A Wide-Field View of Leo II -- A Structural Analysis Using the SDSS

Using SDSS I data, we have analysed the stellar distribution of the Leo II dwarf spheroidal galaxy (distance of 233 kpc) to search for evidence of tidal deformation. The existing SDSS photometric catalogue contains gaps in regions of high stellar crowding, hence we filled the area at the centre of Leo II using the DAOPHOT algorithm applied to the SDSS images. The combined DAOPHOT-SDSS dataset contains three-filter photometry over a 4x4 square degree region centred on Leo II. By defining a mask in three-filter colour-magnitude space, we removed the majority of foreground field stars. We have measured the following Leo II structural parameters: a core radius of r_c = 2.64 +/- 0.19 arcmin (178 +/- 13 pc), a tidal radius of r_t = 9.33 +/- 0.47 arcmin (632 +/- 32 pc) and a total V-band luminosity of L_V = (7.4 +/- 2.0) times 10^5 L_sun (M_V = -9.9 +/- 0.3). Our comprehensive analysis of the Leo II structure did not reveal any significant signs of tidal distortion. The internal structure of this object contains only mild isophotal twisting. A small overdensity was discovered appoximately 4.5 tidal radii from the Leo II centre, however we conclude it is unlikely to be material tidally stripped from Leo II based on its stellar population, and is most likely a foreground overdensity of stars. Our results indicate that the influence of the Galactic graviational field on the structure of Leo II has been relatively mild. We rederived the mass-to-light ratio of this system using existing kinematic data combined with our improved structural measurements, and favour the scenario in which Leo II is strongly dominated by dark matter with (M/L)_V ~ 100 in solar units.Comment: 41 pages, 15 figures, accepted for publication in the Astronomical Journa

Fitness, kognitive Leistungsfähigkeit und Wohlbefinden bei jungen Erwachsenen - Interventionsstudien zum Einfluss von Ausdauertraining

Der Literaturreview zeigt, dass auch für die Zielgruppe der jungen Erwachsenen positive Einflüsse der körperlichen Aktivität auf die Kognition bestätigt werden können. In den hier durchgeführten drei Studien konnten keine signifikanten Auswirkungen auf die Arbeitsgedächtnis- oder die Daueraufmerksamkeitsleistung festgestellt werden. Durch das Ausdauertraining lässt sich die Befindlichkeit junger Erwachsener kurzfristig steigern. Es zeigen sich jedoch langfristig keine Effekte

Réseau intercontinental d'approvisionnement énergétique - scénario pour un tracé de la ligne de transport électrique de l'Afrique du Nord à l'Europe centrale

Un surplus d’ensoleillement en Afrique du Nord, ainsi qu’une forte consommation d’énergie dans les centres économiques d’Europe centrale donnent l’occasion de réaliser un réseau intercontinental pour les énergies renouvelables. Pour cela, il est nécessaire de construire des lignes à très haute tension de transport d’électricité. C’est le seul moyen de transporter le courant des centres de production aux centres de consommation de manière économiquement rentable. Jusqu’à présent on a peu de connaissances sur la manière de déterminer le tracé optimal de ces lignes. Dans le cadre de cette étude, on présente une méthode qui permet d’optimiser le transport du courant entre l’Afrique du Nord et l’Europe. Grâce à l’utilisation de SIG on a déterminé et représenté les facteurs importants ayant une influence spatiale pour le tracé des lignes. À titre d’exemple, on présente à la fin de l’étude le tracé optimal d’une ligne électrique entre la centrale marocaine de Ain Beni Mathar et le centre de consommation de Munich.An oversupply of solar radiation in North Africa as well as a high energy consumption in the economic centers of Central Europe give rise to cross-link the renewable energy supply intercontinental. Fundamental to this is the development of high-performance power line routes. This alone can increase the energy of the places of production economically transported to the distant consumption centers. However, now there is little information about how an optimal power line route is to be determined. In the present study, therefore, a methodology is presented, which makes it possible to optimize power transfer between North Africa and Europe in space. To this end, the decisive spatial factors were detected in the planning of power line routes and displayed using GIS. By way of example, the optimal course of a current power line between the Moroccan Ain Beni Mathar power plant site and consumption center München is calculated at the end of the study.Ein Überangebot an solarer Einstrahlung im Norden Afrikas sowie ein hoher Energieverbrauch in den Wirtschaftszentren Mitteleuropas geben Anlass dazu, die regenerative Energieversorgung interkontinental zu vernetzen. Grundlegend hierfür ist der Ausbau leistungsstarker Stromleitungstrassen. Allein dadurch lässt sich die Energie von den Orten der Produktion zu den weit entfernten Verbrauchszentren wirtschaftlich transportieren. Bislang liegen jedoch wenige Erkenntnisse darüber vor, wie ein optimaler Trassenverlauf zu ermitteln ist. Im Rahmen der vorliegenden Studie wird deshalb eine Methodik vorgestellt, die es ermöglicht, den Stromtransport zwischen Nordafrika und Europa räumlich zu optimieren. Hierzu wurden die entscheidenden räumlichen Einflussfaktoren bei der Planung von Stromleitungstrassen erfasst und mittels GIS dargestellt. Beispielhaft wird am Ende der Studie der optimale Verlauf einer Stromtrasse zwischen dem marokkanischen Kraftwerksstandort Ain Beni Mathar und dem Verbrauchszentrum München berechnet

Réseau intercontinental d'approvisionnement énergétique - scénario pour un tracé de la ligne de transport électrique de l'Afrique du Nord à l'Europe centrale

Un surplus d’ensoleillement en Afrique du Nord, ainsi qu’une forte consommation d’énergie dans les centres économiques d’Europe centrale donnent l’occasion de réaliser un réseau intercontinental pour les énergies renouvelables. Pour cela, il est nécessaire de construire des lignes à très haute tension de transport d’électricité. C’est le seul moyen de transporter le courant des centres de production aux centres de consommation de manière économiquement rentable. Jusqu’à présent on a peu de connaissances sur la manière de déterminer le tracé optimal de ces lignes. Dans le cadre de cette étude, on présente une méthode qui permet d’optimiser le transport du courant entre l’Afrique du Nord et l’Europe. Grâce à l’utilisation de SIG on a déterminé et représenté les facteurs importants ayant une influence spatiale pour le tracé des lignes. À titre d’exemple, on présente à la fin de l’étude le tracé optimal d’une ligne électrique entre la centrale marocaine de Ain Beni Mathar et le centre de consommation de Munich.An oversupply of solar radiation in North Africa as well as a high energy consumption in the economic centers of Central Europe give rise to cross-link the renewable energy supply intercontinental. Fundamental to this is the development of high-performance power line routes. This alone can increase the energy of the places of production economically transported to the distant consumption centers. However, now there is little information about how an optimal power line route is to be determined. In the present study, therefore, a methodology is presented, which makes it possible to optimize power transfer between North Africa and Europe in space. To this end, the decisive spatial factors were detected in the planning of power line routes and displayed using GIS. By way of example, the optimal course of a current power line between the Moroccan Ain Beni Mathar power plant site and consumption center München is calculated at the end of the study.Ein Überangebot an solarer Einstrahlung im Norden Afrikas sowie ein hoher Energieverbrauch in den Wirtschaftszentren Mitteleuropas geben Anlass dazu, die regenerative Energieversorgung interkontinental zu vernetzen. Grundlegend hierfür ist der Ausbau leistungsstarker Stromleitungstrassen. Allein dadurch lässt sich die Energie von den Orten der Produktion zu den weit entfernten Verbrauchszentren wirtschaftlich transportieren. Bislang liegen jedoch wenige Erkenntnisse darüber vor, wie ein optimaler Trassenverlauf zu ermitteln ist. Im Rahmen der vorliegenden Studie wird deshalb eine Methodik vorgestellt, die es ermöglicht, den Stromtransport zwischen Nordafrika und Europa räumlich zu optimieren. Hierzu wurden die entscheidenden räumlichen Einflussfaktoren bei der Planung von Stromleitungstrassen erfasst und mittels GIS dargestellt. Beispielhaft wird am Ende der Studie der optimale Verlauf einer Stromtrasse zwischen dem marokkanischen Kraftwerksstandort Ain Beni Mathar und dem Verbrauchszentrum München berechnet

Institutionelle Verstetigung von paradigmatischer Ausrichtung: Das Beispiel Sachverständigenrat

A central criticism of economics is that there exists a determinate, relatively monolithic approach: mainstream economics. A representative example is the „German Council of Economic Experts“ (Expert Councilfor the Assessment of the Macroeconomic Development, Sachverständigenrat, SVR) withfour mainstream members plus one dissenter, a „4 :1“ quota with institutionalized minorityrecognition. In this article we ask from a sociological and especially from a performative pointof view whether this quota will be reflected in the annual reports of SVR and whether it canbe found in structures in the scientific field as well, especially in textbooks and in appointmentpractices of its members.is that there exists a determinate, relatively monolithic approach: mainstream economics.A representative example is the „German Council of Economic Experts“ (Expert Councilfor the Assessment of the Macroeconomic Development, Sachverständigenrat, SVR) withfour mainstream members plus one dissenter, a „4 :1“ quota with institutionalized minorityrecognition. In this article we ask from a sociological and especially from a performative pointof view whether this quota will be reflected in the annual reports of SVR and whether it canbe found in structures in the scientific field as well, especially in textbooks and in appointmentpractices of its members

Visual Fixation Durations and Saccade Amplitudes: Shifting Relationship in a Variety of Conditions

Is there any relationship between visual fixation durations and saccade amplitudes in free exploration of pictures and scenes? In four experiments with naturalistic stimuli, we compared eye movements during early and late phases of scene perception. Influences of repeated presentation of similar stimuli (Experiment 1), object density (Experiment 2), emotional stimuli (Experiment 3) and mood induction (Experiment 4) were examined. The results demonstrate a systematic increase in the durations of fixations and a decrease for saccadic amplitudes over the time course of scene perception. This relationship was very stable across the variety of studied conditions. It can be interpreted in terms of a shifting balance of the two modes of visual information processing

Synaptobrevin N-terminally bound to syntaxin–SNAP-25 defines the primed vesicle state in regulated exocytosis

Time-resolved measurements of exocytosis identify a domain of the SNARE complex required to keep vesicles readily releasable

Comparison of Eight Commercially Available Faecal Point-of-Care Tests for Detection of Canine Parvovirus Antigen

A real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) is considered the gold standard for the laboratory diagnosis of canine parvovirus (CPV) infection but can only be performed in specialized laboratories. Several point-of-care tests (POCT), detecting CPV antigens in faeces within minutes, are commercially available. The aim of this study was to evaluate eight POCT in comparison with qPCR. Faecal samples of 150 dogs from three groups (H: 50 client-owned, healthy dogs, not vaccinated within the last four weeks; S: 50 shelter dogs, healthy, not vaccinated within the last four weeks; p = 50 dogs with clinical signs of CPV infection) were tested with eight POCT and qPCR. Practicability, sensitivity, specificity, positive (PPV) and negative predictive values (NPV), as well as overall accuracy were determined. To assess the differences between and agreement among POCT, McNemar’s test and Cohen’s Kappa statistic were performed. Specificity and PPV were 100.0% in all POCT. Sensitivity varied from 22.9–34.3% overall and from 32.7–49.0% in group P. VetexpertRapidTestCPVAg® had the highest sensitivity (34.3% overall, 49.0% group P) and differed significantly from the 3 POCT with the lowest sensitivities (Fassisi®Parvo (27.7% overall, 36.7% group P), Primagnost®ParvoH+K (24.3% overall, 34.7% group P), FASTest®PARVOCard (22.9% overall, 32.7% group P)). The agreement among all POCT was at least substantial (kappa >0.80). A positive POCT result confirmed the infection with CPV in unvaccinated dogs, whereas a negative POCT result did not definitely exclude CPV infection due to the low sensitivity of all POCT

Probing pocket depth reduction after non‐surgical periodontal therapy: Tooth‐related factors

Background To investigate tooth-related factors that influence the reduction of probing pocket depths (PPD) after non-surgical periodontal therapy (NST). Methods Seven hundred forty-six patients with a total of 16,825 teeth were included and retrospectively analyzed. PPD reduction after NST was correlated with the tooth-related factors; tooth type, number of roots, furcation involvement, vitality, mobility, and type of restoration; using logistic multilevel regression for statistical analysis. Results NST was able to reduce probing depth overall stratified probing depths (1.20 ± 1.51 mm, p ≤ 0.001). The reduction was significantly higher at teeth with higher probing depths at baseline. At pockets with PPD ≥ 6 mm, PPD remains high after NST. Tooth type, number of roots, furcation involvement, vitality, mobility, and type of restoration are significantly and independently associated with the rate of pocket closure. Conclusions The tooth-related factors: tooth type, number of roots, furcation involvement, vitality, mobility, and type of restoration had a significant and clinically relevant influence on phase I and II therapy. Considering these factors in advance may enhance the prediction of sites not responding adequately and the potential need for additional treatment, such as re-instrumentation or periodontal surgery, to ultimately achieve the therapy end points