflecting species-specific strategies and individual motivations. In chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes), dominating in IGEs provides fitness benefits. Less is known about responses to IGEs in bonobos (Pan paniscus) despite their equal relevance for understanding the origins of human intergroup relations. We observed the Bompusa West (WBp) bonobo community at LuiKotale during a 2-month shift in ranging resulting in frequent IGEs with the smaller Bompusa East (EBp) community. We tested whether incursions provided ecological benefits, and whether responses to IGEs were consistent with inter-community dominance or tolerance. We measured fruit availability and collected activity scans from 26 mature WBp community members when in their core ranging area, during incursions into the EBp ranging area, and during IGEs. We collected data on sexual interactions and aggression with in-group and out-group members during 19 independent IGEs. During their shift in ranging, fruit availability was greater in the EBp ranging area, and WBp bonobos consumed more fruit during incursions than when in their core ranging area. Coalitionary intergroup aggression occurred during nine IGEs, and outcomes were consistent with imbalances in fighting power, in that larger WBp parties supplanted smaller EBp parties from the immediate area. However, communities reformed associations following 70% of coalitionary conflicts, and prolonged IGEs facilitated out-group sexual interactions and female transfers. The WBp community shift in ranging was likely motivated by ecological factors and responses to increased IGEs reflected a mixture of competitive and tolerant strategies

Comparing teacher roles in Denmark and England

This article reports the findings of a comparative study of teaching in Denmark and England; its broader aim is to help develop an approach for comparing pedagogy. Lesson observations and interviews identified the range of goals towards which teachers in each country worked and the actions these prompted. These were clustered using the lens of Bernstein’s pedagogic discourse (1990; 1996) to construct teacher roles which provided a view of pedagogy. Through this approach we have begun to identify variations in pedagogy across two countries. All teachers in this study adopted a variety of roles; of significance was the ease with which competent English teachers moved between roles. The English teachers observed adopted roles consistent with a wider techno-rationalist discourse. There was a greater subject emphasis by Danish teachers whose work was set predominantly within a democratic humanist discourse, whilst the English teachers placed a greater emphasis on applied skills

Development of a parallelizable QCM-D array for the mass spectrometric analysis of proteins

Quarz crystal microbalances allow the monitoring of the adsorption process of mass from a liquid to their surface. The adsorbed mass can be analysed regarding to its protein content using mass spectromety. To ensure the protein identification the results of several measurements can be combined. A high content QCM-D array was developed to allow up to ten measurements parallel. The samples can be routed inside the array distributing one sample to several chips. The fluidic parts were prototyped using 3D printing. The assembled array was tight and the sample routing function could be demonstrated. A temperature controller was developed and implemented. The parameters for the PID controller were determined and the controller was shown to be able to keep the temperature constant over long time with high accuracy

Negoiated Stories in Public Space

Design professionals and environmental social scientists understand the human modified environment as a material production of cultures. As a result, we also support the idea of spaces as communicative. The contextually defined relations between objects, places, and people communicate the values, decisions, and choices made throughout a broadly defined process of placemaking. Places have meanings, they tell stories. Thus narrating is one aspect or part of deCerteau\u27s conception of spatial practices (de Certeau, 1984, xiv). Yet because values differ, the same place may tell different stories to different people