Continuous GPS and broad-scale deformation across the Rhine Graben and the Alps

In order to study the ongoing tectonic deformation in the Rhine Graben area, we reconstruct the local crustal velocity and the strain rate field from GPS array solutions. Following the aim of this work, we compile the velocities of permanent GPS stations belonging to various networks (EUREF, AGNES, REGAL and RGP) in central western Europe. Moreover, the strain rate field is displayed in terms of principal axes and values, while the normal and the shear components of the strain tensor are calculated perpendicular and parallel to the strike of major faults. The results are compared with the fault plane solutions of earthquakes, which have occurred in this area. A broad-scale kinematic deformation model across the Rhine Graben is provided on the basis of tectonics and velocity results of the GPS permanent stations. The area of study is divided into four rigid blocks, between which there might be relative motions. The velocity and the strain rate fields are reconstructed along their borders, by estimating a uniform rotation for each block. The tectonic behaviour is well represented by the four-block model in the Rhine Graben area, while a more detailed model will be needed for a better reconstruction of the strain field in the Alpine regio

CubETH: low cost GNSS space experiment for precise orbit determination

CubETH is a project to evaluate and demonstrate possibilities of low-cost GNSS receivers on a nano-satellite by following the Cubesat standard. The development of this new Swiss cubesat mission is underway at the Swiss Polytechnical Schools, launch is planned for 2016. Scientific goal are: precise orbit determination and estimate of satellite attitude based on a very short baseline together with a number of other experimental measurements. Programmatic goal is to implement this project in cooperation between federal (ETH/EPF domain) and cantonal (FH/HES domain) engineering schools and industrial partners. The educational objective is to involve engineering students from various schools across Switzerland to promote innovative teaching of engineering of complex systems. In this paper, we will discuss performance requirements for the CubETH spacecraft and its payload. We also show how lessons learned from the Swisscube satellite were used for the design and implementation of this project

The synthesis and application of a diazirine-modified uridine analogue for investigating RNA-protein interactions

The roles played by many ncRNAs remain largely unknown. Similarly, relatively little is known about the RNA binding proteins involved in processing ncRNA. Identification of new RNA/RNA binding protein (RBP) interactions may pave the way to gain a better understanding of the complex events occurring within cells during gene expression and ncRNA biogenesis. The development of chemical tools for the isolation of RBPs is of paramount importance. In this context, we report on the synthesis of the uridine phosphoramidite U Dz that bears a diazirine moiety on the nucleobase. RNA probes containing U Dz units were irradiated in the presence of single-stranded DNA binding protein (SSB), which is also known to bind ssRNAs, and shown to efficiently (15% yield) and selectively cross-link to the protein. The corresponding diazirine-modified uridine triphosphate U DzTP was synthesized and its capacity to act as a substrate for the T7 RNA polymerase was tested in transcription assays. U DzTP was accepted with a maximum yield of 38% for a 26mer RNA containing a single incorporation and 28% yield for triple consecutive incorporations. Thus, this uridine analogue represents a convenient biochemical tool for the identification of RNA binding proteins and unraveling the role and function played by ncRNAs

Laser Ranging to Nano-SatellitesG. Kirchner (1), Ludwig Grunwaldt (2), Reinhard Neubert (2), Franz Koidl (1), Merlin Barschke (3), Zizung Yoon (3), Hauke Fiedler (4), Christine Hollenstein (5)

Several small satellites in the class of pico- and nano-satellites will be equipped with multiple small corner cubes: OPS-SAT (ESA), S-Net and TechnoSat (8 kg resp. 15 kg; Technical University Berlin), and CubETH (ETH Zuerich). The size of these satellites is in the range from 10x10x30 cm up to about 40x40x30 cm; the planned circular orbits are in the 450 – 620 km range. Commercially available 10 mm and 0.5” corner cubes will be used for SLR; a single corner cube of this size will be sufficient for SLR to the planned LEO orbits. Placing several of these corner cubes on each side of the satellites will not only allow for standard SLR and POD, but also for an independent attitude determination with < 1° accuracy, even after the end of the satellites lifetime, or in case of problems or satellite failure. For multiple satellites flying in close formation, it will be possible to distinguish the sequence of single satellites within the formation

Continuous GPS and broad-scale deformation across the Rhine Graben and the Alps

ISSN:1437-3254ISSN:1437-326

Analysis of central western Europe deformation using GPS and seismic data

The kinematic field of central western Europe is characterized by relatively small movements (around 1-2 mm/year) and diffuse seismicity with earthquakes occurring mostly in the shallow crust (within 15 km), prevalently concentrated along the Alps and the European Cenozoic Rift System (ECRIS). In order to study and constrain the current crustal kinematic field we reconstructed the velocity and the strain field using permanent GPS stations, belonging to different networks (AGNES, EUREF, REGAL, RGP). The 2D strain rate tensor has been calculated using the method of least-squares collocation. Our results show that the area of maximum compression is located along the Alpine chain, where maximum values of 7 +/- 2 nstrain/year are found, while maximum extension is measured between the Armorican Massif and the Massif Central, where values of 4 +/- 2 nstrain/year are reached. The earthquakes with M > 3.0, have been used to estimate the seismic strain rates, while the style of the seismic deformation was reconstructed from the fault plane solutions (FPS) available from the literature. Relatively high values of seismic strain rates (around 10 nstrain/year) are measured along the Alpine Chain and the ECRIS. Results obtained by geodetic and seismic data are quite in agreement and reflect the different tectonic evolution of the geological features characterizing the area of study. The orientation of the compressional geodetic and seismic strain axes are NW-SE in most of the area of study, on account of the action of plate boundary forces. A rotation of the same axes to N-S direction along the eastern Alps, possibly related to the Adria convergence, is found. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Breaking down the coercive cycle: How parent and child risk factors influence real-time variability in parental responses to child misbehavior.

Objective: Parent–child coercive cycles have been associated with both rigidity and inconsistency in parenting behavior. To explain these mixed findings, we examined real-time variability in maternal responses to children’s off-task behavior to determine whether this common trigger of the coercive cycle (responding to child misbehavior) is associated with rigidity or inconsistency in parenting. We also examined the effects of risk factors for coercion (maternal hostility, maternal depressive symptoms, child externalizing problems, and dyadic negativity) on patterns of parenting. Design: Mother–child dyads (N = 96; M child age = 41 months) completed a difficult puzzle task, and observations were coded continuously for parent (e.g., directive, teaching) and child behavior (e.g., on-task, off-task). Results: Multilevel continuous-time survival analyses revealed that parenting behavior is less variable when children are off-task. However, when risk factors are higher, a different profile emerges. Combined maternal and child risk is associated with markedly lower variability in parenting behavior overall (i.e., rigidity) paired with shifts toward higher variability specifically when children are off-task (i.e., inconsistency). Dyadic negativity (i.e., episodes when children are off-task and parents engage in negative behavior) are also associated with higher parenting variability. Conclusions: Risk factors confer rigidity in parenting overall, but in moments when higher-risk parents must respond to child misbehavior, their parenting becomes more variable, suggesting inconsistency and ineffectiveness. This context-dependent shift in parenting behavior may help explain prior mixed findings and offer new directions for family interventions designed to reduce coercive processes. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved