The young binary HD 102077: Orbit, spectral type, kinematics, and moving group membership

The K-type binary star HD 102077 was proposed as a candidate member of the TW Hydrae Association (TWA) which is a young (5-15 Myr) moving group in close proximity (~50 pc) to the solar system. The aim of this work is to verify this hypothesis by different means. We first combine diffraction-limited observations from the ESO NTT 3.5m telescope in SDSS-i' and -z' passbands and ESO 3.6m telescope in H-band with literature data to obtain a new, amended orbit fit, estimate the spectral types of both components, and reanalyse the Hipparcos parallax and proper motion taking the orbital motion into account. Moreover, we use two high-resolution spectra of HD 102077 obtained with the fibre-fed optical echelle spectrograph FEROS at the MPG/ESO 2.2m telescope to determine the radial velocity and the lithium equivalent width of the system. The trajectory of HD 102077 is well constrained and we derive a total system mass of $2.6 \pm 0.8\,$ M$_{\odot}$ and a semi-major axis of $14.9 \pm 1.6\,$AU. From the i'-z' colours we infer an integrated spectral type of K2V, and individual spectral types of K0 +/- 1 and K5 +/- 1. The radial velocity corrected for the orbital motion of the system is $17.6 \pm 2\,$km/s. Even though the parallax determination from the Hipparcos data is not influenced by the orbital motion, the proper motion changes to $\mu_\alpha*\cos(\delta) = -137.84 \pm 1.26\,$ mas/yr and $\mu_\delta = -33.53 \pm 1.45 \,$mas/yr. With the resultant space motion, the probability of HD 102077 being a member of TWA is less than 1%. Furthermore, the lithium equivalent width of $200 \pm 4\,$m\AA $\,$ is consistent with an age between 30 Myr and 120 Myr and thus older than the predicted age of TWA. In conclusion, HD 102077's age, galactic space motion, and position do not fit TWA or any other young moving group

Search for extrasolar planets around young stars in the presence of stellar activity

Planets form in circumstellar disks around newly born stars. The timescales of planet formation and migration remain poorly constrained and are a matter of ongoing debate. The disk dispersal timescale, which sets a limit to the duration of planet formation, was derived from infrared surveys to be less than 10Myr. In order to test the predicted planet formation time scales described in current theories, it is important to find planets in the age range of 1 to 100Myrs. In the same manner, non-detections can help to understand the current theories. However, the number of discoveries is still very small due to the challenging task to analyze RV signals contaminated by the high stellar activity. Within this thesis, I performed a systematic radial velocity (RV) search for planets around 21 young targets with ages between ~3 and ~400Myr and spectral types between F6 and M0. In order to account for the strong stellar activity, I analyzed the stellar spectra in terms of a variety of activity indicators, analyzing both single spectral lines and the RV cross-correlation function. For three targets, a strong radial velocity signal could be identified, which was not induced by measurement sampling. Due to the analysis of available photometric data and activity indicators, it was possible to exhibit stellar activity patterns such as cool stellar spots as origin of the signal. The simulation with a spot program allowed to reconstruct possible spot scenarios that could have caused the detected RV variability. The challenge of the conformation of a transit planet with follow-up observations in presence of stellar activity is shown in the discussion of HATS-2b, a transiting extrasolar planet orbiting a K-type star showing starspot activity. Furthermore, the discussion of a possible companion around the young eruptive star EX Lupi is part of this thesis. The detailed RV and activity analyses show the challenging task to disentangle RV signals caused by a possible companions and by stellar activity. Although no planet could be identified in the RV search around 21 young stars, it can in summary be stated that the detailed analyses in this thesis allow to put constraints on further RV surveys looking for exoplanets around young stars. This includes not only the sample size and target selection but also the observations and data analysis methods

Contextual influences on physical activity and eating habits -options for action on the community level

Background: This conceptual paper aims to illustrate the ways in which communities are able to advance health improvements on a population level. Outcome measures may include increased physical activity and healthier eating habits in particular, as well as an improved health-related quality of life and social cohesion as more generic outcomes. Main body: The paper begins by asking initial questions: Why did previous health-specific interventions only show moderate effects on an individual level and mixed effects on a population level? What is the added value of a community-based public health perspective compared to the traditional biomedical perspective when it comes to prevention? Why are we living the way we are living? Why do we eat what we eat? Why do we move the way we move? Subsequently, we illustrate the broad spectrum of contextual interventions available to communities. These can have geographical and technological as well as economic, political, normative and attitude-specific dimensions. It is shown that communities have a strong influence on health-related contexts and decision-making of adults, adolescents and children. In addition contextual characteristics, effects, mediators, moderators and consequences relevant for health can differ greatly between age groups. Both small-scale settings and overarching sectors possess physical, economic, political and sociocultural characteristics that can be proactively influenced by community decision-makers in the sense of a “health in all policies”-strategy. Short conclusion: After presenting various interdisciplinary approaches to community-based health interventions, the manuscript closes with the following core message: Successful community-based health promotion strategies consist of multilevel – multicomponent interventions on the micro, meso and macro-level-environments

HATS-1b: The first transiting planet discovered by the hatsouth survey

We report the discovery of HATS-1b, a transiting extrasolar planet orbiting the moderately bright V = 12.05 G dwarf star GSC 6652-00186, and the first planet discovered by HATSouth, a global network of autonomous wide-field telescopes. HATS-1b has a period of P ≈ 3.4465 days, mass of Mp ≈ 1.86 MJ, and radius of Rp ≈ 1.30 RJ. The host star has a mass of 0.99 M⊙ and radius of 1.04 R⊙. The discovery light curve of HATS-1b has near-continuous coverage over several multi-day timespans, demonstrating the power of using a global network of telescopes to discover transiting planets.Development of the HATSouth project was funded by NSF MRI grant NSF/AST-0723074, operations are supported by NASA grant NNX09AB29G, and follow-up observations received partial support from grant NSF/AST-1108686. Followup observations with the ESO 2.2 m/FEROS instrument were performed under MPI guaranteed time (P087.A-9014(A), P088.A-9008(A), P089.A-9008(A)) and Chilean time (P087.C- 0508(A)). A.J. acknowledges support from Fondecyt project 1095213, Ministry of Economy ICM Nuclei P07-021-F and P10-022-F, Anillo ACT-086 and BASAL CATA PFB-06. V.S. acknowledges support form BASAL CATA PFB-06. M.R. acknowledges support from a Fondencyt postdoctoral fellowship N 3120097 and contributions from the ALMA-CONICYT FUND Project N 31090015. R.B. and N.E. acknowledge support from Fondecyt project 1095213. Work at the Australian National University is supported by ARC Laureate Fellowship Grant FL0992131. We acknowledge the use of the AAVSO Photometric All-Sky Survey (APASS), funded by the Robert Martin Ayers Sciences Fund, and the SIMBAD database, operated at CDS, Strasbourg, France

Prognosemodelle zur Steuerung von intensivmedizinischen COVID-19-Kapazitäten in Deutschland

Hintergrund: Zeitdynamische Prognosemodelle spielen eine zentrale Rolle zur Steuerung von intensivmedizinischen COVID-19-Kapazitäten im Pandemiegeschehen. Ein wichtiger Vorhersagewert (Prädiktor) für die zukünftige intensivmedizinische (ITS-)COVID-19-Bettenbelegungen ist die Anzahl der SARS-CoV-2-Neuinfektionen in der Bevölkerung, die wiederum stark von Schwankungen im Wochenverlauf, Meldeverzug, regionalen Unterschieden, Dunkelziffer, zeitabhängiger Ansteckungsrate, Impfungen, SARS-CoV-2-Virusvarianten sowie von nichtpharmazeutischen Eindämmungsmaßnahmen abhängt. Darüber hinaus wird die aktuelle und auch zukünftige COVID-ITS-Belegung maßgeblich von den intensivmedizinischen Entlassungs- und Sterberaten beeinflusst. Methode: Sowohl die Anzahl der SARS-CoV-2-Neuinfektionen in der Bevölkerung als auch die intensivmedizinischen COVID-19-Bettenbelegungen werden bundesweit flächendeckend erfasst. Diese Daten werden tagesaktuell mit epidemischen SEIR-Modellen aus gewöhnlichen Differenzialgleichungen und multiplen Regressionsmodellen statistisch analysiert. Ergebnisse: Die Prognoseergebnisse der unmittelbaren Entwicklung (20-Tage-Vorhersage) der ITS-Belegung durch COVID-19-Patienten*innen werden Entscheidungsträgern auf verschiedenen überregionalen Ebenen zur Verfügung gestellt. Schlussfolgerung: Die Prognosen werden der Entwicklung von betreibbaren intensivmedizinischen Bettenkapazitäten gegenübergestellt, um frühzeitig Kapazitätsengpässe zu erkennen und kurzfristig reaktive Handlungssteuerungen, wie etwa überregionale Verlegungen, zu ermöglichen.Background: Time-series forecasting models play a central role in guiding intensive care coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) bed capacity in a pandemic. A key predictor of future intensive care unit (ICU) COVID-19 bed occupancy is the number of new severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections in the general population, which in turn is highly associated with week-to-week variability, reporting delays, regional differences, number of unknown cases, time-dependent infection rates, vaccinations, SARS-CoV‑2 virus variants, and nonpharmaceutical containment measures. Furthermore, current and also future COVID ICU occupancy is significantly influenced by ICU discharge and mortality rates. Methods: Both the number of new SARS-CoV‑2 infections in the general population and intensive care COVID-19 bed occupancy rates are recorded in Germany. These data are statistically analyzed on a daily basis using epidemic SEIR (susceptible, exposed, infection, recovered) models using ordinary differential equations and multiple regression models. Results: Forecast results of the immediate trend (20-day forecast) of ICU occupancy by COVID-19 patients are made available to decision makers at various levels throughout the country. Conclusion: The forecasts are compared with the development of available ICU bed capacities in order to identify capacity limitations at an early stage and to enable short-term solutions to be made, such as supraregional transfers.Peer Reviewe

Identification of starting points to promote health and wellbeing at the community level – a qualitative study

Background: As health is influenced by the social, economic and environmental conditions in which individuals live, local communities are an ideal setting to promote health and wellbeing. However, up to now various health promotion interventions at the community level have had limited success, perhaps related to an incomplete understanding of local contexts and priorities. We therefore aimed to develop a broader and deeper understanding of topics or issues that were most salient to residents of a South-West German community by exploring their perceptions of needs, challenges, barriers and existing resources related to health and well-being. Methods: As an initial step of a multi-year community-based participatory research project, we conducted semi-structured interviews with key informants (n = 30) from various community settings (e.g., child care, elderly care, businesses, non-profit organizations, village councils, and local government). The terms “health” and “wellbeing” were included in the stem of each question in the semi-structured interview guide to enable a focus on related perceived needs, challenges, barriers and existing resources. Interviews were audiotaped, transcribed verbatim and analyzed using qualitative content analysis techniques. Results: Themes emerging from our interviews appeared to center primarily in three distinct areas: natural resources and built environment, access to services, and social cohesion including subthemes on the importance of social engagement and volunteerism, sense of community, and shared identity. Conclusions: That health and wellbeing were not identified explicitly as a priority by key informants suggests that these should not be presented as the primary focus of a community-wide initiative. Instead themes with a higher priority should be addressed in ways that can lead to better health and wellbeing as a secondary goal

Control of human endometrial stromal cell motility by PDGF-BB, HB-EGF and trophoblast-secreted factors

Human implantation involves extensive tissue remodeling at the fetal-maternal interface. It is becoming increasingly evident that not only trophoblast, but also decidualizing endometrial stromal cells are inherently motile and invasive, and likely contribute to the highly dynamic processes at the implantation site. The present study was undertaken to further characterize the mechanisms involved in the regulation of endometrial stromal cell motility and to identify trophoblast-derived factors that modulate migration. Among local growth factors known to be present at the time of implantation, heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor (HB-EGF) triggered chemotaxis (directed locomotion), whereas platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB elicited both chemotaxis and chemokinesis (non-directed locomotion) of endometrial stromal cells. Supernatants of the trophoblast cell line AC-1M88 and of first trimester villous explant cultures stimulated chemotaxis but not chemokinesis. Proteome profiling for cytokines and angiogenesis factors revealed neither PDGF-BB nor HB-EGF in conditioned media from trophoblast cells or villous explants, while placental growth factor, vascular endothelial growth factor and PDGF-AA were identified as prominent secretory products. Among these, only PDGF-AA triggered endometrial stromal cell chemotaxis. Neutralization of PDGF-AA in trophoblast conditioned media, however, did not diminish chemoattractant activity, suggesting the presence of additional trophoblast-derived chemotactic factors. Pathway inhibitor studies revealed ERK1/2, PI3 kinase/Akt and p38 signaling as relevant for chemotactic motility, whereas chemokinesis depended primarily on PI3 kinase/Akt activation. Both chemotaxis and chemokinesis were stimulated upon inhibition of Rho-associated, coiled-coil containing protein kinase. The chemotactic response to trophoblast secretions was not blunted by inhibition of isolated signaling cascades, indicating activation of overlapping pathways in trophoblast-endometrial communication. In conclusion, trophoblast signals attract endometrial stromal cells, while PDGF-BB and HB-EGF, although not identified as trophoblast-derived, are local growth factors that may serve to fine-tune directed and non-directed migration at the implantation site

Eddy Study to Understand Physical-Chemical-Biological Coupling and the Biological Carbon Pump as a Function of Eddy Type off West Africa, Cruise No. M160, 23.11.2019 - 20.12.2019, Mindelo (Cabo Verde) - Mindelo (Cabo Verde)

Cruise M160 is part of concerted MOSES/REEBUS Eddy Study featuring three major research expeditions (M156, M160, MSM104). It aims to develop both a qualitative and quantitative understanding of the role of physical-chemical-biological coupling in eddies for the biological pump. The study is part of the MOSES “Ocean Eddies” event chain, which follows three major hypotheses to be addressed by the MOSES/REEBUS field campaigns: (1) Mesoscale and sub-mesoscale eddies play an important role in transferring energy along the energy cascade from the large-scale circulation to dissipation at the molecular level. (2) Mesoscale and sub-mesoscale eddies are important drivers in determining onset, magnitude and characteristics of biological productivity in the ocean and contribute significantly to global primary production and particle export and transfer to the deep ocean. (3) Mesoscale and sub-mesoscale eddies are important for shaping extreme biogeochemical environments (e.g., pH, oxygen) in the oceans, thus acting as a source/sink function for greenhouse gases. In contrast to the other two legs, MOSES Eddy Study II during M160 did not include any benthic work but focused entirely on the pelagic dynamics within eddies. It accomplished a multi-disciplinary, multi-parameter and multi-platform study of two discrete cyclonic eddies in an unprecedented complexity. The pre-cruise search for discrete eddies suitable for detailed study during M160 had already started a few months prior to the cruise. Remote sensing data products (sea surface height, sea surface temperature, ocean color/chlorophyll a) were used in combination with eddy detection algorithms and numerical modelling to identify and track eddies in the entire eddy field off West Africa. In addition, 2 gliders and 1 waveglider had been set out from Mindelo/Cabo Verde for pre-cruise mapping of the potential working area north of the Cabo Verdean archipelago. At the start of M160, a few suitable eddies – mostly of cyclonic type – had been identified, some of which were outside the safe operation range of the motorglider plane. As technical problems delayed the flight operations, the first eddy (center at 14.5°N/25°W) for detailed study was chosen to the southwest of the island of Fogo. It was decided to carry out a first hydrographic survey there followed by the deployment of a suite of instruments (gliders, waveglider, floats, drifter short-term mooring). Such instrumented, we left this first eddy and transited – via a strong anticyclonic feature southwest of the island of Santiago – to the region northeast of the island of Sal, i.e. in the working range of the glider plane. During the transit, a full suite of underway measurements as well as CTD/RO section along 22°W (16°-18.5°N) were carried in search for sub-surface expressions of anticyclonic eddy features. In the northeast, we had identified the second strong cyclonic eddy (center at 18°N/22.5°W) which was chosen for detailed study starting with a complete hydrographic survey (ADCP, CTD/RO, other routine station work). After completion of the mesoscale work program, we identified a strong frontal region at the southwestern rim of the cyclonic eddy, which was chosen for the first sub-mesoscale study with aerial observation component. There, the first dye release experiment was carried out which consisted of the dye release itself followed by an intense multi-platforms study of the vertical and horizontal spreading of the initial dye streak. This work was METEOR-Berichte, Cruise M160, Mindelo – Mindelo, 23.11.2019 4 – 20.12.2019 supported and partly guided by aerial observation of the research motorglider Stemme, which was still somewhat compromised by technical issues and meteorological conditions (high cloud cover, Saharan dust event). Nevertheless, this first dye release experiment was successful and showed rapid movement of the dynamic meandering front. After completion of work on this second eddy and execution of a focused sampling program at the Cape Verde Ocean Observation, RV METEOR returned to the first eddy for continuation of the work started there in the beginning of the cruise. This was accompanied by a relocation of the airbase of Stemme from the international airport of Sal to the domestic airport of Fogo. The further execution of the eddy study at this first eddy, which again included a complete hydrographic survey followed by a mesoscale eddy study with dye release, was therefore possible with aerial observations providing important guidance for work on RV METEOR. Overall, M160 accomplished an extremely intense and complex work program with 212 instrument deployments during station work, 137 h of observation with towed instruments and a wide range of underway measurements throughout the cruise. Up to about 30 individually tracked platforms (Seadrones, glider, wavegliders, drifters, floats) were in the water at the same time providing unprecedented and orchestrated observation capabilities in an eddy. All planned work components were achieved and all working groups acquired the expected numbers of instrument deployments and sampling opportunities

First Interferometric Trials with the Airborne Digital-Beamforming DBFSAR System

The Microwaves and Radar Institute of the German Aerospace Center (DLR) is known for its consistent work on the field of airborne Synthetic Aperture Radar and its application. Currently, the Institute is developing a new advanced airborne SAR system, the DBFSAR, which is planned to supplement its operational F-SAR system in near future. The development of DBFSAR was triggered by the various evolving digital beamforming (DBF) techniques for future space-borne SAR systems and the need for an airborne experimental platform for preparation of such missions. Additionally, there is a demand for very high resolution SAR imagery, which cannot anymore be fully satisfied with the existing F-SAR system. This paper should give an overview over the current status and performance of the DBFSAR system, including interferometirc results from test flights performed in spring 2017

Effectiveness of a home-based re-injury prevention program on motor control, return to sport and recurrence rates after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: study protocol for a multicenter, single-blind, randomized controlled trial (PReP)

Background: Although anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear-prevention programs may be effective in the (secondary) prevention of a subsequent ACL injury, little is known, yet, on their effectiveness and feasibility. This study assesses the effects and implementation capacity of a secondary preventive motor-control training (the Stop-X program) after ACL reconstruction. Methods and design: A multicenter, single-blind, randomized controlled, prospective, superiority, two-arm design is adopted. Subsequent patients (18–35 years) with primary arthroscopic unilateral ACL reconstruction with autologous hamstring graft are enrolled. Postoperative guideline rehabilitation plus Classic follow-up treatment and guideline rehabilitation plus the Stop-X intervention will be compared. The onset of the Stop-X program as part of the postoperative follow-up treatment is individualized and function based. The participants must be released for the training components. The endpoint is the unrestricted return to sport (RTS) decision. Before (where applicable) reconstruction and after the clearance for the intervention (aimed at 4–8 months post surgery) until the unrestricted RTS decision (but at least until 12 months post surgery), all outcomes will be assessed once a month. Each participant is consequently measured at least five times to a maximum of 12 times. Twelve, 18 and 24 months after the surgery, follow-up-measurements and recurrence monitoring will follow. The primary outcome assessement (normalized knee-separation distance at the Drop Jump Screening Test (DJST)) is followed by the functional secondary outcomes assessements. The latter consist of quality assessments during simple (combined) balance side, balance front and single-leg hops for distance. All hop/jump tests are self-administered and filmed from the frontal view (3-m distance). All videos are transferred using safe big content transfer and subsequently (and blinded) expertly video-rated. Secondary outcomes are questionnaires on patient-reported knee function, kinesiophobia, RTS after ACL injury and training/therapy volume (frequency – intensity – type and time). All questionnaires are completed online using the participants’ pseudonym only. Group allocation is executed randomly. The training intervention (Stop-X arm) consists of self-administered home-based exercises. The exercises are step-wise graduated and follow wound healing and functional restoration criteria. The training frequency for both arms is scheduled to be three times per week, each time for a 30 min duration. The program follows current (secondary) prevention guidelines. Repeated measurements gain-score analyses using analyses of (co-)variance are performed for all outcomes. Trial registration: German Clinical Trials Register, identification number DRKS00015313. Registered on 1 October 2018