The Internet as a means of stuying transnationalism and Diaspora?

Dieser Text beschäftigt sich mit der Frage, wie das Internet verwendet werden kann, um die Entwicklung von Interessen, Kontakten und Netzwerken von Migranten zu untersuchen und so zwischen einer transnationalen Gemeinschaft und einer Diaspora zu unterscheiden. Da das Internet zu einem zentralen Kommunikationsmittel geworden ist, insbesondere für räumlich von einander getrennte Gruppen, können die Analyse von Webseiten, ihre Nutzung und die daraus entstehenden Kommunikationswege dazu beitragen, Unterschiede und Ähnlichkeiten transnationaler Gemeinschaften und Diaspora zu verstehen. Auf Basis empirischer Daten und Erfahrungen aus dem aktuellen Forschungsprojekt der Autoren werden drei Formen nationaler, transnationaler und internationaler Beziehungen diskutiert: transnationale (online) Gemeinschaften, (virtuelle) Diaspora, und ethnische (online) Öffentlichkeiten. This paper addresses the question, how the Internet can be used to study developments in migrants’ interests, contacts and networks and so differentiate between transnational communities and Diaspora. As the Internet has become a central means of communication, especially true for geographically dispersed entities, the analysis of internet sites, their uses and the thus emerging communication paths can add to the understanding of differences and similarities of transnational communities and Diaspora. Based on empirical data and experiences collected as part of the authors´ ongoing research project on the political online activities from migrants in Germany, three different forms of national, transnational and international relationships will be discussed: transnational (online) communities,(virtual) Diasporas, and ethnic (online) public spheres

On the nature of the fast moving star S2 in the Galactic Center

We analyze the properties of the star S2 orbiting the supermassive black hole at the center of the Galaxy. A high quality SINFONI H and K band spectrum obtained from coadding 23.5 hours of observation between 2004 and 2007 reveals that S2 is an early B dwarf (B0-2.5V). Using model atmospheres, we constrain its stellar and wind properties. We show that S2 is a genuine massive star, and not the core of a stripped giant star as sometimes speculated to resolve the problem of star formation so close to the supermassive black hole. We give an upper limit on its mass loss rate, and show that it is He enriched, possibly because of the presence of a magnetic field.Comment: 4 pages, 5 figures, ApJ letters accepte

Politisches Potential des Internet:die virtuelle Diaspora der Migranten aus Russland und der Türkei in Deutschland (Projektskizze)

Das Forschungsprojekt „Politisches Potential des Internet: Die virtuelle Diaspora der Migranten aus Russland und der Türkei in Deutschland“ untersucht die politischen Aktivitäten, die Migranten in Deutschland im Internet entfalten. Dabei gilt das Forschungsinteresse der Vernetzung und der Online-Beteiligung an politischen Prozessen sowohl im Herkunftsland der Migranten als auch im Aufnahmeland. Exemplarisch soll dies anhand der Migranten aus Russland und der Türkei in Deutschland untersucht werden. Zentrale Frage ist dabei, inwiefern das Internet die bereits bekannten politischen Aktivitäten von Migranten aus der Diaspora heraus verändert. Erleichtert das Internet lediglich den Kommunikations- und Informationsfluss zwischen den Mitgliedern der Diaspora oder bekommen die Aktivitäten eine ganz neue Qualität, weil neue Einflusswege erfolgreich genutzt werden? Welche Einwirkungen auf das politische Geschehen im Herkunftsland und im Aufenthaltsland sind feststellbar?The research project “Political potential of the internet - the virtual diaspora of migrants from Russia and Turkey in Germany” examines the political activities, which migrants display in Germany on the Internet. The focus hereby lies on the interconnectedness and the on-line participation in the political processes both in the host country and in the country of origin. This is investigated by a case study of immigrants from Russia and Turkey in Germany. Thereby the central question is, in what respect the Internet changes the already well-known political activities of immigrants in a diaspora. Does the internet only facilitate the information and communication flow between the members of the diaspora or do activities posess a completely new quality, as new ways of influence are used successfully? Which effects on the country of origin and in the residence country can be detected, how are they carried out and what consequences do they have

ICP polishing of silicon for high quality optical resonators on a chip

Miniature concave hollows, made by wet etching silicon through a circular mask, can be used as mirror substrates for building optical micro-cavities on a chip. In this paper we investigate how ICP polishing improves both shape and roughness of the mirror substrates. We characterise the evolution of the surfaces during the ICP polishing using white-light optical profilometry and atomic force microscopy. A surface roughness of 1 nm is reached, which reduces to 0.5 nm after coating with a high reflectivity dielectric. With such smooth mirrors, the optical cavity finesse is now limited by the shape of the underlying mirror

The Rigidly Rotating Magnetosphere of Sigma Ori E

We attempt to characterize the observed variability of the magnetic helium-strong star sigma Ori E in terms of a recently developed rigidly rotating magnetosphere model. This model predicts the accumulation of circumstellar plasma in two co-rotating clouds, situated in magnetohydrostatic equilibrium at the intersection between magnetic and rotational equators. We find that the model can reproduce well the periodic modulations observed in the star's light curve, H alpha emission-line profile, and longitudinal field strength, confirming that it furnishes an essentially correct, quantitative description of the star's magnetically controlled circumstellar environment.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures, accepted by Ap