researchgerman german research 3 / 2011 Magazine of the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft Cover: N. Becker, DAI The Tall Hujayrˉat al-Ghuzlˉan excavation 3 /2011 site: A large antique storage vessel is recovered almost undamaged. Archae­ ologists are investigating traces of human settlements in Jordan.

Commentary Matthias Kleiner A Confident Look Beyond 2 Excellence Initiative: Designing the future of top-level research funding

Humanities and Social Sciences F. Klimscha, U. Siegel, R. Eichmann and K. Schmidt Empire of the Ibex 4 Archaeologists excavate the impressive remains of a Chalcolithic settlement in Jordan

Walter Hömberg Talent Scouts and Proofreaders 10 A new empirical study on the editing profession examines persistent clichés

Engineering Sciences Jürgen W. Czarske A Spot of Turbulence 14 An effective technique enables non-intrusive measurements of fluid flows

Life Sciences Bernd Weber Smart Decisions 18 How neuroeconomists use imaging techniques to understand decision-making

Natalija Novak What Causes Itching Sensations? 22 In neurodermatitis, molecular mechanisms interlock like the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle

Portrait Rembert Unterstell The Turtle Code 26 Palaeontologist Walter Joyce looks deep into the history of evolution and the Earth Excavations in Jordan: Empire of the Ibex | Excellence Initiative: A Confident Look Beyond | Editing Profession: Talent Scouts and Proof Readers | Quantum Physics: Diving Deep into the Natural Sciences Atom | Neuroeconomics: Smart Decisions | Measuring Technique: A Spot of Turbulence | Ferenc Krausz and Thorsten Naeser Diving Deep into the Atom 28 Neurodermatitis: What Causes Itching Sensations? | Palaeontology: The Turtle Code Attosecond physics: Ultra-short laser flashes enable precise insight into matter 2 Commentary german research 3 / 2011 german research 3 / 2011 3

Matthias Kleiner Furthermore, greater freedom of action for uni- versities corresponds directly with the DFG’s ability to respond to the growing needs of universities. The A Confident Look planning security provided by the Pact for Research and Innovation has enabled the DFG to do just that, and to accentuate certain areas of funding in close Beyond consultation with the major research organisations. This has proven to be very productive for the in- creasing interconnection and cooperation between The finale of the Excellence Initiative has just begun – yet the scientific community universities and research organisations. Therefore, must already contemplate the future of top-level research funding. We need productive the long-term significance of the Pact for Research and constructive dialogue with policymakers. The key issues are obvious. and Innovation for the entire research system cannot be overstated. And finally, there is also agreement that the Ger- man research system needs the funding provided under the Excellence Initiative to continue after the programme expires in order to stay competitive, and t first glance, and certainly from the- per broad-based discussion and, as experience has shown, that shifting these federal and state funds to other spective of scientific logic, it must seem odd: a long lead time. Knowing the logic of politics, one areas of political activity would undo much of what A across Germany, hundreds of scientists and would have to say that thinking about the future has been accomplished. To allow the work that has academics, university administrations, and state min- can’t start early enough. begun to continue, to meet the need for large-scale Frenz istries of research have just 2011 gone to great efforts One could even go further and say that it is our / grants also in the long term, and to safeguard qual- to complete, countersign, and submit the proposals very responsibility towards the second phase of the ity criteria and research-driven selection processes, for the finale of the second phase of the Excellence Excellence Initiative and our consideration of the the two funding lines “Clusters of Excellence” and

Initiative. And yet, just weeks prior to scientific re- participating researchers and their institutions that Illustration: DFG “Graduate Schools” should therefore be included per- view of these proposals, we can open almost any compels us to begin early to think about the future manently in the DFG’s funding portfolio. This would newspaper and find new suggestions for the time after this second phase of the competition. And we require the DFG to realign its coordinated funding after the Excellence Initiative. have to invite those who are in the middle of it to put programmes to offer flexible grant opportunities for For researchers, especially the younger ones, this this thinking in its proper context and understand it second phase of the Excellence Initiative, should be research projects of all sizes. must be demotivating. What’s more, these early accordingly. Even then, though, the question remains eligible for a second grant after the first five years of suggestions may lead the scientific community to where and how we want to discuss these issues. I see funding. For we have seen in the first phase of the tarting with these key issues, we should think doubt the existence of a broad consensus, shared no reason why we should proceed differently here Excellence Initiative that, despite all the preparation beyond the Excellence Initiative. In the DFG, by researchers and politicians alike, that we have than in the early stages of planning the Excellence in the run-up to the proposal, it takes some time be- S we have already begun this thought process undertaken this joint effort primarily for the sake of Initiative – and that is by initiating the discussion fore the initiated processes and structures can take and intend to deepen it over the coming months and science and its progress. With the Excellence Initia- within the scientific community and entering into a full effect, and results of high quality and quantity years – in our committees, in consultation with the tive, we have entered new territory together. It was confident, productive and constructive dialogue with can be achieved. universities and the German Rectors’ Conference, an “experiment” in the research system, one that we policymakers. Then, the universities urgently need better core within the Alliance of German Science Organisations, all agreed on because it made sense and still does. support and greater flexibility. Teaching and research and in intense conversations with policymakers. In But since when is it scientific to evaluate an experi- ur thinking doesn’t have to start from scratch. should not have to compete for resources – excellent this we are guided by our firm belief in scientific self- ment before it’s finished and draw conclusions from With all the diversity of ideas, there is one teaching and research without third-party funding governance and motivated by the necessity to speak the results? O thing everyone agrees on: the federal gov- must be ensured, as must preparatory work for exter- up with a strong voice for the concerns and needs of The logic of science would therefore say that it is ernment needs to increase its commitment to science nally funded projects and financing of indirect project the research community. too early to have this public debate – and the timing and research funding. The only question is how, and costs. The programme allowance for indirect project is not very helpful for those who are highly involved what are the most efficient ways to go about it. costs under the Higher Education Pact has proven es- in this second phase of the Excellence Initiative. There are other key issues on which everyone sential and indispensable to providing financial relief Then again, it would be politically naive not to should agree, or come to an agreement on quickly. to universities. It dovetails with the needs of science recognise that all forms of science, and the structures First, I believe that as a matter of reason and fair- and research, is uncomplicated yet quality-assured.

designed to promote them, are also tied to a political ness, there can be no doubt that the new initiatives, Increasing it to the level of international standards Prof. Dr.-Ing. Matthias Kleiner framework. And identifying the right path requires a to be approved for the first time in June 2012 in the is an absolute necessity. is President of the DFG. 4 Humanities and Social Sciences german research 3 / 2011 german research 3 / 2011 5

F. Klimscha, U. Siegel, R. Eichmann and K. Schmidt Empire of the Ibex

Far from the well-known excavation sites in Egypt and Mesopotamia, an international team of archaeologists are excavating the remains of a Chalcolithic settlement in Jordan at Tall Hujayraˉt al-Ghuzlaˉn near modern Aqaba. Their finds are full of surprises – they demonstrate how social and technological innovations radiated out from the centres to the periphery. DAI / Illustration: Becker 6 Humanities and Social Sciences german research 3 / 2011 german research 3 / 2011 7

n the history of humanity there life more difficult for the population The population of Tall Hujayraˉt What did houses and other buildings I have always been regions where rather than easier. al-Ghuzlaˉn had direct access to the look like in the ancient Hujayraˉt al- particularly important and decisive Tall Hujayraˉt al-Ghuzlaˉn lies in Red Sea and knew how to use this Ghuzlaˉn settlement? The architecture discoveries have been made. These such a region. It is situated north of location for foreign trade over long in the north of the complex allows deep innovations permeated throughout the modern town of Aqaba, close to distances. and revealing insights. the cultural core areas into distant the Red Sea. Today, the area offers Excavations at Tall Hujayraˉt al- regions. During the Neolithic (the ideal conditions for sport diving and Ghuzlaˉn have been ongoing since younger Stone Age characterised by holidays at the beach. In prehistory, 2002 under the auspices of the some up to four metres high; even agricultural subsistence), for exam- though, in a society based on farm- ASEYM project (Archaeological pillars and alcoves within the walls ple, knowledge of the wheel and the ing and animal husbandry, the fight Survey and Excavation in the Yu- can be found. wagon spread from the Near- and for survival was hard and unrelent- tum and Magass Area). The Aqaba This unusual situation is remi- Middle-East as far as the Baltic Sea ing. Rain falls highly irregularly and region lies at the fringe of attention niscent of antique Pompeii. In con- area – in a very rapid process, in often not at all – sometimes for years of Near Eastern Archaeology and trast to the latter, however, it ap- hindsight taking only about a hun- at a time. Egyptology in terms of international pears that there were no earthquake dred years. In terms of traffic infrastruc- research. It remained barely noticed victims in Tall Hujayraˉt al-Ghuzlaˉn. Technical innovations generally ture the region around the Gulf of for a long time. At least, no buried skeletons have occur in economic-administrative Aqaba can only be reached with yet been excavated. Instead, human centres. Cultural achievements, for great difficulty by land: narrow, all Hujayraˉt al-Ghuzlaˉn was jaw bones are found repeatedly in instance writing, were first con- dried out river beds, enclosed on T founded during the Chalcolithic the settlement’s fill courses. It is cur- ceived and instigated in the Mesopo- both sides by high cliffs (“wadis”) period (also known as the Copper- rently not clear whether these are tamian city states. However, archae- are the only roads. The Wadi Araba Stone Age, 4100 to 3600 BC) and the remains of burials or an ances- ological research must also expect stretches away to the north, where is therefore, with the exception of tral cult, in which parts of the bodies spectacular discoveries in regions nowadays an asphalt road leads minor finds in the neighbouring of the dead were interned inside the considered peripheral in terms of to the Dead Sea. In the east Wadi Negev Desert, the oldest verified houses, similar to the situation in the centres of ancient Near-eastern Yitim leads to a stunning, but hos- human settlement in the Aqaba Celtic settlements. cultures. That is, regions where vi- tile desert landscape. These condi- region. The organisation of the set- An evaluation of the architec- tal resources were scarce and where tions only improve when travelling tlement is very surprising, because tural history of the findings in the the environmental conditions made across water. – in contrast to what is normally north of the complex could help to anticipated for this period – it does expose the original appearance of The excavation map for the Tall Hujayraˉt al-Ghuzlaˉn site in Jordan. not reveal a simple, rural settle- the settlement: large, round pillars, ment, but comprises multi-room all belonging to an earlier building buildings of at least two storeys. In phase than the walls erected later, other words, Hujayraˉt al-Ghuzlaˉn were located at regular intervals. was “planned” and built in a very They once carried a now non-exist- limited space. Variously sized rooms ent roof structure. This shows, then, indicate a variety of functional units, that Tall Hujayraˉt al-Ghuzlaˉn was accessed via a complex network of characterised by astonishingly large, routes. Already in the Chalcolithic almost monumental room units. Hujayraˉt al-Ghuzlaˉn was afflicted by These large-roomed structures dif- a number of earthquakes. The result fer from the small structures in the was that rooms had to be stabilised rest of the settlement. by additional walls and the settle- The settlement was enclosed ment came more and more to re- by a wall, built of large wadi peb- semble a labyrinth. And still people bles, which was renewed during continued to live and work here. the course of the settlement’s his- These ancient earthquakes have left tory. It very probably formed part behind them special research con- of the site’s defences. However, it DAI / DAI / ditions for the archaeologists. Nu- is still not clear who the population merous buildings remain standing, were defending against. The only Grafik: Siegel /DAI Illustration: Siegel Illustration: Wittmer 8 Humanities and Social Sciences german research 3 / 2011 german research 3 / 2011 9

Impressive witnesses: Wall decoration in- Aqaba received valuable Egyptian and unearthed spectacular finds. A tute (DAI) the results of the 2006 cluding two ibexes; a human with raised stone vessels and rare Nile mussels. clay representation of a horn was to 2010 excavations are being arms can be seen below the front ibex. The find of a small clay figurine is found in the immediate vicinity evaluated and prepared for pub- Centre: A thousand beads, many made unique in the southern Levant to of the wall decorations. The piece lication. One thing is certain: the from mollusc shells, discovered in a clay date. Thanks to stylistic comparisons must have originally belonged to a oft-cited wheel was not invented vessel. Bottom: Stones of various sizes it can also be identified as an Egyp- larger sculpture and it is assumed in Tall Hujayraˉt al-Ghuzlaˉn and the were once used to reduce copper ores tian import. that it was related to the wall dec- site unquestionably was located at and mill cereals. The population primarily ate orations. The situation is similar the edge of the ancient Egyptian goats and sheep, and only a few for five miniature vessels found at world. And yet, it was involved in bones derive from wild animals, the foot of a decorated adobe brick decisive technological innovations, DAI

/ weapons found are in the form of and domesticated and wild don- wall. The unfired condition of the highly relevant to the cultural his- mace-heads. A fragmented stone keys. The botanical remains show objects and the decoration on only tory of the eastern Mediterranean. bowl with a geometrical zigzag that the climate during the Chal- one side rules out profane use. Possibly – the many points of con- decoration links the settlement to colithic was practically the same as The complex of rooms to the east tact with the Nile valley seem to

Illustration: Schmidt the ritual site of Khirbet Rizqeh, today’s. Agriculture relied on flax, was excavated in 2010; a unique indicate this – the site was even an in a side arm of Wadi Rum, where barley and wheat. However, the re- stone has been recovered. A total important link in a chain of inter- human figures, carved in stone, gion’s aridity did not and does not of eight square to sub-trapezoidal related factors, which together con- were erected in a circle. The enor- lend itself to agriculture. Rainfall characters were engraved on it. tributed to the rise of the advanced mous number of copper crucibles is infrequent and unreliable, flash There is no apparent interpreta- Egyptian civilisation in the fourth and casting moulds in Tall Hujayraˉt floods following storms present a tion of the characters as yet, but it millennium BC. al-Ghuzlaˉn is witness to the fact hazard to fields and may even de- appears to be closely related to the that the place could not have been stroy them completely. The popu- special use of this area. A sealed just a common residential settle- lation of Tall Hujayraˉt al-Ghuzlaˉn vessel containing several thousand ment. Instead, life there was very therefore utilised the subterranean beads, the smallest of which were heavily oriented around the pro- groundwater flow below the wadi only approximately one millimetre duction of copper ingots and fin- for irrigation purposes. An irriga- long, was located below the base ished products. tion system used to divert water to of the walls in this room. This en- DAI / the fields is located outside of the semble is regarded as one of the race element analyses have settlement. most spectacular finds ever in the T shown that the ore originated Another peculiarity: conspicu- region. either in nearby Timnah or in de- ous wall decorations embellish a Illustration: Becker posits in Wadi Feinan, approxi- building complex in the west of umerous skulls and horn core mately 100 kilometres north of the settlement. They include hand- N fragments, which are evi- the site. It was then processed in prints on four walls, and represen- dently related to the parietal art Tall Hujayraˉt al-Ghuzlaˉn. Fist-sized tations of animals and people, made images, were recovered not far grinding stones were used and, in by pressing the fingertips into the from the vessels, below one of the particular, variously sized granite wet wall plaster. The most common wall decorations. The frequency of Dr. Florian Klimscha, Dipl.-Arch. Ulrike milling stones. Traces of green col- motifs are ibexes. It is possible that such extraordinary finds under- Siegel, Prof. Dr. Ricardo Eichmann, Prof. our can still be recognised on some the site’s modern name is derived lines the importance of this part Dr. Klaus Schmidt carry out research in the Oriental Department stones, a result of continuous rub- from these, probably inadvertently of the settlement. Further excava- of the German Archaeological Institute (DAI). bing by copper ores. visible, representations. “Hujayraˉt tions in this area hold the promise Contact: Deutsches Archäologisches Institut, The ingots were intended for ex- al-Ghuzlaˉn” can be best translated not only of exceptional finds, they Podbielskiallee 69 –71, 14195 Berlin, Germany port. Pre-dynastic Egypt was one of as “rooms of the ibex”. All decora- may even help uncover what is so The project is run in cooperation with the

DAI the favoured trading partners. In- tions are found in the south-west “special” about this area. Does a / University of Jordan, Amman, the German gots whose shape and size exactly of Tall Hujayraˉt al-Ghuzlaˉn and prehistoric temple perhaps lie hid- Mining Museum (Deutsches Bergbau- match the casting moulds used at signify that this area had a special den in the west of Tall Hujayraˉt Museum), Bochum, the Lübeck University of Hujayraˉt al-Ghuzlaˉn were found function. al-Ghuzlaˉn? Applied Sciences and the Bishkek Geological Institute, Kyrgyzstan.

Illustration: Becker in a settlement in the Nile delta. The 2006 to 2010 excavations In the Oriental Department of In exchange the site on the Gulf of specifically addressed this question the German Archaeological Insti- www.dainst.org/Aqaba 10 Humanities and Social Sciences german research 3 / 2011 german research 3 / 2011 11

Walter Hömberg bookworm who discovers new literary treasures by poring over submitted manuscripts, however, Talent Scouts and Proofreaders persists. One thing is certain: the blatant stereotype of the constant reader sitting contemplatively in a Editors are always in their authors’ shadows, and yet no work of literature could be hushed room has probably never published without them. A new study provides a sociogram of this profession, analysing been accurate. So what are editors their daily duties and the way in which they are perceived by themselves and others. really like? nswers to this question are A provided by a study which has ditors at publishing houses are been being carried out since 2005 E communication professionals by the Journalism Department at about which very little is known. the Catholic University in Eichstätt. “If things go according to plan, the The investigation comprised three authors are the people who take survey phases: a postal question-

the spotlight. Whatever happens, naire which was sent to 1344 Ger- Illustration: Olaf Herling the editors remain in the shadows”, man book publishers (and achieved writes Marcel Reich-Ranicki. Chris- a response rate of 36.3 percent), a toph Selzer, one of the editors we phone survey carried out among Red pens and dictionaries: Editors must be masters of German spelling and punctuation. interviewed, tells the story of an 311 full-time editors, and in-depth editor who went to a civil registry verbal interviews with a select group Just under half of all respondents year. Only a very small percentage office, where he was asked to state of 16 editors from different types of acquired the specific skills required of a of work actually published is sub- his profession. The clerk at the regis- publishing firm. The study’s struc- professional editor through an intern- mitted to publishers unsolicited, try office, however, had never heard ture, implementation and results are ship or job shadowing programme. A although many publishers receive of “Lektor” (Engl.: editor), so she documented in detail in a recently good third have completed practical more unsolicited manuscripts each wrote the similar-sounding word published book, the second edition training in a publishing house. In just month (around 24) than an editor “Elektriker” (Engl.: electrician). of which has just been released. one-fifth of cases, respondents’ profes- can prepare for print in a year. “The This far-reaching anonymity The following text describes sional editing careers were preceded unsolicited manuscripts we receive leads to confused perceptions of some of the results from the editors’ by professional training in a publish- are generally from dilettantes. It’s the profession. In common par- telephone survey. One thing that is ing house, bookstore or library. Thirty- quite touching,” says Tobias Heyl lance, an editor in the first place immediately apparent is that editing seven percent had attended a specific from the Hanser Verlag publish- is a reader. Anyone who thinks, is a female profession. Almost two- editing course. No single method ing house. Hans-Ulrich Müller- however, that an editor at a pub- thirds of the survey respondents are of getting started in this profession, Schwefe of the Suhrkamp Verlag lishing house is paid good money to female. The average age of respond- therefore, stands out. adds: “I don’t think the flow [of spend the whole day perusing edi- ents is early forties. The level of for- Four out of five editors who par- manuscripts] will ever cease. Once fying reading matter, is mistaken. mal education is very high: 91 per- ticipated in the survey are full-time, you’ve been an editor for a while, Nowadays, editors must be part cent have completed a degree, while permanent employees. They have, you begin to think that everyone’s pixelio.de

publisher, part author, part spon- / one in five has achieved his or her on average, around ten years of rel- a writer.” sor and part marketing professional doctorate. Their qualifications are evant professional experience. Their – and of course – clairvoyant. As overwhelmingly in linguistic and lit- actual working hours clearly exceed hat are a modern editor’s project and product managers, they erary subjects, with German Stud- 40 per week. Taking only the full- W main daily duties? Despite all have become veritable “Jacks of all ies predominating. While degrees in time editors into account, the aver- the prophecies of doom that editors trades”. The image of a bespectacled art history and cultural studies and age was a good 45 hours. Most of in publishing houses are increas- history were also particularly popu- these work in the non-fiction and ingly becoming product managers,

Illustration: Stephanie Hofschaeger lar choices, degrees in the natural textbook sector. traditional editing activities are still A cliché rather than reality: Reading is just sciences and technology were also On average, an editor read- right at the top of the “most com- a small part of an editor’s daily duties. mentioned. ies 21 manuscripts for print each mon tasks” lists. Author mentoring 12 Humanities and Social Sciences german research 3 / 2011 german research 3 / 2011 13

is the most commonly mentioned monitoring schedules (81 percent). Janus-faced nature of the editor’s ling. Right at the very bottom is the programme directors and editors- world has been collected. Editors task, with almost 96 percent of re- Developing new book ideas, correct- work: it involves meeting the often aim of making a lot of money. in-chief, and – in third place – the are talent scouts, trendsetters and spondents reporting that this was ing grammar, and calculating costs opposing needs of publisher and As it turns out, the average authors. Fourth place is taken by proofreaders – all rolled into one. something they did “often”. In sec- follow. An editor’s day, therefore, author, and of doing almost equal mostly net salary for a full-time edi- “Other publishing-house employ- There can be no doubt as to the ond place, cited by 91 percent of involves a mixture of traditional ed- justice to their interests. tor is rather a modest one: the aver- ees” and – in fifth place – the “Read- importance of the role they play in respondents, is working on manu- iting tasks and business activities. A glance at the lower rankings age is €2,000, with women earning ers, customers and target audiences”. the book production process. Hav- scripts. Almost level in third and shows that the more service-based considerably less than men. On av- The literature critics, reviewers and ing said that, the significance of the fourth places are writing explana- hat do editors aim to achieve attitudes are followed by middle-of- erage, editors have a lower income literary agents are described as hav- various tasks involved in publish- tory texts (86 percent) and evaluat- W through their work? The the-field desires for achieving higher than other communications profes- ing the least influence. ing has changed markedly over the ing the suitability of manuscripts for responses show that editors over- circulation and sales figures, com- sionals, such as journalists or public Which skills and abilities are par- past few years – and will continue publication. whelmingly see themselves as serv- municating new ideas, and attaining relations officers, for example. ticularly important for editors? The to change in the future. The task which takes fifth place ing the interests of their publishing personal fulfilment. The lower places Job satisfaction, on the other answers to this question indicate that If nothing else, the production in the rankings is sure to be one houses. They also want to serve are reserved for promoting litera- hand, seems high, with editors a knowledge of German language of best sellers, changes in the book seldom associated with the stereo­ their authors’ interests, promote ture, entertaining readers and help- having little to criticise. One of the and grammar is considered the most trade and increasing media com- typical perception of the editor as development and provide infor- ing them unwind, and for providing editors surveyed emphasised the important skill. The ability to work petition have contributed to the bookworm: that of drawing up and mation. This clearly illustrates the them with orientation and counsel- author-reader mediatory function as a team is ranked as the second increasing significance of public fulfilled by editors: “I really enjoy most important. Specialist knowl- relations and advertising. The sales Having passed the editor’s desks, the latest releases will, ideally, keep the book market busy. This image shows the literature desk at having the time to mentor the de- edge is ranked only third, followed market and the limited attention the Deutschlandfunk radio station with, from left to right, Hubert Winkels, Hajo Steinert and Denis Scheck. velopment of a book and in, a way, by the ability to handle stress and span of potential readers are hotly to act as midwife to it. This, for me, a knowledge of relevant computer contested areas. Without the edi- is the classic definition of an edi- programmes. Carlos Westerkamp of tors’ passion, this profession, which tor: to act as a mediator between the Ullstein Verlag summarises the attracts many high qualified ideal- author and reader and to ensure requisite skills as follows: “Editors ists, would be inconceivable. Pas- that knowledge is transferred from must have a feel for literature, and sion for the profession must not, one to the other” (Stefanie Aulbach, a feeling for styles and trends. They however, be allowed to obscure J. D. Sauerländer's Verlag). should be flexible, resilient, com- the need for economically sound municative, and both open to dis- action. ditors particularly value their re- cussion and strong-willed.” E lationships with their co-workers. The generally high level of ca- 95 percent of respondents said that reer satisfaction remains unaltered they are “fairly satisfied” to “very sat- by the fact that the editors surveyed isfied” with this aspect of their work. expect the publishing industry and Editors also rated highly the ability their work as editors to be increas- to manage their own time. Further- ingly shaped by economic activity. more, there is a high level of satis- Editors expect to increasingly rep- faction with their own professional resent the business interests of their qualifications, even though the op- publishing houses, to spend more tions available for attaining further time planning, coordinating and del- Prof. Dr. Walter Hömberg was head of the Journalism Department I at qualifications seem sufficient to just egating, and to require more techni- the Catholic University Eichstätt-Ingolstadt half of respondents. The security pro- cal and business skills. The survey from 1988 to 2010. He is currently a visiting vided by the profession is evaluated participants also, however, assume professor at the University of Vienna.

Bettina Fürst-Fastré as average. The level of remunera- that the traditional core activities, / Contact: Lehrstuhl für Journalistik I, tion, the advancement opportunities, like mentoring authors and working Katholische Universität Eichstätt-Ingolstadt, time available for core activities and on manuscripts, will continue to be Ostenstraße 25, 85072 Eichstätt, Germany workload are, on the other hand, part of their remit. Walter Hömberg: Lektor im Buchverlag. considered less satisfactory. Repräsentative Studie über einen unbekann­ Editors consider publishers his is the first time that em- ten Kommunikationsberuf. Carried out in collaboration with Susanne Pypke and Chris- Illustration: Deutschlandradio and CEOs the main influences on T pirical data on the editing pro- tian Klenk. Second, revised edition. their work. These are followed by fession in the German-speaking Constance, UVK Verlagsgesellschaft 2011. 14 Engineering Sciences german research 3 / 2011 german research 3 / 2011 15

anta rhei – everything flows: The sound of the siren on a vehicle P fluid flows are found everywhere that is approaching or driving away and have an important role to play seems higher or lower than a sta- in many areas of nature and tech- tionary vehicle, respectively. When nology. Developers of automobiles it comes to the optical Doppler effect and aircraft are both interested in our everyday experience is less help- achieving the lowest possible drag ful, but the principle is the same. In noise and stable handling. The key this case, a high-resolution measur- to this is understanding the complex ing technology is required to deter- interactions between a physical body mine the optical Doppler frequency on the one hand and the fluid on shift because of the much higher the other. speed of light compared to sound. A precise understanding of flow mechanisms permits aeroplane he history of velocimetry us- wings to be designed in a way that T ing the laser Doppler technique they have a low drag force, which started in 1964 – only four years after saves fuel and exhaust emissions. the laser was invented. Generally, to Likewise in the interior of aircraft en- measure the velocity of a flow, laser gines, you can observe the complex light is scattered by particles in the interactions of the compressor tur- fluid (meaning a gas or a liquid). Par- bine blades with the gases that flow ticles which have a typical diameter through them. This influences the in the micrometre range and which efficiency, the noise generation, and can follow the flow without any not least the reliability and lifetime significant “slippage” (difference in of these engines. velocity) are thus added to the fluid. It is exciting when flows become The Doppler frequency shift of the turbulent, in other words, when scattered light is then measured us- complex spatial and temporal varia- ing electronic digital signal process- tions occur. Even today, the under- ing techniques. Nowadays, the laser standing of turbulent flows is one of Doppler measurement technique the last unsolved riddles of classical is an established procedure for the physics. Vortices occur on a large scale investigation of flows. However, it in the atmosphere; as is well-known has not achieved the desired resolu- they can grow to become tornadoes tion of turbulence on the micro scale in extreme cases. But vortices also (millionth of a metre). occur on a smaller scale, for example This is where an invention by

Illustration: Berthold Leibinger Stiftung, Ditzingen in pipelines, around the rotor blades the TU Dresden comes in. Several of turbomachines, or even on hard- laser waves of different colours (and disk drives in computers. Due to the thus light wavelengths) are cleverly fact that the simulation of turbulent superimposed in the measurement Jürgen W. Czarske flows is so complicated and expen- field. The flow velocity is then cal- sive that even super-computers run culated with a high spatial resolution up against their limits, modern met- by measuring the Doppler frequency rological methods frequently offer shifts using digital signal processing A Spot of Turbulence the only possibility for visualising technology. The world’s first “laser and understanding these flows. Doppler velocity profile sensor” with Measuring technique: An innovative technique enables non-intrusive, high-precision measurements of microscopic and macroscopic The non-intrusive measurement micrometre resolution was awarded fluid flows. The laser Doppler velocity profile sensor has huge potential for applications in science and technology. of flows is based on the Doppler ef- the Berthold Leibinger Innovation fect, which is familiar from acoustics. Prize in 2008. The innovative optical 16 Engineering Sciences german research 3 / 2011 german research 3 / 2011 17

sensor permitted enhanced insights about 10 nanometres (billionth of a The measurement of flow veloci- of the future. One prerequisite is a into turbulent flows and led to a ren- metre) above the disk supported on ties can also be used for the quan- sensor that precisely measures the aissance in laser Doppler measuring an air-bearing, which is created by tification of fluids. In the Federal width of the gap. These require- technology. the friction between the air and the Republic of Germany, about 22.5 ments are met by the novel laser rotating disk surface (the so-called percent of total energy consump- Doppler sensor. low processes are also of great ground effect). tion is covered by natural gas. Every Scientists took gap-width meas- F importance on computer hard- This air flow is therefore utilised year about 90 billion cubic metres urements using a so-called trans- disk drives. Hard-disk drives are for the storage function. But there of natural gas is forwarded to end sonic centrifugal compressor (a magnetic data storage devices which are also air flows which cause noise consumers, which means that reli- turbomachine operated in the su- at present have a capacity of up to and undesirable vibrations of the able volume information is essential personic range, which performs four terabytes (four trillion bytes. disk. Turbulent flows occur in the for both consumption and planning. fluid compression in a radial di- A byte represents one letter or one gap between the rotating disk and This is the responsibility of a test sta- rection), belonging to the German decimal number and corresponds the housing. With the laser Doppler tion operated by E.ON Ruhrgas AG Aerospace Center (DLR, Cologne, to eight binary digits (bit), which velocity profile sensor, it was possible in cooperation with the national Germany), the blade tips of which have the value 0 or 1). At present, to measure the vortex flows in this metrology institute of Germany, move at supersonic speeds. Precise disks with a magnetisable layer tiny gap. PTB (Physikalisch-Technische Bun- measurements were taken at rota- rotate at a speed of up to 15,000 It is of decisive importance here desanstalt). In view of the enormous tional speeds of up to 50,000 revo- revolutions per minute inside the that the air flow from the centre to quantity of gas and its distribution, lutions per minute and tip blade

hard-disk drive. To achieve a high the edge of the disk interferes with there is a need for precise flow meas- Illustration: Berthold Leibinger Stiftung, Ditzingen speeds of 2110 km/hour. Thanks to performance capability and thereby the flow that circulates in the gap. urement, for example using optical the high time resolution, it was also a high storage density, it is neces- It is assumed that vibrations of the methods. possible to document rotor vibra- sary to have a very small clearance disk are excited by these turbulent High-precision measurement Of fundamental importance: Calibration of the laser Doppler measuring technology. tions with the laser Doppler sensor, between the disk and the head for shear flows. In future, new design is necessary for commercial enter- so that the vibration characteristics reading and writing data on the disk. features will be used to reduce such prises as well as for the state and the of 50 bar (gas pressure 50-times However, if precise measurement of could be analysed. In conclusion, Modern read-and-write heads float problems. government. This conclusion was higher than the atmospheric pres- fast-moving objects, such as turbine an innovative laser Doppler sensor already reached by the Greek phi- sure). It was possible to measure blades with rotational speeds in the is now available for laboratory and Several laser wavelengths (light colours) are used simultaneously to measure micro- losopher Plato (427 – 347 BC), who the natural gas flow with a resolu- supersonic range, is required, com- industrial measurements. Its main fluids, for example in electrochemistry. declared that “the arts of measuring tion about one order of magnitude mercially available sensors are hardly contribution could be a lasting im- and numbering and weighing come better than the conventional laser an option. provement to energy efficiency and to the rescue of the human under- Doppler measuring technology. The the operational reliability of tur- standing – there is the beauty of flow rate can thereby be measured he ability to investigate rotor bomachines. them – and the apparent greater or with higher accuracy, which opens T dynamics is of great impor- less, or more or heavier, no longer new possibilities for other applica- tance when it comes to minimis- have the mastery over us, but give tions – for controlling dosing proc- ing losses and wear. One example way before calculation and measure esses in medicine, for instance, or is the width of the gap between the and weight. And this, surely, must for the analysis of coating processes rotating blades and the housing of be the work of the calculating and in electrochemistry. turbomachines. In order to achieve rational principle in the soul.” Apart from flow measurement, a high level of efficiency, the gap The idea and aim of the new the new optical Doppler sensor is should be as narrow as possible to measuring technology is non-intru- also suitable for the measurement reduce secondary flows. On the Prof. Dr.-Ing. Jürgen Czarske sive, high-precision measurement of technical objects. In this case, other hand, the turbine blades must researches and teaches at the TU Dresden.

of the velocity of natural gas flows the light diffusion caused by rough not touch the housing under any Contact: Professur für Mess- und Prüftechnik, and thereby to calculate the volu- surfaces is used to measure posi- circumstances, even under fluctuat- Fakultät Elektrotechnik und Informationstech- metric flow rate. The laser Doppler tion and velocity. Optical sensors ing operating conditions caused by nik der TU Dresden, Helmholtzstraße 18, 01069 velocity profile sensor is predestined have obvious advantages: contact- the influence of temperature, pres- Dresden, Germany for this task. The velocity profile of less measurements can be made with sure or centrifugal forces. This could The new laser Doppler velocity profile sensor the natural gas flow was measured very high precision. A huge range of destroy the machine. Systems for was recognised with the Berthold Leibinger Innovation Prize in 2008.

Illustration: Berthold Leibinger Stiftung, Ditzingen just after it passed through a spe- sensors are available for measuring regulating the width of this gap will cially-shaped nozzle at a pressure the surfaces of non-moving objects. be important for the turbomachines http://eeemp1.et.tu-dresden.de 18 Life Sciences german research 3 / 2011 german research 3 / 2011 19

e are faced with countless resonance imaging (MRI) scanner. W decisions every day: should Using video goggles, they were of- I buy a new, modern television to- fered food while in the scanner that day, or would it be better to save they could purchase at a price they my money for tomorrow? Do we themselves specified. eat the tempting filet mignon or Some of these products were instead opt for the low-calorie, labelled as organic products, some healthy salad? Do we choose this as regular food products. The test butter or that bar of chocolate? In persons saw bananas, apples and addition to economic researchers noodles and used response buttons, and psychologists, brain researchers which they held in their hands, to have for years been exploring issues express their willingness to pay for related to decision making as well. each. After about half an hour, dur- They use their modern methods to ing which the accompanying brain study brain functions in order to activity was recorded with the aid better understand human behav- of functional magnetic resonance iour. The field of neuroeconomics imaging, this part of the experi- formed at this interface, an area of ment was concluded and the test study that is attempting to clarify persons could again leave the MRI the biological fundamentals of the scanner. This was followed by sur- human decision-making process on veys on attitudes towards organic an interdisciplinary level. products, purchasing behaviour, Are organic products really health awareness as well as vari- worth more to us – and can this ous personality characteristics. “added value” be verified in the At the end of the experiment, U Bonn brain? The labelling of food prod- five products purchased by the test / ucts influences the decision-mak- persons during the experiment ing behaviour of consumers. Seals were chosen at random, which they on food products are intended to could take home with them. A to- evoke positive associations, indi- tal of 35 people participated in this cate high quality and thereby in- experiment. The analysis clearly fluence purchasing behaviour. We showed that the test subjects were examined whether the organic seal willing to pay more for organic on food products changes the will- products – on average, these prod- ingness to pay and how this effect ucts were worth 40 percent more

can be understood in areas of the to them. The brain also showed Illustration: Center for Economics and Neuroscience brain. increased activation for organic For this purpose, we asked the products in the areas of essential test persons to refrain from eating importance for decision-making for four hours prior to the experi- behaviour. The strength of the ac- ment. This was intended to increase tivation in the “ventral striatum” Bernd Weber the willingness to purchase food. In even corresponded to the actual addition, for one half hour after the purchase frequency of the test per- experiment, they were only per- sons. This means that the stronger mitted to eat food purchased dur- the activation by organic products Smart Decisi ons ing the experiment. The test sub- in this area of the brain, which is jects came to us in the laboratory considered part of the “reward sys- Whether in the car showroom or in front of the supermarket shelf, we are faced with making selections every day. Using imaging and, following a detailed orienta- tem”, the more often the test per- techniques, the field of neuroecono mics hopes to better understand the biological fundamentals of this behaviour. tion, were placed in the magnetic sons purchased these products in 20 Life Sciences german research 3 / 2011 german research 3 / 2011 21

daily life. Building on this study, we damentals of social and economic trust in economic games. Admin- are planning to examine whether behaviour, particularly though the istering oxytocin – a neuropeptide product labelling also changes the combination of theories and meth- – on the other hand, increased perceived flavour. In other words, ods from various disciplines. Are the trust in other test subjects in does the “diet product” label cause there genetic influences on -com an economic game; initial studies the product to taste worse (or dif- plex social behaviour? If yes, how showed promising results here. ferent) to the customer? strongly are these pronounced, how do they interact with environmental nother important area exam- his example shows that con- influences, upbringing and personal A ines economic preferences T sumer behaviour is an excit- development? across the entire life span. In the ing and important topic in neuro­ Discussed intensively in recent USA, a large part of neuroeconomic economic research. Contrary to years is the relationship between research is financed by the National what is sometimes suspected by cognitive and non-cognitive abili- Institute of Aging to clarify deci- the public, this represents only ties and economic preferences (and, sion-making processes in old age. U Bonn part of the new research discipline. thus, economic and social success). Unlike the wealth of findings on / By exploring the biology, we are Neuroeconomic research can make young adults – attributable mainly able to gain a sense of the diversity an important contribution here by to the student population in the among people and their decision combining knowledge and methods studies – there exists much less behaviour. In the same situation, from psychology, genetics and cog- knowledge on decision-making one person might choose option A nitive neuroscience with so-called processes at old age. Given the and the other might select option econometric methods of economic rapid change in demographics in B. The situation is even more dif- research and with variables such as Western industrialised countries, ficult: in a given instance, the same educational performance, income this represents a large and impor- person might decide, for example, and satisfaction with life. tant challenge.

to trust another person and give On the other side, medical re- Initial studies indicate a clear ef- Illustrations: Center for Economics and Neuroscience him his money. But after viewing search also profits from the results. fect on ageing in the decision-mak- a film on fraud, he prefers to keep In the area of psychiatric illnesses, ing process: for example, that older the money himself. What is the ba- experiments from classic behav- people respond less to award incen- In MRI scanners: The test person is placed in decision-making situations using video eyeglasses. sis for the main differences in be- ioural economics and from neu- tives and learn less quickly from haviour, whether for individuals or roeconomic research are used to positive feedback; older people also contributed to reduced willingness with the aid of imaging techniques nomic environment that takes hu- between people? study the neural fundamentals of appear to be more adverse to risk to accept risk. will accompany and supplement man biology into account. In recent years, there have been illnesses such as schizophrenia, de- when making decisions. Here, too, these studies. continued improvements in better pression, autism and dependencies. brain areas related to risk processing he future of neuroeconomic Through the increased under- understanding the neurological fun- Autists, for example, show reduced were more strongly activated and T research lies in the inter- standing of biological fundamen- meshing of the various disciplines. tals (and, as a result, the biologi- A look into the brain: Where and how brain areas are activated interests neuroeconomists in their experiments. Large cohorts, usually with ori- cally-based limitations) of human gins in the health sector, are cur- decision-making behaviour, classic rently being studied worldwide economic models will also be in- together by economic researchers fluenced and expanded. Lastly, this and neuroscientists with respect topic is of high socio-political rel- Prof. Dr. Bernd Weber to economic behaviour to describe evance. By understanding how we, is Head of the Department of NeuroCognition/ Neuroimaging at the Department of Epileptol- genetic, hormonal or environmen- as people, are influenced – coming ogy and of the Life & Brain Center in Bonn tal influences on economic prefer- back to the example on purchasing and member of the board of the Center for ences. Together with the German behaviour given at the beginning Economics and Neuroscience.

Institute for Economic Research of the article – we, as consumers, Contact: Center for Economics and Neuro­ (DIW) in Berlin, we, too, were can better understand our own be- science, Nachtigallenweg 86, 53127 Bonn, able to perform pilot studies in haviour and perhaps even change Germany representative groups. Relatively it. But this knowledge can also be www.neuroeconomics-bonn.org small and targeted laboratory tests used politically to create an eco- www.neuroeconomics.org 22 Life Sciences german research 3 / 2011 german research 3 / 2011 23

Natalija Novak ry, red skin, scaly patches of Cornified eczema, agonising itchiness: Horny D envelope Neurodermatitis, also referred to layer as atopic dermatitis, is one of the What Causes Lipid commonest skin diseases there is matrix – and its causes are a complex but Corneocyte Corneo- Itching Sensations? fascinating puzzle. Put simply, it is desmosomes a chronic inflammation of the skin with recurrent acute eczema at- Neurodermatitis is one of the most common and agonising skin diseases. The emergence tacks. Although the disease can be Keratinocyte and course of this chronic disease are affected by a number of factors. Molecular­ mechanisms mild in some cases, in others it is Illustration: Explanage; Source: Novak that interlock like the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle are of particular importance. accompanied by severe attacks of itchiness, often at night, which can The brick wall model of the skin barrier: The cells in the upper horny layer, the corneo- result in sleeplessness and general cytes, are like bricks. If these cells are shed, more cells, the keratinocytes, migrate up loss of performance, resulting in from below, forming a horny layer. Any interference with this horn-creation process significant stress. favours neurodermatitis. One in five toddlers in Germany is currently affected by atopic der- matitis. For many, the condition by immunological hypersensitivity understanding this is the fact that disappears by the time they reach reactions – include hay fever and the uppermost layer of “bricks”, the puberty, but it persists into adult- asthma. If both parents are affected horn cells (corneocytes) in the skin hood for between 1 and 3 percent by an atopic disease, the risk of a are constantly being shed and the of sufferers, and in some cases it child developing neurodermatitis “wall” being rebuilt by keratino­ even develops during adulthood. increases threefold. cytes below, with which they are Depending on the stage of life in What complicates matters, how- replaced. On their way upwards, which it develops, the eczema may ever, is that – unlike classical he- the keratinocytes are transformed be in the face, in the folds of the reditary diseases – it is impossible to into fully keratinized corneocytes. elbows or knees, or on the head, link this hereditary component to This is where filaggrin comes neck or hands. But what is the ex- a specific genetic attribute. Rather, into play. The protein is essential act cause of this skin condition? it seems that several genes interact for a horny layer (the stratum cor- A large number of factors are with each other as well as with en- neum) to be able to form around known to be involved in causing vironmental factors. the cells and maintain the integrity neurodermatitis – both in its emer- of the skin barrier. The breakdown gence as well as in the flaring up of ne factor that is presumed to products of the filaggrin, the filag- the inflammatory lesions. These so- O be a key element in this com- grin peptides, are also involved in called trigger factors include skin plex disease process has, however, regulating the water content and bacteria, viruses and fungi, aller- been identified by recent research. the pH of the skin, both of which gens in food and in the air, psy- Its name is filaggrin. This is a special play an important role in the func- chological stress and mechanical ir- protein, produced by certain skin tion of the skin. The disease thus ritation due to sweating or certain cells, the keratinocytes. Changes begins early and is particularly se- fabrics. in the filaggrin gene can, it seems, vere in neurodermatitis sufferers Genetic predisposition is an- interfere with the barrier function where mutation of the filaggrin other factor worth mentioning. For of the epidermis. Remarkably, these gene is observed. Corbis / instance, the risk of a child devel- mutations are particularly frequent But what has the interference oping neurodermatitis is twice as in neurodermatitis patients. with the integrity of the skin barrier high if either of its parents suffers A brick wall is a good model of got to do with the chronic inflam- from an atopic disease. Other atopic the epidermal barrier, which acts as mation that is so typical of atopic

Illustration: Bob Sacha diseases apart from neurodermati- a protective shield for the body (see dermatitis? One simple answer lies tis – all of which are characterised graphic above). A decisive factor in in the fact that if the horny layer is 24 Life Sciences german research 3 / 2011 german research 3 / 2011 25

Allergens damaged, it is easier for allergens anisms which provide protection know that levels of the antimicro- and pathogens to penetrate the against hostile signals in the envi- bial peptides (such as the beta- skin, where they can then trigger ronment. defensins or cathelicidin) formed immunological inflammatory proc- For example, special cell recep- naturally by skin cells are lower in esses. And immune defence does tors, so-called pattern recognition neurodermatitis sufferers. Th2 indeed make a significant contri- receptors, on skin cells are used to Th2 Th 0 bution to the protection provided detect characteristic components nother factor that is probably IDEC Th2 by the skin. These immune mecha- of pathogens. For some of these even more important for the A LC IL-4 nisms are often altered in patients receptors (including the toll-like- disease process are the dendritic IL-5 suffering from atopic dermatitis. receptors 2, 4 and 9) we now know cells. These immune cells have fine IL-13 LC The weakening of the skin barrier of modifications and construction branches called dendrites located Th1 is also accompanied by immuno- flaws in the associated genes, which in the upper layers of skin and act IL-12 Th1 logical misregulation. are observed more commonly in as the body’s immunological sen- EPIDERMIS IL-18 We now know that both defects sufferers of atopic dermatitis than sors, latching on to antigens that Illustration: Explanage; Source: Novak Th1 in innate immunity as well as ac- in the general population. Some have penetrated the skin, moving Chemotactic INFLAMMATION signals quired immunity can play a role of the patients could thus be more to the lymph nodes and alarming IFN-γ in the emergence of neuroderma- susceptible to bacterial or viral their immunological partners, the T Mo titis. The innate immune system infections due to deficient signal cells. In this way the dendritic cells Blood capillaries is an evolutionarily very old and recognition by the innate immune form an interface between the rela- efficient system of defence mech- system. In addition to this, we also tively simple innate immune system Schematic diagram of the acute eczema attacks that accompany neurodermatitis: At the beginning of the complex inflammation process are the Langerhans cells (LC), which absorb allergens and activate specific T cells (Th0). Subsequently, the balance between LC, A coin-shaped, partly scabby outbreak of eczema. Neurodermatitis is accompanied by recurrent bouts of eczema in various parts of the body. inflammatory dendritic cells (IDEC) and various types of T cells with their specific messengers (IL) decide on the course of the disease.

and the highly adaptable acquired scratching of itchy skin also al- develop individualised therapeutic (adaptive) immune system, which is lows proteins that are very similar approaches for neurodermatitis, primarily controlled by the T cells. to the body’s own proteins (“mo- tailored to each individual patient. The classical example of dendritic lecular mimicry”) to penetrate the The increasing knowledge available cells in the skin are the “Langerhans skin. Antibodies produced by the on its development mechanisms cells”. During an acute attack of ec- immune system to fight these an- will help to reach this goal. zema in a neurodermatitis sufferer, tigens are thus also able to attack the Langerhans cells take up aller- the sufferer’s own skin. This could, gens and activate specific T cells as at least in part, explain why some well as using signalling substances patients develop serious attacks of to attract other dendritic cells in the the disease without any evident ex- upper layers of skin. These then re- ternal trigger. inforce the inflammation response It is clear, however, that in spite using highly active immune trans- of their complexity, all of these mitters (see graphic above). mechanisms are merely part of Another immunological mecha- the disease process. There are lots nism that is not yet fully under- of other factors that are already Prof. Dr. Natalija Novak is the head of the Allergology, Neuroderma- stood – known as IgE autoreactivity known to be involved in neuro- titis and Experimental Allergology and Im- – contributes to the disease becom- dermatitis, although the varying munodermatology Section at the Department Corbis / ing independently established. This combination and weighting of the of Dermatology and Allergy at the University refers to the phenomenon in atopic various causes leads to the progres- Hospital of Bonn. dermatitis sufferers where certain sion of the disease varying greatly Contact: Klinik für Dermatologie und Aller- antibodies can actually attack the from patient to patient. The aim gologie, Universität Bonn, Sigmund-Freud-Str. 25, 53105 Bonn, Germany

Illustration: Bob Sacha skin itself. One possible reason now is to go beyond the standard for this is the fact that frequent treatments currently available to www.ukb.uni-bonn.de 26 Portrait german research 3 / 2011 german research 3 / 2011 27

Rembert Unterstell least, not outside an extremely small specialist community. In his palaeontological disserta- The Turtle Code tion, Joyce shed light on the murky depths of turtle origins. Using taxon- When the specific illuminates the general: Palaeontologist Walter Joyce uses spectacular omy and phylogenetics to piece to- finds to look deep into the history of evolution and the Earth / From Yale to Tübingen gether evidence, he was able to clarify the relationships between “basal tur- tles” and re-draw their family tree. erhaps we should refer to him ular, dinosaur fossil find has caused and Joyce found evidence of these One key finding: “The stem lineage P as a modern explorer. Since his his work to hit the headlines. “Dinos in Montana. Due to the dino hype, of turtles is terrestrial.” This means childhood, he has travelled between sell”, he says. however, the media was uninterested. that, during the Triassic period, which the Old World and the New. He is Joyce and his colleague, Tyler Turtles may have survived thanks to began 250 million years ago and also a time-traveller, exploring the Lyson, discovered a 40 centimetre their cold-blooded lifestyle, which ended 200 million years ago, turtles evolutionary history of our planet. long horn belonging to a prehistoric includes periods of summer aestiva- lived predominantly on land. It was

He is Dr. Walter Joyce, palaeontolo- titan (Triceratops horridus) in the Hell tion and winter hibernation. “It’s en- not until the Jurassic period (which Illustration: Unterstell gist and scientific assistant at the Creek Formation in Montana. Ex- tirely possible that they literally slept extended from 200 million years Geological Institute at the University tensive analysis revealed it to be the through the meteor impact,” says ago until approximately 145 million of Tübingen. In 2009, he transferred youngest Cretaceous-era dinosaur Joyce. André Kostolany, Germany’s years ago) that they entered the wa- Up close: A turtle skeleton. Comparative sections help Joyce compile detailed descriptions. from Yale University in the USA to fossil ever found. This has resulted in stock market guru, would have liked ter. Contrary to expectations, the first the Eberhard Karls University of Tü- a momentous insight: these giants of that. turtle species were clearly terrestrial. of Erlangen before his American roots dires”, which can retract their heads bingen in Swabia, Germany. old cannot have died out before the Joyce’s speciality is the evolu- In 2005, Joyce’s studies earned him took him down a transatlantic path. into their shells; and the “pleuro- We arrange to meet the 38-year- end of the Cretaceous period. Instead, tion of fossil turtles. Even during his the Society of Vertebrate Palaeontol- Returning stateside, he headed first to dires”, which draw their heads side- old at his office. He’s between trips they may have been eradicated by the student days, he was fascinated by ogy’s Romer Prize. the University of Kansas and then to ways under their shells in a horizontal and is in a convivial mood. He ap- often-discussed meteorite impact and these primitive vertebrates and their Louisiana State University, ending up “S” movement. Joyce now aims to pears affable and easygoing, commu- a subsequent wave of extinction 65 environment. Fully aware of the im- oyce considers himself to be a “pal- at the University of Texas at Austin. study prehistoric turtles to determine nicative and humorous, despite hav- million years ago. plications of his decision, he decided J aeontologist who combines meth- In 1999 he completed his studies how and when this evolutionary de- ing just weathered a media frenzy: his Other species, including tur- to study turtles, knowing that they ods from morphology, taxonomy and in Erlangen and made the leap to Yale, velopment took place. completely unexpected, but spectac- tles, also survived the catastrophe, are “not exactly career-advancing”, at biological classification and uses them earning his doctorate at the fabled Ivy In a second DFG project, he in- to answer geological questions.” He League University in 2004. Looking tends to use “taxonomic methods” to A glimpse into a mass grave of fossil turtles. Right: In his element – Walter Joyce at Tübingen University’s Geological Museum. has, for example, been able to address back, he is grateful for the “first-class study the many thousands of turtles the controversial question of how educational foundation he received in found by a German-Chinese team turtles developed their characteristic Germany and for the early scientific in- in the Late Jurassic Qigu Formation carapaces. dependence he attained in the USA.” of China’s Xinjiang region in 2008. Joyce is happy to show visitors After achieving his doctorate, The palaeontologist estimates that photos of prepared fossils on his Mac. Joyce served as the collections man- this is “the richest deposit of fossil At such times you sense not just his ager of vertebrate palaeontology at turtles in the world”. Here, Joyce enthusiasm, but also what drives him Yale’s Peabody Museum of Natural aims to detail the turtles’ morpho- – the allure of being a detective and a History. Even in this position, he pur- logical variations, describe unknown burning “desire to discover new con- sued a mobile lifestyle – fieldwork species, and determine their place in nections.” and museum visits took him, among the phylogenetic tree. This is a mam- Walter Joyce was born in 1972 in others, to Argentina, Canada, Russia moth undertaking, and what awaits Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and grew up and Switzerland. him at the end is still unclear. There in Erlangen, Germany. His enthusi- In Tübingen, Joyce is currently are, however, indications that this asm for geology was awakened when, working on his DFG-funded project, explorer’s research will continue to as an eight-year-old boy, he discov- “The Evolution of Neck Retraction provide food for discussion. ered a trilobite (a hard-shelled arthro- Mechanisms in Basal Turtles”. All Dr. Rembert Unterstell pod). He began his studies in geology modern turtles can be divided into is Publishing Executive Editor of “german and palaeontology at the University two main categories: the “crypto- research”. Illustration: Joyce Illustration: Unterstell 28 Natural Sciences german research 3 / 2011 german research 3 / 2011 29

Ferenc Krausz and Thorsten Naeser Diving Deep into the Atom

When all notions of time lose their validity: Using laser flashes lasting billionths of a second, physicists are trying to follow the ultrafast movements of quantum particles in real time. The experiments in the Laboratory for Attosecond Physics are already making possible increasingly precise insight into matter. And the light pulses are getting even shorter.

hotographers know the prin- rounds every atomic nucleus? How world of quantum particles, many P ciple well: for sharp images of can the movements of individual areas of which are still a mystery. rapid movements, a short exposure electrons be followed? Is there per- In this world, even holes pul- time must be selected. Otherwise, haps a way to examine our notion sate. We were able to show in 2010 in a photo of an athletic competi- of atomic structure using “images”? that the “absolute void” has a life of tion scene or a fast-moving child, It was speculated that processes on its own. In the experiments, a team for example, it may only be pos- this still-smaller level transpired working under research group sible to identify silhouettes. even faster than the relatively slug- leader Dr. Eleftherios Goulielmakis As researchers began to “pho- gish atoms and molecules. sent laser pulses from the visible tograph” movements of atoms and The hunt for shorter exposure part of the spectrum into kryp- molecules during chemical reac- times and the associated, even ton atoms. The light pulses, with tions in the early 1990s, this had smaller fractions of a second was a duration of less than four fem- very little to do with photography on. In 2001 the Vienna University toseconds, removed one electron in the traditional sense. But the of Technology finally succeeded from the outer shell of each atom. principle remained the same: a in dividing the femtoseconds yet After a laser pulse had knocked an short exposure time is needed in again by 1000. For the first time, electron out of an atom, the atom order to capture sharp images. At- light flashes were created here that became a positively charged ion. At oms and molecules change within lasted only 650 attoseconds. An at- the location where the electron left femtoseconds. A femtosecond is a tosecond is a billionth of a billionth the atom, a positively charged hole millionth of billionth of a second. of a second. was formed. From a quantum me- Thus, it was necessary to find an chanical standpoint, this free space exposure technique that was also ince 2003 the research group in the atom continued to pulsate – only femtoseconds in duration. S has resided at the Max Planck with a so-called quantum beat. Laser technology was used for this Institute of Quantum Optics (MPQ) It was possible to record, i.e., LMU

purpose. Researchers worked with and the Ludwig Maximilian Uni- quasi photograph, the pulsation / light flashes that were only femto- versity of Munich (LMU). There, seconds long. researchers work in the Labora- But, in spite of groundbreak- tory for Attosecond Physics (LAP) Artist depiction: The photoemission of ing successes and the Nobel Prize, to break time into even smaller two particles from different orbitals, only awarded to Egyptian Ahmed Zewail pieces. In 2008 the team succeeded attoseconds in duration, is recorded by a in 1999, key questions remained in shortening the flashes of light to light wave (yellow line). The captured im-

unanswered. What exactly happens 80 attoseconds. With this, we gain ages (blue surfaces) show the delay in the Illustration: Christian Hackenberger within the electron shell that sur- increasingly precise insight into initial movement of the particles. 30 Natural Sciences german research 3 / 2011 german research 3 / 2011 31

with a second pulse of light. This ith another research project, the electrons in the atom begins as can thereby be created. “Gold na- pulse lasted only 150 attoseconds W we follow the tracks of Al- soon as the light beam strikes. This noparticles are used, for example, and was in the extreme ultraviolet bert Einstein. The exceptional time is defined as the zero point in in solar cells to increase the effi- part of the light spectrum. It was physicist discovered photoemission the excitation of electrons. ciency”, explains Matthias Kling. determined that the location of more than 100 years ago. When Using an ultra short-time meas- “We want to understand exactly the hole in the ion, i.e., the posi- light strikes atoms, their electrons urement technique, the team ex- how the light affects the electrons. tively charged location, cyclically are excited. If sufficient energy is amined this assumption. For this This will allow us to use the nano- changed back and forth between supplied, the particles leave the purpose, the researchers directed particles much more efficiently and an elongated lobe shape and a atom. The discovery of the photo­ light pulses onto neon atoms. It in other ways.” compact, contracted shape within electric effect revolutionised phys- was determined that the electrons, Plasmons are particularly well approximately six femtoseconds. ics: quantum mechanics was born. located on different orbits – the or- suited for use in so-called fibre With that, we succeeded for the The excitation and photoemission bitals of the atoms – and excited optic cable electronics. Here, plas- first time – as was reported by the of electrons in atoms remains one of simultaneously by the light pulse, monic fields could be used to dras- journal “Nature” in August 2010 – the most interesting and important exit the atoms only after a time de- tically accelerate data processing in directly recording the change of phenomena in quantum physics. It lay of a few tens of attoseconds. and transmission. The system could MPQ charge distribution in an atom. was assumed that the movement of The new findings contradict the / operate at the frequency of light previous assumption that the elec- waves, which would be an increase trons exit the atom immediately by a factor of one million over cur- In the attosecond laboratory: The two physicists Matthias Kling (left) and Sergey upon impact of the light pulse. rent technologies. Zherebtsov discuss the structure of the “attosecond beamline”. Their goal is to follow “Thus, one of the electrons leaves Attosecond technology is still

the movement of electrons from one quantum state to the next in real time. the atom before the other”, sums up Illustration: Thorsten Naeser far from reaching its limit. In the Dr. Martin Schultze. It was thereby coming years, we will shorten the possible to demonstrate and com- flashes of light even further. And, prehend that electrons hesitate Measurements with the aid of innovative technologies in a vacuum chamber. the light will offer even more pre- briefly after being excited by light cise insight into the multifaceted before they leave the atom. that they also affect one another. of individual particles, however. microcosm. It is already clear: it is For the theoretical physicists The electron-electron interaction He is studying their collective a deep and exciting dive into the working with Vladislav Yakovlev, may lead to a small delay before movements. Such “swarm-like” inner life of atoms. it was important to determine the the electron that is knocked loose movements are also referred to cause of this delay. The research- by the incident light waves is able as “plasmons” by experts. “Using ers were ultimately able to confirm to break free from its fellow elec- attosecond techniques, plasmons the effect with their calculations. trons and leave the atom. With the can be directly observed as well. Their findings showed a delay of new insight into the microcosm, Their dynamics typically play out only five attoseconds, however. the teams working with Schultze on time scales of up to 100 atto- The cause of this discrepancy likely and Yakovlev have pried further seconds”, explains Kling. He and lies in the complexity of the neon secrets from the microcosm. The his group have specialised on atom, which, in addition to the findings mean important insight plasmons in nanoparticles of gold nucleus, consists of ten electrons. into the interactions of electrons and silver. The physicists are now Prof. Dr. Ferenc Krausz “The computational effort for the in atoms – and, thus, into a world studying how these particles inter- is director at the Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics where he heads the Depart- entire atomic model, taking into ac- that is largely not understood even act with light. To do this, they are ment of Attosecond and High-Field Physics; count all interactions between all today. directing femtosecond laser pulses at the same time, he is chair of experimental electrons, exceeds the capacity of at the gold particles. In this way, physics at LMU Munich. MPQ / today’s supercomputers”, empha- lso studying the racing elec- they excite the electrons in the Dipl.-Geogr. Thorsten Naeser sises Yakovlev. A trons in the LAP team is Dr. material, causing them to vibrate. is speaker for press and public relations in the Nevertheless, the experiments Matthias Kling. In his research, An attosecond flash of light is then working group of Professor Ferenc Krausz. revealed the likely cause for the the young researcher and leader used to record and analyse the be- Contact: Max-Planck-Institut für Quanten- “delay” of the electrons. We as- of an Emmy Noether independent haviour of the negatively charged optik, Hans-Kopfermann-Straße 1, 85748 Garching, Germany

Illustration: Thorsten Naeser sume that the electrons interact not junior research group of the DFG particles. Real-time films of ultra- only with their atomic nucleus, but is focussed not on the behaviour short processes in the microcosm www.attoworld.de 32 Impressum german research 3 / 2011

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to provide scientific and technical services. the role of Scientific Representative to international organisations, coordi- Illustration: DFG Collaborative Research Centres are long-term university research centres nates and funds the German contribution towards large-scale international in which scientists and academics pursue ambitious joint interdisciplinary research programmes, and supports international scientific relations. research undertakings. They are generally established for a period of twelve Another important role of the DFG is to provide policy advice to parlia- Audacious, trenchant and high-spirited – Margie Kinsky and Georg Roth years. In addition to the classic Collaborative Research Centres, which are ments and public authorities on scientific issues. A large number of expert from the “Springmaus” ensemble brought their own particular brand concentrated at one location and open to all subject areas, the DFG also of- commissions and committees provide the scientific background for the pass­ fers several programme variations. CRC/Transregios allow various locations to ing of new legislation, primarily in the areas of environmental protection of improvisation comedy to the stage of Bonn’s Wissenschaftszentrum co­operate on one topical focus. Cultural Studies Research Centres are designed­ and health care. shortly before the 2011 holiday season. Their humorous offering, “Mit to support the transition in the humanities to an integrated cultural studies The legal status of the DFG is that of an association under private law. Its elan durch die Module“ [Through the modules with élan], captivated paradigm. Transfer Units serve to transfer the findings of basic research pro- member organisations include research universities, major non-university the audience from the very beginning. With sketches full of sly humour duced by Collaborative Research Centres into the realm of practical applica- research institutions, such as the Max Planck Society, the Fraunhofer Soci- tion by promoting cooperation between research institutes and users. ety and the Leibniz Association, the Academies of Sciences and Humanities and playfulness, the DFG thanked the 750 employees at its Head Office DFG Research Centres are an important strategic funding instrument. and a number of scientific associations. In order to meet its re­sponsibilities, for their commitment and hard work during the year and for the success They concentrate scientific research competence in particularly innovative the DFG receives funding from the German federal government and the fed- of its two major projects: elan, the DFG‘s electronic proposal processing fields and create temporary, internationally visible research priorities at re- eral states, as well as an annual contribution from the Donors’ Association system, and the modularisation of its programme portfolio. search universities. for the Promotion of Sciences and Humanities in Germany.

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