Leibniz University of Hanover

About: Leibniz University of Hanover is a education organization based out in Hanover, Niedersachsen, Germany. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Finite element method & Computer science. The organization has 14283 authors who have published 29845 publications receiving 682152 citations.

Gravitational wave astronomy: the current status

Abstract: In the centenary year of Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity, this paper reviews the current status of gravitational wave astronomy across a spectrum which stretches from attohertz to kilohertz frequencies. Sect. 1 of this paper reviews the historical development of gravitational wave astronomy from Einstein’s first prediction to our current understanding the spectrum. It is shown that detection of signals in the audio frequency spectrum can be expected very soon, and that a north-south pair of next generation detectors would provide large scientific benefits. Sect. 2 reviews the theory of gravitational waves and the principles of detection using laser interferometry. The state of the art Advanced LIGO detectors are then described. These detectors have a high chance of detecting the first events in the near future. Sect. 3 reviews the KAGRA detector currently under development in Japan, which will be the first laser interferometer detector to use cryogenic test masses. Sect. 4 of this paper reviews gravitational wave detection in the nanohertz frequency band using the technique of pulsar timing. Sect. 5 reviews the status of gravitational wave detection in the attohertz frequency band, detectable in the polarisation of the cosmic microwave background, and discusses the prospects for detection of primordial waves from the big bang. The techniques described in sects. 1–5 have already placed significant limits on the strength of gravitational wave sources. Sects. 6 and 7 review ambitious plans for future space based gravitational wave detectors in the millihertz frequency band. Sect. 6 presents a roadmap for development of space based gravitational wave detectors by China while sect. 7 discusses a key enabling technology for space interferometry known as time delay interferometry.

Fluorescent labelling reveals spatial separation of potyvirus populations in mixed infected Nicotiana benthamiana plants.

Abstract: The distribution of potyviruses in mixed infected Nicotiana benthamiana plants was investigated by using green and red fluorescent proteins (GFP, DsRed). Full-length cDNA clones of Plum pox virus (PPV-NAT-AgfpS; PPV-NAT-red), Tobacco vein mottling virus (TVMV-gfp; TVMV-red) and Clover yellow vein virus (ClYVV-GFP) expressing fluorescent proteins, referred to here as labelled viruses, were used to characterize the distribution of different potyviral populations (e.g. TVMV-gfp/PPV-NAT-red), as well as populations of identical, but differently labelled potyviruses (e.g. PPV-NAT-AgfpS/PPV-NAT-red) or in mixed infections of potyviruses with labelled Potato virus X (PVX). Plants infected by any of the PVX/potyvirus combinations exhibited synergistic symptoms and large numbers of cells were doubly infected. In contrast, co-infections of differently labelled potyvirus populations appeared non-synergistic and remained predominantly separate in the infected plants, independent of whether different viruses or identical but differently labelled viruses were co-infecting. Contact of differently labelled virus populations that exhibited spatial separation was restricted to a small number of cells at the border of different fluorescent cell clusters.

Physical carbon-sequestration mechanisms under special consideration of soil wettability

Abstract: The protective impact of aggregation on microbial degradation through separation has been described frequently, especially for biotically formed aggregates. However, to date little information exists on the effects of organic-matter (OM) quantity and OM quality on physical protection, i.e., reduced degradability by microorganisms caused by physical factors. In the present paper, we hypothesize that soil wettability, which is significantly influenced by OM, may act as a key factor for OM stabilization as it controls the microbial accessibility for water, nutrients, and oxygen in three-phase systems like soil. Based on this hypothesis, the first objective is to evaluate new findings on the organization of organo-mineral complexes at the nanoscale as one of the processes creating water-repellent coatings on mineral surfaces. The second objective is to quantify the degree of alteration of coated surfaces with regard to water repellence. We introduce a recently developed trial that combines FTIR spectra with contact-angle data as the link between chemical composition of OM and the physical wetting behavior of soil particles. In addition to characterizing the wetting properties of OM coatings, we discuss the implications of water-repellent surfaces for different physical protection mechanisms of OM. For typical minerals, the OM loading on mineral surfaces is patchy, whereas OM forms nanoscaled micro-aggregates together with metal oxides and hydroxides and with layered clay minerals. Such small aggregates may efficiently stabilize OM against microbial decomposition. However, despite the patchy structure of OM coating, we observed a relation between the chemical composition of OM and wettability. A higher hydrophobicity of the OM appears to stabilize the organic C in soil, either caused by a specific reduced biodegradability of OM or indirectly caused by increased aggregate stability. In partly saturated nonaggregated soil, the specific distribution of the pore water appears to further affect the mineralization of OM as a function of wettability. We conclude that the wettability of OM, quantified by the contact angle, links the chemical structure of OM with a bundle of physical soil properties and that reduced wettability results in the stabilization of OM in soils.

Differential interactions of Verticillium longisporum and V. dahliae with Brassica napus detected with molecular and histological techniques

Abstract: The differential interactions of V. longisporum (VL) and V. dahliae (VD) on the root surface and in the root and shoot vascular system of Brassica napus were studied by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), using GFP tagging and conventional fluorescence dyes, acid fuchsin and acridin orange. VL and VD transformants expressing sGFP were generated by Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. GFP signals were less homogenous and GFP tagging performed less satisfactory than the conventional fluorescence staining when both were studied with CLSM. Interactions of both pathogens were largely restricted to the root hair zone. At 24 h post-inoculation (hpi), hyphae of VL and VD were found intensely interwoven with the root hairs. Hyphae of VL followed the root hairs towards the root surface. At 36 hpi, VL hyphae started to cover the roots with a hyphal net strictly following the grooves of the junctions of the epidermal cells. VL started to penetrate the root epidermal cells without any conspicuous infection structures. Subsequently, hyphae grew intracellularly and intercellularly through the root cortex towards the central cylinder, without inducing any visible plant responses. Colonisation of the xylem vessels in the shoot with VL was restricted to individual vessels entirely filled with mycelium and conidia, while adjacent vessels remained completely unaffected. This may explain why no wilt symptoms occur in B. napus infected with VL. Elevated amounts of fungal DNA were detectable in the hypocotyls 14 days post-inoculation (dpi) and in the leaves 35 dpi. Root penetration was also observed for VD, however, with no directed root surface growth and mainly an intercellular invasion of the root tissue. In contrast to VL, VD started ample formation of conidia on the roots, and was unable to spread systemically into the shoots. VD did not form microsclerotia in the root tissue as widely observed for VL. This study confirms that VD is non-pathogenic on B. napus and demonstrates that non-host resistance against this fungus materializes in restriction of systemic spread rather than inhibition of penetration.