@article{DettmannHuittinenNicolasetal.2023, author = {Dettmann, Sophie and Huittinen, Nina Maria and Nicolas, Jahn and Kretzschmar, Jerome and Kumke, Michael Uwe and Kutyma, Tamara and Lohmann, Janik and Reich, Tobias and Schmeide, Katja and Azzam, Salim Shams Aldin and Spittler, Leon and Stietz, Janina}, title = {Influence of gluconate on the retention of Eu(III), Am(III), Th(IV), Pu(IV), and U(VI) by C-S-H (C/S = 0.8)}, series = {Frontiers in Nuclear Engineering}, volume = {2}, journal = {Frontiers in Nuclear Engineering}, publisher = {Frontiers Media}, address = {Lausanne}, issn = {2813-3412}, doi = {10.3389/fnuen.2023.1124856}, pages = {15}, year = {2023}, abstract = {The retention of actinides in different oxidation states (An(X), X = III, IV, VI) by a calcium-silicate-hydrate (C-S-H) phase with a Ca/Si (C/S) ratio of 0.8 was investigated in the presence of gluconate (GLU). The actinides considered were Am(III), Th(IV), Pu(IV), and U(VI). Eu(III) was investigated as chemical analogue for Am(III) and Cm(III). In addition to the ternary systems An(X)/GLU/C-S-H, also binary systems An(X)/C-S-H, GLU/C-S-H, and An(X)/GLU were studied. Complementary analytical techniques were applied to address the different specific aspects of the binary and ternary systems. Time-resolved laser-induced luminescence spectroscopy (TRLFS) was applied in combination with parallel factor analysis (PARAFAC) to identify retained species and to monitor species-selective sorption kinetics. ¹³C and ²⁹Si magic-angle-spinning (MAS) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were applied to determine the bulk structure and the composition of the C-S-H surface, respectively, in the absence and presence of GLU. The interaction of Th(IV) with GLU in different electrolytes was studied by capillary electrophoresis-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (CE-ICP-MS). The influence of GLU on An(X) retention was investigated for a large concentration range up to 10⁻² M. The results showed that GLU had little to no effect on the overall An(X) retention by C-S-H with C/S of 0.8, regardless of the oxidation state of the actinides. For Eu(III), the TRLFS investigations additionally implied the formation of a Eu(III)-bearing precipitate with dissolved constituents of the C-S-H phase, which becomes structurally altered by the presence of GLU. For U(VI) sorption on the C-S-H phase, only a small influence of GLU could be established in the luminescence spectroscopic investigations, and no precipitation of U(VI)-containing secondary phases could be identified.}, language = {en} } @article{ToenjesFiorePereiradaSilva2021, author = {T{\"o}njes, Ralf and Fiore, Carlos E. and Pereira da Silva, Tiago}, title = {Coherence resonance in influencer networks}, series = {Nature Communications}, volume = {12}, journal = {Nature Communications}, number = {1}, publisher = {Nature Publishing Group UK}, address = {London}, issn = {2041-1723}, doi = {10.1038/s41467-020-20441-4}, pages = {8}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Complex networks are abundant in nature and many share an important structural property: they contain a few nodes that are abnormally highly connected (hubs). Some of these hubs are called influencers because they couple strongly to the network and play fundamental dynamical and structural roles. Strikingly, despite the abundance of networks with influencers, little is known about their response to stochastic forcing. Here, for oscillatory dynamics on influencer networks, we show that subjecting influencers to an optimal intensity of noise can result in enhanced network synchronization. This new network dynamical effect, which we call coherence resonance in influencer networks, emerges from a synergy between network structure and stochasticity and is highly nonlinear, vanishing when the noise is too weak or too strong. Our results reveal that the influencer backbone can sharply increase the dynamical response in complex systems of coupled oscillators. Influencer networks include a small set of highly-connected nodes and can reach synchrony only via strong node interaction. Tonjes et al. show that introducing an optimal amount of noise enhances synchronization of such networks, which may be relevant for neuroscience or opinion dynamics applications.}, language = {en} } @article{ChemuraSchrumpfGuenteretal.2023, author = {Chemura, Sitshengisiwe and Schrumpf, Tim and G{\"u}nter, Christina and Kumke, Michael Uwe}, title = {Ceria nanomaterials containing ytterbium}, series = {RSC Advances : an international journal to further the chemical sciences}, volume = {13}, journal = {RSC Advances : an international journal to further the chemical sciences}, number = {50}, publisher = {RSC Publishing}, address = {London}, issn = {2046-2069}, doi = {10.1039/D3RA06868D}, pages = {35445 -- 35456}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Lanthanide based ceria nanomaterials are important practical materials due to the redox properties that are useful in the avenues pertaining to technology and life sciences. Sub 10 nm spherical and highly monodisperse Ce1-xYbxO2-y (0.04 ≤ x ≤ 0.22) nanoparticles were synthesized by thermal decomposition, annealed separately at 773 K and 1273 K for 2 hours and characterized. Elemental mapping for Yb3+ doped ceria nanoparticles shows homogeneous distribution of Yb3+ atoms in the ceria with low Yb3+ content annealed at 773 K and 1273 K for 2 hours. However, clusters are observed for 773 K annealed ceria samples with high concentration of Yb3+. These clusters are not detected in 1273 K annealed nanomaterials. Introducing small amounts of Yb3+ ions into the ceria lattice as spectroscopic probes can provide detailed information about the atomic structure and local environments allowing the monitoring of small structural changes, such as clustering. The emission spectra observed at room temperature and at 4 K have a manifold of bands that corresponds to the 2F5/2 → 2F7/2 transition of Yb3+ ions. Some small shifts are observed in the Stark splitting pattern depending on the sample and the annealing conditions. The deconvolution by PARAFAC analysis yielded luminescence decay kinetics as well as the associated luminescence spectra of three species for each of the low Yb3+ doped ceria samples annealed at 773 K and one species for the 1273 K annealed samples. However, the ceria samples with high concentration of Yb3+ annealed at the two temperatures showed only one species with lower decay times as compared to the low Yb3+ doped ceria samples.}, language = {en} } @article{OezsoyIefremenkoSchroeder2022, author = {{\"O}zsoy, Onur and Iefremenko, Kateryna and Schroeder, Christoph}, title = {Shifting and expanding clause combining strategies in heritage Turkish varieties}, series = {Languages}, volume = {7}, journal = {Languages}, number = {3}, publisher = {MDPI}, address = {Basel}, issn = {2226-471X}, doi = {10.3390/languages7030242}, pages = {23}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Turkish is a language described as relying predominantly on non-finite subordination in the domain of clause combining. However, there are also strategies of finite subordination, as well as means of syndetic and asyndetic paratactic clause combining, especially in the informal settings. Clause combining is and has been one of the focal points of research on heritage Turkish (h-Turkish). One point is particularly clear: In comparison with the monolingual setting, finite means of clause combining are more frequent in h-Turkish in Germany, the U.S., and the Netherlands, while non-finite means of clause combining are less frequent. Overall, our results confirm the findings of earlier studies: heritage speakers in Germany and the U.S. prefer paratactic means of clause combining using connectors, as opposed to monolingual speakers. Our results also reveal that age (adolescents vs. adults) and register (informal vs. formal) significantly modulate the use of connectors. Moreover, we find that the shift in preferences in means of clause combining triggers an expansion in the system of connectors and leads to the development of new narrative connectors, such as o zaman and derken. The system of syndetic paratactic clause combining is expanding in heritage Turkish. This expansion calls for multifaceted modeling of change in heritage languages, which integrates language-internal factors (register), dynamics of convergence with the contact languages, and extra-linguistic factors (age and language use).}, language = {en} } @article{WenderingNikoloski2022, author = {Wendering, Philipp and Nikoloski, Zoran}, title = {Genome-scale modeling specifies the metabolic capabilities of Rhizophagus irregularis}, series = {mSystems}, volume = {7}, journal = {mSystems}, number = {1}, publisher = {American Society for Microbiology}, address = {Washington, DC}, issn = {2379-5077}, doi = {10.1128/msystems.01216-21}, pages = {17}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Rhizophagus irregularis is one of the most extensively studied arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) that forms symbioses with and improves the performance of many crops. Lack of transformation protocol for R. irregularis renders it challenging to investigate molecular mechanisms that shape the physiology and interactions of this AMF with plants. Here, we used all published genomics, transcriptomics, and metabolomics resources to gain insights into the metabolic functionalities of R. irregularis by reconstructing its high-quality genome-scale metabolic network that considers enzyme constraints. Extensive validation tests with the enzyme-constrained metabolic model demonstrated that it can be used to (i) accurately predict increased growth of R. irregularis on myristate with minimal medium; (ii) integrate enzyme abundances and carbon source concentrations that yield growth predictions with high and significant Spearman correlation (rS = 0.74) to measured hyphal dry weight; and (iii) simulate growth rate increases with tighter association of this AMF with the host plant across three fungal structures. Based on the validated model and system-level analyses that integrate data from transcriptomics studies, we predicted that differences in flux distributions between intraradical mycelium and arbuscles are linked to changes in amino acid and cofactor biosynthesis. Therefore, our results demonstrated that the enzyme-constrained metabolic model can be employed to pinpoint mechanisms driving developmental and physiological responses of R. irregularis to different environmental cues. In conclusion, this model can serve as a template for other AMF and paves the way to identify metabolic engineering strategies to modulate fungal metabolic traits that directly affect plant performance. IMPORTANCE Mounting evidence points to the benefits of the symbiotic interactions between the arbuscular mycorrhiza fungus Rhizophagus irregularis and crops; however, the molecular mechanisms underlying the physiological responses of this fungus to different host plants and environments remain largely unknown. We present a manually curated, enzyme-constrained, genome-scale metabolic model of R. irregularis that can accurately predict experimentally observed phenotypes. We show that this high-quality model provides an entry point into better understanding the metabolic and physiological responses of this fungus to changing environments due to the availability of different nutrients. The model can be used to design metabolic engineering strategies to tailor R. irregularis metabolism toward improving the performance of host plants.}, language = {en} } @misc{Woywode2022, author = {Woywode, Felix}, title = {J{\"u}rgen Rathje (Hrsg.) 'Barthold Heinrich Brockes: Irdisches Vergn{\"u}gen in Gott. Siebenter und Achter Theil.' [Hrsg. und kommentiert v. J{\"u}rgen Rathje. Wallstein Verlag, G{\"o}ttingen 2021, 954 S.]}, series = {Zeitschrift f{\"u}r Germanistik}, volume = {32}, journal = {Zeitschrift f{\"u}r Germanistik}, number = {2}, publisher = {Lang}, address = {Bern ; Berlin ; Frankfurt, M. ; Wien}, issn = {0323-7982}, doi = {10.3726/92172_418}, pages = {430 -- 434}, year = {2022}, language = {de} } @article{ZurellKoenigMalchowetal.2022, author = {Zurell, Damaris and K{\"o}nig, Christian and Malchow, Anne-Kathleen and Kapitza, Simon and Bocedi, Greta and Travis, Justin M. J. and Fandos, Guillermo}, title = {Spatially explicit models for decision-making in animal conservation and restoration}, series = {Ecography : pattern and diversity in ecology / Nordic Ecologic Society Oikos}, journal = {Ecography : pattern and diversity in ecology / Nordic Ecologic Society Oikos}, number = {4}, publisher = {Wiley-Blackwell}, address = {Oxford}, issn = {1600-0587}, doi = {10.1111/ecog.05787}, pages = {1 -- 16}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Models are useful tools for understanding and predicting ecological patterns and processes. Under ongoing climate and biodiversity change, they can greatly facilitate decision-making in conservation and restoration and help designing adequate management strategies for an uncertain future. Here, we review the use of spatially explicit models for decision support and to identify key gaps in current modelling in conservation and restoration. Of 650 reviewed publications, 217 publications had a clear management application and were included in our quantitative analyses. Overall, modelling studies were biased towards static models (79\%), towards the species and population level (80\%) and towards conservation (rather than restoration) applications (71\%). Correlative niche models were the most widely used model type. Dynamic models as well as the gene-to-individual level and the community-to-ecosystem level were underrepresented, and explicit cost optimisation approaches were only used in 10\% of the studies. We present a new model typology for selecting models for animal conservation and restoration, characterising model types according to organisational levels, biological processes of interest and desired management applications. This typology will help to more closely link models to management goals. Additionally, future efforts need to overcome important challenges related to data integration, model integration and decision-making. We conclude with five key recommendations, suggesting that wider usage of spatially explicit models for decision support can be achieved by 1) developing a toolbox with multiple, easier-to-use methods, 2) improving calibration and validation of dynamic modelling approaches and 3) developing best-practise guidelines for applying these models. Further, more robust decision-making can be achieved by 4) combining multiple modelling approaches to assess uncertainty, and 5) placing models at the core of adaptive management. These efforts must be accompanied by long-term funding for modelling and monitoring, and improved communication between research and practise to ensure optimal conservation and restoration outcomes.}, language = {en} } @article{RuszkiewiczPapatheodorouJaecketal.2023, author = {Ruszkiewicz, Joanna and Papatheodorou, Ylea and J{\"a}ck, Nathalie and Melzig, Jasmin and Eble, Franziska and Pirker, Annika and Thomann, Marius and Haberer, Andreas and Rothmiller, Simone and B{\"u}rkle, Alexander and Mangerich, Aswin}, title = {NAD+ Acts as a protective factor in cellular stress response to DNA alkylating agents}, series = {Cells : open access journal}, volume = {12}, journal = {Cells : open access journal}, number = {19}, publisher = {MDPI}, address = {Basel}, issn = {2073-4409}, doi = {10.3390/cells12192396}, pages = {22}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Sulfur mustard (SM) and its derivatives are potent genotoxic agents, which have been shown to trigger the activation of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerases (PARPs) and the depletion of their substrate, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+). NAD+ is an essential molecule involved in numerous cellular pathways, including genome integrity and DNA repair, and thus, NAD+ supplementation might be beneficial for mitigating mustard-induced (geno)toxicity. In this study, the role of NAD+ depletion and elevation in the genotoxic stress response to SM derivatives, i.e., the monofunctional agent 2-chloroethyl-ethyl sulfide (CEES) and the crosslinking agent mechlorethamine (HN2), was investigated with the use of NAD+ booster nicotinamide riboside (NR) and NAD+ synthesis inhibitor FK866. The effects were analyzed in immortalized human keratinocytes (HaCaT) or monocyte-like cell line THP-1. In HaCaT cells, NR supplementation, increased NAD+ levels, and elevated PAR response, however, did not affect ATP levels or DNA damage repair, nor did it attenuate long- and short-term cytotoxicities. On the other hand, the depletion of cellular NAD+ via FK866 sensitized HaCaT cells to genotoxic stress, particularly CEES exposure, whereas NR supplementation, by increasing cellular NAD+ levels, rescued the sensitizing FK866 effect. Intriguingly, in THP-1 cells, the NR-induced elevation of cellular NAD+ levels did attenuate toxicity of the mustard compounds, especially upon CEES exposure. Together, our results reveal that NAD+ is an important molecule in the pathomechanism of SM derivatives, exhibiting compound-specificity. Moreover, the cell line-dependent protective effects of NR are indicative of system-specificity of the application of this NAD+ booster.}, language = {en} } @article{SaguTchewonpiRawelRohn2022, author = {Sagu Tchewonpi, Sorel and Rawel, Harshadrai M. and Rohn, Sascha}, title = {Targeted bottom-up mass spectrometry approach for the relative quantification of post-translational modification of bovine κ-casein during milk fermentation}, series = {Molecules}, volume = {27}, journal = {Molecules}, number = {18}, publisher = {MDPI}, address = {Basel}, issn = {1420-3049}, doi = {10.3390/molecules27185834}, pages = {17}, year = {2022}, abstract = {kappa-casein (kappa-CN) is one of the key components in bovine milk, playing a unique role in the structuration of casein micelles. It contains in its chemical structure up to sixteen amino acid residues (mainly serine and threonine) susceptible to modifications, including glycosylation and phosphorylation, which may further be formed during milk processing. In this study, changes in post-translational modification (PTM) of kappa-CN during bovine milk fermentation were investigated. One-to-five-day fermented milk samples were produced. A traditional bottom-up proteomics approach was used to establish a multiple-reaction monitoring (MRM) method for relative quantification of kappa-CN PTM. Endoproteinase Glu-C was found to efficiently digest the kappa-CN molecule. The developed LC-MS method was validated by performing assessments of linearity, precision, repeatability, reproducibility, limit of detection (LOD), and limit of quantification (LOQ). Among the yielded peptides, four of them containing serine and threonine residues were identified and the unmodified as well as the modified variants of each of them were relatively quantified. These peptides were (1) IPTINTIASGEPTSTTE ([140, 158]), (2) STVATLE ([162, 168]), (3) DSPE ([169, 172]), and (4) INTVQVTSTAV ([180, 190]). Distribution analysis between unmodified and modified peptides revealed that over 50\% of kappa-CN was found in one of its modified forms in milk. The fermentation process further significantly altered the composition between unmodified/modified kappa-CN, with glycoslaytion being predominant compared to phosphorylation (p < 0.01). Further method development towards alpha and beta-CN fractions and their PTM behavior would be an asset to better understand the changes undergone by milk proteins and the micellar structure during fermentation.}, language = {en} }