A binary signature in the non-thermal radio-emitter Cyg OB2 #9

Aims: Non-thermal radio emission associated with massive stars is believed to arise from a wind-wind collision in a binary system. However, the evidence of binarity is still lacking in some cases, notably Cyg OB2 #9 Methods: For several years, we have been monitoring this heavily-reddened star from various observatories. This campaign allowed us to probe variations both on short and long timescales and constitutes the first in-depth study of the visible spectrum of this object. Results: Our observations provide the very first direct evidence of a companion in Cyg OB2 #9, confirming the theoretical wind-wind collision scenario. These data suggest a highly eccentric orbit with a period of a few years, compatible with the 2yr-timescale measured in the radio range. In addition, the signature of the wind-wind collision is very likely reflected in the behaviour of some emission lines.Comment: accepted by A&A, 4 p, 3figure

Skills Obsolescence: Causes and Cures

Until now there has been surprisingly little research on the causes of and the remedies for skills obsolescence. This study tries to fill that gap to some extent by analysing the relation between risk factors and skills obsolescence. Moreover, the role remedies play to counter skills obsolescence is analysed. Four empirical analyses that relate skills obsolescence to risk factors and remedies are presented. We find that most risk factors identified in the literature can be validated empirically. The remedies for skills obsolescence are not effective in all situations: the results show that there is considerable variation in the effectiveness of the remedies across different types of skills obsolescence. Although current available data does not allow a comprehensive analysis, which also takes account of relations between the various types of skills obsolescence, the results obtained are plausible and offer a starting point for further research.education, training and the labour market;

Differential effects of colleges on the labour market success of their graduates

This paper explores the effects of colleges for higher vocational education on the labour market success of their graduates. Using data about the labour market position of Dutch graduates from higher vocational education, and applying multi-level statistical modelling techniques it is shown that for four domains (finding a job, level of job, monthly wages, and wages per hour) the colleges did hardly differ substantially. Most of the institutional variation occured at the department level within the colleges, but these department effects appeared to be small as well and not always very stable over the years. The discussion focuses on the implication for using labour market data for the construction of institutional performance indicators. It is shown that the ranking of colleges on their labour market performance changes as soon as input variables are controlled for. It is therefore important to look at the ‘net'' outcomes or ‘added value'' rather than the ‘gross'' outcomes.labour market entry;

Complementary and alternative medicine in cancer: a qualitative study on the Internet offer in Spanish-speaking South America

Die Anzahl an Patienten mit Krebs, die Komplementär- und Alternativmedizinische Verfahren nutzen steigt. Diese können jedoch relevante Wechselwirkungen mit der herkömmlichen Krebstherapie haben, sowie zu erheblichen Gesundheitsrisiken führen. Regionale Komplementär- und Alternativmedizinische Methoden verbreiten sich unter anderem auf Grund des Internets auf globaler Ebene. Diese Studie zielt darauf ab Webseiten im spanischsprachigen südamerikanischen Internet, die Komplementär- und Alternativmedizinischen Verfahren bei Krebs anbieten oder erörtern, zu analysieren und sie hinsichtlich der Qualität zu bewerten. Die Internetsuche wurde in neun spanischsprachigen Ländern Südamerikas durchgeführt. Die Anzahl der untersuchten Webseiten beschränkte sich auf die jeweils ersten 10 Suchergebnisse über die Suchmaschine „Google“. Die Webseiten wurden mit einem standardisierten, bereits in anderen Studien verwendeten Instrument durch zwei Untersucher im Vier- Augenprinzip analysiert. Insgesamt wurden 85 Webseiten mit 158 verschiedenen Komplementär- und Alternativmedizinischen Verfahren evaluiert. Die überwiegende Mehrheit der Webseiten wies eine sowohl inhaltlich als auch formal schlechte Qualität auf. Zu den am häufigsten genannten südamerikanischen Methoden gehörten eine Aloe- Mischung namens „Fray Romano“, Annona muricata (Stachelannone), Uncaria tomentosa (Katzenkralle), die „Método HANSI“ und Bestandteile des Lapachobaums. Dass die meisten südamerikanischen Webseiten zum Thema KAM bei Krebserkrankungen eine schlechte Qualität aufzeigen zeigt, dass ein dringender Bedarf an qualitätsgesicherten, leicht zu findenden Webseiten mit hoher Qualität besteht. Dies ist auch für Deutschland relevant, da die Informationen aus Südamerika auch in Deutschland Verbreitung finden, wie man am Beispiel von Annona muricata und Uncaria sieht

Interactive effect of soil pore network structure and substrate quality on soil CO2 production: a combined X-ray CT incubation experiment

The role of soil structure in organic matter (OM) stabilization has been primarily investigated through physical fractionation studies operative at the scale of aggregates and smaller organo-mineral particles. By narrowing down soil structure to an arrangement of mineral and organic particles, the majority of studies did not explore the spatial organization of the soil pore network, the actual habitat of microorganisms. In a lab experiment we incubated a sandy loam soil (with application of ground grass or sawdust) in 18 small aluminum rings (Ø 1 cm, h 1 cm). Bulk density was adjusted to 1.1 or 1.3 Mg m-3 (compaction) and 6 rings were filled at a coarser Coarse Sand:Fine Sand:Silt+Clay ratio