@misc{StuetzWeberDolleetal.2016, author = {Stuetz, Wolfgang and Weber, Daniela and Doll{\´e}, Martijn E. T. and Jansen, Eug{\`e}ne and Grubeck-Loebenstein, Beatrix and Fiegl, Simone and Toussaint, Olivier and Bernhardt, Juergen and Gonos, Efstathios S. and Franceschi, Claudio and Sikora, Ewa and Moreno-Villanueva, Mar{\´i}a and Breusing, Nicolle and Grune, Tilman and B{\"u}rkle, Alexander}, title = {Plasma carotenoids, tocopherols, and retinol in the age-stratified (35-74 years) general population}, series = {Nutrients}, journal = {Nutrients}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-407659}, pages = {17}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Blood micronutrient status may change with age. We analyzed plasma carotenoids, α-/γ-tocopherol, and retinol and their associations with age, demographic characteristics, and dietary habits (assessed by a short food frequency questionnaire) in a cross-sectional study of 2118 women and men (age-stratified from 35 to 74 years) of the general population from six European countries. Higher age was associated with lower lycopene and α-/β-carotene and higher β-cryptoxanthin, lutein, zeaxanthin, α-/γ-tocopherol, and retinol levels. Significant correlations with age were observed for lycopene (r = -0.248), α-tocopherol (r = 0.208), α-carotene (r = -0.112), and β-cryptoxanthin (r = 0.125; all p < 0.001). Age was inversely associated with lycopene (-6.5\% per five-year age increase) and this association remained in the multiple regression model with the significant predictors (covariables) being country, season, cholesterol, gender, smoking status, body mass index (BMI (kg/m2)), and dietary habits. The positive association of α-tocopherol with age remained when all covariates including cholesterol and use of vitamin supplements were included (1.7\% vs. 2.4\% per five-year age increase). The association of higher β-cryptoxanthin with higher age was no longer statistically significant after adjustment for fruit consumption, whereas the inverse association of α-carotene with age remained in the fully adjusted multivariable model (-4.8\% vs. -3.8\% per five-year age increase). We conclude from our study that age is an independent predictor of plasma lycopene, α-tocopherol, and α-carotene.}, language = {en} } @misc{WotingBlaut2016, author = {Woting, Anni and Blaut, Michael}, title = {The intestinal microbiota in metabolic disease}, series = {Nutrients}, journal = {Nutrients}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-407687}, pages = {19}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Gut bacteria exert beneficial and harmful effects in metabolic diseases as deduced from the comparison of germfree and conventional mice and from fecal transplantation studies. Compositional microbial changes in diseased subjects have been linked to adiposity, type 2 diabetes and dyslipidemia. Promotion of an increased expression of intestinal nutrient transporters or a modified lipid and bile acid metabolism by the intestinal microbiota could result in an increased nutrient absorption by the host. The degradation of dietary fiber and the subsequent fermentation of monosaccharides to short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) is one of the most controversially discussed mechanisms of how gut bacteria impact host physiology. Fibers reduce the energy density of the diet, and the resulting SCFA promote intestinal gluconeogenesis, incretin formation and subsequently satiety. However, SCFA also deliver energy to the host and support liponeogenesis. Thus far, there is little knowledge on bacterial species that promote or prevent metabolic disease. Clostridium ramosum and Enterococcus cloacae were demonstrated to promote obesity in gnotobiotic mouse models, whereas bifidobacteria and Akkermansia muciniphila were associated with favorable phenotypes in conventional mice, especially when oligofructose was fed. How diet modulates the gut microbiota towards a beneficial or harmful composition needs further research. Gnotobiotic animals are a valuable tool to elucidate mechanisms underlying diet-host-microbe interactions.}, language = {en} } @misc{AdhikariGlombitzaNickeletal.2016, author = {Adhikari, Rishi Ram and Glombitza, Clemens and Nickel, Julia C. and Anderson, Chloe H. and Dunlea, Ann G. and Spivack, Arthur J. and Murray, Richard W. and D'Hondt, Steven and Kallmeyer, Jens}, title = {Hydrogen utilization potential in subsurface sediments}, series = {Frontiers in microbiology}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-407678}, pages = {16}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Subsurface microbial communities undertake many terminal electron-accepting processes, often simultaneously. Using a tritium-based assay, we measured the potential hydrogen oxidation catalyzed by hydrogenase enzymes in several subsurface sedimentary environments (Lake Van, Barents Sea, Equatorial Pacific, and Gulf of Mexico) with different predominant electron-acceptors. Hydrogenases constitute a diverse family of enzymes expressed by microorganisms that utilize molecular hydrogen as a metabolic substrate, product, or intermediate. The assay reveals the potential for utilizing molecular hydrogen and allows qualitative detection of microbial activity irrespective of the predominant electron-accepting process. Because the method only requires samples frozen immediately after recovery, the assay can be used for identifying microbial activity in subsurface ecosystems without the need to preserve live material. We measured potential hydrogen oxidation rates in all samples from multiple depths at several sites that collectively span a wide range of environmental conditions and biogeochemical zones. Potential activity normalized to total cell abundance ranges over five orders of magnitude and varies, dependent upon the predominant terminal electron acceptor. Lowest per-cell potential rates characterize the zone of nitrate reduction and highest per-cell potential rates occur in the methanogenic zone. Possible reasons for this relationship to predominant electron acceptor include (i) increasing importance of fermentation in successively deeper biogeochemical zones and (ii) adaptation of H(2)ases to successively higher concentrations of H-2 in successively deeper zones.}, language = {en} } @misc{NishikawaMizunoNiemiecetal.2016, author = {Nishikawa, Ken-Ichi and Mizuno, Yosuke and Niemiec, Jacek and Kobzar, Oleh and Pohl, Martin and G{\´o}mez, Jose L. and Duţan, Ioana and Pe'er, Asaf and Frederiksen, Jacob Trier and Nordlund, {\AA}ke and Meli, Athina and Sol, Helene and Hardee, Philip E. and Hartmann, Dieter H.}, title = {Microscopic processes in global relativistic jets containing helical magnetic fields}, series = {Galaxies}, journal = {Galaxies}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-407604}, pages = {9}, year = {2016}, abstract = {In the study of relativistic jets one of the key open questions is their interaction with the environment on the microscopic level. Here, we study the initial evolution of both electron-proton (e(-)-p(+)) and electron-positron (e(+/-)) relativistic jets containing helical magnetic fields, focusing on their interaction with an ambient plasma. We have performed simulations of "global" jets containing helical magnetic fields in order to examine how helical magnetic fields affect kinetic instabilities such as the Weibel instability, the kinetic Kelvin-Helmholtz instability (kKHI) and the Mushroom instability (MI). In our initial simulation study these kinetic instabilities are suppressed and new types of instabilities can grow. In the e(-)-p(+) jet simulation a recollimation-like instability occurs and jet electrons are strongly perturbed. In the e(+/-) jet simulation a recollimation-like instability occurs at early times followed by a kinetic instability and the general structure is similar to a simulation without helical magnetic field. Simulations using much larger systems are required in order to thoroughly follow the evolution of global jets containing helical magnetic fields.}, language = {en} } @misc{GliegeThomasSteidletal.2016, author = {Gliege, Steffen and Thomas, Bj{\"o}rn Daniel and Steidl, J{\"o}rg and Hohenbrink, Tobias Ludwig and Dietrich, Ottfried}, title = {Modeling the impact of ditch water level management on stream-aquifer interactions}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-407613}, pages = {17}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Decreasing groundwater levels in many parts of Germany and decreasing low flows in Central Europe have created a need for adaptation measures to stabilize the water balance and to increase low flows. The objective of our study was to estimate the impact of ditch water level management on stream-aquifer interactions in small lowland catchments of the mid-latitudes. The water balance of a ditch-irrigated area and fluxes between the subsurface and the adjacent stream were modeled for three runoff recession periods using the Hydrus-2D software package. The results showed that the subsurface flow to the stream was closely related to the difference between the water level in the ditch system and the stream. Evapotranspiration during the growing season additionally reduced base flow. It was crucial to stop irrigation during a recession period to decrease water withdrawal from the stream and enhance the base flow by draining the irrigated area. Mean fluxes to the stream were between 0.04 and 0.64 ls(-1) for the first 20 days of the low-flow periods. This only slightly increased the flow in the stream, whose mean was 57 ls(-1) during the period with the lowest flows. Larger areas would be necessary to effectively increase flows in mesoscale catchments.}, language = {en} } @book{Birk2016, author = {Birk, Dolores}, title = {Mikrofinanzinstitutionen und ihre soziale Performance - eine Literaturdiskussion}, series = {Schriftenreihe f{\"u}r Public und Nonprofit Management}, journal = {Schriftenreihe f{\"u}r Public und Nonprofit Management}, issn = {2190-4561}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-410856}, publisher = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam}, pages = {III, 44}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Die vorliegende Arbeit besch{\"a}ftigt sich mit dem Einfluss der Organisationsform von Mikrofinanzinstitutionen (MFIs) auf deren soziale Performance. In diesem Kontext wird die soziale Performance als die direkte {\"U}bersetzung der sozialen Mission der MFIs in die Praxis verstanden. Konkret wird die soziale Performance der zwei Organisationsformen Shareholder Owned Firm (SOF) sowie Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) betrachtet und verglichen. Dieser Vergleich st{\"u}tzt sich auf die in der Fachwelt h{\"a}ufig vertretene Annahme, dass NGO MFIs eine h{\"o}here soziale Performance aufweisen als SOF MFIs, da sie dem Nonprofit-Sektor zugeschrieben werden k{\"o}nnen. Die bis dato vorhandenen relevanten empirischen Forschungen zu dem Thema werden anhand einer Literaturdiskussion analysiert. Bislang existiert nur eine relativ geringe Anzahl an empirischen Forschungen in diesem Themenfeld, da die Erforschung der sozialen Performance von MFIs ein recht neues Forschungsgebiet darstellt. Die Ergebnisse der Literaturdiskussion verdeutlichen zudem, dass hinsichtlich des Einflusses der Organisationsform von MFIs auf deren soziale Performance keine eindeutige Aussage getroffen werden kann, da die betrachteten Studien zu unterschiedlichen Resultaten kommen. Die Ergebnisse deuten jedoch darauf hin, dass in einigen geografischen Regionen der Welt NGO MFIs eine bessere soziale Performance aufweisen als SOF MFIs. Insgesamt liefert die Arbeit einen wichtigen {\"U}berblick {\"u}ber den Forschungsstand auf diesem Forschungsgebiet und deckt diverse Forschungsl{\"u}cken auf, welche in zuk{\"u}nftigen Untersuchungen ber{\"u}cksichtigt werden sollten.}, language = {de} } @misc{ZancolliBakerBarlowetal.2016, author = {Zancolli, Giulia and Baker, Timothy G. and Barlow, Axel and Bradley, Rebecca K. and Calvete, Juan J. and Carter, Kimberley C. and de Jager, Kaylah and Owens, John Benjamin and Price, Jenny Forrester and Sanz, Libia and Scholes-Higham, Amy and Shier, Liam and Wood, Liam and W{\"u}ster, Catharine E. and W{\"u}ster, Wolfgang}, title = {Is hybridization a source of adaptive venom variation in rattlesnakes?}, series = {Toxins}, journal = {Toxins}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-407595}, pages = {16}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Venomous snakes often display extensive variation in venom composition both between and within species. However, the mechanisms underlying the distribution of different toxins and venom types among populations and taxa remain insufficiently known. Rattlesnakes (Crotalus, Sistrurus) display extreme inter-and intraspecific variation in venom composition, centered particularly on the presence or absence of presynaptically neurotoxic phospholipases A2 such as Mojave toxin (MTX). Interspecific hybridization has been invoked as a mechanism to explain the distribution of these toxins across rattlesnakes, with the implicit assumption that they are adaptively advantageous. Here, we test the potential of adaptive hybridization as a mechanism for venom evolution by assessing the distribution of genes encoding the acidic and basic subunits of Mojave toxin across a hybrid zone between MTX-positive Crotalus scutulatus and MTX-negative C. viridis in southwestern New Mexico, USA. Analyses of morphology, mitochondrial and single copy-nuclear genes document extensive admixture within a narrow hybrid zone. The genes encoding the two MTX subunits are strictly linked, and found in most hybrids and backcrossed individuals, but not in C. viridis away from the hybrid zone. Presence of the genes is invariably associated with presence of the corresponding toxin in the venom. We conclude that introgression of highly lethal neurotoxins through hybridization is not necessarily favored by natural selection in rattlesnakes, and that even extensive hybridization may not lead to introgression of these genes into another species.}, language = {en} } @misc{DietrichSchweigertSteidletal.2016, author = {Dietrich, Ottfried and Schweigert, Susanne and Steidl, J{\"o}rg and Lischeid, Gunnar}, title = {Effects of data and model simplification on the results of a wetland water resource management model}, series = {Water}, journal = {Water}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-407579}, pages = {19}, year = {2016}, abstract = {This paper presents the development of a wetland water balance model for use in a large river basin with many different wetlands. The basic model was primarily developed for a single wetland with a complex water management system involving large amounts of specialized input data and water management details. The aim was to simplify the model structure and to use only commonly available data as input for the model, with the least possible loss of accuracy. Results from different variants of the model and data adaptation were tested against results from a detailed model. This shows that using commonly available data and unifying and simplifying the input data is tolerable up to a certain level. The simplification of the model has greater effects on the evaluated water balance components than the data adaptation. Because this simplification was necessary for large-scale use, we suggest that, for reasons of comparability, simpler models should always be applied with uniform data bases for large regions, though these should only be moderately simplified. Further, we recommend using these simplified models only for large-scale comparisons and using more specific, detailed models for investigations on smaller scales.}, language = {en} } @misc{RainfordHofreiterMayhew2016, author = {Rainford, James L. and Hofreiter, Michael and Mayhew, Peter J.}, title = {Phylogenetic analyses suggest that diversification and body size evolution are independent in insects}, series = {BMC evolutionary biology}, journal = {BMC evolutionary biology}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-407328}, pages = {17}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Background: Skewed body size distributions and the high relative richness of small-bodied taxa are a fundamental property of a wide range of animal clades. The evolutionary processes responsible for generating these distributions are well described in vertebrate model systems but have yet to be explored in detail for other major terrestrial clades. In this study, we explore the macro-evolutionary patterns of body size variation across families of Hexapoda (insects and their close relatives), using recent advances in phylogenetic understanding, with an aim to investigate the link between size and diversity within this ancient and highly diverse lineage. Results: The maximum, minimum and mean-log body lengths of hexapod families are all approximately log-normally distributed, consistent with previous studies at lower taxonomic levels, and contrasting with skewed distributions typical of vertebrate groups. After taking phylogeny and within-tip variation into account, we find no evidence for a negative relationship between diversification rate and body size, suggesting decoupling of the forces controlling these two traits. Likelihood-based modeling of the log-mean body size identifies distinct processes operating within Holometabola and Diptera compared with other hexapod groups, consistent with accelerating rates of size evolution within these clades, while as a whole, hexapod body size evolution is found to be dominated by neutral processes including significant phylogenetic conservatism. Conclusions: Based on our findings we suggest that the use of models derived from well-studied but atypical clades, such as vertebrates may lead to misleading conclusions when applied to other major terrestrial lineages. Our results indicate that within hexapods, and within the limits of current systematic and phylogenetic knowledge, insect diversification is generally unfettered by size-biased macro-evolutionary processes, and that these processes over large timescales tend to converge on apparently neutral evolutionary processes. We also identify limitations on available data within the clade and modeling approaches for the resolution of trees of higher taxa, the resolution of which may collectively enhance our understanding of this key component of terrestrial ecosystems.}, language = {en} } @misc{VuilleminFrieseAlawietal.2016, author = {Vuillemin, Aur{\`e}le and Friese, Andr{\´e} and Alawi, Mashal and Henny, Cynthia and Nomosatryo, Sulung and Wagner, Dirk and Crowe, Sean A. and Kallmeyer, Jens}, title = {Geomicrobiological features of ferruginous sediments from Lake Towuti, Indonesia}, series = {Frontiers in microbiology}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-407312}, pages = {16}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Lake Towuti is a tectonic basin, surrounded by ultramafic rocks. Lateritic soils form through weathering and deliver abundant iron (oxy)hydroxides but very little sulfate to the lake and its sediment. To characterize the sediment biogeochemistry, we collected cores at three sites with increasing water depth and decreasing bottom water oxygen concentrations. Microbial cell densities were highest at the shallow site a feature we attribute to the availability of labile organic matter (OM) and the higher abundance of electron acceptors due to oxic bottom water conditions. At the two other sites, OM degradation and reduction processes below the oxycline led to partial electron acceptor depletion. Genetic information preserved in the sediment as extracellular DNA (eDNA) provided information on aerobic and anaerobic heterotrophs related to Nitrospirae. Chloroflexi, and Therrnoplasmatales. These taxa apparently played a significant role in the degradation of sinking OM. However, eDNA concentrations rapidly decreased with core depth. Despite very low sulfate concentrations, sulfate-reducing bacteria were present and viable in sediments at all three sites, as confirmed by measurement of potential sulfate reduction rates. Microbial community fingerprinting supported the presence of taxa related to Deltaproteobacteria and Firmicutes with demonstrated capacity for iron and sulfate reduction. Concomitantly, sequences of Ruminococcaceae, Clostridiales, and Methanornicrobiales indicated potential for fermentative hydrogen and methane production. Such first insights into ferruginous sediments showed that microbial populations perform successive metabolisms related to sulfur, iron, and methane. In theory, iron reduction could reoxidize reduced sulfur compounds and desorb OM from iron minerals to allow remineralization to methane. Overall, we found that biogeochemical processes in the sediments can be linked to redox differences in the bottom waters of the three sites, like oxidant concentrations and the supply of labile OM. At the scale of the lacustrine record, our geomicrobiological study should provide a means to link the extant subsurface biosphere to past environments.}, language = {en} }