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Viroid ecology in hops (Humulus lupulus L.): high prevalence in commercial systems but low presence in wild populations
Full text linkIntroduction: Hop (Humulus lupulus L.), a vital crop in the brewing industry, is increasingly threatened by infections caused by viroids and viruses. The extensive use of vegetative propagation in hop cultivation facilitates the accumulation and dissemination of these pathogens. However, little is known about their prevalence and ecological behavior in non-commercial settings. This study provides a comprehensive overview of viroid and virus infections across Germany, with particular attention to their occurrence and potential transmission across commercial, settlement, and wild hop populations.
Methods: Between 2020 and 2023, 418 hop leaf samples from commercial (n = 345), settlement (n = 29), and wild (n = 44) populations were collected. Viroid and virus detection was performed using RT-PCR and PCR. To investigate possible cross-species transmission and sequence variation, HSVd-positive samples from hops and nearby grapevines were further analyzed via Sanger sequencing.
Results: Viroid screening revealed that the citrus bark cracking viroid (CBCVd; Cocadviroid rimocitri) was confined to commercial hop cultivation. This study also marks the first confirmed detection of hop stunt viroid (HSVd; Hostuviroid impedihumuli) in commercial hop fields in Germany. Virus screening showed that hop latent virus (HpLV; Carlavirus latenshumuli) and american hop latent virus (AHpLV; Carlavirus americanense) were exclusively found in commercial hops. Hop mosaic virus (HpMV; Carlavirus humuli) was detected across all three groups—commercial, settlement, and wild populations. Arabis mosaic virus (ArMV; Nepovirus arabis) and apple mosaic virus (ApMV; Ilarvirus ApMV) were identified in both commercial and wild hops but were absent from settlement samples. Overall, commercial hop populations exhibited the highest pathogen burden, frequently harboring multiple viroid and virus infections. These findings underscore the importance of using certified, pathogen-free planting material, implementing early detection strategies, and updating plant passport regulations to include high-risk pathogens. While prevalence estimates reflect risk-based sampling from key production regions, the study provides a solid basis for enhancing pathogen surveillance and improving preventive measures in hop cultivation.The author(s) declare that financial support was received for the research and/or publication of this article. This research was funded by the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL), Germany under grant number 2818714A19, managed by the Federal Office for Agriculture and Food (BLE). Additional funding was provided by the Ministry of Nutrition, Rural Areas, and Consumer Protection Baden-Württemberg under the 2023/2024 funding line Kap. 0803 Tit. Gr. 84
Improved method for temporally interpolating radiosonde profiles in the convective boundary layer
Full text linkA significantly improved technique for temporally interpolating radiosonde (RS) profiles of potential temperature and water vapor mixing ratio in the planetary boundary layer during daytime is introduced. The key innovation of this technique is its operation on a height grid normalized with the planetary boundary layer height. This study utilized a three-month dataset of three-hourly soundings from the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement Facility's Southern Great Plains site. The technique was evaluated for convective boundary layer cases, with the necessary boundary layer height data obtained from a ground-based infrared spectrometer. A total of 79 comparisons were conducted between reference soundings and interpolated profiles that did and did not employ height normalization. The results demonstrated a substantial improvement in the representation of interpolated profiles using the new technique, characterized by enhanced correlation, improved amplitude representation, and reduced bias for potential temperature, as well as improved correlation and reduced bias for water vapor mixing ratio.U.S. Department of EnergyDeutsche Forschungsgemeinschaf
Application of a PAT/QbD concept onto a Pharmaceutical Bioprocess
No full textIn 2022 close to a hundred billion units of pharmaceuticals were sold in Germany alone (Radtke, 2023). Patient safety and high efficacy are the most critical factors in producing these drugs. This results in a need for manufacturers to constantly output high-quality products. Consequently, there has been an ongoing adoption of Quality by Design (QbD) and Process Analytical Technologies (PAT) in the industry over the last decades.
This thesis focused on advancing different spectroscopic methods as PAT tools in the context of QbD. First, a novel 2D-fluorescence (2DF) sensor was investigated for its usability in-process monitoring of mammalian cell cultures – qualitative and quantitative. Second, Raman spectroscopy was examined for its use in bioprocess development and as a control device in production bioreactors.
In the first part of this work, the 2DF technology demonstrated its versatility as, on the one hand, an effective method for golden batch monitoring, i.e., for promptly detecting deviations within the process. On the other hand, the fluorescence signals can be correlated to cell count and viability, making it a suitable in-line alternative to traditional off-line cell counting. In the context of QbD, fluorescence spectroscopy can furthermore give the user more insight into the cellular metabolism, as, for example, co-enzymes like NADH can be detected.
The second part focuses on Raman spectroscopy as a valuable tool during process development and for in-line process control of critical process parameters. First, a Raman spectrometer was integrated into two automated mini-bioreactor systems – one with 15 mL and the other with 250 mL single-use vessels. These systems are commonly used in cell line development and upstream process development campaigns, especially for economic execution of Design of Experiment studies. Integrating a Raman spectrometer in these highly automated systems made it possible to efficiently generate a large Raman dataset for robust modeling of several essential process parameters, such as glucose, lactate, glutamine, glutamate, and target protein titer. In the case of the glucose model, scale-up to a 50 L bioreactor was successfully made for in-line monitoring of said parameter.
Finally, Raman spectroscopy was integrated into a perfusion process. In combination with a biocapacitance probe for in-line cell count control, the Raman system was successfully utilized for on-line control of the glucose concentration. This paper proves that PAT sensors can be utilized as enablers for process intensification and, consequently, as a step toward continuous processing.Im Jahr 2022 wurden alleine in Deutschland fast einhundert Milliarden Arzneimitteleinheiten verkauft (Radtke, 2023). Die wichtigsten Faktoren bei der Herstellung dieser Arzneimittel sind Patientensicherheit und hohe Wirksamkeit. Daraus ergibt sich für die Produzenten die Notwendigkeit, konstant qualitativ hochwertige Medikamente herzustellen. Aus ebendiesem Grund hat die pharmazeutische Industrie in den letzten Jahrzehnten zunehmend „Quality by Design“ (QbD) und prozessanalytische Technologien (PAT) implementiert.
Diese Dissertation konzentriert sich auf die Weiterentwicklung verschiedener spektroskopischer Methoden zum Einsatz als PAT-Werkzeuge im Kontext von QbD. Zunächst wurde ein neuartiger 2D-Fluoreszenz (2DF) Sensor auf seine Eignung für die qualitative und quantitative Prozessüberwachung von Säugetierkultivierungen untersucht. Nachfolgend wurde Raman-Spektroskopie im Einsatz in der Bioprozessentwicklung und als Kontrollinstrument in Produktionsbioreaktoren betrachtet.
Im ersten Teil dieser Arbeit, hat die 2DF-Technologie ihre Vielseitigkeit, einerseits als wertvolles Werkzeug für die Überwachung im Kontext von sog. „golden batches“, also zur frühzeitigen Detektion von Abweichungen von der Norm, unter Beweis gestellt. Andererseits können die Fluoreszenzsignale mit der Zellzahl und Viabilität korreliert werden, was diese Methode zu einer geeigneten in-line-Alternative zu traditionellen off-line Zellzählmethoden macht. Im Zusammenhang mit QbD kann die Fluoreszenzspektroskopie dem Anwender darüber hinaus einen tieferen Einblick in den zellulären Stoffwechsel bieten, da z. B. Co-Enzyme wie NADH quantifiziert werden können.
Der zweite Teil der Dissertation konzentriert sich auf die Raman-Spektroskopie als gewinnbringendes Werkzeug während der Prozessentwicklung, sowie zur Prozesskontrolle kritischer Prozessparameter. Zunächst wurde ein Raman-Spektrometer in zwei verschiedene automatisierte Mini-Bioreaktorsysteme integriert - eines mit 15 mL und das andere mit 250 mL Einwegreaktoren. Diese Systeme werden üblicherweise in der Zelllinien- und Upstream-Prozessentwicklung eingesetzt, insbesondere zur effektiven Umsetzung von Design of Experiment-Studien. Durch die Integration eines Raman-Spektrometers in diese hochautomatisierten Anlagen konnte im ersten Schritt effizient ein großer Raman-Datensatz erzeugt werden. Dieser konnte wiederum für die robuste Modellierung mehrerer wichtiger Prozessparameter, wie Glukose-, Laktat-, Glutamin-, Glutamat- und Zielprotein-Konzentration, genutzt werden. Im Falle des Glukosemodells wurde erfolgreich ein Scale-up auf einen 50-Liter-Bioreaktor für die in-line Überwachung dieses Parameters durchgeführt.
Zuletzt wurde ein Raman-Spektrometer in einen Perfusionsprozess integriert. Hierbei wurde das Raman-System, in Kombination mit einer Bio-Kapazitätssonde (zur in-line Kontrolle der Zellzahl), erfolgreich für die on-line Kontrolle des Glukosefeeds eingesetzt. Dies zeigt, dass PAT-Sensoren auch als Wegbereiter für weitere Prozessintensivierung, und somit als weiterer Schritt Richtung kontinuierliche Produktion, eingesetzt werden können
Buckwheat in Germany: The effect of variety and sowing date on agronomic traits
No full textBuckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench) requires minimal agrochemical inputs and delivers grains with a high nutritional profile—the perfect prerequisites for future sustainable farming. However, it is currently consumed and produced in only a few countries. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential to successfully grow buckwheat in Germany and to elaborate first insights for local breeding. Therefore, a total of 33 buckwheat varieties were tested across three locations, 3 years, and two different sowing dates. The average yield was 2.3 t ha −1 , ranging from 1.4 to 3.1 t ha −1 across varieties. Similar yields were observed for both early and late sowing dates, and across all tested varieties. All but two of the very late‐maturing common buckwheat varieties could be safely harvested in all locations also on the late sowing date. Key prerequisites to establish local breeding were met, including large genetic variation and high heritability for important agronomic traits. In summary, this study highlights the importance of variety selection and targeted breeding focusing on early‐maturing buckwheat varieties, paving the way for potential double‐cropping systems in Germany that use buckwheat as a second crop and significantly enhance its profitability for farmers.Ministerium für Ernährung, Ländlichen Raum und Verbraucherschutz Baden‐Württemberg 10.13039/10002276
The interaction discrepancy model: a theoretical framework for understanding person-environment interactions
Full text linkThis manuscript introduces the Interaction Discrepancy Model (IDM), a theoretical framework designed to enhance our understanding of person-environment interactions. Traditional models often overlook the dynamic, iterative, and feedback-driven nature of these interactions, typically focusing on episodic and isolated psychological processes and conscious mechanisms. The IDM addresses these limitations by integrating the dynamics of cognitive, affective, and behavioral processes at both conscious and non-conscious levels. The model outlines an eight-stage process: (1) perception, (2) interaction construal, (3) verification, (4) congruence/discrepancy, (5) appraisal, (6) autoregulatory response, (7) action plan, and (8) feedback. This comprehensive approach seeks to explain the varied responses observed in empirical research and real-life scenarios. The IDM’s applicability extends across multiple contexts, including aggression, delinquency, conflict management, and industrial-organizational psychology, emphasizing the critical role of perceived discrepancies in triggering affective and behavioral responses. By incorporating contextual factors and providing a structured framework for falsifiability, the IDM offers a robust tool for future research and practical applications. This model significantly advances the theoretical literature on person-environment interactions, providing a holistic understanding that captures the complexity of human experience
Sucrose reduction with maintained sweetness level lowers glycemic fluctuations and energy intake in healthy males
Full text linkIntroduction: The sole perception of sweet taste is discussed to interfere with postprandial blood glucose regulation and leading to enhanced cravings for sweet foods. This raises the question whether preserving sweetness while reducing sugar in a test solution can sustain beneficial effects on blood glucose regulation and subsequently decrease postprandial energy intake. Specifically, we hypothesized that reducing the caloric load of a sucrose solution while maintaining the perceived sweetness intensity by adding hesperetin as a taste modifier attenuates large fluctuations in postprandial blood glucose concentrations with beneficial effects on appetite and cravings for sweet foods.
Methods: In a randomized crossover study with 32 healthy male participants, the effect of a 10% sucrose solution on blood glucose regulation and energy intake was compared to an equi-sweet 7% sucrose solution with 50 mg/L hesperetin. Data was analyzed using paired Student’s t-tests or Repeated-measures ANOVA. The study was approved by the ethical committee of the University of Vienna (approval number 00903) and registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05705596).
Results: The results show that the decline in blood glucose concentrations was less pronounced after consumption of the 7% sucrose solution with hesperetin than after the isosweet 10% sucrose solution. Additionally, participants reported less desire for a sweet snack and had on average a 10 ± 7% (p < 0.05) lower energy intake after consumption of the 7% sucrose hesperetin-spiked solution.
Conclusion: In conclusion, our results argue for a pronounced role of the carbohydrate content in postprandial appetite regulation
From QAnon to the climate change hoax: using 'Moral Politics Theory' to explain conspiracy mentality among the ideological right
Full text linkResearch on conspiracy theories and predictors that explain susceptibility to believing in conspiracy theories (conspiracy mentality) has already led to a considerable body of academic contributions. Nevertheless, we see the necessity to continue working on higher-level frameworks that summarize and explain various of these predictors under one umbrella. Only focussing on individual correlates can certainly make well-founded statements about individual susceptibility to conspiracy theories, but cannot formulate a holistic explanation due to the supposed lack of connection between the predictors. This means that, for example, only very fragmentary recommendations can be derived for preventive concepts. The present research proposes a metatheoretical framework for conspiracy mentality based on 'Moral Politics Theory' (Lakoff, 2016). The central thesis of this paper is that conspiracy mentality can be understood as an inherent component of so-called 'Strict Father Morality', i.e. the conservative ideology in Moral Politics Theory. This not only has implications for research theory, but also concrete imperatives for action for socio-political actors
Artificial intelligence and corporate ideation systems
Full text linkMany companies leverage the creativity of their employees to gather ideas for innovations. These ideas are collected, saved, and evaluated via platforms known as corporate ideation systems. Moderated ideation systems (ideation 2.0) emerged as a solution to address the limitations of traditional, rather passive ideation systems (ideation 1.0). In this study, we apply a qualitative mixed‐method approach (literature review, company case studies, expert interviews, and focus group workshops) to examine how artificial intelligence (AI) technology may relieve the remaining pains of stakeholders in collaborative, moderated ideation systems. This leads to a new framework of corporate ideation systems, termed AI‐based ideation systems (ideation 3.0). We identify five major pains suffered by stakeholders in today's moderated ideation systems: creativity pain, content formulation pain, search pain, analytical pain, and administration pain. We find that AI agents act as pain relievers when serving five supporting functions: inspirer, stylist, matchmaker, analyst, and organizer. The interconnected nature of pains means that employing AI agents in certain functions within corporate ideation systems can create positive externalities across the entire system. Practical insights into AI agent implementation and application in corporate ideation systems are provided by six mini‐case studies, which lead to the proposition of two organizational principles: the contextualization of AI usage and the generalization of AI implementation as the requirements for successful ideation 3.0
Phylogenetic analysis and public health implications of Salmonella Strains in southwestern states of Nigeria using InvA gene sequences
Full text linkSalmonella is a significant public health concern in Nigeria causing foodborne illnesses. Genetic diversity and prevalence of Salmonella is poorly understood in Nigeria. This study assessed the occurrence of Salmonella in various poultry houses in Nigeria and explored the evolutionary relationships among the isolates by analysis on invA gene. A total number of 314 samples (feces, feed, dust, waters, and palm swab) were collected from 49 farms in Abeokuta (18), Ibadan (20) and Oshogbo (11). Salmonella was detected with a prevalence of 2.75% in Ogun, 6.0% in Osun and 5.71%, in Oyo States, respectively. The overall prevalence of Salmonella in poultry farms sampled was 15/314 (4.78%). Sequence analysis revealed two sequences 01 and 02 to have 99.59% and 89.04 homologies with sequence of Paratyphi serovar (LC320032) and Enteritidis serovar (LC318423) in GenBank, respectively. Sequence 01 clustered with S. serovar Enteritidis from the USA, whereas Sequence 02 formed a distinct clade near S. serovar Typhimurium from Egypt. These findings underscore the public health significance of S. enterica in Nigeria, particularly in relation to food animals. The study highlights the need for improved farm management practices, stringent food safety regulations, and robust surveillance systems to mitigate the risk of Salmonella outbreaks.The study received no external funding; Emmanuel O. Fadipe’s contribution covered laboratory materials and logistics. Publication cost was supported by Funding Programme Open Access Publishing of University of Hohenheim and the Department of Livestock Infectiology and Environmental Hygiene, University of Hohenheim, Germany.University of Hohenhei
Operational principles for fostering transformative qualities and capacities in higher education sustainability science and practice
Full text linkEducation for sustainability is widely recognised as a critical pathway for driving the transformations needed to address today’s polycrisis. Despite growing theoretical and conceptual advancements in sustainability education, current approaches have not achieved the deep systemic changes required. While university networks and individual institutions increasingly integrate sustainability into their education, concerns persist that transformative learning agendas often remain superficial. In particular, they frequently fail to equip learners with the emotional resilience and skills necessary to engage effectively with complex global challenges, as well as educators with the pedagogical framework to facilitate such learning. This article emphasises the need to advance transformative learning in sustainability science and practice in higher education by addressing the inner dimensions of sustainability: our individual and collective values, beliefs, worldviews, and associated transformative qualities and capacities. This means targeting deep leverage points and meaningful change by supporting more relational approaches, including an integrated inner–outer change in being, thinking, and acting. We provide seven operational principles for supporting the inner–outer transformation towards sustainability in learning and teaching sustainability science and practice, especially in geography and related fields. These principles highlight the importance of nurturing five clusters of transformative qualities and capacities—awareness, connection, insight, purpose, and agency—guided by relational approaches required to support profound and integrative learning experiences. We provide concrete examples of how to implement these principles. The proposed principles aim to inspire educators and learners to deeply engage with sustainability challenges to contribute to transformative change across individual, collective, and system levels.Open Access funding provided by University of Turku (including Turku University Central Hospital).Horizon 2020 Framework Programmehttp://dx.doi.org/10.13039/100010661Strategic Research Councilhttp://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100009047Svenska Forskningsrådet Formashttp://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100001862Academy of Finlandhttp://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100002341University of Turku (including Turku University Central Hospital