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Correlated event-by-event fluctuations of flow harmonics in Pb–Pb collisions at √sNN = 2.76 TeV
(2016)
We report the measurements of correlations between event-by-event fluctuations of amplitudes of anisotropic flow harmonics in nucleus-nucleus collisions, obtained for the first time using a new analysis method based on multiparticle cumulants in mixed harmonics. This novel method is robust against systematic biases originating from non-flow effects and by construction any dependence on symmetry planes is eliminated. We demonstrate that correlations of flow harmonics exhibit a better sensitivity to medium properties than the individual flow harmonics. The new measurements are performed in Pb-Pb collisions at the centre-of-mass energy per nucleon pair of sNN−−−√=2.76 TeV by the ALICE experiment at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). The centrality dependence of correlation between event-by-event fluctuations of the elliptic, v2, and quadrangular, v4, flow harmonics, as well as of anti-correlation between v2 and triangular, v3, flow harmonics are presented. The results cover two different regimes of the initial state configurations: geometry-dominated (in mid-central collisions) and fluctuation-dominated (in the most central collisions). Comparisons are made to predictions from MC-Glauber, viscous hydrodynamics, AMPT and HIJING models. Together with the existing measurements of individual flow harmonics the presented results provide further constraints on initial conditions and the transport properties of the system produced in heavy-ion collisions.
Correlated event-by-event fluctuations of flow harmonics in Pb–Pb collisions at √sNN = 2.76 TeV
(2016)
We report the measurements of correlations between event-by-event fluctuations of amplitudes of anisotropic flow harmonics in nucleus-nucleus collisions, obtained for the first time using a new analysis method based on multiparticle cumulants in mixed harmonics. This novel method is robust against systematic biases originating from non-flow effects and by construction any dependence on symmetry planes is eliminated. We demonstrate that correlations of flow harmonics exhibit a better sensitivity to medium properties than the individual flow harmonics. The new measurements are performed in Pb-Pb collisions at the centre-of-mass energy per nucleon pair of sNN−−−√=2.76 TeV by the ALICE experiment at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). The centrality dependence of correlation between event-by-event fluctuations of the elliptic, v2, and quadrangular, v4, flow harmonics, as well as of anti-correlation between v2 and triangular, v3, flow harmonics are presented. The results cover two different regimes of the initial state configurations: geometry-dominated (in mid-central collisions) and fluctuation-dominated (in the most central collisions). Comparisons are made to predictions from MC-Glauber, viscous hydrodynamics, AMPT and HIJING models. Together with the existing measurements of individual flow harmonics the presented results provide further constraints on initial conditions and the transport properties of the system produced in heavy-ion collisions.
Correlated event-by-event fluctuations of flow harmonics in Pb–Pb collisions at √sNN = 2.76 TeV
(2016)
We report the measurements of correlations between event-by-event fluctuations of amplitudes of anisotropic flow harmonics in nucleus-nucleus collisions, obtained for the first time using a new analysis method based on multiparticle cumulants in mixed harmonics. This novel method is robust against systematic biases originating from non-flow effects and by construction any dependence on symmetry planes is eliminated. We demonstrate that correlations of flow harmonics exhibit a better sensitivity to medium properties than the individual flow harmonics. The new measurements are performed in Pb-Pb collisions at the centre-of-mass energy per nucleon pair of sNN−−−√=2.76 TeV by the ALICE experiment at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). The centrality dependence of correlation between event-by-event fluctuations of the elliptic, v2, and quadrangular, v4, flow harmonics, as well as of anti-correlation between v2 and triangular, v3, flow harmonics are presented. The results cover two different regimes of the initial state configurations: geometry-dominated (in mid-central collisions) and fluctuation-dominated (in the most central collisions). Comparisons are made to predictions from MC-Glauber, viscous hydrodynamics, AMPT and HIJING models. Together with the existing measurements of individual flow harmonics the presented results provide further constraints on initial conditions and the transport properties of the system produced in heavy-ion collisions.
Background The detection of the new Coranavirus (CoV) causing agent of the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) for diagnostic purposes is still a critical step in prevention of secondary hospital infections. In this respect the PCR for SARS diagnostic is the fastest and most sensitive method and was published very early after the description of the new pathogen by different groups. To evaluate the quality and sensitivity of the SARS PCR performed in diagnostic laboratories all over the world an external quality assurance (EQA) for SARS PCR was initiated by the WHO, the European Network for Diagnostics of "Imported" Viral Diseases (ENIVD) and the Robert Koch-Institut. Methods Therefore 10 samples of inactivated SARS CoV strains isolated in Frankfurt and Hong Kong in different dilutions and negative controls were prepared. The freeze dried samples were send by mail to 62 different laboratories, in 37 countries in Europe and Israel (35), Asia (11), The Americas (11), Australia and New Zealand (4) and Africa (1). The results were returned by email or fax 1 week (13), 2 weeks (14), 3 weeks (6) and later (29) after receiving the material which does not mimic at all the possible speed of this fast method. But this was not considered in the evaluation of these first SARS EQA. Results 44 laboratories showed good or excellent results (26 = 100%, 18 = 90%) and even the 14 laboratories which archived only 80% (10) or 70% (4) correct results are mostly lacking sensitivity. The results of the other 4 laboratories show basic problems in regard to sensitivity, specificity and consistency of results and must be overcome as soon as possible. 4 laboratories seem to have problems with the specificity finding a positive signal in negative samples. The different methods used for preparation of the SARS CoV genome and diagnostic PCR test procedure used by the participating laboratories will be discussed in more detail in the presentation. Conclusion However, in contrast to previous EQAs for Ebola, Lassa and Orthopoxviruses the quality of PCR results was rather good which might be caused by the early publication and distribution of well developed PCR methods. An EQA for evaluation of SARS specific serology is still ongoing, first results will be available beginning of April 2004.
Beim Übergang vom Wachstum zur Entwicklung entsteht in Dictyostelium discoideum aus einzelnen vegetativ wachsenden Zellen ein multizellulärer Organismus, der in der Lage ist ausdauernde Sporen zu bilden. Während der im multizellulären Verband stattfindenden morphologischen Veränderungen und Zelldifferenzierung nimmt die Proteinkinase A (PKA) eine Schlüsselfunktion ein. Der C-Modul bindende Faktor A (CbfA), ursprünglich aufgrund seiner spezifischen Bindung an eine regulatorische DNA-Sequenz des Non-LTR Retrotransposons TRE5-A.1 in D. discoideum entdeckt, ist für den Übergang vom Wachstum zur Differenzierungsphase essentiell. Zellen der CbfA-Mangelmutante JH.D2 weisen im Vergleich zu denen des Wildtyp-Stamms AX2 ein verlangsamtes Wachstum und eine verzögerte Einleitung der Aggregation und der Entwicklung auf. Charakteristisch für diese CbfA-Mutante ist die Unterexpression der mRNA für die katalytische Untereinheit der Proteinkinase A (PkaC). Da die Expression der PkaC sowohl auf der Transkriptions- als auch auf der Translationsebene reguliert ist, wurde in dieser Arbeit ein monoklonaler Antikörper gegen die katalytische Untereinheit hergestellt, um den Proteingehalt an PkaC in Zellen der CbfA-Mutante zu untersuchen. Dabei konnte eine starke Unterexpression der PkaC in den CbfA-depletierten Zellen nachgewiesen werden. Demnach scheint es einen mittelbaren Zusammenhang zwischen der Menge an CbfA und dem sich selbst verstärkenden cAMP-abhängigen Signaltransduktionssystem der Zellen zu geben, da ein Mangel an cAMP eine fehlende Aktivierung der sich selbst induzierenden PKA nach sich zieht. Für D. discoideum konnte erstmals eine reproduzierbare 2D-gelelektrophoretische Trennmethode etabliert werden, mit der es gelang, differentiell exprimierte Proteine im Stadium der frühen Entwicklung zwischen den untersuchten D. discoideum-Stämmen AX2 und JH.D2 aufzufinden. Die Anwendung der DIGE-Technologie ermöglichte dabei die Detektion von ca. 30-40 differentiell exprimierten Proteinen. Durch die massenspektrometrische Untersuchung dieser Proteine unter Verwendung der MALDI-TOF Methode in Kombination mit dem Peptid-Massen-Fingerabdruck konnten insgesamt ca. 30% der differentiell exprimierten Proteine identifiziert werden. Dabei stellte sich heraus, daß vor allem Proteine mit essentiellen Funktionen im zellulären Stoffwechsel in der CbfA-Mangelmutante JH.D2 auf geringerem Niveau exprimiert wurden als im Wildtyp-Stamm AX2. Dies könnte eine Erklärung für die letalen Auswirkungen eines vollständigen knockouts von CbfA in D. discoideum liefern. Zusätzlich wurde mit Hilfe der DIGE-Technologie die Funktion der C-terminalen Domäne des CbfA-Proteins untersucht. Für diese Experimente wurde eine CbfA-Mutante verwendet, die den C-Terminus konstitutiv überexprimiert. Die daraus resultierenden Proteinmuster haben gezeigt, daß die C-terminale Domäne unabhängig vom Rest des Proteins sowohl induzierenden als auch reprimierenden Einfluß auf die Proteinexpression nimmt. Diese Ergebnisse zeigen eine unerwartet komplexe Funktion des Proteins CbfA in der Regulation von Genen während der untersuchten Lebensphasen von D. discoideum.
In the past two decades, an increasing body of studies has been published on the intersex phenomenon in separate-sexed crustaceans from marine and freshwater ecosystems. Various causes are being considered that could have an influence on the occurrence of intersex. Besides genetic factors, environmental conditions such as photoperiodicity, temperature, salinity and parasitism, but also environmental pollution with endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are discussed. As part of a long-term monitoring (2012 – 2020) in north-west Brittany, we recorded the occurrence of intersex in the marine amphipod Echinogammarus marinus. We quantified the intersex incidence at marine and estuarine sites and analyzed the incidence in relation to the endocrine potential of the sediments. Intersex occurred with mean frequencies between 0.87% and 12%. It was striking that the incidence of intersex increased with increasing distance from the sea. Since the highest incidence was observed at the range boundary of this stenohaline species, we assume that intersex is triggered by endocrine potential and increasing stress due to increasing freshwater content − and thus an interplay of different environmental factors.
Out-of-school laboratories, also called student labs, are an advantageous opportunity to teach biological subjects. Particularly in the case of complex fields such as neurobiology, student labs offer the opportunity to learn about difficult topics in a practical way. Due to numerous advantages, digital student labs are becoming increasingly popular nowadays. In this study, we investigated the effect of an electrophysiological setup for a virtual experiment with and without hands-on elements on participant motivation and technology acceptance. For this purpose, 235 students were questioned during a student laboratory day. The surveyed students showed high motivation and technology acceptance for the virtual experiment. In the comparison, the electrophysiological setup with hands-on elements performs better in the intrinsic components than the setup without hands-on elements: Thus, the hands-on approach is rated as more interesting and the perceived enjoyment scores higher. Nevertheless, both experimental groups show high values, so that the results of the study support the positive influence of digital laboratory as well as a positive influence of hands-on elements.
In recent decades, zoos have been increasingly transformed into education centers with the goal of raising awareness about environmental issues and providing environmental education. Probably the simplest and most widespread environmental education program in the zoo is the guided tour. This study therefore aims to test whether a one hour zoo tour has an influence on the participants’ connection to nature and attitude towards species conservation. For this purpose, 269 people who had voluntarily registered for a zoo tour were surveyed before and after the tour. In addition to the regular zoo tour, special themed tours and tours with animal feedings were included. The results show a positive increase in connection to nature and a strengthening of positive attitudes towards species conservation for all tour types. For nature connectedness, in particular, people with an initial high connection to nature benefitted from the special themed tours and the tours, including animal feedings. For attitudes towards species conservation, no difference was found between the tour types. The results prove the positive influence of a very simple environmental education program, even for people with a preexisting high level of connection to nature and positive attitude towards species conservation.
In order to effectively address global environmental problems, it is important that future decision-makers in society are aware of the safe operation space for humans, which is limited by the planetary boundaries. Until now, however, there has been a lack of international studies examining how the planet's boundaries are perceived. In this study, we investigated how students of environmental and sustainability studies in 35 countries (n = 4140) assess the planetary boundaries. Based on the rating, using spectral clustering, the 35 countries were assigned to five different clusters. Four indicators (Human Development Index, Legatum Prosperity Index, Natural Resources Income and Forest Area) were used to provide explanations for the clustering result. The indices allow a distinction between the clusters and provide initial explanations for the clustering. The results provide important insights for today's decision-makers, as possible measures for action in the individual countries can be derived from the findings.
Measuring connection to nature - a illustrated extension of the inclusion of nature in self scale
(2021)
The human-nature connection is an important factor that is frequently the subject of environmental education research and environmental psychology. Therefore, over the years, numerous measuring instruments have been established to quantitatively record a person’s connection to nature. However, there is no instrument specifically for children with cognitive limitations. For this reason, in this study, an established scale for connection to nature, the inclusion of nature in self scale (INS), was modified especially for the needs of this group. Study 1 investigated what students understand by the term “nature” in order to create an illustrated version of the INS. In study 2, the new instrument was tested on university students and compared with the original INS and the connectedness to nature scale (CNS). No significant differences between the original INS and the new developed scale were found (p = 0.247), from which it can be concluded that the illustrated INS (IINS) measures the connection to nature with similar accuracy as the original INS. In study 3, the instrument was tested together with other established nature connection instruments on the actual target group, students with disabilities. The correlation between the IINS, the CNS, and nature connectedness scale (NR) were in accordance with the expected literature values (rIINS-CNS = 0.570 & rIINS-NR = 0.605). The results of this study also prove effectiveness of the developed illustrated scale. This research thus provides a suitable measuring instrument for people with learning difficulties and can make a contribution to the investigation of human-nature connections and conservation education.
Interest is an important factor for successful learning that has been the subject of intensive research for decades. Although interest in nature is of great importance for environmental education, to date there is no valid and reliable measurement tool. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to develop and test a scale for interest in nature, the Nature Interest Scale (NIS). In study 1, nine items were selected based on the three dimensions of the psychological interest construct to represent interest in nature. The factor structure of this new measurement instrument, was tested using confirmatory factor analyses. The results show that the instrument represents the three dimensions of the interest construct well. In study 2 the validity (discriminant and convergent validity) as well as the reliability (internal consistency, composite reliability, test-retest reliability) of the NIS were demonstrated. In study 3, the applicability of the NIS was tested with a different target group, students with learning disabilities. The results of this factor analysis also confirm the factor structure of the scale. Thus, this study provides a valid and reliable measurement tool for individual interest in nature that can be used for future research.
The success of the increasing use of technology in education is highly dependent on learner acceptance. Although the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) is dominant in research for surveying acceptance of technology, it does not allow the prediction of a successful first time use of technology. The successful first time use can be determined with the survey of technology affinity, as it corresponds to the expression of certain personality traits of users and is thus detached from the specific technology. Since there are no measurement instruments for the educational sector so far and existing instruments for measuring technology affinity do not meet the specific requirements for use in the educational context (e.g., limited time for questioning), we present the single item Inclusion of Technology Affinity in Self-Scale (ITAS). In study 1 we provide evidence of convergent and discriminant validity within the general population so that a generalization of its applicability is possible. In study 2 we subsequently tested ITAS in the actual target group, the educational sector. The high correlations of the ITAS with the ATI and the control instrument TA-EG (ranging from rs = 0.679 to rs = 0.440) show that ITAS is suitable for use in research. Furthermore, the newly developed instrument convinces with its low complexity, the graphical component, which requires little text understanding and the high time saving. This research thus can contribute to the investigation of technology affinity in the educational sector helping educators to conduct technical activities with their learning group, to predict possible difficulties and adjust their planning accordingly.
Zoos attract millions of visitors every year, many of whom are schoolchildren. For this reason, zoos are important institutions for the environmental education of future generations. Empirical studies on the educational impact of environmental education programs in zoos are still rare. To address this issue, we conducted two studies: In study 1, we investigated students’ interests in different biological topics, including zoos (n = 1,587). Data analysis of individual topics revealed large differences of interest, with advanced students showing less interest in zoos. In study 2, we invited school classes of this age group to visit different guided tours at the zoo and tested connection to nature before and after each educational intervention (n = 608). The results showed that the guided tours are an effective tool to raise students’ connection to nature. Add-on components have the potential to further promote connection to nature. The education programs are most effective with students with a low initial nature connection.
This paper investigates the semantic underpinnings of the distinction between two syntactic types of "manner of movement" verbs in Levin (1993), namely the RUN and ROLL classes. According to Levin's (1993) and Levin & Rappaport's (1995) work on unaccusativity, a semantic factor of "internal causation" should be the trigger for the classification of a movement verb as intransitive (=not-unaccusative), and hence for its belonging to the RUN class. We point out empirical problems for this characterisation, mainly coming from the different readings of the German verb fliegen (fly). From a comparison with other semantically similar verbs, we conclude that the semantic description which underlies the class distinction should be refined: instead of "internal causation", the crucial semantic factor is described here as "inherent specification for a momentum of movement". This result indicates that forces, and relations between forces, have to be part of the semantic description of the manner component in movement verbs.