University of Potsdam

About: University of Potsdam is a education organization based out in Potsdam, Germany. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Computer science. The organization has 9629 authors who have published 26740 publications receiving 759745 citations. The organization is also known as: Universität Potsdam.

Quantum Dot Biosensors for Ultrasensitive Multiplexed Diagnostics

Abstract: Time- and color-resolved detection of Foerster resonance energy transfer (FRET) from luminescent terbium complexes to different semiconductor quantum dots results in a fivefold multiplexed bioassay with sub-picomolar detection limits for all five bioanalytes (see picture). The detection of up to five biomarkers occurs with a sensitivity that is 40-240-fold higher than one of the best-established single-analyte reference assays.

Formation of contact in massive close binaries

Abstract: We present evolutionary calculations for 74 close binaries systems with initial primary masses in the range 12...25$M_{\odot}$, and initial secondary masses between 6 and 24$M_{\odot}$. The initial periods were chosen such that mass overflow starts during the core hydrogen burning phase of the primary (Case A), or shortly thereafter (Case B). We use a newly developed binary code with up-to-date physics input. Of particular relevance is the use of OPAL opacities, and the time-dependent treatment of semiconvective and thermohaline mixing. We assume conservative evolution for contact-free systems, i.e., no mass or angular momentum loss from those system except due to stellar winds. We investigate the borderline between contact-free evolution and contact, as a function of the initial system parameters. The fraction of the parameter space where binaries may evolve while avoiding contact -which we found already small for the least massive systems considered -becomes even smaller for larger initial primary masses. At the upper end of the considered mass range, no contact-free Case B systems exist. While for primary masses of 16$M_{\odot}$ and higher the Case A systems dominate the contact-free range, at primary masses of 12$M_{\odot}$ contact-free systems are more frequent for Case B. We identify the drop of the exponent x in the main sequence mass-luminosity relation of the form $L\propto M^x$ as the main cause for this behaviour. For systems which evolve into contact, we find that this can occur for distinctively different reasons. While Case A systems are prone to contact due to reverse mass transfer during or after the primary's main sequence phase, all systems obtain contact for initial mass ratios below ~0.65, with a merger as the likely outcome. We also investigate the effect of the treatment of convection, and found it relevant for contact and supernova order in Case A systems, particularly for the highest considered masses. For Case B systems we find contact for initial periods above ~10 d. However, in that case (and for not too large periods) contact occurs only after the mass ratio has been reversed, due to the increased fraction of the donor's convective envelope. As most of the mass transfer occurs conservatively before contact is established, this delayed contact is estimated to yield to the ejection of only a fraction of the donor star's envelope. Our models yield the value of β , i.e., the fraction of the primaries envelope which is accreted by the secondary. We derive the observable properties of our systems after the major mass transfer event, where the mass gainer is a main sequence or supergiant O or early B type star, and the mass loser is a helium star. We point out that the assumption of conservative evolution for contact-free systems could be tested by finding helium star companions to O stars. Those are also predicted by non-conservative models, but with different periods and mass ratios. We describe strategies for increasing the probability to find helium star companions in observational search programs.

Synchronization between two coupled complex networks

Abstract: We study synchronization for two unidirectionally coupled networks. This is a substantial generalization of several recent papers investigating synchronization inside a network. We derive analytically a criterion for the synchronization of two networks which have the same (inside) topological connectivity. Then numerical examples are given which fit the theoretical analysis. In addition, numerical calculations for two networks with different topological connections are presented and interesting synchronization and desynchronization alternately appear with increasing value of the coupling strength.

On the Selection of Ground-Motion Prediction Equations for Seismic Hazard Analysis

Abstract: A key element in any seismic hazard analysis is the selection of appropriate ground-motion prediction equations (GMPEs). In an earlier paper, focused on the selection and adjustment of ground-motion models for probabilistic seismic hazard analysis (PSHA) in moderately active regions--with limited data and few, if any, indigenous models--Cotton et al. (2006) proposed seven criteria as the basis for selecting GMPEs. Recent experience in applying these criteria, faced with several new GMPEs developed since the Cotton et al. (2006) paper was published and a significantly larger strong-motion database, has led to consideration of how the criteria could be refined and of other conditions that could be included to meet the original objectives of Cotton et al. (2006). In fact, about a dozen new GMPEs are published each year, and this number appears to be increasing. Additionally, Cotton et al. (2006) concluded that the criteria should not be excessively specific, tied to the state-of-the-art in ground-motion modeling at the time of writing and thus remaining static, but rather should be sufficiently flexible to be adaptable to the continuing growth of the global strong-motion database and the continued evolution of GMPEs

Natural selection for grazer resistance to toxic cyanobacteria: evolution of phenotypic plasticity?

Abstract: We studied the selection response of the freshwater grazing zooplankter, Daphnia galeata, to increased abundance of cyanobacteria in its environment. Cyanobacteria are a poor-quality and often toxic food. Distinct genotypes of D. galeata were hatched from diapausing eggs extracted from three time horizons in the sediments of Lake Constance, Europe, covering the period 1962 to 1997, a time of change in both the prevalence of planktonic cyanobacteria and levels of phosphorus pollution. We assessed whether the grazers evolved to become more resistant to dietary cyanobacteria by exposing genetically distinct clones to two diets, one composed only of the nutritious green alga, Scenedesmus obliquus (good food), and the other a mixture of S. obliquus and the toxic cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa (poor food). Genotype performance was measured as the specific rate of weight gain from neonate to maturity (gj). We evaluated evolutionary change in the Daphnia population using an analysis of reaction norms based on relative (log-transformed) changes in gj. Log(gj) is a measure of the proportional effect of dietary cyanobacteria on other fitness components of theDaphnia phenotype. For comparison, we also analyze absolute (i.e., nontransformed) changes in gj and discuss the interpretations of the two approaches. Statistical results using a general linear model demonstrate a significant effect of genotype (showing differences in gj among genotypes), a significant genotype 3 food-type interaction (showing differences in phenotypic plasticity among genotypes), and, in the case of log-transformed data, a significant sediment-genotype-age3 food-type interaction. The latter shows that phenotypic plasticity evolved over the period studied. Two constraints act on response to selection in the D. galeata-Lake Constance system. First, gj on a diet containing poor food is highly correlated with gj on a diet of good food, thus evolving resistance also meant evolving an increase in gj on both diets. Second, because genotypes with a high gj also grow to a large adult body size, which in turn increases Daphnia vulnerability to fish predation, we suggest that selection only acted to favor genotypes possessing a high potential gj after cyanobacteria became prevalent. The presence of cyanobacteria depressed realized gj and led to animals of small adult body size even if their genotypes had the potential for high gj and large size. With realized gj reduced, genotypes with an inherently high value could be selected even in the presence of predatory fish. The joint action of selection by dietary cyanobacteria and vulnerability to fish predation provides an explanation for the observed evolution of resistance to poor food through reduced phenotypic plasticity.