@article{Schwarz2017, author = {Schwarz, Ingo}, title = {"Any American will always be welcome to the study of Alexander von Humboldt"}, series = {HiN : Alexander von Humboldt im Netz ; International Review for Humboldtian Studies}, volume = {XVIII}, journal = {HiN : Alexander von Humboldt im Netz ; International Review for Humboldtian Studies}, number = {34}, publisher = {Universit{\"a}tsverlag Potsdam}, address = {Potsdam}, issn = {1617-5239}, doi = {10.18443/250}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-395798}, pages = {92 -- 95}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Im Jahr 1836 traf der US-amerikanische Geistliche und Sammler historischer Dokumente William B. Sprague (1795-1876) w{\"a}hrend seines zweiten Europabesuches auch mit Alexander von Humboldt in Berlin zusammen. Im Verlaufe des Gespr{\"a}ches zeigte sich Humboldt mit den politischen Entwicklungen in den Vereinigten Staaten bestens vertraut. Er kritisierte das Sklavensystem, r{\"a}umte aber auch ein, dass er viele Aspekte der amerikanischen Demokratie bewunderte.}, language = {de} } @article{Walravens2017, author = {Walravens, Hartmut}, title = {Zu den von A. v. Humboldt aus Rußland mitgebrachten B{\"u}chern}, series = {HiN : Alexander von Humboldt im Netz ; International Review for Humboldtian Studies}, volume = {XVIII}, journal = {HiN : Alexander von Humboldt im Netz ; International Review for Humboldtian Studies}, number = {34}, publisher = {Universit{\"a}tsverlag Potsdam}, address = {Potsdam}, issn = {1617-5239}, doi = {10.18443/246}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-395804}, pages = {96 -- 146}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Humboldt hat auf seiner Russlandreise 1829 eine Anzahl von B{\"u}chern und Schriften in mongolischer, kalm{\"u}kischer, armenischer, chinesischer, tibetischer und mandschurischer Sprache als Geschenk erhalten. Dar{\"u}ber hinaus hat er drei persische Handschriften k{\"a}uflich erworben. Das umfangreichste St{\"u}ck ist der chinesische Roman Geschichte der Drei Reiche. Humboldt hatte den Altphilologen und Kenner des Armenischen und Chinesischen, Carl Friedrich Neumann, gebeten, diese Titel zu katalogisieren. Als die Liste im Druck erschien (w{\"a}hrend Neumann sich auf einer Chinareise befand), f{\"u}hrten die Monita zu einer Gelehrtenfehde. Danach gerieten die B{\"u}cher, eine bunte Mischung, bald in Vergessenheit. Vorliegender Artikel gibt eine Liste auf Grund des heutigen Befundes in der Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin, f{\"u}r die der Sammler die B{\"u}cher von Anfang an bestimmt hatte, wie mehrere Beischriften belegen.}, language = {de} } @article{FrielerSchaubergerArnethetal.2017, author = {Frieler, Katja and Schauberger, Bernhard and Arneth, Almut and Balkovic, Juraj and Chryssanthacopoulos, James and Deryng, Delphine and Elliott, Joshua and Folberth, Christian and Khabarov, Nikolay and M{\"u}ller, Christoph and Olin, Stefan and Pugh, Thomas A. M. and Schaphoff, Sibyll and Schewe, Jacob and Schmid, Erwin and Warszawski, Lila and Levermann, Anders}, title = {Understanding the weather signal in national crop-yield variability}, series = {Earths future}, volume = {5}, journal = {Earths future}, publisher = {Wiley}, address = {Hoboken}, issn = {2328-4277}, doi = {10.1002/2016EF000525}, pages = {605 -- 616}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Year-to-year variations in crop yields can have major impacts on the livelihoods of subsistence farmers and may trigger significant global price fluctuations, with severe consequences for people in developing countries. Fluctuations can be induced by weather conditions, management decisions, weeds, diseases, and pests. Although an explicit quantification and deeper understanding of weather-induced crop-yield variability is essential for adaptation strategies, so far it has only been addressed by empirical models. Here, we provide conservative estimates of the fraction of reported national yield variabilities that can be attributed to weather by state-of-the-art, process-based crop model simulations. We find that observed weather variations can explain more than 50\% of the variability in wheat yields in Australia, Canada, Spain, Hungary, and Romania. For maize, weather sensitivities exceed 50\% in seven countries, including the United States. The explained variance exceeds 50\% for rice in Japan and South Korea and for soy in Argentina. Avoiding water stress by simulating yields assuming full irrigation shows that water limitation is a major driver of the observed variations in most of these countries. Identifying the mechanisms leading to crop-yield fluctuations is not only fundamental for dampening fluctuations, but is also important in the context of the debate on the attribution of loss and damage to climate change. Since process-based crop models not only account for weather influences on crop yields, but also provide options to represent human-management measures, they could become essential tools for differentiating these drivers, and for exploring options to reduce future yield fluctuations.}, language = {en} } @article{WichaHuisingaKloft2017, author = {Wicha, Sebastian G. and Huisinga, Wilhelm and Kloft, Charlotte}, title = {Translational pharmacometric evaluation of typical antibiotic broad-spectrum combination therapies against staphylococcus aureus exploiting in vitro information}, series = {CPT: pharmacometrics \& systems pharmacology}, volume = {6}, journal = {CPT: pharmacometrics \& systems pharmacology}, publisher = {Wiley}, address = {Hoboken}, issn = {2163-8306}, doi = {10.1002/psp4.12197}, pages = {512 -- 522}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Broad-spectrum antibiotic combination therapy is frequently applied due to increasing resistance development of infective pathogens. The objective of the present study was to evaluate two common empiric broad-spectrum combination therapies consisting of either linezolid (LZD) or vancomycin (VAN) combined with meropenem (MER) against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) as the most frequent causative pathogen of severe infections. A semimechanistic pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic (PK-PD) model mimicking a simplified bacterial life-cycle of S. aureus was developed upon time-kill curve data to describe the effects of LZD, VAN, and MER alone and in dual combinations. The PK-PD model was successfully (i) evaluated with external data from two clinical S. aureus isolates and further drug combinations and (ii) challenged to predict common clinical PK-PD indices and breakpoints. Finally, clinical trial simulations were performed that revealed that the combination of VAN-MER might be favorable over LZD-MER due to an unfavorable antagonistic interaction between LZD and MER.}, language = {en} } @misc{HussBookhagenHuggeletal.2017, author = {Huss, Matthias and Bookhagen, Bodo and Huggel, C. and Jacobsen, Dean and Bradley, Raymond S. and Clague, J. J. and Vuille, Mathias and Buytaert, Wouter and Cayan, D. R. and Greenwood, G. and Mark, B. G. and Milner, A. M. and Weingartner, Rolf and Winder, M.}, title = {Toward mountains without permanent snow and ice}, series = {Earths future}, volume = {5}, journal = {Earths future}, publisher = {Wiley}, address = {Hoboken}, issn = {2328-4277}, doi = {10.1002/2016EF000514}, pages = {418 -- 435}, year = {2017}, abstract = {The cryosphere in mountain regions is rapidly declining, a trend that is expected to accelerate over the next several decades due to anthropogenic climate change. A cascade of effects will result, extending from mountains to lowlands with associated impacts on human livelihood, economy, and ecosystems. With rising air temperatures and increased radiative forcing, glaciers will become smaller and, in some cases, disappear, the area of frozen ground will diminish, the ratio of snow to rainfall will decrease, and the timing and magnitude of both maximum and minimum streamflow will change. These changes will affect erosion rates, sediment, and nutrient flux, and the biogeochemistry of rivers and proglacial lakes, all of which influence water quality, aquatic habitat, and biotic communities. Changes in the length of the growing season will allow low-elevation plants and animals to expand their ranges upward. Slope failures due to thawing alpine permafrost, and outburst floods from glacier-and moraine-dammed lakes will threaten downstream populations.Societies even well beyond the mountains depend on meltwater from glaciers and snow for drinking water supplies, irrigation, mining, hydropower, agriculture, and recreation. Here, we review and, where possible, quantify the impacts of anticipated climate change on the alpine cryosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere, and consider the implications for adaptation to a future of mountains without permanent snow and ice.}, language = {en} } @article{SchuetzeFuerstMielkeetal.2017, author = {Sch{\"u}tze, Franziska and F{\"u}rst, Steffen and Mielke, Jahel and Steudle, Gesine A. and Wolf, Sarah and J{\"a}ger, Carlo C.}, title = {The Role of Sustainable Investment in Climate Policy}, series = {Sustainability}, volume = {9}, journal = {Sustainability}, publisher = {MDPI}, address = {Basel}, issn = {2071-1050}, doi = {10.3390/su9122221}, pages = {19}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Reaching the Sustainable Development Goals requires a fundamental socio-economic transformation accompanied by substantial investment in low-carbon infrastructure. Such a sustainability transition represents a non-marginal change, driven by behavioral factors and systemic interactions. However, typical economic models used to assess a sustainability transition focus on marginal changes around a local optimum, whichby constructionlead to negative effects. Thus, these models do not allow evaluating a sustainability transition that might have substantial positive effects. This paper examines which mechanisms need to be included in a standard computable general equilibrium model to overcome these limitations and to give a more comprehensive view of the effects of climate change mitigation. Simulation results show that, given an ambitious greenhouse gas emission constraint and a price of carbon, positive economic effects are possible if (1) technical progress results (partly) endogenously from the model and (2) a policy intervention triggering an increase of investment is introduced. Additionally, if (3) the investment behavior of firms is influenced by their sales expectations, the effects are amplified. The results provide suggestions for policy-makers, because the outcome indicates that investment-oriented climate policies can lead to more desirable outcomes in economic, social and environmental terms.}, language = {en} } @article{WeithoffTaubeBolius2017, author = {Weithoff, Guntram and Taube, Anne and Bolius, Sarah}, title = {The invasion success of the cyanobacterium Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii in experimental mesocosms}, series = {Aquatic Invasions}, volume = {12}, journal = {Aquatic Invasions}, publisher = {Regional Euro-Asian Biological Invasions centre-reabic}, address = {Helsinki}, issn = {1798-6540}, doi = {10.3391/ai.2017.12.3.07}, pages = {333 -- 341}, year = {2017}, abstract = {The potentially toxic, invasive cyanobacterium Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii, originating from sub-tropical regions, has spread into temperate climate zones in almost all continents. Potential factors in its success are temperature, light and nutrient levels. Grazing losses through zooplankton have been measured in the laboratory but are typically not regarded as a factor in (failed) invasion success. In some potentially suitable lakes, C. raciborskii has never been found, although it is present in water bodies close by. Therefore, we tested the invasive potential of three different isolates introduced into natural plankton communities using laboratory mesocosm experiments under three grazing levels: ambient zooplankton densities, removal of large species using 100 mu m mesh and a ca. doubling of large species. Three C. raciborskii isolates originating from the same geographic region (North-East Germany) were added separately to the four replicates of each treatment and kept in semi-continuous cultures for 21 days. Two isolates disappeared from the mesocosms and were also not viable in filtered lake water indicating that the lake water itself or the switch from culture medium to lake water led to the decay of the inoculated C. raciborskii. Only one out of the three isolates persisted in the plankton communities at a rather low level and only in the treatment without larger zooplankton. This result demonstrates that under potentially suitable environmental conditions, top-down control from zooplankton might hamper the establishment of C. raciborskii. Non-metric multidimensional scaling showed distinct variation in resident phytoplankton communities between the different grazing levels, thus differential grazing impact shaped the resident community in different ways allowing C. raciborskii only to invade under competitive (= low grazing pressure) conditions. Furthermore, even after invasion failure, the temporary presence of C. raciborskii influenced the phytoplankton community.}, language = {en} } @article{ZimmermannRaschkeEppetal.2017, author = {Zimmermann, Heike Hildegard and Raschke, Elena and Epp, Laura Saskia and Stoof-Leichsenring, Kathleen Rosemarie and Schirrmeister, Lutz and Schwamborn, Georg and Herzschuh, Ulrike}, title = {The history of tree and shrub taxa on Bol'shoy Lyakhovsky Island (New Siberian Archipelago) since the Last Interglacial Uncovered by Sedimentary Ancient DNA and Pollen Data}, series = {Genes}, volume = {8}, journal = {Genes}, number = {10}, publisher = {MDPI}, address = {Basel}, issn = {2073-4425}, doi = {10.3390/genes8100273}, pages = {273}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Ecosystem boundaries, such as the Arctic-Boreal treeline, are strongly coupled with climate and were spatially highly dynamic during past glacial-interglacial cycles. Only a few studies cover vegetation changes since the last interglacial, as most of the former landscapes are inundated and difficult to access. Using pollen analysis and sedimentary ancient DNA (sedaDNA) metabarcoding, we reveal vegetation changes on Bol'shoy Lyakhovsky Island since the last interglacial from permafrost sediments. Last interglacial samples depict high levels of floral diversity with the presence of trees (Larix, Picea, Populus) and shrubs (Alnus, Betula, Ribes, Cornus, Saliceae) on the currently treeless island. After the Last Glacial Maximum, Larix re-colonised the island but disappeared along with most shrub taxa. This was probably caused by Holocene sea-level rise, which led to increased oceanic conditions on the island. Additionally, we applied two newly developed larch-specific chloroplast markers to evaluate their potential for tracking past population dynamics from environmental samples. The novel markers were successfully re-sequenced and exhibited two variants of each marker in last interglacial samples. SedaDNA can track vegetation changes as well as genetic changes across geographic space through time and can improve our understanding of past processes that shape modern patterns.}, language = {en} } @article{GodessRiccitelli2017, author = {Godess-Riccitelli, Moran}, title = {The final end of imagination}, series = {Filosofia unisinos}, volume = {18}, journal = {Filosofia unisinos}, number = {2}, publisher = {Universidade do Vale do Rio dos Sinos}, address = {S{\~a}o Leopoldo}, issn = {1519-5023}, doi = {10.4013/fsu.2017.182.05}, pages = {107 -- 115}, year = {2017}, abstract = {One main quandary that emerges in the context of Immanuel Kant's moral ideal, The Highest Good, is that on the one hand Kant sets it as a moral demand, that is, as a principle that must be comprehended as an attainable end for man in practice while, on the other hand, it is set as a moral ideal, i.e. as something that cannot be concretized and realized within the empirical world. The main goal of this paper is to argue for the realizability of the moral ideal by means of the principle of reflective judgment as a form of judgment that in fact clarifies human limitation. I assert that the very recognition of this limitation constitutes the possibility for hope in that ideal, or for striving towards it, and that this striving is the only way that the moral ideal can be concretized. I examine man's recognition of self-limitation as a response to the moral demand to realize the moral ideal and the necessity of the power of imagination for this, used reflectively.}, language = {en} } @article{FliesserDeWittHubertsWippert2017, author = {Fliesser, Michael and De Witt Huberts, Jessie and Wippert, Pia-Maria}, title = {The choice that matters: the relative influence of socioeconomic status indicators on chronic back pain- a longitudinal study}, series = {BMC health services research}, volume = {17}, journal = {BMC health services research}, publisher = {BioMed Central}, address = {London}, issn = {1472-6963}, doi = {10.1186/s12913-017-2735-9}, pages = {8}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Background: In health research, indicators of socioeconomic status (SES) are often used interchangeably and often lack theoretical foundation. This makes it difficult to compare results from different studies and to explore the relationship between SES and health outcomes. To aid researchers in choosing appropriate indicators of SES, this article proposes and tests a theory-based selection of SES indicators using chronic back pain as a health outcome. Results: Chronic back pain intensity was best predicted by the multidimensional index (beta = 0.31, p < 0.05), followed by job position (beta = 0.29, p < 0.05) and education (beta = -0.29, p < 0.05); whereas, income exerted no significant influence. Back pain disability was predicted strongest by education (beta = -0.30, p < 0.05) and job position (beta = 0. 29, p < 0.05). Here, multidimensional index and income had no significant influence. Conclusions: The choice of SES indicators influences predictive power on both back pain dimensions, suggesting SES predictors cannot be used interchangeably. Therefore, researchers should carefully consider prior to each study which SES indicator to use. The introduced framework can be valuable in supporting this decision because it allows for a stable prediction of SES indicator influence and their hierarchy on a specific health outcomes.}, language = {en} } @article{WeisshuhnRecklingStachowetal.2017, author = {Weisshuhn, Peter and Reckling, Moritz and Stachow, Ulrich and Wiggering, Hubert}, title = {Supporting Agricultural Ecosystem Services through the Integration of Perennial Polycultures into Crop Rotations}, series = {Sustainability}, volume = {9}, journal = {Sustainability}, publisher = {MDPI}, address = {Basel}, issn = {2071-1050}, doi = {10.3390/su9122267}, pages = {20}, year = {2017}, abstract = {This review analyzes the potential role and long-term effects of field perennial polycultures (mixtures) in agricultural systems, with the aim of reducing the trade-offs between provisioning and regulating ecosystem services. First, crop rotations are identified as a suitable tool for the assessment of the long-term effects of perennial polycultures on ecosystem services, which are not visible at the single-crop level. Second, the ability of perennial polycultures to support ecosystem services when used in crop rotations is quantified through eight agricultural ecosystem services. Legume-grass mixtures and wildflower mixtures are used as examples of perennial polycultures, and compared with silage maize as a typical crop for biomass production. Perennial polycultures enhance soil fertility, soil protection, climate regulation, pollination, pest and weed control, and landscape aesthetics compared with maize. They also score lower for biomass production compared with maize, which confirms the trade-off between provisioning and regulating ecosystem services. However, the additional positive factors provided by perennial polycultures, such as reduced costs for mineral fertilizer, pesticides, and soil tillage, and a significant preceding crop effect that increases the yields of subsequent crops, should be taken into account. However, a full assessment of agricultural ecosystem services requires a more holistic analysis that is beyond the capabilities of current frameworks.}, language = {en} } @article{Leitner2017, author = {Leitner, Ulrike}, title = {Sobre r{\´i}os y canales}, series = {HiN : Alexander von Humboldt im Netz ; International Review for Humboldtian Studies}, volume = {XVIII}, journal = {HiN : Alexander von Humboldt im Netz ; International Review for Humboldtian Studies}, number = {34}, publisher = {Universit{\"a}tsverlag Potsdam}, address = {Potsdam}, issn = {1617-5239}, doi = {10.18443/251}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-395769}, pages = {29 -- 57}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Anhand von unpublizierten Beispielen aus dem Nachlass Humboldts soll ein wichtiger Aspekt seiner Reise vorgestellt werden: Nach seinen Messungen, berechnete er die Ergebnisse mit mathematischen Methoden, zeichnete Karten und verglich diese mit denen seiner Vorg{\"a}nger. Sp{\"a}ter publizierte er Karten von hoher Qualit{\"a}t und gab zur Vervollst{\"a}ndigung anderen Reisenden Ratschl{\"a}ge, um in Regionen zu messen, die er nicht selbst besucht hatte. Humboldts Nachlass widerspiegelt die Informationen von Reisenden, H{\"a}ndlern und Wissenschaftlern, die Humboldt benutzte. Mit der Unabh{\"a}ngigkeit wuchs das Interesse der lateinamerikanischen L{\"a}nder an einem Austausch mit Europa. Mit dem Kolumbianer Joaqu{\´i}n Acosta entwickelte sich ein gegenseitiger Austausch z. B. {\"u}ber die Region Choc{\´o}, die f{\"u}r den Bergbau von Gold und Platin, sowie f{\"u}r die interozeanische Verbindung von großem Interesse war.}, language = {es} } @article{WurzbacherFuchsAttermeyeretal.2017, author = {Wurzbacher, Christian and Fuchs, Andrea and Attermeyer, Katrin and Frindte, Katharina and Grossart, Hans-Peter and Hupfer, Michael and Casper, Peter and Monaghan, Michael T.}, title = {Shifts among Eukaryota, Bacteria, and Archaea define the vertical organization of a lake sediment}, series = {Microbiome}, volume = {5}, journal = {Microbiome}, publisher = {BioMed Central}, address = {London}, issn = {2049-2618}, doi = {10.1186/s40168-017-0255-9}, pages = {16}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Background: Lake sediments harbor diverse microbial communities that cycle carbon and nutrients while being constantly colonized and potentially buried by organic matter sinking from the water column. The interaction of activity and burial remained largely unexplored in aquatic sediments. We aimed to relate taxonomic composition to sediment biogeochemical parameters, test whether community turnover with depth resulted from taxonomic replacement or from richness effects, and to provide a basic model for the vertical community structure in sediments. Methods: We analyzed four replicate sediment cores taken from 30-m depth in oligo-mesotrophic Lake Stechlin in northern Germany. Each 30-cm core spanned ca. 170 years of sediment accumulation according to Cs-137 dating and was sectioned into layers 1-4 cm thick. We examined a full suite of biogeochemical parameters and used DNA metabarcoding to examine community composition of microbial Archaea, Bacteria, and Eukaryota. Results: Community beta-diversity indicated nearly complete turnover within the uppermost 30 cm. We observed a pronounced shift from Eukaryota- and Bacteria-dominated upper layers (<5 cm) to Bacteria-dominated intermediate layers (5-14 cm) and to deep layers (>14 cm) dominated by enigmatic Archaea that typically occur in deep-sea sediments. Taxonomic replacement was the prevalent mechanism in structuring the community composition and was linked to parameters indicative of microbial activity (e.g., CO2 and CH4 concentration, bacterial protein production). Richness loss played a lesser role but was linked to conservative parameters (e.g., C, N, P) indicative of past conditions. Conclusions: By including all three domains, we were able to directly link the exponential decay of eukaryotes with the active sediment microbial community. The dominance of Archaea in deeper layers confirms earlier findings from marine systems and establishes freshwater sediments as a potential low-energy environment, similar to deep sea sediments. We propose a general model of sediment structure and function based on microbial characteristics and burial processes. An upper "replacement horizon" is dominated by rapid taxonomic turnover with depth, high microbial activity, and biotic interactions. A lower "depauperate horizon" is characterized by low taxonomic richness, more stable "low-energy" conditions, and a dominance of enigmatic Archaea.}, language = {en} } @article{MahataPandayRupakhetietal.2017, author = {Mahata, Khadak Singh and Panday, Arnico Kumar and Rupakheti, Maheswar and Singh, Ashish and Naja, Manish and Lawrence, Mark}, title = {Seasonal and diurnal variations in methane and carbon dioxide in the Kathmandu Valley in the foothills of the central Himalayas}, series = {Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics}, volume = {17}, journal = {Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics}, number = {20}, publisher = {Copernicus}, address = {G{\"o}ttingen}, issn = {1680-7316}, doi = {10.5194/acp-17-12573-2017}, pages = {12573 -- 12596}, year = {2017}, abstract = {The SusKat-ABC (Sustainable Atmosphere for the Kathmandu Valley-Atmospheric Brown Clouds) international air pollution measurement campaign was carried out from December 2012 to June 2013 in the Kathmandu Valley and surrounding regions in Nepal. The Kathmandu Valley is a bowl-shaped basin with a severe air pollution problem. This paper reports measurements of two major greenhouse gases (GHGs), methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2), along with the pollutant CO, that began during the campaign and were extended for 1 year at the SusKat-ABC supersite in Bode, a semi-urban location in the Kathmandu Valley. Simultaneous measurements were also made during 2015 in Bode and a nearby rural site (Chanban) similar to 25 km (aerial distance) to the southwest of Bode on the other side of a tall ridge. The ambient mixing ratios of methane (CH4), carbon dioxide (CO2), water vapor, and carbon monoxide (CO) were measured with a cavity ring-down spectrometer (G2401; Picarro, USA) along with meteorological parameters for 1 year (March 2013-March 2014). These measurements are the first of their kind in the central Himalayan foothills. At Bode, the annual average mixing ratios of CO2 and CH4 were 419.3 (+/- 6.0) ppm and 2.192 (+/- 0.066) ppm, respectively. These values are higher than the levels observed at background sites such as Mauna Loa, USA (CO2: 396.8 +/- 2.0 ppm, CH4: 1.831 +/- 0.110 ppm) and Waliguan, China (CO2: 397.7 +/- 3.6 ppm, CH4: 1.879 +/- 0.009 ppm) during the same period and at other urban and semi-urban sites in the region, such as Ahmedabad and Shadnagar (India). They varied slightly across the seasons at Bode, with seasonal average CH4 mixing ratios of 2.157 (+/- 0.230) ppm in the pre-monsoon season, 2.199 (+/- 0.241) ppm in the monsoon, 2.210 (+/- 0.200) ppm in the post-monsoon, and 2.214 (+/- 0.209) ppm in the winter season. The average CO2 mixing ratios were 426.2 (+/- 25.5) ppm in the pre-monsoon, 413.5 (+/- 24.2) ppm in the monsoon, 417.3 (+/- 23.1) ppm in the postmonsoon, and 421.9 (+/- 20.3) ppm in the winter season. The maximum seasonal mean mixing ratio of CH4 in winter was only 0.057 ppm or 2.6\% higher than the seasonal minimum during the pre-monsoon period, while CO2 was 12.8 ppm or 3.1\% higher during the pre-monsoon period (seasonal maximum) than during the monsoon (seasonal minimum). On the other hand, the CO mixing ratio at Bode was 191\% higher during the winter than during the monsoon season. The enhancement in CO2 mixing ratios during the pre-monsoon season is associated with additional CO2 emissions from forest fires and agro-residue burning in northern South Asia in addition to local emissions in the Kathmandu Valley. Published CO = CO2 ratios of different emission sources in Nepal and India were compared with the observed CO = CO2 ratios in this study. This comparison suggested that the major sources in the Kathmandu Valley were residential cooking and vehicle exhaust in all seasons except winter. In winter, brick kiln emissions were a major source. Simultaneous measurements in Bode and Chanban (15 July-3 October 2015) revealed that the mixing ratios of CO2, CH4, and CO were 3.8, 12, and 64\% higher in Bode than Chanban. The Kathmandu Valley thus has significant emissions from local sources, which can also be attributed to its bowl-shaped geography that is conducive to pollution build-up. At Bode, all three gas species (CO2, CH4, and CO) showed strong diurnal patterns in their mixing ratios with a pronounced morning peak (ca. 08:00), a dip in the afternoon, and a gradual increase again through the night until the next morning. CH4 and CO at Chanban, however, did not show any noticeable diurnal variations. These measurements provide the first insights into the diurnal and seasonal variation in key greenhouse gases and air pollutants and their local and regional sources, which is important information for atmospheric research in the region.}, language = {en} } @article{EhmannZollerMinichmayretal.2017, author = {Ehmann, Lisa and Zoller, Michael and Minichmayr, Iris K. and Scharf, Christina and Maier, Barbara and Schmitt, Maximilian V. and Hartung, Niklas and Huisinga, Wilhelm and Vogeser, Michael and Frey, Lorenz and Zander, Johannes and Kloft, Charlotte}, title = {Role of renal function in risk assessment of target non-attainment after standard dosing of meropenem in critically ill patients}, series = {Critical care}, volume = {21}, journal = {Critical care}, publisher = {BioMed Central}, address = {London}, issn = {1466-609X}, doi = {10.1186/s13054-017-1829-4}, pages = {14}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Background: Severe bacterial infections remain a major challenge in intensive care units because of their high prevalence and mortality. Adequate antibiotic exposure has been associated with clinical success in critically ill patients. The objective of this study was to investigate the target attainment of standard meropenem dosing in a heterogeneous critically ill population, to quantify the impact of the full renal function spectrum on meropenem exposure and target attainment, and ultimately to translate the findings into a tool for practical application. Methods: A prospective observational single-centre study was performed with critically ill patients with severe infections receiving standard dosing of meropenem. Serial blood samples were drawn over 4 study days to determine meropenem serum concentrations. Renal function was assessed by creatinine clearance according to the Cockcroft and Gault equation (CLCRCG). Variability in meropenem serum concentrations was quantified at the middle and end of each monitored dosing interval. The attainment of two pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic targets (100\% T->MIC, 50\% T->4xMIC) was evaluated for minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of 2 mg/L and 8 mg/L and standard meropenem dosing (1000 mg, 30-minute infusion, every 8 h). Furthermore, we assessed the impact of CLCRCG on meropenem concentrations and target attainment and developed a tool for risk assessment of target non-attainment. Results: Large inter-and intra-patient variability in meropenem concentrations was observed in the critically ill population (n = 48). Attainment of the target 100\% T->MIC was merely 48.4\% and 20.6\%, given MIC values of 2 mg/L and 8 mg/L, respectively, and similar for the target 50\% T->4xMIC. A hyperbolic relationship between CLCRCG (25-255 ml/minute) and meropenem serum concentrations at the end of the dosing interval (C-8h) was derived. For infections with pathogens of MIC 2 mg/L, mild renal impairment up to augmented renal function was identified as a risk factor for target non-attainment (for MIC 8 mg/L, additionally, moderate renal impairment). Conclusions: The investigated standard meropenem dosing regimen appeared to result in insufficient meropenem exposure in a considerable fraction of critically ill patients. An easy-and free-to-use tool (the MeroRisk Calculator) for assessing the risk of target non-attainment for a given renal function and MIC value was developed.}, language = {en} } @misc{ReilRosenfeldImholtetal.2017, author = {Reil, Daniela and Rosenfeld, Ulrike and Imholt, Christian and Schmidt, Sabrina and Ulrich, Rainer G. and Eccard, Jana and Jacob, Jens}, title = {Puumala hantavirus infections in bank vole populations}, series = {Postprints der Universit{\"a}t Potsdam : Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe}, journal = {Postprints der Universit{\"a}t Potsdam : Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe}, number = {957}, issn = {1866-8372}, doi = {10.25932/publishup-43123}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-431232}, pages = {15}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Background In Europe, bank voles (Myodes glareolus) are widely distributed and can transmit Puumala virus (PUUV) to humans, which causes a mild to moderate form of haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome, called nephropathia epidemica. Uncovering the link between host and virus dynamics can help to prevent human PUUV infections in the future. Bank voles were live trapped three times a year in 2010-2013 in three woodland plots in each of four regions in Germany. Bank vole population density was estimated and blood samples collected to detect PUUV specific antibodies. Results We demonstrated that fluctuation of PUUV seroprevalence is dependent not only on multi-annual but also on seasonal dynamics of rodent host abundance. Moreover, PUUV infection might affect host fitness, because seropositive individuals survived better from spring to summer than uninfected bank voles. Individual space use was independent of PUUV infections. Conclusions Our study provides robust estimations of relevant patterns and processes of the dynamics of PUUV and its rodent host in Central Europe, which are highly important for the future development of predictive models for human hantavirus infection risk.}, language = {en} } @article{ReilRosenfeldImholtetal.2017, author = {Reil, Daniela and Rosenfeld, Ulrike and Imholt, Christian and Schmidt, Sabrina and Ulrich, Rainer G. and Eccard, Jana and Jacob, Jens}, title = {Puumala hantavirus infections in bank vole populations}, series = {BMC ecology}, volume = {17}, journal = {BMC ecology}, publisher = {BioMed Central}, address = {London}, issn = {1472-6785}, doi = {10.1186/s12898-017-0118-z}, pages = {13}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Background In Europe, bank voles (Myodes glareolus) are widely distributed and can transmit Puumala virus (PUUV) to humans, which causes a mild to moderate form of haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome, called nephropathia epidemica. Uncovering the link between host and virus dynamics can help to prevent human PUUV infections in the future. Bank voles were live trapped three times a year in 2010-2013 in three woodland plots in each of four regions in Germany. Bank vole population density was estimated and blood samples collected to detect PUUV specific antibodies. Results We demonstrated that fluctuation of PUUV seroprevalence is dependent not only on multi-annual but also on seasonal dynamics of rodent host abundance. Moreover, PUUV infection might affect host fitness, because seropositive individuals survived better from spring to summer than uninfected bank voles. Individual space use was independent of PUUV infections. Conclusions Our study provides robust estimations of relevant patterns and processes of the dynamics of PUUV and its rodent host in Central Europe, which are highly important for the future development of predictive models for human hantavirus infection risk}, language = {en} } @article{SurminskiThieken2017, author = {Surminski, Swenja and Thieken, Annegret}, title = {Promoting flood risk reduction}, series = {Earth's Future}, volume = {5}, journal = {Earth's Future}, publisher = {Wiley}, address = {Hoboken}, issn = {2328-4277}, doi = {10.1002/2017EF000587}, pages = {979 -- 1001}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Improving society's ability to prepare for, respond to and recover from flooding requires integrated, anticipatory flood risk management (FRM). However, most countries still focus their efforts on responding to flooding events if and when they occur rather than addressing their current and future vulnerability to flooding. Flood insurance is one mechanism that could promote a more ex ante approach to risk by supporting risk reduction activities. This paper uses an adapted version of Easton's System Theory to investigate the role of insurance for FRM in Germany and England. We introduce an anticipatory FRM framework, which allows flood insurance to be considered as part of a broader policy field. We analyze if and how flood insurance can catalyze a change toward a more anticipatory approach to FRM. In particular we consider insurance's role in influencing five key components of anticipatory FRM: risk knowledge, prevention through better planning, property\&\#8208;level protection measures, structural protection and preparedness (for response). We find that in both countries FRM is still a reactive, event\&\#8208;driven process, while anticipatory FRM remains underdeveloped. Collaboration between insurers and FRM decision\&\#8208;makers has already been successful, for example in improving risk knowledge and awareness, while in other areas insurance acts as a disincentive for more risk reduction action. In both countries there is evidence that insurance can play a significant role in encouraging anticipatory FRM, but this remains underutilized. Effective collaboration between insurers and government should not be seen as a cost, but as an investment to secure future insurability through flood resilience.}, language = {en} } @article{WolfHolzmeierWagneretal.2017, author = {Wolf, Thomas J. A. and Holzmeier, Fabian and Wagner, Isabella and Berrah, Nora and Bostedt, Christoph and Bozek, John and Bucksbaum, Phil and Coffee, Ryan and Cryan, James and Farrell, Joe and Feifel, Raimund and Martinez, Todd J. and McFarland, Brian and Mucke, Melanie and Nandi, Saikat and Tarantelli, Francesco and Fischer, Ingo and G{\"u}hr, Markus}, title = {Observing Femtosecond Fragmentation Using Ultrafast X-ray-Induced Auger Spectra}, series = {Applied sciences}, volume = {7}, journal = {Applied sciences}, number = {7}, publisher = {MDPI}, address = {Basel}, issn = {2076-3417}, doi = {10.3390/app7070681}, pages = {11}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Molecules often fragment after photoionization in the gas phase. Usually, this process can only be investigated spectroscopically as long as there exists electron correlation between the photofragments. Important parameters, like their kinetic energy after separation, cannot be investigated. We are reporting on a femtosecond time-resolved Auger electron spectroscopy study concerning the photofragmentation dynamics of thymine. We observe the appearance of clearly distinguishable signatures from thymines neutral photofragment isocyanic acid. Furthermore, we observe a time-dependent shift of its spectrum, which we can attribute to the influence of the charged fragment on the Auger electron. This allows us to map our time-dependent dataset onto the fragmentation coordinate. The time dependence of the shift supports efficient transformation of the excess energy gained from photoionization into kinetic energy of the fragments. Our method is broadly applicable to the investigation of photofragmentation processes.}, language = {en} } @article{BuschKlausPenoneetal.2017, author = {Busch, Verena and Klaus, Valentin H. and Penone, Caterina and Sch{\"a}fer, Deborah and Boch, Steffen and Prati, Daniel and M{\"u}ller, J{\"o}rg and Socher, Stephanie A. and Niinemets, {\"U}lo and Penuelas, Josep and H{\"o}lzel, Norbert and Fischer, Markus and Kleinebecker, Till}, title = {Nutrient stoichiometry and land use rather than species richness determine plant functional diversity}, series = {Ecology and evolution}, volume = {8}, journal = {Ecology and evolution}, number = {1}, publisher = {Wiley}, address = {Hoboken}, issn = {2045-7758}, doi = {10.1002/ece3.3609}, pages = {601 -- 616}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Plant functional traits reflect individual and community ecological strategies. They allow the detection of directional changes in community dynamics and ecosystemic processes, being an additional tool to assess biodiversity than species richness. Analysis of functional patterns in plant communities provides mechanistic insight into biodiversity alterations due to anthropogenic activity. Although studies have consi-dered of either anthropogenic management or nutrient availability on functional traits in temperate grasslands, studies combining effects of both drivers are scarce. Here, we assessed the impacts of management intensity (fertilization, mowing, grazing), nutrient stoichiometry (C, N, P, K), and vegetation composition on community-weighted means (CWMs) and functional diversity (Rao's Q) from seven plant traits in 150 grasslands in three regions in Germany, using data of 6 years. Land use and nutrient stoichiometry accounted for larger proportions of model variance of CWM and Rao's Q than species richness and productivity. Grazing affected all analyzed trait groups; fertilization and mowing only impacted generative traits. Grazing was clearly associated with nutrient retention strategies, that is, investing in durable structures and production of fewer, less variable seed. Phenological variability was increased. Fertilization and mowing decreased seed number/mass variability, indicating competition-related effects. Impacts of nutrient stoichiometry on trait syndromes varied. Nutrient limitation (large N:P, C:N ratios) promoted species with conservative strategies, that is, investment in durable plant structures rather than fast growth, fewer seed, and delayed flowering onset. In contrast to seed mass, leaf-economics variability was reduced under P shortage. Species diversity was positively associated with the variability of generative traits. Synthesis. Here, land use, nutrient availability, species richness, and plant functional strategies have been shown to interact complexly, driving community composition, and vegetation responses to management intensity. We suggest that deeper understanding of underlying mechanisms shaping community assembly and biodiversity will require analyzing all these parameters.}, language = {en} }