VLT narrow-band photometry in the Lyman continuum of two galaxies at z~3: Limits to the escape of ionizing flux

We have performed narrow-band imaging observations with the Very Large Telescope, aimed at detecting the Lyman continuum (LC) flux escaping from galaxies at z~3. We do not find any significant LC flux from our sample of two galaxies in the Hubble Deep Field South, at z=3.170 and 3.275. The corresponding lower limits on the F_{1400}/F_{900} flux density (per Hz) ratio are 15.6 and 10.2 (3-sigma confidence level). After correction for the intergalactic hydrogen absorption, the resulting limits on the relative escape fraction of the LC are compared with those obtained by different approaches, at similar or lower redshifts. One of our two objects has a relative escape fraction lower than the detection reported by Steidel et al. in a composite spectrum of z~3 galaxies. A larger number of objects is required to reach a significant conclusion. Our comparison shows the potential of narrow-band imaging for obtaining the best limit on the relative escape fraction at z~3. Stacking a significant number of galaxies observed through a narrow-band filter would provide constraint on the galactic contribution to the cosmic reionization.Comment: 13 pages (two column style), A&A accepted, title was changed following by a suggestion of the Edito

Abnormalities of White Matter Microstructure in Unmedicated Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and Changes after Medication

BACKGROUND: Abnormalities of myelin integrity have been reported in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) using multi-parameter maps of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). However, it was still unknown to what degree these abnormalities might be affected by pharmacological treatment. OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether the abnormalities of white matter microstructure including myelin integrity exist in OCD and whether they are affected by medication. METHODOLOGY AND PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Parameter maps of DTI, including fractional anisotropy (FA), axial diffusivity (AD), radial diffusivity (RD) and mean diffusivity (MD), were acquired from 27 unmedicated OCD patients (including 13 drug-naïve individuals) and 23 healthy controls. Voxel-based analysis was then performed to detect regions with significant group difference. We compared the DTI-derived parameters of 15 patients before and after 12-week Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI) therapies. Significant differences of DTI-derived parameters were observed between OCD and healthy groups in multiple structures, mainly within the fronto-striato-thalamo-cortical loop. An increased RD in combination with no change in AD among OCD patients was found in the left medial superior frontal gyrus, temporo-parietal lobe, occipital lobe, striatum, insula and right midbrain. There was no statistical difference in DTI-derived parameters between drug-naive and previously medicated OCD patients. After being medicated, OCD patients showed a reduction in RD of the left striatum and right midbrain, and in MD of the right midbrain. CONCLUSION: Our preliminary findings suggest that abnormalities of white matter microstructure, particularly in terms of myelin integrity, are primarily located within the fronto-striato-thalamo-cortical circuit of individuals with OCD. Some abnormalities may be partly reversed by SSRI treatment

Geschlechtersensibilität im Karrierementoring - ein Projektbericht der Universität Leipzig, Medizinische Fakultät

Objective: The elective subject "career management for medical students" is presented as an example of teaching gender sensitivity issues among medical studies at Leipzig University. The project report shows the interim results of promoting gender-sensitive teaching at the Medical Faculty of Leipzig University, as well as the elective's contribution to the development of gender sensitivity at the entire university.Method: Project Description and Results show the organization/procedure, participants and detailed contents of the elective since it began in Winter Term 2010/11. The research examines the elective's mandate at the Medical Faculty and beyond, i.e. by comparing with the efforts of other universities. Results: The elective is the first subject for credit within the clinical curriculum of medical studies at Leipzig University that connects the topics of gender sensitivity and career management. It creates a view of the specialties of medicine and research as they relate to gender, and also on the options of a medical career and touches the topic of gender equality. A faculty survey in the winter semester of 2011/12 reveals that nearly one third of the medical students want an extension of the curriculum around the topic of gender or even an independent subject "Gender Medicine". The elective is part of a cycle promoting gender equality at Leipzig University.Conclusion: The elective initiates and continues the implementation of gender-sensitive teaching at the Medical Faculty of Leipzig University. The management of the elective aims at the permanent establishment of the subject in the curriculum in order to encourage career ambitions early - especially for women.Zielsetzung: Das Wahlfach "Karriereplanung für Medizinstudierende" wird als Beispiel für die Lehre von geschlechtersensiblen Aspekten im Leipziger Medizinstudium vorgestellt. Welche Zwischenbilanz kann dabei für die Förderung der geschlechtersensiblen Lehre an der Medizinischen Fakultät der Universität Leipzig gezogen werden? Welchen Beitrag leistet das Wahlfach zur gesamtuniversitären Entwicklung einer Geschlechtersensibilität?Methodik: In Projektbeschreibung und Ergebnisteil werden Organisation/ Ablauf, Teilnehmer*innen und Inhalte des Wahlfachs seit Start im Wintersemester 2010/11 vorgestellt. Die Forschungsfragen untersuchen, welchen Auftrag die Lehrveranstaltung auf Fakultätsebene und darüber hinaus erfüllt. Ein Instrument hierbei ist der Vergleich mit anderen Hochschulen. Ergebnisse: Lokal stellt das Wahlfach als erste offizielle Studienleistung im klinischen Studienabschnitt den Zusammenhang zwischen den Themen "Geschlechtersensibilität" und "Karriere" her. Die Lehrveranstaltung bedient inhaltlich die Geschlechtersensibilität im Fachkontext Medizin und Forschung, die Orientierung im Karrierefeld Medizin und den Gleichstellungsdiskurs. In einer Fakultätsumfrage im WS 2011/12 wünschen knapp ein Drittel der Studierenden eine Angebotserweiterung - bis hin zum eigenständigen Fach "Gender Medizin". Das Wahlfach ist Bestandteil eines Kreislaufes zur Förderung des Gleichstellungsprozesses an der Universität Leipzig.Schlussfolgerung: Die Implementierung einer geschlechtersensiblen Lehre an der Medizinischen Fakultät der Universität Leipzig wird durch das Wahlfach initiiert und fortgesetzt. Ziel der Wahlfachleitung ist die Etablierung einer curricularen Lehrveranstaltung dieser Art zur frühzeitigen Förderung der - insbesondere weiblichen - Karriere